Illyricum

A Roman territory on the eastern Adriatic coast, Illyricum is named once as the far western boundary of Paul's preaching arc. The same region is reached again through the parallel name Dalmatia in the late note about Titus.

The Far Edge of Paul's Preaching

Writing to Rome, Paul describes the geographic span of his completed work in two ends — Jerusalem at the east, Illyricum at the west: "in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and around [Jerusalem] even to Illyricum, I have fully preached the good news of Christ;" (Ro 15:19). The mention sets the boundary of what he counts as already done.

Dalmatia, the Same Coast

In a late personal note, the southern district of the same region is named in connection with Titus's mission: "for Demas forsook me, having loved this present age, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia" (2Ti 4:10). Demas's defection and Titus's posting are set side by side.