The Book of Acts Chapter 20

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The Book of Acts Chapter 20

Text from https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.20.NIV

The Third Mission Journey (2); Europe, Troas, & Miletus

Through Macedonia and Greece

1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. (Leaving to Macedonia- Europe.)

2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, (along the way) and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. (From Greece to Macedonia again.)

4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. (Some company with Paul.)

5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. (The accompanies went to Troas.)

6 But we (Paul and Luke) sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Passover), and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas

7 On the first day of the week (Sunday) we came together to break bread (Worship). Paul spoke (Sermon) to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. (The meeting was lengthened.)

8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting.

9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. (The message was long. Phil. 3:1) When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. (The death of Eutychus. Let us be awakened during the meeting.)

10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” (Paul was used to revive Eutychus.)

11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate (Communion Service). After talking until daylight, he left. (Left on Monday.)

12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. (Boating than walking.)

14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene.

15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. (Sailing through the cities.)

16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost. (Paul tried to pass Ephesus due to travel plan.)

17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. (Paul sent a messenger to bring Ephesian elders to him.)

18 When they arrived (in Miletus), he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. (Paul shared his thoughts with the elders.)

19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. (He was diligent in Ephesus sharing the Gospel in the midst of hardships and rejections.)

20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. (He was bold here the there.)

21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. (He shared the Gospel regardless of ethnicity or traditions.)

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. (He was headed to Jerusalem where a lot of enmity of the Jews waiting for him.)

23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. (One thing for sure is that believers can't avoid hardship and persecution. Mt. 7:13-14)

24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; (Paul never intended his life for himself.) my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (But the sharing the Gospel is his ultimate life-long goal. Jn. 4:34)

25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. (This might be the last chance to meet each other due to the unknown hostile future.)

26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.

27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. (Paul made this meeting the last chance to reconcile each other.)

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (The elders were elected and appointed to be the shepherds of the Ephesian church.)

29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. (Church will face many of evil challenges.)

30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. (Even coworkers can be wolf like.)

31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. (Be prepare for the heretic challenges based on the truth.)

32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Paul commissioned the elders for the ministry of the church. Teachers come and go but the Truth stays.)

33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. (Paul has been single minded not pursuing his financial gain.)

34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. (Even Paul supported his own life with tent making. 18:3)

35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (We must help those weak people with our effort rather than personal gain and comfort.)

36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. (Paul wrapped up the message with prayer.)

37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. (They wept together and kissed Paul.)

38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship. (They were concerned that they may not see each other anymore. It is true that there always is parting where meeting is. We live moment by moment in the Eternity.)