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Acts Chapter Twenty

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Return Trip of Paul’s Third Journey

I. He departed from Ephesus, came to Greece and turned back to Troas:

  A. He departed from Ephesus, passed through Macedonia and came to Greece (v.1-2).

  B. He sailed away from Macedonia to Troas (v.3-6).

  C. He gathered together with them in the Lord’s Day in Troas and spoke to them and continued his message until midnight (v.7).

  D. A young man named Eutychus fell down from the third and was raised from the dead (v.8-12).

II. He encouraged the Ephesian elders in Miletus:

  A. He came to Miletus from Troas (v.13-16).

  B. He sent to Ephesus and called for the Ephesian elders (v.17).

  C. He gave an account of his waling in Asia (v.18-21, 25-27).

  D. He declared his burden to go to Jerusalem (v.22-24).

  E. He encouraged the elders that they should take heed to themselves and to all the flock (v.28-31).

  F. He commended them to God and to the word of His grace (v.32).

  G. He mentioned his example of toil and helping others again (v.33-35a).

  H. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (v.35b).

  I. He knelt down and prayed and then left them sorrowfully (v.36-38).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Acts. 20:1 “After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.

   YLT: “And after the ceasing of the tumult, Paul having called near the disciples, and having embraced [them], went forth to go on to Macedonia;”

   Literal Meaning: After the uproar had ceased” It indicates that after the uproar in Ephesus that was caused by Demetrius, a silversmith, had ceased (Acts. 19:23-41).

  “To go to Macedonia” Paul purposed to go to Jerusalem after he had passed Macedonia and Achaia (Acts. 19:21), i.e. Greece today. They should go to the east originally and now they went to the west, the opposite direction because the church in Macedonia had the burden to give contributions to the church in Jerusalem (See 2Cor. 8:1-2; 1Cor. 16:3-5). At the same time he was deeply concerned about the conditions of the church in Corinth. It is reckoned that the second book of Corinthians was written during this period of time in Macedonia (See 2Cor. 2:12-14; 7:5-8; 8:1-2; 9:2; Rom. 15:26-28).

 

Acts. 20:2 “Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece

   YLT: “and having gone through those parts, and having exhorted them with many words, he came to Greece;”

   Literal Meaning: Now when he had gone over that region” “that region” refers to Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea and other places within the border of Macedonia.

  “He came to Greece” “Greece” was the name of place, i.e. the province of Achaia and its capital town was Corinth.

 

Acts. 20:3 “and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.

   YLT: “having made also three months' [stay] -- a counsel of the Jews having been against him -- being about to set forth to Syria, there came [to him] a resolution of returning through Macedonia.”

   Literal Meaning: and stayed three months” It is reckoned that the Book of Romans of Paul should be written in Corinth at this time (See Rom. 15:22-32; Acts. 19:21; 1Cor. 16:3-7). Some people held that the Book of Galatians was also written at this time. During these three months, it seemed that he had gone to Grete (Tit. 1:5) and Nicopolis along the western bank of Macedonia. He wintered there (Tit. 3:12) because men usually did not sail in winter.

  As he was about to sail to Syria” He previously intended to pass through the Aegean Sea from Grete which was close to Corinth and go back to Jerusalem by way of Syria.

  “When the Jews plotted against him” Probably the Jews planed to seize him in the boat.

  “He decided to return through Macedonia.” It means that he changed his previous plan and let a part of the fellow-workers sail to Troas (See v.5) and he, with Luke and others, passed through Macedonia by land and sailed from Phillip which was in the northeastern corner to join them at Troas (See v.6).

 

Acts. 20:4 “And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia--also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

   YLT: “And there were accompanying him unto Asia, Sopater of Berea, and of Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus, and of Asiatics Tychicus and Trophimus;”

   Meaning of Words: Secundus”: second; “Gaius”: joy; “Tychicus”: fortunate.

   Literal Meaning: accompanied him to Asia” The men that were mentioned here may be the representatives that were sent by churches in various places. They carried the contribution to Jerusalem so as to help the poor believers (See 1Cor. 16:3-5). Paul did his best to avoid carrying the contribution alone, lest people talk (See 2Cor. 8:19-21).

  Sopater of Berea” “Sopater” may be Sosipater, the kinsman of Paul (Rom. 16:21).

  Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians” “Aristarchus” was once seized by the Ephesian mobs (Acts. 19:29); he followed Paul all the time and even accompanied him in the prison (Acts. 27:2; Col. 4:10; Philem. 24).

  “And Gaius of Derbe” “Gaius” was a usual name at that time and several different “Gaius”s were mentioned in the New Testament (Acts. 19:29; 1Cor. 1:14; Rom. 16:23; 3John. 1).

  “And Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia” “Tychicus” may be born in Ephesus and he was usually sent to various places by Paul to send letters and oral messages (Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; 2Tim. 4:12; Tit. 3:12). “Trophimus” was surely the Gentile in Ephesus (Acts. 21:29) and later he had no alternative but stayed in Miletus because of sickness (2Tim. 4:20).

  In the above name list, Titus and another two brothers who were sent by the church in Corinth to carry the contribution were not mentioned (2Cor. 8:6, 16-23). Some Bible exegetes surmised that Titus may be the brother of Luke according to the flesh and therefore their names were not declared and they were included in “us” (See v.5).

   Enlightenment in the Word: Christians should provide for honest things. We should not only have a good conscience in the sight of the Lord but also be cautious in the sight of men and try our best to avoid being misunderstood or suspected by others (See 2Cor. 8:20-21).

 

Acts. 20:5 “These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.

   YLT: “these, having gone before, did remain for us in Troas,”

   Literal Meaning: waited for us at Troas” The word “us” showed that Luke, the author of this book, was also included. The last time that this word appeared before this time was in Acts. 16:17 and it was in Philippi (See Acts. 16:12). And now this word was used again in Philippi (See v.6) and therefore the Bible exegetes surmised that Luke may keep staying in Philippi these years and joined Paul here again. From then on he was always with Paul all the time and accompanied him to Rome (Acts. 28:14) and he was with Paul before the moment he was martyred (Col. 4:10, 14; Philem. 23-24; 2Tim. 4:11).

 

Acts. 20:6 “But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

   YLT: “and we sailed, after the days of the unleavened food, from Philippi, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.”

   Literal Meaning: after the Days of Unleavened Bread” “The Days of Unleavened Bread” refers to the feast of seven days of the Passover. It is also called the Feast of the Unleavened Bread because men are not allowed to eat what is leavened (Exod. 12:18-20; Luke. 22:7). It shows that Paul and others spent the Passover in Philippi.

  “We sailed away from Philippi” It indicates that they went on board at the port of Neapolis which was close to Philippi (See Acts. 16:11-12).

  “And in five days joined them at Troas” At that time two days was needed to sail from Philippi to Troas (See Acts. 16:11). Here the reason for delay was not explained. The boat may sail slowly because it was influenced by the contrary wind.

  “Where we stayed seven days” From the following descriptions, Paul seemed to wait seven days there in order to join the gathering of the Lord’s Day.

 

Acts. 20:7 “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

   YLT: “And on the first of the week, the disciples having been gathered together to break bread, Paul was discoursing to them, about to depart on the morrow, he was also continuing the discourse till midnight,”

   Meaning of Words: “the week”: the period of Sabbath.

   Literal Meaning: the first day of the week” refers to the day of the Lord’s resurrection (Matt. 28:1; Mark. 16:2; Luke. 24:1; John. 20:1, 19) and the “Lord’s Day” (Rev. 1:10).

“When the disciples came together to break bread” “The disciples” included Luke the authority of this book. Them (Paul and others) stayed at Troas seven days (See v.6), however, they came together to break bread and remembered the Lord “on the first day of the week”; it shows that believers at that time attached importance to the Lord’s Day: they separated the day from the common days and came together for the sake of the Lord specially.

According to the grammatical structure in the original, “the first day of the week” and “came together to break bread” have the same apposition, showing that they come together to break bread on every first day of the week.

“Breaking bread” refers to the bread-breaking of remembering the Lord’s death and it is also called “the Lord’s table” and “the Lord’s Supper” (1Cor. 10:16-17, 21; 11:20, 23-26). After they broke bread and remembered the Lord, they usually had “the love feast” (See 1Cor. 11:21-22, 33-34).

In the beginning of the church, probably on the Lord’s Day believers usually came together after the evening because: 1) at that time, some slaves became Christians and they needed to work during the day and were able to attend the gathering at night only; 2) the gathering of remembering the Lord by breaking bread was held at night and therefore it was also called “the Lord’s Supper”.

  Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” Some people said that Paul was ready to depart the next day and therefore they came together to break bread on the first day of the week. This saying was wrong and the right explanation should be that Paul spoke to them and continued his message until midnight because he was ready to depart the next day. According to the Roman chronometry, a day is counted from midnight to midnight (the Jews count the day from sunset to sunset) and therefore “the next day” refers to Monday. They came together to break bread in the evening of the Lord’s Day and listened to Paul speak until the daybreak of Monday (See v.11).

  This verse shows that the church in the beginning did two things on the Lord’s Day: 1) “break bread” to remember the Lord; 2) listen to Paul “speak”, i.e. they came together to listen to God’s servants preach.

   Controversial Clarification: Some people call themselves as the sect of Christianity and bring the way of the Sabbath in the Old Testament to the Lord’s Day and it is indeed falling to the Law from grace. Christians in the New Testament should not regard the Lord’s Day as a day of rest or a day of keeping the religious ceremony. We should regard it as a day that the Saints coome together to worship the Lord in Spirit and truth and a day that we eat the Lord’s Supper and remember the Lord together.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “The first day of the week” is the day of our Lord’s death and resurrection and it is the day when many disciples met the Lord originally (Matt. 28:1, 9; Mark. 16:9; Luke. 24:13-15; John. 20:19, 26). It is also the day when it is easiest for us to meet the Lord.

2) Christians should attach importance to “the Lord’s Day”, separate this day for the Lord and come together with all believers to remember and pursue the Lord.

3) When the spiritual atmosphere is high in the church, the spirit of God will work freely, the time of gathering won’t be limited naturally and it is not unusual that they gather together until the midnight.

 

Acts. 20:8 “There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.

   YLT: “and there were many lamps in the upper chamber where they were gathered together,”

   Meaning of Words: “lamps”: torch.

 

Acts. 20:9 “And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.

   YLT: “and there was sitting a certain youth, by name Eutychus, upon the window -- being borne down by a deep sleep, Paul discoursing long -- he having sunk down from the sleep, fell down from the third story, and was lifted up dead.”

   Meaning of Words: Eutychus”: by luck, by chance.

   Literal Meaning: a certain young man” He may be in his tenth and therefore he was called “the lad” in v.12.

  “Who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep.” “Being sinking into” and “being overcome” are the same word in the original and it indicates that he was overcome, conquered and pressed by sleepiness so that he slept heavily.

  “And was taken up dead” It was the description of Luke the physician, the authority of this book. And therefore we should believe that he was indeed dead and should not surmise that he was just in a state of unconsciousness as the modern Liberalists do.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If believers are spiritually naïve (“a certain young man”), do not know the danger of the situation (“sat in a window”), are not watchful in the spirit (“was sinking into a deep sleep…was overcome by sleep”), they will probably fall down (“fell down”) and in a result they will be spiritual depressed (“dead”).

2) Whoever is “overcome by sleep” towards the Lord’s word will fall from the spiritual high peak------“fell down from the third story” to the spiritual death temporarily------“was taken up dead”.

3) The devil always makes accidents so as to interrupt the gathering and therefore we should watch and pray for the gathering and ask the Lord to keep the gathering.

 

Acts. 20:10 “But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.’”

   YLT: “And Paul, having gone down, fell upon him, and having embraced [him], said, `Make no tumult, for his life is in him;'”

   Literal Meaning: “fell on him” Elisha, the prophet in the Old Testament, once brought a dead back to life by lying upon him (2Kings. 4:33-35).

  “For his life is in him” “Life” refers to one’s “self”. Once soul departs from the body, the body becomes “the dead body” (James. 2:26). The souls will depart from the bodies after the common people die (Gen. 35:18) and the souls will be taken up in hell temporarily (Acts. 2:27, 31) and wait for the judgment at the last day (Rev. 20:13).

 

Acts. 20:11 “Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.

   YLT: “and having come up, and having broken bread, and having tasted, for a long time also having talked -- till daylight, so he went forth,”

   Meaning of Words: “eaten”: taste.

   Literal Meaning: had broken bread and eaten” There is an article concerning “had broken bread” in the original and it should be “had broken the break” literally. It means that they break bead to remember the Lord. “Eaten” refers to taking food except bread, i.e. the love feast. In the beginning of the church, breaking bread to remember the Lord and the love feast were carried out together, however, some abnormal condition took place later (See 1Cor. 11:20-34) so that this custom was given up gradually.

  “And talked a long while, even till daybreak” Paul was ready to depart the next day (See v.7) and he did not have chance to talk with them (See v.25, 38) and therefore he talked with them earnestly and tirelessly. It shows that: 1) Paul had the gift of making weighty preachment; 2) Paul had long and close sentiments with the listeners.

 

Acts. 20:12 “And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

   YLT: “and they brought up the lad alive, and were comforted in no ordinary measure.”

   Literal Meaning: And they brought the young man in alive” “In alive” shows that he was in good condition and he was vigorous and energetic and did not have the appearance of the state of coma at all.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The gathering of breaking bread (See v.7) is to display the victory that through death the Lord might destroy him that had the power of death and therefore life overcomes death finally------“they brought the young man in alive”.

2) Only the witness that life overcomes death could make us be comforted and encouraged.

 

Acts. 20:13 “Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.

   YLT: “And we having gone before unto the ship, did sail to Assos, thence intending to take in Paul, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go on foot;”

   Literal Meaning: and sailed to Assos” “Assos” was in the north of the ras of Troas and they needed to sail to pass through the cape.

  “Intending himself to go on foot” There was about thirty kilometers from Troas to Assos on foot. Paul arranged so and probably he wanted to have a period of time to have communion with God alone.

 

Acts. 20:14 “And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.

   YLT: “and when he met with us at Assos, having taken him up, we came to Mitylene,”

   Literal Meaning: and came to Mitylene” “Mitylene” was the main city on the island of Lesbos which was not far from the west bank of the province of Asia.

 

Acts. 20:15 “We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus.

   YLT: “and thence having sailed, on the morrow we came over-against Chios, and the next day we arrived at Samos, and having remained in Trogyllium, on the following day we came to Miletus,”

   Literal Meaning: “the next day…the following day…the next day” refers to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

    “Came to Miletus” “Miletus” was an important port on the southwest bank of the province of Asia. It was not far from Ephesus and was about fifty kilometers away from it.

 

Acts. 20:16 “For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

   YLT: “for Paul decided to sail past Ephesus, that there may not be to him a loss of time in Asia, for he hasted, if it were possible for him, on the day of the Pentecost to be at Jerusalem.”     

   Literal Meaning: so that he would not have to spend time in Asia” When Paul preached in Ephesus, a great commotion was arisen (Acts. 19:23-24). If he went back, probably he may be involved and it would be hard for him to get away.

  “For he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost” During the Passover, many people would come to Jerusalem for the feast from various countries (Acts. 2:1, 5). Probably Paul intended to make use of this opportunity to meet more people and preach to them. There were seven weeks from the Passover to the Pentecost and two weeks had passed at that time (See v.6, 15).

   Enlightenment in the Word: here it is not written in the Bible that “God asked Paul to sail past Ephesus” but that “Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus”. Those who truly know God must know the will of God clearly and therefore his determination will naturally accord with the will of God.

 

Acts. 20:17 “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

   YLT: “And from Miletus, having sent to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the assembly,”

   Literal Meaning: From Miletus he sent to Ephesus” “Miletus” had four seaports and it was a city in which the Greek culture prevailed. Ephesus was about fifty kilometers away on the north of Miletus.

 

Acts. 20:18 “And when they had come to him, he said to them: You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,

   YLT: “and when they were come unto him, he said to them, `Ye -- ye know from the first day in which I came to Asia, how, with you at all times I was;”

   Literal Meaning: when they had come to him” According to the speed at that time, it is reckoned that they probably come to him the third day that Paul stayed in Miletus.

  “He said to them” The words from this verse to v.35 are the only message to the leaders of the church that is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “In what manner the preacher lived” is obvious to all and it is “known” to the elders and fellow-workers. And therefore the Lord’s servants should be cautious about how they live.

2) A preacher must have three essential conditions: “preaching”, “the word”, “man”; the most important of them is “man”. If the “man” is wrong, no matter how good the way of “preaching” is and how unique the word is, they are useless before God.

3) As the vessel, so shall the work be. If God’s workers want to do great work, they should become great vessels. If we want to know why the work of Paul was so great in the nineteenth chapter of the Acts, we should know “in what manner he always lived”.

 

Acts. 20:19 “serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

   YLT: “serving the Lord with all humility, and many tears, and temptations, that befell me in the counsels of the Jews against [me];”

   Literal Meaning: “with all humility” “all” refers to everything, including great events and small matters, things in public or in private. He always had the attitude of humility.

  “With many tears” The reason why Paul was in tears may not be his own sufferings but the pain and misery for the spiritual conditions of the church and believers (See v.31; 2Cor. 2:4; Pill. 3:18).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Serving the Lord with all humility” The most important in serving the Lord is holding the attitude of humility. It is not to exercise dominion over the Lord’s flock but being the servant of all; it is not to be served, but to serve (Matt. 20:25-28).

2) The spiritual ones are not cold-blooded, the more one is of spiritual, the more emotional he will be. However, it is not the natural emotions but the mood of the Lord (See Heb. 4:15; 5:7).

 

Acts. 20:20 “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,

   YLT: “how nothing I did keep back of what things are profitable, not to declare to you, and to teach you publicly, and in every house,”

   Literal Meaning: that was helpful” Please note that people are unlikely fond of the words that are helpful to them.

  “How I kept back nothingbut proclaimed it to you” “kept back…but proclaim” means concealing for misgiving. Though Paul was will all humility (v.19), he was not craven and he boldly spoke the words that should be preached publicly without any misgiving or reservation.

  “And taught you publicly and from house to house” The former refers to the public occasions, e.g. in the synagogue or in the school of Tyrannus (Acts. 19:8-9); the letter indicates that most of the target audience was the household (Acts. 16:32) and kinsmen and near friends (Acts. 10:24) of believers.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) What’s most important for a servant of the Lord is to know what is helpful to the Saints and what is unhelpful to them. He should speak what is helpful and do not speak what is unhelpful.

2) He whoever dare not say what he should say and “keeps back” something is not the Lord’s faithful servant because he is afraid of displeasing men because he scruples about human relationship or he is afraid of his suffering because he is unwilling to pay price.

 

Acts. 20:21 “testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

   YLT: “testifying fully both to Jews and Greeks, toward God reformation, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

   Meaning of Words: “testifying”: bear witness fervently, earnestly advice; “toward”: into; “faith toward”: believe in.

   Literal Meaning: repentance toward God” “repentance” in the original means “the change of mind”; the Holy Spirit works in men’s hearts and lets men see that they are against God and therefore they blame themselves (John. 16:8) and have a will to repent and turn to God. It is the repentance.

  “And faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” “Faith” in the original means “believing on or receiving”; faith toward the Lord is to believe on the name of the Lord and to receive Him as the Savior (John. 1:12).

  “Repentance” and “faith” are the two essential elements in the gospel. They are indispensable just as the two sides of a coin. The faith without repentance may be not true. And the repentance without faith is of no value. If men truly repent and turn to God, they will believe into Jesus Christ; if men truly believe in the Lord, they will repent and turn to God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “To Jews, and also to Greeks” The Lord’s workers should not have the discrimination on the grounds of race and religious backgrounds.

2) “Repentance toward God” shows that the repentance that makes men receive the salvation is not the repentance toward goodness, righteousness and others but the repentance toward God. It is not with the goal of other things but God Himself. 

3) If a man does not truly feel the sin that he was far away from God, he will not truly receive the Lord Jesus as his Savior. And therefore though repentance is not the condition for one’s being saved, it is the presuppositional phenomenon before one truly believes in the Lord.

4) If our faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ is only the “knowledge” of mind and the “identification” of emotion and we do not truly “believe on” Him, we have not truly believed in Him.

5) The true faith shall make us no long live by ourselves and entrust ourselves unto the Lord and live by Him.

 

Acts. 20:22 “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,

   YLT: “`And now, lo, I -- bound in the Spirit -- go on to Jerusalem, the things that shall befall me in it not knowing,”

   Meaning of Words: “bound”: be in bonds, tie; “there”: in it.

   Literal Meaning: bound in the spirit” “spirit” refers to believers’ spirit that is born from above; Paul felt restraint, urgency and pressure in his spirit and it seemed that he would not feel free and relaxed if he did not go to Jerusalem.

  “Not knowing the things that will happen to me there” It shows that Paul had a feeling in the spirit that something would happen upon him this time that he went to Jerusalem.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christians walk not according to the inference of mind and reason but the urgency and guidance of the spirit.

2) The urgency, pressure and compelling in the spirit make men despise tribulations and not count their lives dear to themselves (See v.23-24) because only through obedience the inner men will be released.

 

Acts. 20:23 “except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

   YLT: “save that the Holy Spirit in every city doth testify fully, saying, that for me bonds and tribulations remain;”

   Literal Meaning: except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city” It has two meanings: 1) the Holy Spirit directly bore witness toward Paul continuously; 2) the Holy Spirit indirectly bore witness toward Paul through believers in various places.

  Controversial Clarification: some people held that Paul should not be deaf to the warning and dissuasion of the Holy Spirit and therefore he was arrested and imprisoned in Jerusalem. However, what the Holy Spirit did here is of the nature of the “preliminary announcement” instead of the order of “prohibition” (See Acts. 16:6-7); announcing the misfortune in advance does not mean prohibition and therefore we should not conclude that Paul’s going to Jerusalem this time was against the will of the Holy Spirit according to it.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Paul clearly knew that “chains and tribulations awaited him” in Jerusalem, however, he still went to the city of Jerusalem, just as the Lord Jesus still steadfastly set His face to go to the city of Jerusalem when he clearly knew that He would suffer death there (Luke. 9:51).

2) The steps of preachers are according to the burden and guidance in the spirit and they are not determined by whether there is peace or tribulations in future.

 

Acts. 20:24 “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

   YLT: “but I make account of none of these, neither do I count my life precious to myself, so that I finish my course with joy, and the ministration that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify fully the good news of the grace of God.”

   Meaning of Words: “life”: soul.

   Literal Meaning: But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself” It implies that Paul had a feeling that he would be martyred finally.

  “To testify to the gospel of the grace of God” “the gospel of the grace of God” and “the kingdom of God” (See v.25) seem to have the same meaning, however, the Dispensationalists held that they were different.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) To every believer, there is a race before him from the day he has been saved and he has to run forth (Heb. 12:1).

2) When we walk on the way of the Lord, we should not consider our behavior according to the safety of our life. We should consider finishing the ministry that we have received from the Lord.

3) There are two important things for those who serve the Lord: a) faithfulness; b) wisdom (Matt. 24:45). In other words, we have to clearly know the ministries that the Lord has assigned to us and the race that the Lord has asked us to finish. Moreover, once we clearly know these things, we shall be faithful to the end and finish the race and ministry.

4) The Lord does not ask each of us to be martyrs, however, we should hold the attitude of martyrs, i.e. not loving our own life. The life is our life of soul. To his life of soul, Paul did not love it and even did not count it dear. And it is the attitude that everyone who serves the Lord should have. 

5) If one is moved by his life, he shall be afraid of death; if one is afraid of death, he is all his lifetime subject to the bondage of death (Heb. 2:15). Such man is unworthy to be the Lord’s servant.

6) Men’s “race” is their “ministry”. The capital by which we finish the race is our “life” and “time” which the life is of. The life and time that we own is the capital that God has given us to make us finish the race and ministry.

7) Those who know the Lord know that all his fortune and experiences are measured by the Lord and He has His goodwill in everything and therefore they go forth at ease in order to finish the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us.

 

Acts. 20:25And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

   YLT: “`And now, lo, I have known that no more shall ye see my face, -- ye all among whom I did go preaching the reign of God;”

   Literal Meaning: “preaching the kingdom of God” There is not the word “God” in the original and it should be “preaching the kingdom”. Here the kingdom is not the visible and material kingdom but the spiritual realm and sphere.

  “Now I know that you allwill see my face no more” It shows that Paul had a feeling that he would no longer have many chances preaching freely and he would be martyred for the Lord finally. The fact proves that after he went to Jerusalem and was arrested and imprisoned, he was transferred to Rome. Though he was released temporarily, he did not arrive in Ephesus in the return trip and was imprisoned again and he was kept in the prison until he was martyred for the Lord.

 

Acts. 20:26 “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

   YLT: “wherefore I take you to witness this day, that I [am] clear from the blood of all,”

   Literal Meaning: Therefore I testify to you this day” “this day” is with the tone of emphasis.

  I am innocent of the blood of all men” It shows that all men should bear the responsibility of their blood and he was innocent. Paul said so because he did not neglect the responsibility as a “preacher” and he did what he should preach and teach and kept back nothing (See v.20, 27). And therefore the problem did not lie in him but the audience.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God’s servants are set as “watchmen unto the house of Israel” and they should give the multitudes the warning from God. If they do not give them warning from God, they shall be required by God; if they have given them warning from God, they have delivered their souls no matter what the consequences (Ezek.3:16-21).

2) The Lord puts us among the particular crowd (including kinsmen and friends, colleges, classmates, neighbors and etc.) and asks us to bear the responsibility of preaching the gospel; if we do not preach, we will be called to account (1Cor. 9:16-17).

3) Our responsibility is preaching and the sin is not on us if others are unwilling to receive. Certainly, we should learn the skills at preaching the gospel so as to make others receive the gospel more easily.

 

Acts. 20:27 “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

   YLT: “for I did not keep back from declaring to you all the counsel of God.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Concerning the whole counsel of God, we should not be shunned to declare or pursue. As Christians, it is wrong that we merely receive some truth of the Bible and do not receive other truth.

2) If preachers have shunned to preach, the will of God will be darkened and consequently they not only sin against God but also make men not have the benefits (See v.20).

3) If we compare this verse with v.20, we shall know that “the whole counsel of God” is the principle of what is truly “helpful”.

 

Acts. 20:28 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

   YLT: “`Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the assembly of God that He acquired through His own blood,”

   Meaning of Words: “overseers”: the looker above, the supervisor above.

   Literal Meaning: among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” It shows us two things: 1) overseers are the elders (See v.17) and the elders are overseers and the two appellations refer to the same duty; 2) the elders are made by the Holy Spirit and are not chosen or ordained by men. Though apparently the elders are appointed by the apostles (Acts. 14:23; Tit. 1:5), actually the apostles only understood the meaning of the Holy Spirit and proved the appointment of the Holy Spirit.

  “Which He purchased with His own blood” The Bible exegetes had great debate over this sentence, especially in the explanation for the word “He”. If He refers to the Lord Jesus and it seems that it did not connect with the previous word “God”. If He refers to God, God is the Spirit and could not bleed. Actually in Paul’s whole passage of words, God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit alternate (v.21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 32, 35) and the truth of Trinity is included. The word “He” here could be explained as the Lord Jesus with the body and what the Lord Jesus has done is also what the Holy Trinity has done. Moreover, some Bible exegetes held that it could be translated into “with the blood of the one who is of Him” or “with the blood of His beloved one” in the original and therefore He refers to the Lord Jesus.

   Controversial Clarification: in the second century, the elders and overseers became the leaders of the church of two different classes because of the wrong teaching of Ignatius and the elders took chare of the church in one place and the overseers were superior to the elders and supervised the churches in several places in one district. And the overseers were also called “bishops”. Actually “the elders” and “overseers” were synonyms (c.f. v.17, the two words could alternate) and they refer to the same group of people.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “The Holy Spirit has made you” It is the clear proof that the Holy Spirit works in the church; the existence and building-up of the church is all of the Holy Spirit instead of any spiritual giant.

2) When all workers who are greatly used by the Lord appoint the elders in various places, they should earnestly look upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit and should not do it by their own favor or others’ recommendation.

3) In the original, “overseers” does not mean to take charge of or control others but to take care of others and therefore the elders should feed the flock of God according to the will of God and should not be lords over God's heritage (1Pet. 5:2-3).

4) “Therefore take heed to yourselves” The leaders of the church should take heed to their spiritual states. They won’t take care of the spiritual needs of all Saints properly unless they should live in the light of God’s countenance daily.

5) “And to all the flock” Those who only think about themselves are unworthy to be leaders of the church; a responsible leader of the church should give priority to the blessing of the flock and bear in mind the interest of them in all things and all occasions.

6) All the Saints in the church are all bought by the Lord with His own blood and they are of Him (1Cor. 6:19-20) and everyone should not have the idea of keeping the flock for his own.

 

Acts. 20:29 “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

   YLT: “for I have known this, that there shall enter in, after my departing, grievous wolves unto you, not s paring the flock,”

   Literal Meaning: savage wolves will come in among you” “Savage wolves” refers to the false prophets (Matt. 7:15) and the false teachers (2Pet. 2:1) and they were the false brothers who were brought in surreptitiously (Gal. 2:4).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Not sparing the flock” is the feature of the false teachers; those who only talk about reasons and right and wrong and do not spare the Saints are probably not the true servants whom the Lord has entrusted.

2) When leaders of the church walk in the church, they should use love as the starting point.

 

Acts. 20:30 “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

   YLT: “and of your own selves there shall arise men, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.”

   Literal Meaning: men will rise up, speaking perverse things” “men” refers to the leaders rising from the church who had ulterior motives and they were different from “the savage wolves” in v.29 who were from the outside of the church. “Perverse things” refers to the words that are against the truth.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) There will be the perverse attack where there is the truth. If we want to keep the completeness of faith and the purity of the church, we have to get ready to face the war that may come.

2) Mark them which cause offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them; they, by good words and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple (Rom. 16:17-18) with the aim of making men follow them.

 

Acts. 20:31 “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

   YLT: “`Therefore, watch, remembering that three years, night and day, I did not cease with tears warning each one;”

   Literal Meaning: night and day with tears” It is the wording of generality (See v.19) and we should not explain it that he was in tears twenty-four hours.

 

Acts. 20:32So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

   YLT: “and now, I commend you, brethren, to God, and to the word of His grace, that is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those sanctified.”

   Literal Meaning: I commend you to God and to the word of His grace” “The word of His grace” includes the word of God’s grace “all the time”------the Bible and the word of God’s grace “in season”------the words that the Holy Spirit speaks through men and circumstances.

  “Which is able to build you up” The word of God’s grace would make believers be spiritually rooted and built up in Christ, and established in the faith (Col. 2:7).

  “And give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” The word of God’s grace would sanctify believers (John. 17:17) and have the fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life (Rom. 6:22), i.e. partaking in God’s eternal heritance.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord’s workers should learn to command the church “to God and to the word of His grace” and should not attempt to seize the church at their own hands.

2) Christians should learn the lesson of “commanding”: we should command not only the works of the church but also the individual private affairs.

3) The testimony and message of experiencing God’s grace could have great effect in men’s hearts and therefore they could build up the church.

 

Acts. 20:33 “I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.

   YLT: “`The silver or gold or garments of no one did I covet;”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Those who take care of God’s people shall serve wholeheartedly and not care about the material rewards.

2) If the Lord’s workers are greedy, the quality of his work of preaching will be destroyed and men’s attack and criticism will be brought in. These become the mortal wound to preachers and may also offend others.

 

Acts. 20:34 “Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.

   YLT: “and ye yourselves know that to my necessities, and to those who were with me, minister did these hands;”

  The Background: these hands” Paul was a tentmaker (See Acts. 18:3). Dean Alford, the Bible scholar, said that the tents needed to be dyed at that time. And therefore when Paul spoke of “these hands”, his hands must have been dyed with all the colors and be different from that of others. Moreover, his hands were surely rough because of work and even had callus.

   Literal Meaning: these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me” It does not mean that the Lord’s workers have to do the worldly work to make a living by themselves but that under the condition that the church could not afford workers, they must have the will to take pains to get a job and serve the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God gives us a mouth and two hands with the aim of letting us work more and talk less; what we work speaks louder than what we talk.

2) The Lord’s workers not only preach the word of God in the church, but also should put their hands in the church; they should not learn from the scribes and the Pharisees “who say and do not do” (Matt. 23:3).

 

Acts. 20:35 “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

   YLT: “all things I did shew you, that, thus labouring, it behoveth [us] to partake with the ailing, to be mindful also of the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

   Literal Meaning: that you must support the weak” “The weak” refers to those who were poor in health and cannot stand laboring and therefore their income cannot make ends meet and need others’ help.

  It is more blessed to give than to receive” This sentence is not recorded in the four Gospels and therefore there are two possibilities: 1) Paul used this sentence to sum up the Lord’s teachings concerning “blessings” (Matt. 5:1-12; Luke. 6:20-23); 2) Paul heard other apostles instruct orally that the Lord once said this sentence.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If we keep the money in our own hands, the blessing that we could enjoy is limited and if we take it out and help others, greater blessings will be brought in. 

2) If we are willing to give for the Lord, we will receive more from the Lord. This principle is applied to both the material and spiritual things.

3) The Lord’s blessings pour out to those who are willing to make themselves be others’ blessing.

4) Our joy lies in that what we do for others is more than what others do for us.

 

Acts. 20:36 “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

   YLT: “And these things having said, having bowed his knees, with them all, he did pray,”

   Enlightenment in the Word: prayer is the behavior and expression of commanding to God.

 

Acts. 20:37 “Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,

   YLT: “and there came a great weeping to all, and having fallen upon the neck of Paul, they were kissing him,”

   The Background: according to the custom in the region of the Middle East, men express their friendship with embrace and kiss when they depart from or meet each other.

   Enlightenment in the Word: there is love from the depth of hearts among believers. Once love of brothers is lost, the witness of Christians is lost (See John. 13:34).

 

Acts. 20:38 “sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

   YLT: “sorrowing most of all for the word that he had said -- that they are about no more to see his face; and they were accompanying him to the ship.”

   Enlightenment in the Word: Though “partings in life or death” are the most sorrowful things in the world, we Christians are different from the world because those who are dead in Christ still have the hope of resurrection.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Travel-stained Paul

I. Going------go to, go over, and finish my race (v.1-2, 24).

II. Encouraging------called the disciples and encouraged them with many words (v.1-2).

III. Deciding------he decided to return through Macedonia and Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus (v.3, 16).

IV. Coming together to break bread------we came together to break bread (v.7a).

V. Power upon power:

  A. The power of preaching------continued his message until midnight (v.7b).

  B. The power of love------Paul went down, fell on him (v.10a).

  C. The power of calmness------do not trouble yourselves (v.10b).

  D. The power of healing------the young man in alive (v.12).

  E. The power of walking------intending himself to go on foot (v.13b).

VI. Giving orders and intending------for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot (v.13).

VII. Hurrying on with his journey------he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost (v.16).

 

Paul Stated His Will of Serving the Lord

I. Be consistent (v.18).

II. Will all humility (v.19a; Eph. 4:2).

III. Be not afraid of trials (v.19b).

IV. Keep back nothing (v.20a).

V. Teach everywhere (v.20b; 2Tim. 4:2).

VI. Regardless of objects (v.21).

VII. Be not afraid of danger (v.22).

VIII. Be faithful to what the Lord has entrusted (v.23-27).

 

The Testimony of Paul

I. His life------be good all the time (v.18).

II. His service------serve the Lord with all humility (v.19a).

III. His tears------with many tears and everyone night and day with tears (v.19, 31).

IV. His preaching:

A. Regardless of contents------he kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you and he had not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God (v.20, 27).

  B. Regardless of places------he taught you publicly and from house to house (v.20b).

  C. Regardless of objects------he testified to Jews, and also to Greeks (v.21).

  D. Regardless of night and day------everyone night and day with tears (v.31).

V. His sense of spirit:

  A. He was bound in the spirit by the Lord------he was bound in the spirit (v.22).

  B. He always had the communion of the Holy Spirit------he knew that the Holy Spirit testified in every city (v.23).

VI. His boldness------he did not count his life dear to himself (v.24).

VII. His calmness------he was innocent of the blood of all men (v.26).

VIII. His probity------he had coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel (v.33).

IX. His diligence------his hands…by laboring (v.34-35).

X. His example------he had shown you in every way (v.35a).

 

The Example of the Lord’s Worker

I. The attitude of serving the Lord------with all humility, with many tears (v.19a).

II. The experience of serving the Lord------trials which happened to him by the plotting of men (v.19b).

III. The attitude towards believers------keep back nothing that is helpful, but proclaim it (v.20).

IV. The attitude towards the world------preach the gospel regardless of race (v.21).

V. Towards his own fortune------though he did not know what would happen, he would obey the Holy Spirit (v.22).

VI. In the face of tribulations------none of these things move him; nor does he count his life dear to himself (v.23-24a).

VII. Towards the ministry that the Lord has entrusted------so that he may finish his race with joy, and the ministry which he received from the Lord Jesus (v.24b).

VIII. Preach to the church------preach what he should preach and he was innocent of the blood of all men (v.25-27).

IX. Advice to the elders------take heed to yourselves and to all the flock; watch and remember the words of exhortation (v.28-31).

X. Towards the future of the church------commend the church to God and to the word of His grace (v.32).

XI. The attitude towards money------he has coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel and his hands have provided for others; obey the word “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (v.33-34. 35b).

XII. In what manner he always lives------he had shown you in every way, by laboring like this and supporting the weak (v.35a).

 

Paul’s Exhortation to the Leaders of the Church

I. Take heed to their own identity of overseers (v.28a; 1Tim. 4:16).

II. Take heed to the responsibility for shepherding (v.28b; Eph. 4:11).

III. Remember the mode that the apostles serve God:

  A. Warn faithfully and constantly (v.31).

  B. Build up believers by the word of God (v.32).

  C. Be clean in money (v.33-35a).

IV. Exercise the lesson of “giving” more (v.35b).

 

The Knowledge of the Elders of the Church

I. The elders are made by the Holy Spirit (v.28a).

II. The elders are the overseers of all the flock (v.28b).

III. The elders should take heed to themselves and all the flock (v.28b).

IV. The elders’ responsibility is to shepherd the church of God (v.28b).

V. The elders should watch and beware of savage wolves and perverse men (v.29-30).

VI. The elders should remember the exhortation of the apostles (v.31).

VII. The elders should rely on God and the word of His grace (v.32).

VIII. The elders should learn the example of the apostle (v.33-35a).

IX. The elders should remember the word of the Lord Jesus (v.35b).

 

The Two Kinds of People that Harm the Church

I. The savage wolves------they will come in from the outside, not sparing the flock (v.29).

II. The perverse men------from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves (v.30).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren