Historians know that by Paul’s day, merchants from the Mediterranean area were regularly sailing via the Red Sea to India, and by the mid - second century, some had pushed as far as China.
Ajaloolastele on teada, et Pauluse päeviks olid Vahemere maade kaupmehed rajanud laevaliini Punase mere kaudu Indiasse ning 2. sajandi keskpaigaks olid mõned jõudnud koguni Hiinasse.