What regions do Macedonia and Achaia refer to?
Scripture identifies Macedonia as northern Greece and Achaia as southern Greece. Romans 15 describes believers from these regions making a contribution for the poor Jewish saints at Jerusalem, and 1 Corinthians 16 also references this collection, showing Gentile churches supporting Jewish believers.
Les explains that Macedonia refers to northern Greece, while Achaia refers to southern Greece. He directs us to Romans 15:25-26, where Paul says he goes to Jerusalem to minister to the saints, the Jewish believers, and notes that it pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem. Les emphasizes that these were Gentile churches taking collections and offerings for the poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem. He also points to 1 Corinthians 16:1, where Paul writes concerning the collection for the saints, reinforcing that this was the whole idea—Gentile churches supporting the poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem after Paul and Barnabas received permission from the Twelve to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.