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acts 20
Haystack bible commentary"Stacks and stacks of commentary...."
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==acts 20:1-23:
After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.
2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece
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.
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.
5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.
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.
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.
8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.
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.
10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”
11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.
12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.
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.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
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.
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.
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
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,
19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece
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.
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.
5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.
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.
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.
8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.
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.
10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”
11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.
12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.
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.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
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.
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.
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
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,
19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
==acts 20:24:
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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.
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Evangelism is at the very heart of Christianity. The two can never be separated. When we abandon evangelism, we lose the gospel itself, for evangelism is the gospel being proclaimed and lived.
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==acts 20:25-26:
“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men
==acts 20:27:
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For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
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He did not just highlight the “good” bits or those bits which people wanted to hear. He gave them the entire gospel teaching, warts and all. He did not care if he offended people, or turned people off, or alienated people, or saw people turn their backs on him. Proclaiming truth was always his top priority, regardless of how people responded. He did not pick and choose, cafeteria style, his message. Instead he proclaimed all of God’s truth. And so should we. But the sad truth is, there are many parts of Scripture – and even the gospels – that you will seldom hear about from our pulpits. --Culture Watch
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==acts 20:28:
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“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood,”
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Christ died for the church, He shed His blood because of His love for man. Christ actually died for the entire world, once for all time — past, present and future. The church is made up of those who have accepted Christ as the Bridegroom and are now married to Him. The world has refused to be married to Christ and as such feel no obligation to Him. -Larry Graves
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==acts 20:29-34:
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 “So 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.
33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 “So 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.
33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
==acts 20:35:
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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.’ ”
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“It is more blessed” — more happy! — “to give than to receive.” This is strikingly hedonistic logic. What a parting word to leave in such a poignant moment! Not only does Paul believe this truth, live by it himself, and quote it for others, but he adds that these church leaders should explicitly remember it. That is, bring it to mind, and keep bringing it to mind. Have it guide and motivate you. Turn here in key moments of decision. This is the sort of truth that deserves remembrance. So, be conscious about it, and regularly rehearse this reality, that you might live according to the supernatural way and words of Jesus, rather than as a natural person. The natural human instinct is, I’ll be happier if I get, rather than give. But Jesus teaches another calculus. --David Mathis 2.11.25
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Acts 20:35 calls believers to consider their lives and resources as tools for God’s work, guiding them to find
deeper satisfaction and joy in the act of giving and serving others, following the example set by Jesus Christ.
--The Truth About Christianity
deeper satisfaction and joy in the act of giving and serving others, following the example set by Jesus Christ.
--The Truth About Christianity
Paul delivered this speech in Miletus, a seaport near Ephesus. To show his commitment and set an example, he reminded the elders of his selfless service during his time with them. The verses leading up to this point describe how he did not covet silver, gold, or clothing, and that his own hands had supplied his and his companions' needs.
1) Paul taught that hard work should not be for personal gain alone, but to provide for those who are unable to provide for themselves.
2) "More blessed to give than to receive" is the core message of the verse. It encapsulates the Christian ethic of sacrificial love and generosity. Giving, according to Jesus, results in greater joy and spiritual blessing than receiving.
3) Paul cites Jesus as the ultimate model of this principle. Jesus gave himself completely for humanity, and his life demonstrated the truth that giving is the path to a truly blessed life. This reference to a saying of Jesus not found in the Gospels highlights the fact that some of his teachings were passed down orally in the early church
1) Paul taught that hard work should not be for personal gain alone, but to provide for those who are unable to provide for themselves.
2) "More blessed to give than to receive" is the core message of the verse. It encapsulates the Christian ethic of sacrificial love and generosity. Giving, according to Jesus, results in greater joy and spiritual blessing than receiving.
3) Paul cites Jesus as the ultimate model of this principle. Jesus gave himself completely for humanity, and his life demonstrated the truth that giving is the path to a truly blessed life. This reference to a saying of Jesus not found in the Gospels highlights the fact that some of his teachings were passed down orally in the early church
==acts 20:36-38:
And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
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.
37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
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.