Enoch111, I appreciate your reply.
The word asia meaning orient or east. (Strong's G773 or STRONGS NT 773)
Thayer's Greek Lexicon: " The 'Asia' of the N. T. must not be confounded with the 'Asia proconsularis' of the 4th century"
Though I was not much interested in them earlier, I looked up.
Most of the sources I've seen associated with the Bible translate the word 'asia' in Acts 16:6 being western part of Asia Minor in all certainty.
When I referred to the sources not related to Bible, the word 'asia' began while being referred to the eastern part of Aegean Sea. This word was started and used by Greeks. Gradually the region that was being referred to the word 'asia' expanded and when it began to include regions east of Mediterranian Sea. By 3rd or 4th century A.D. , Greeks came up with the term Mikara Asia meaning Asia Minor or lesser asia. The Asia Major was in today's Iraq.
The word asia was extensively used by Greeks and it was used in several contexts, referring to the Roman province of Asia which is today's western Turkey or old Anatolia and also to the entire continent of present day Asia.
Herodotus, who was ancient Greek historian used the word asia to refer to the continent of Asia during the year, 440 BC. India was well known in Roman Empire because of Alexander the Great's invasion during 326B.C. after conquering Persian Empire. After 1 A.D. India and China were the leading economies who started attracting Europe for trade. The continent of Asia was well known among Greeks/Roman Empire.
According to Acts 16:6, if asia meant Roman province of asia, then Paul left that place without preaching the word of God. It was also known that Paul actually preached the Word of God in the Roman province of asia and established chruches there(sources outside Bible). So the asia here might not exactly refer to the Roman province of asia, because when he was forbidden by the Holy Spirit, Paul was in between the Roman province of Asia and rest of the Asian continent.
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Acts 16:6 says that Paul was at Galatia having travelled through Phrygia. Towards the east of Galatia there was Cappadocia and towards the west it was Phrygia. He was not exactly beside the Roman Province of Asia. Cappadocia was a name given by Persians during 6th century B.C. and they were still being called as Syrians by Greeks during the time of Apostles. Apostle Paul, believed to have already established Church in Cappadocia after being expelled from Jerusalem, then he should be intending to travel beyond Cappadocia towards central Asia(Western Turkey being in the border of Asian continent and Galatia being in the western side of Asian Continent), so the word asia in Acts 16:6 should refer to rest of the Asian continent. When God had forbidden him to preach the gospel in asia, then he should return backwards towards Europe(Macedonia Acts 16:9). So they started back from Galatia, travelled through Phrygia, Roman Province of Asia at Mysia(Acts 16:7).
According to the verse Acts 16:6, after he was forbidden, he reached Mysia which was eastern side of Roman province of Asia and southern border of Bythinia. The fact that the New Testament was written in Greek and Book of Acts written By Luke who was a Greek Physician and not a Roman, not written in the context of someone in America or India in the year 2019A.D. , instead, it was written in the context of those who can read and write in Greek and fully aware of these geographical locations and usage of the words during the time of Apostles, I think probably Luke had not referred to Roman province of asia.
In all the journeys of Paul, Acts 16:6,7 was only once when he had to travel through Roman Province of Asia. The probability of Paul preaching and establishing churches in this region should happen only during this occurence. So the word asia in this verse should refer to rest of Asian continent beyond Cappadocia where he never preached Gospel nor established any church.
In case this is correct, then it would be of interest to those who are into the geographical aspects of The Bible.
If the word asia in Acts16:6 implies either Roman Province of Asia or rest of the Asian continent my question still stands!
The works of God are done in wisdom. If God forbids an Apostle from preaching His Word at a place or a continent at a particular time, it matters a lot.
I found God stopping him twice in Acts 16:6,7
1. From preaching the Word of God in asia (No reason)
2. From going towards Bythinia ( reason v9 Macedonia)
One might suggest Macedonia as reason for both of them!
