This we must bear as a part of the burden of His work. The word cannot at the same time include both, though it may in certain cases, according to the context, mean either. What an unthinking, unkind, and ungrateful world is this, that could let such a man as Paul be poor in it! As sometimes the heaven and earth are appealed to, so here this day shall be a witness, this parting day. And, on the other hand, though he was called to be the apostle of the Gentiles, and the Jews had an implacable enmity against him upon that score, had done him many an ill turn, and here at Ephesus were continually plotting against him, yet he did not therefore abandon them as reprobates, but continued to deal with them for their good. 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. He was a man that was consistent with himself, and all of a piece; take him where you would he was the same at all seasons, he did not turn with the wind nor change with the weather, but was uniform like a die, which, throw it which way you will, lights on a square side. When the ship lands in Miletus, he sends for the Ephesian elders to meet him there. Because Paul, I think, always felt, "Man, if I can convert this guy, wow," you know. Eckhel (iv. It is also the commonest thing possible for the word to apply to resurrection. Paul felt it very important that he be up front with people as far as the Gospel is concerned. Secondly, He counts upon the finishing of his course, and speaks of it as sure and near, and that which he had his thoughts continually upon. Righteousness (that is, consistency with our relationship) is not all. They must take heed to themselves in the first place, must have a very jealous eye upon all the motions of their own souls, and upon all they said and did, must walk circumspectly, and know how to behave themselves aright in the house of God, in which they were now advanced to the office of stewards: "You have many eyes upon you, some to take example by you, others to pick quarrels with you, and therefore you ought to take heed to yourselves." 17 But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him. Commentary on Acts 20 by Matthew Henry - Blue Letter Bible And I love the eating together. Acts 20:17. Undoubtedly, so far, Judaism had prepared the way for the Lord among the nations of the earth, in whose midst Jews were scattered. His preaching was likewise such as it should be, Acts 20:20; Acts 20:21. This is emphatically brought in when it was a question of Barnabas and Saul. In various ways, therefore, divine guidance was never wanting. (6.) "They chose them elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, commending them to the Lord, on whom they believed.". Thus we see that in James's mind what Peter and Paul and Barnabas had pressed was according to the declarations of the prophets, not in conflict but agreement with them. Here again we have an instance of how much we do not know and will never know about the story of Paul. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye k. College Press Bible Study Textbook Series. Or to whom have I been burdensome?" And we are here to give to you in the name of Jesus Christ. For I have been serving the Lord with all humility of mind." For there is no coming to God, as penitent prodigals to a Father, but in the strength and righteousness of Jesus Christ as Mediator. "* To make out the meaning of what Presbyterians or Congregationalists have contended for, it should have been said that they chose by them, or some phrase meaning that they chose by the votes of the assembly. Acts 20 ESV - Paul in Macedonia and Greece - After - Bible Gateway Was it only for the Apostles? (3.) And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us." Take heed to yourselves, for some shepherds will apostatise (Acts 20:30; Acts 20:30): "Also of your ownselves, among the members, nay, perhaps, among the ministers of your own church, among you that I am now speaking to (though I am willing to hope it does not go so far as that), shall men arise speaking perverse things, things contrary to the right rule of the gospel, and destructive of the great intentions of it. We're here to give rather than to receive. Far from thinking that it is not good and wise, I admire the ways of the Lord even in this deprivation of ground for boasting. Which is said, by some, to be about four hundred furlongs from Miletus, and, by others, ten German miles. He was a plain preacher, one that spoke his message so as to be understood. And so rather than getting on a ship and being thrown overboard in the middle of the night, Paul took the wise course and rather than coming by ship back to Syria to go to Jerusalem, he went up then again through Macedonia and he went by land on up again to Macedonia. ( Acts 20:13-17) Paul comes to Miletus and sends for the elders of the church in Ephesus to meet him there. No man can have a true encounter with God and still maintain a prideful position. What a place is this! Nor is it that we should not feel the want of the godly order as of old; but I need not say that if we feel the want of elders, the value of apostles was incomparably greater. Because wolves are going to come in. He had made it his business to serve the Lord, to promote the honour of God and the interest of Christ and his kingdom among them. "They that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him." [Note: Robertson, 3:346-47. 5. c. 2. p. 3. c. 10. p. 590. 1. There were those who perceived that the gospel was too great a boon to be confined to the ancient people of God, that it was adapted to the universal need of men, and that it became God's grace to let it forth to the Gentiles; and they acted on their conviction, and the Lord was with them, and many believed. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. On its contents I need not enlarge: they are familiar to all. "Which when the apostles,* Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? The admiration of Power is natural to man, and particularly to fallen man. He doesn't want to go to Ephesus because he knows he'll stay too long and miss getting to Jerusalem for Pentecost. 20:7-12 On the first day of the week, when we had gathered together to break bread, Paul, who was about to leave on the next day, spoke to them, and he prolonged his talk until midnight. New Living Translation for Acts 20:17. Paul's tears were owing to his temptations; his afflictions helped to excite his good affections. Here, for example, we have the picture of an assembly drawn by the Spirit. People write and say, "Can we duplicate your tapes?" Moreover, its theological themes and vocabulary are distinctively Pauline. They should give willingly and not by pressure, for God loved a cheerful giver. We have had the irritation and the murderous opposition of the Jews in Jerusalem. Probably, now the windows there, of course, weren't glass windows, they were just openings, open windows; sitting there in the window he fell out the window into the patio below, three stories. Our repentance towards God is not sufficient, we must have a true faith in Christ as our Redeemer and Saviour, consenting to him as our Lord and our God. Ministers should in their private visits, and as they go from house to house, discourse of those things which they have taught publicly, repeat them, inculcate them, and explain them, if it be needful, asking, Have you understood all these things? Acts 20 - Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org We have already seen how Paul had set his heart on making a collection from all his churches for the church of Jerusalem. For the church in Jerusalem had become very poor. It will be observed, by the way, that there were leading men among the brethren. Always I showed you that working like this a man must help those who are in trouble and that you must remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that it was he who said, 'It is happier rather to give than to get.'". There are always those foolish little sheep that will go traipsing after any bell. It's like you're giving and trying to give to us rather than taking from us." It seems that maybe he did get to see them again. Life is sweet, and is naturally dear to us. He was a powerful preacher; he preached the gospel . He was a plain preacher, one that spoke his message so as to be understood. I don't know why pastors don't realize that this is the most important function of a pastor is to feed the flock of God. I am sorry to add an instructive sample of the blinding influence of ecclesiastical tradition over a pious mind at an early day. And so Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him ( Acts 20:9-10 ). While Paul was present at Ephesus, he presided in all the affairs of that church, which made the elders loth to part with him; but now this eagle stirs up the nest, flutters over her young; now that they begin to be fledged they must learn to fly themselves, and to act without him, for the Holy Ghost had made them overseers. He said it was Maranatha Music. Grace knows how and when to bend, no less than to be as unflinching as a rock; but this is precisely what even believers in general are least able to understand. . See discussion of this office under Acts 14:23. A free Bible Version and Commentary on the Book of Acts in EasyEnglish. I wasn't here to rip you off or to fleece you. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 1. The law of Moses could justify from nothing. (3.) He was a plain preacher, and one that delivered his message so as to be understood. Ministry in itself has nothing to do with a local charge. To circumcise Timothy was precisely what the law would not have done. Christians gathered together, "Let's break bread together, you know." So we find it among the Gentiles in Acts 20:7. That was not a duty they had chosen but a duty for which they had been chosen. ", The man who has received a true vision of the Lord is a man who has humility of mind. (I give more exactly than in the common text. John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. Paul stocked them that would come in. He sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Church. ", I am well aware that persons of respectability have not been wanting who have tried to make out that the Greek word means that the apostles chose them by taking the sense of the assembly. Ministers must preach the gospel with impartiality; for they are ministers of Christ for the universal church. The praetors were soon forced to acknowledge the wrong they had done in beating Romans uncondemned, contrary to the law of which they were the administrators. Not seeking to be a man pleaser, but seeking to please the Lord, knowing that of the Lord I am going to receive my rewards. It is not enough not to preach that which is hurtful, which leads into error or hardens in sin, but we must preach that which is profitable. He spoke words of encouragement to them and bade them farewell and departed to go to Macedonia. At this very time there were not a few who though Gentiles were not idolaters (and you must bear this in mind), and really did fear God. The apostles pass thence into another place; they are, as ever, unwearied in their love. I. And then I can see the circle of men kneeling as they join hands in prayer, not knowing what the future holds. Paul, like a faithful watchman, had warned them, and, by the warnings he gave men of the danger of their continuing in their Judaism and heathenism, he prevailed with them to embrace Christianity. Such imitation would have possessed no power, and would have secured no blessing. He had come to the conclusion that, though Mark might be a servant of the Lord and of course have his own right sphere, he was not exactly the labourer that was suited for the mission to which the Lord was calling himself. Eutychus, no doubt, had done a hard day's work before ever he came and his body was tired. And that is why he became such a beast.He released Paul on the first trial, but soon called Paul back from Ephesus and beheaded him, as he turned into that beast. Acts 20:17 Elders Acts 20:18-25 Asia Acts 20:26-27 Whole Counsel of God Acts 20:28-38 Church of God Acts 20 Bible Study Questions (Handout) ACTS 20:1 1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, 3 And there abode three months. This intimates that we have our labours appointed us, for we were not sent into the world to be idle; and our limits appointed us, for we were not sent into the world to be here always, but to pass through the world, nay, to run through it, and it is soon run through; I may add, to run the gauntlet through it. These elders, or presbyters, some think, were those twelve who received the Holy Ghost by Paul's hands, Acts 19:6; Acts 19:6. He has purchased it. There are many souls who are not at all in liberty, not having yet received the Spirit of adoption. Thus, the carrying of the question to Jerusalem was a most suitable and wise act. On the other hand presbyters never appointed to that office, though an apostle associated them with himself in laying hands on Timothy when he conferred on him a . Peter, when he saw the Lord, said, "Depart from me, Lord! I commend you to God and the Word of His grace. Heaven is an inheritance which gives an indefeasible right to all the heirs; it is an inheritance like that of the Israelites in Canaan, which was by promise and yet by lot, but was sure to all the seed. p. 16, 17. But then in itself it takes in a much wider range than simply resurrection. There could be no right-minded Gentiles who would not acknowledge the propriety and necessity of that which the. But after no notice was taken for some days, he being grieved at her boldness turns and says to the spirit, "I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." sunk down with sleep, and he fell down from the third loft ( Acts 20:9 ). They insist "that it was needful to be circumcised, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." He fixes a brave and heroic resolution to go on with his work, notwithstanding. Such is the victory that overcomes the world; such the power and perseverance of faith. So often you will hear the Seventh Day Adventist or others such as Herbert W. Armstrong who believe in Sabbath day worship. Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content Acts 20 King James Version 20 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. Let them not think that he quitted Asia now for fear of persecution; nor, he was so far from running away like a coward from the post of danger that he was now like a hero hastening to the high places of the field, where the battle was likely to be hottest: Now, behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, which may be understood either, (1.) It doesn't make any difference. (2.) Though he was born and bred a Jew, and had an entire affection for that nation, and was trained up in their prejudices against the Gentiles, yet he did not therefore confine himself to the Jews and avoid the Gentiles; but preached as readily to them as to the Jews, and conversed as freely with them. And that Paul was released for a time, and just what happened during that period we don't know for sure. Thus the word " them " refutes it for any intelligent reader of the English Bible. So he went back upstairs and broke bread and ate; and he talked with them a long time until dawn came and so he departed. Hey, that's always what a man says when he really sees God, "Woe is me!" . It doesn't bother me that I have to be imprisoned. Acts 20:17-38 - Hawker's Poor man's commentary - Bblia Plus He cares not when the period of his life comes, nor how, be it ever so soon, ever so sudden, ever so sad, as to outward circumstances, so that he may but finish his course with joy. And so Paul said to these Ephesians, "I know that after I depart there are going to be grievous wolves that are going to enter in, not sparing the flock.". I love commitment. There is no ground for it in scripture. This plainly refers to that of the prophet (Ezekiel 33:6), where the blood of him that perishes by the sword of the enemy is said to be required at the hand of the unfaithful watchman that did not give warning: "You cannot say but I have given warning, and therefore no man's blood can be laid at my door." Let us look for a moment at the state of things at Antioch before we pass on. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Ministry there is, and as a distinct though connected thing, an official charge: both are beyond question. Hist. In his concern for them, though his acquaintance with them was but of a late standing, yet so near did they lie to his heart that he wept with those that wept, and mingled his tears with theirs upon every occasion, which was very endearing. To Jerusalem with the offering (20:13-21:16). A man, for instance, as we find in the case of Philip and others might have a local charge at Jerusalem, and there we saw the church choosing, because it was that kind of office which had to do with the distribution of the church's bounty. In Exodus when God gave the Sabbath day law, God said it was a special covenant between Him and Israel. When the question came before them, "there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed." That's what we're here for. Where he became a beast. His text is taken, we may say, from the well-known inscription on the altar, "To the unknown God." Because he didn't know that it was God's will that no one should suffer. He therefore leaves the blood of those that perish upon their own heads, because they had fair warning given them, but they would not take it. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. "I read in Christianity Today, someone wrote a letter into Christianity Today and they told how that they had problems their church was wanting to sing choruses. Because such is man, that, if you become thus over-occupied with it, others will infallibly put it down to some wrong object on your part; whereas on the contrary, others do not so oppose where you trust the Lord simply, only dealing with the matter when it is your duty to deal with it and passing on. But this is not the fact. II. How clearly was shown the folly of their boasted reason! Barnabas, on the contrary, would have Mark with them, and at length so strongly urged this as to make it the necessary condition of his own association with the apostle. In more ways than one it is important; because, as a simple choice takes away "ordination," and with it that mysterious ritual which the greater bodies like, so on the other hand the apostles' choosing for them elders takes away all that gives self-importance to the little churches. Oh, it's that which is able to build you up and bring us into that glorious inheritance. [2.] This was part of the travel that Paul had planned earlier (19:21-22). That you might be fed the Word of God, that you might be perfected for the work of the ministry. On the other hand the idea that means that the apostles conceded to the disciples the power of selecting by vote, whilst they reserved to themselves the right of approval and institution, is still harsher and' in short unexampled in all Greek writings profane or sacred, ancient or medieval. If the feet of these messengers of peace were beautiful upon the mountains, what were their faces? All I know is that I am to be bound and I am to be imprisoned. Just take care of them. The apostle does what is proscribed by all ecclesiastical canons, as far as I know, everywhere: that is to say, he works with his hands at the simple occupation of tent-making "And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. "Now, as you follow secular history, you will find that Nero wasn't such a bad guy in his early reign of the Roman Empire. Though they were ever so obstinate against his warnings, yet he did not cease to warn, not knowing but that at length they might, by the grace of God, be overcome; though they were ever so pliable to his warnings, yet he did not think this would be a sufficient excuse for him to desist, but still he warned those that were righteous as not to turn from their righteousness, as he had warned them when they were wicked to turn from their wickedness, Ezekiel 3:18-21. There's just a closeness of communion. We must look upon it as the business of our life to provide for a joyful death, that we may not only die safely, but die comfortably. These few words summarize what must have been about a whole year of journey and adventure. (3.) See Ramsay, art. * It is scarcely necessary to refute at length the notion of the fathers, and of some moderns like Bishop Bilson (Perpetual Government of Christ's Church, p. 13, Eden's edition, Oxford, 1842), that here means ordaining by imposition of hands. Ch 13:1-15:33First journey to Asia minor. Clarke's Commentary. Those are not likely to be skilful or faithful keepers of the vineyards of others that do not keep their own. He was a powerful preacher, which is intimated in his testifying to them; he preached as one upon oath, that was himself fully assured of the truth of what he preached and was desirous to convince them of it and to influence and govern them by it. Now I've been accused of being longwinded, but you haven't had to put up with anything like that.It is interesting for me to note that it records that they had gathered together on the first day of the week to break bread. He was indefatigable in it; he ceased not to warn. None but Paul and Barnabas chose (whatever the manner); and they chose for the disciples, not by their votes, which would be incompatible with their own choice. I don't go along with Tertullian, but it seems that as early as the time of Tertullian, which was before Constantine, that the first day of the week was already a common practice in the gathering of the church.Now it could be that there was a dispute over which day of the week you should worship the Lord in the early church because in two of Paul's epistles he makes mention of the fact that it really doesn't matter which day you worship the Lord. (What largeness and love! Does this appear to you at all startling? So Paul said one man esteems one day above another, another man esteems every day alike. Because Luke was with Paul we can follow the journey almost day by day and stage by stage. The body of it has three parts, which deal with (1) Pauls past ministry at Ephesus (Acts 20:18-21), (2) Pauls present plans in going to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22-24), and (3) the future of Paul himself and of the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:25-31). Now, as these elders are called , bishops, in Acts 20:28, we may take it for granted that they were the same order; or, rather, that these superintendents of the Church were indifferently called either presbyters or bishops. In the early Church there were two closely related things. This counsel of God it is the business of ministers to declare as it is revealed, and not otherwise nor any further. To draw men after themselves. This is the sign that once again Luke is there and that we are getting an eye-witness account. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. And God knows what a destructive force sin is. "He hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth.". There are persons, I am aware, who think that in the work of the Lord all must be left absolutely without thought of one's own or concert to the Lord Himself. I know that after I have gone away fierce wolves will enter in to you and will not spare the flock; and from your own number there will arise men who will speak perverse things to draw the disciples away after them. Last week we left Paul in Ephesus, in the midst of a near riot in town, as Demetrius the silversmith got together his companions in trade and pointed out how the preaching of Paul was about to put them out of business. There were proselytes as well as children of Jacob. Acts 20:17 - Bible Hub (3.) "And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the ruler of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." If Paul will work for the maintenance of his companions, he is welcome to do it. It is not that they did not know the existence of the Spirit of God. There is great care, and so much the more because Saul was apostle of the Gentiles, to go to the Jews; and it is lovely to see the ways of God in this respect. And when there had been much disputing," etc. The proper rendering here is "raised up Jesus." So he had then dismissed that crowd of people that had gathered in that town square.So chapter 20. Paul was herein like his Master; often in tears; in his praying, he wept and made supplication,Hosea 12:5. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? At the same time, while there is liberty to break bread, wherever there arises a sufficient ground for it in the judgment of the spiritual on any day of the week, it is obligatory, if we may use such a term on such a theme, on all saints walking with the Lord to break bread on the Lord's day, remembering always that the obligation flows from the grace of Christ, and is perfectly consistent with the most thorough sense of liberty before the Lord. we also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.". It was therefore probably a colony founded by C. J. Caesar, and afterwards increased by Augustus. He protests against desiring a gift, Philippians 4:17. The others proceed on their way to Antioch in Pisidia, and there they are found on the sabbath-day in the synagogue. He said there was only one publisher who told us just go ahead, use it freely. II. We learn this from 5 verses in the *New Testament (John 2:17; John 15:25; Romans 11:9-10; and here, Acts 1:20). He began to be overcome by a deep sleep. When he was to earn his bread, he did it by a manual occupation. Ministers must take a more ordinary care of the flock in times of persecution. Poor Paul. Now that I have said what I have to say, The Lord be with you; I must leave you, but I leave you in good hands." It is good for us to be kept in the dark concerning future events, that we may be always waiting on God and waiting for him. This she did many days, for at first the apostle avoided action to give no importance by any assaults of an open kind on the evil spirit. Nevertheless there is no gospel so eminently Jewish as Luke's in its commencement, not even Matthew's. Now they also had on a weekly basis what they called the "love feasts" in which they also took communion at the end. And, if it be the church of God, he expects you should show your love to him by feeding his sheep and lambs." There was no collusion about it. Acts 20:17-27 Commentary | Precept Austin Get the music out, get the word out. He's talking out of his heart. Very likely what happened was this. Now we enter upon another and an important chapter in its way, that is to say, the efforts of the Judaisers, who were now beginning (not to hinder the apostle's work merely, but) to spoil the doctrine which he preached.