I'm enjoying the possibilities that come from the new Study Assistant, but my very first "test" didn't seem to do as good a job as Grok 4.0 (NOTE: I chose not to use Chat GPT, Gemini, or Claude to keep this test simple). I say this because Logos has made it a pitch (my loose paraphrase of what I've seen on Logos videos toughting the Study Assistant) that AI with guard rails will yield better results because it is based on scholarly material (from Logos' 300,000+ resources).
My first query in the Study Assistant was: "Create a bulleted list of all of the apostle Paul’s travel companions according to the New Testament. Provide a biblical reference as proof." The following was copied and pasted into this post:
Study Assistant - 28 seconds:
"Here’s a comprehensive list of Paul’s travel companions according to the New Testament:
- Timothy - A disciple from Lystra, whom Paul wanted to have accompany him (Acts 16:1–3). “Paul considered him a “beloved and faithful son in the Lord” who would “remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Cor 4:17).
- Silas - A companion who traveled with Paul, remaining in Berea when Paul was sent away, and later receiving instructions to join Paul in Athens (Acts 17:4–15).
- Barnabas - Paul’s early ministry partner who sought him out in Tarsus and brought him to Antioch, where they assembled with the church and taught many people (Acts 11:25–30).
- John Mark - Accompanied Barnabas and Saul when they returned from Jerusalem (Acts 12:25–13:3). However, there was a significant dispute between Paul and Barnabas about Mark, which resulted in them parting ways—Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas (Acts 15:37–40).
- Titus - Traveled with Paul to Jerusalem, and notably was not compelled to be circumcised (Gal 2:1–3).
- Aquila and Priscilla - A married couple who were tentmakers and Paul’s “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Acts 18:2–3; Rom 16:3).
- Aristarchus - A Macedonian from Thessalonica who was one of Paul’s travel companions, accompanying him on a sea journey (Acts 19:29; 27:2).
- Tychicus - Described as a “beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord” who would inform churches about Paul’s affairs (Eph 6:21; Col 4:7).
- Gaius - Noted as Paul’s host and the host of the whole church (Rom 16:23).
- Epaphroditus - Described by Paul as a “brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier” who was a messenger and ministered to Paul’s needs (Phil 2:25).
This list demonstrates the rich collaborative nature of early Christian ministry, with Paul consistently surrounded by a supportive network of fellow believers."
Grok 4.0 - 11 seconds:
"Here is a bulleted list of all individuals who, according to the New Testament, accompanied the apostle Paul on at least part of his missionary journeys or travels (including his final journey to Rome). Each entry includes the key biblical reference(s) that show they traveled with him:
- Barnabas – Traveled with Paul on the entire first missionary journey and to the Jerusalem Council (Acts 13:2–4, 7; 14:14; 15:2, 12, 22, 36–39; also Gal 2:1).
- John Mark (also called Mark) – Accompanied Paul and Barnabas at the beginning of the first journey, but turned back; later rejoined Paul (Acts 13:5, 13; 15:37–39; Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11; Phm 24).
- Silas (also called Silvanus) – Paul’s main companion on the second missionary journey and during imprisonment in Philippi (Acts 15:40; 16:19, 25, 29; 17:4, 10, 14–15; 18:5; 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1).
- Timothy – Joined Paul at Lystra and became his most frequent companion on the second and third journeys and in Rome (Acts 16:1–4; 17:14–15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Rom 16:21; 1 Cor 4:17; 2 Cor 1:1, 19; Phil 1:1; Col 1:1; Phm 1; also 1 & 2 Timothy).
- Luke – The “we” passages in Acts show he traveled with Paul from Troas to Philippi (Acts 16:10–17), later from Philippi to Jerusalem (Acts 20:5–15; 21:1–18), and on the voyage to Rome (Acts 27:1–28:16; also Col 4:14; 2 Tim 4:11; Phm 24).
- Sopater of Berea – Accompanied Paul from Greece toward Jerusalem with the collection (Acts 20:4).
- Aristarchus of Thessalonica – Traveled with Paul from Greece to Jerusalem, on the voyage to Rome, and was with him in Rome (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Col 4:10; Phm 24).
- Secundus of Thessalonica – Accompanied Paul from Greece toward Jerusalem (Acts 20:4).
- Gaius of Derbe – Traveled with Paul from Greece toward Jerusalem (Acts 20:4; distinguished from the Gaius of Corinth in Acts 19:29).
- Tychicus – Accompanied Paul from Greece toward Jerusalem and later sent by Paul as a messenger (Acts 20:4; Eph 6:21; Col 4:7; 2 Tim 4:12; Titus 3:12).
- Trophimus of Ephesus/Asia – Traveled with Paul from Greece toward Jerusalem; left ill at Miletus on a later trip (Acts 20:4; 21:29; 2 Tim 4:20).
- Epaphroditus – Traveled from Philippi to Rome to bring aid to Paul while he was imprisoned (Phil 2:25; 4:18).
- Jesus called Justus – Worked alongside Paul in Rome (not explicitly said to have traveled to Rome with him, but was with him there) (Col 4:11).
These are all the individuals the New Testament explicitly describes as traveling companions of Paul at some point in his ministry."
What has been your take when doing side-by-side comparisons?
