Acts 20 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Acts 20

Paul in Macedonia and Greece

20:1 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews¹ as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.

Eutychus Raised from the Dead

7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and² the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.³ 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by⁴ the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,⁵ which he obtained with his own blood.⁶ 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Footnotes

[1] 20:3 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verse 19
[2] 20:15 Some manuscripts add after remaining at Trogyllium
[3] 20:21 Some manuscripts omit Christ
[4] 20:22 Or bound in
[5] 20:28 Some manuscripts of the Lord
[6] 20:28 Or with the blood of his Own

Commentary

v1: In the new, calmer, atmosphere of Ephesus, Paul is able to leave.

v2-3: Three months in Greece; Paul has no rigid schedule in his journeys. He stays as long as is appropriate ion each place; 18 months in Corinth, 3 years in Ephesus, etc. We do need to be sensitive to different situations; yet always submissive to the word of God.

v4-6: Paul's team; different men from different backgrounds, united in serving Christ.

v7: Regular pattern of Christian worship; they meet together on the first day of the week to break bread, and for teaching. The meeting is evidently in the evening; since they probably don't have the luxury of days off. On this occasion, the meeting continues into the morning.

v8-12: The incident of Eutychus, a young man, tired from his day's work, who falls asleep in the meeting; here is something genuine, yet providing an opportunity for a powerful encouragement for the church in Troas.

v13-16: Paul's journey from Troas to Miletus, going towards Jerusalem.

v17: Paul sends for the elders from Ephesus, in whom leadership and authority is vested, and who bear responsibility.

Again, we see the importance of the church at Ephesus; Paul has already stayed there for three years; he later writes to the Ephesians, and to Timothy who will soon be sent there; and John writes to the church there in Rev 2. Paul’s words to the Ephesians elders is full of relational content. He was a spiritual father to the Church and to those he met with.

v18-20: Paul's transparent life; he has nothing to hide, 1 Thess 1.5; 2.4-11. He is diligent, even in tears and trials; here is true servant leadership, costly ministry. Through it all he remained faithful in proclaiming the message, to many and to few, bringing "helpful" teaching. He has therefore set an example of those who are now leaders; notice the stream of verbs used; " ... how I lived ... I served the Lord ...I have not hesitated to preach ... have taught ... have declared, see also v27.

v21: Paul's evangelism; challenging Jews and Gentiles to repentance and faith.

v22-23: Paul's confident expectation; chains and tribulations (9.16). This is already a regular experience for him, and is a particular expectation as he returns to Jerusalem.

v24: Paul's desire; to fulfil his ministry and calling, whatever the cost to himself. He wanted simply to testify to the "gospel of God's grace."

v25: This is Paul's last opportunity to speak with the Ephesian leaders. With Paul moving on, the elders have to depend on the Lord, not on Paul. He leaves the leadership of the church in the hands of a number of elders, not just a single leader; and that leadership must train future leaders, 2 Tim 2.2. Later Timothy is sent because problems develop, not to be the single leader.

v26-27: Paul has been faithful, and none can challenge that. But his life inspires the Ephesian elders also to be faithful. He has not shirked the responsibility to declare "the whole will (counsel) of God." Such a bold claim.

v28: "Keep watch over yourselves," for the task is important; they are made overseers by the Holy Spirit, and they shepherd the church of God, which has been purchased by the blood of Christ. We must keep watch over the whole flock of God, a reference to those who belong to the local church.

v29-30: Problems lie ahead;

savage wolves among the church (this may be a specific prophecy, rather than a general expectation);
they will not spare the flock, for they are uncaring and selfish;
they will include some "even from you own number," from men already accepted as leaders;
they will speak perverse things, which underlines the importance of clear doctrine;
they will draw disciples after themselves, not promoting Christ.

The theme of false teachers is repeated in many of the letters; it is naive to think that the church as a whole, or any local church, will be immune from such people. The parable of the wheat and tares is thus applicable to the church.

v31: Paul has done all he can, and he calls on the leaders to do everything they can. "With tears;" such is a mark of a shepherd's concern for his flock.

v32: The confidence that the Lord is faithful; His word will build us up. Here is motivation for us; the work of God, even through us, can bring great fruit.

v33: Paul's priority was spiritual, not physical; contrast Achan in Josh 7.21.

v34-35: In view of Paul's priority for the spiritual, he has worked to provide for his material needs, so as not to be a burden to the church; see 1 Cor 9.6, 12. There does remain, however, a responsibility for the church to support its servant. Paul does not demean manual work. He does not exalt a calling to serve in the church over an 'ordinary' job.

v36-38: The closing prayer, with more tears. Paul has been a dear friend to these men, and now his final departure brings them to tears. This closing prayer came with tears and affection. Paul was not simply a senior manager sent from HQ to meet with junior staff. Rather, Paul was a father and brother to these dear men. His presence would be missed.