E r 1. Departure.
s 2. Arrival in Greece.
t 3-.bode. Three months.
r -3-5. Return through Macedonia.
s 6-. Arrival at Troas.
t -6. Abode. Seven days.
57 A.D.
Acts 20)
1 Now after the din was ceased, Paul called comforted (or exhorted) the disciples, and greeted them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (Paul had broken no civil law. There was nothing the Romans could take him to court for.)
2 And when he had gone over those parts (doubtless including Philippi, Thessalonica, &c.), and had given them much exhortation (i. e. teaching), he came into Greece,
3 And there abode three months (the whole period covered by vv. 1-3 is about 9 months). And when a plot having been made against him by the Jews (Kenites See 9:24), as he was about to sail into Syria,
his purpose (or judgment) was to return through Macedonia.
4 And there were accompanying him as far as Asia (this was their purpose, but they went before and waited at Traos [v. 5]) Sopater (shortened form of Sosipater, which is found in Rom. 16:21, but there is no connection between the 2 persons. The text adds "son of Prrhus") of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus (see 19:29) and Secundus (only here); and Gaius of Derbe (not the same as in 19:29), and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus (see Eph. 6:21. Col. 4:7. 2 Tim. 4:12. Tit. 3:12. He was with Paul in his 1st and 2ndimprisonments at Rome, and was twice sent by him to Ephesus, which was no doubt his native place, as it was that of Trophimus) and Trophimus. (See 21:29. 2 Tim 4:20)
5 These going before were waiting for us in Troas. (Another port in Asia. Cp. 16:8. 2 Cor. 2:12)
6 And we (Luke was the writer of Acts) sailed away from Philippi (i. e. from Neapolis, its port) after the days of unleavened bread (this was Passover 57 A.D. Time is fixed here. 24 years since Crucifixion), and came to them to Troas in five days (Cp. 16:11);
where we abode seven days.
F u 7,8.Preaching.
v 9. Eutychus dead.
v 10. Eutychus restored.
u 11,12. Breaking bread, and converse.
7 And upon the first day of the week (first day of the sabbaths, i.e. the first day for reckoning the 7 Pentecost. It depended upon the harvest [Deut. 16:], and was always from the next day after the weekly sabbath when the wave sheaf was presented [Lev. 23:15]. In John 20:1 this was the 4th day after the Crucifixion, "the Lord's Passover." This was by Divine ordering. But in 57 A.D. it was 12 days after the week of unleavened bread, and therefore more than a fortnight later than in 29 A.D.), when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul preached to them, being about to depart on the next day; and was extending the word (Gr. logos) until midnight. (Symbolic of wedding, concerning the end times.)
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber (3rd story, like Paul's teachings on 3 levels.), where they were gathered together.
9 And there was sitting in a window (it was an opening with a lattice. Eutychus, being asleep on the window-seat with the lattice open, fell out. Don't go to sleep on your watch.) a certain young man by name Eutychus, being borne down into a deep sleep: and as Paul was more than usual preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third story (3 levels of teaching. Cp. 9:15, God's elect), and was taken up a corpse. (Be careful. God requires more from those that are on a higher level. God begins judgment at the pulpit. Do not let the ways of the world or man distract you from where power and blessings come from.)
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, "Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him." (It was midnight. Any loud outcry would have roused the neighborhood and caused a scene. God did this not Paul.)
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked for a long time (Gr. homileo. Hence our word "homily", for a solemn discourse), even till break of day (documenting stamina when God is with you), so he departed. (Emph. to call attention to the circumstances attending his departure.)
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were moderately comforted. (They were cheered by the miracle and Pual's words.)
13 And we went before on board the ship, and sailed to Assos, there being about to receive on board Paul: for so had he appointed, being about himself to go afoot. (The distance 25 miles)
14 And when he met with us at Assos, we received him on board, and came to Mitylene.
15 And we having sailed away, arrived the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. (They were coming up around Turkey, very near Ephesus.)
16 For Paul had decided to sail by Ephesus (it was a question of taking a ship stopping at Ephesus or Miletus), in order that he might not spend the time (wear away the time) in Asia: for he was hurrying on, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17 And from Miletus (a city of great importance, as its remains show) he having sent to Ephesus (a short distance away. The time taken in summoning the elders was much less than he would have had to spend there, besides which there was the danger of a renewal of the rioting), and called the elders of the church. (The Greek word ekklesia means assembly, or a gathering of called-out ones. Rendered in Sept. by sunagoge and ekklesia, and is always transl. "church" except in Acts 19:32, 39, 41 (assembly).)
G w 17. Summons.
x 18-21. Paul's conduct and testimony.
K y 22-25. His future.
z 26,27. His faithfulness.
a 28. Charge.
K y 29-31-. The future of the Ephesians.
z -31. Paul's earnestness.
a 32. Condemnation.
x 33-35. Paul's character and conduct.
w 36-38. Leave-taking.
18 And when they were come to him, he said to them, "You know, from the first day from which I came into Asia, how I have been with you all the time, (Honest and teaching only the word of God.)
19 Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations (trials), which befell me in the plots of the Jews (Kenites from Judea):
20 And how I kept back (Gr. hupostello, a medical word , used of withholding food from patients) nothing of the things profitable to you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and in your houses, (Nothing in secret. Equal and fair. Paul did not tolerate clics. There is only one Word.)
21 Witnessing both to the Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Kurios Iesous Christos).
22 And now, behold, I go bound firmly resolved to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall meet me there:(He had no choice. Obey the Holy Spirit)
23 But only the Holy Spirit witnesses to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await for me. (So what if you have troubles. If you know God is with you, it strengthens you. They don't bother him compared to the joy of the Lord)
24 I make no account, neither do I hold my life precious to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, (10 years were yet to pass before this would be. See 2 Tim. 4:7,8) and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no longer.
26 Wherefore I am witnessed to by you this day (all texts add 26:22), that I am pure from the blood of all men. (Cp. 18:6)
27 For I have not shunned (have not held back) to declare to you all the counsel of God. (All the revealed purposes of God up to that time. The Prison Epistles, containing the final revelation of God's counsel, were not yet written.)
28 Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, in the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, (Gr. episkopos. Elsewhere translated "bishop", bishops and elders are the same. Never follow man. Be careful, beware. God expects more from the overseer) to feed (= shepherd) the church of God, which He has acquired with His own blood. (Salvation isn't free. Jesus paid an awesome price on the cross. If you have been made an overseer, feed the flock. We feed the sheep God's Word.)
29 I know, that after my departing shall oppressive wolves enter in you, not sparing the flock. (Wolves in sheep's clothing claiming to be one of you.)
30 Out of your own selves also will men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. (i.e. in their train. Some will follow wrong gospel. Beware of false preachers. They won't be drawing the flock to God. They are drawing the flock away from God.)
31 Therefore watch,, (Cp. 1 Pet. 5:8. Spurious Messiah lurks)
remembering, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Shed for them. Paul was concerned for the flock, and we should be concerned for the flock. Watch out for false teachers. Feed the sheep God's truth.)
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 (Follow that that you intend to inherit. Rev. 14:13.) among all the sanctified. (Set aside to overcome)
33 I desired no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands ministered to my needs, and to them that were with me. (Paul made his own way credible.)
35 I showed you all things, how that so toiling you ought to support the weak (often translated "sick"), and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (In giving, God always blesses you. This is one of the Proverbs of the Lord, not elsewhere recorded)
36 And when he had thus spoken, he knelt down, and prayed with them all. (For success and very thankful)
37 And there was a great weeping of all, (regret but rejoicing) and having fallen on Paul's neck, kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all upon the word which he spake, that they were about to behold his face no longer. And they accompanied him unto the ship. (See 15:3 Paul gave them purpose in life)