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Acts Chapter
Twenty
Acts 20
But let us return to the history of Paul.
After the uproar has ceased he sends for the disciples
embraces them
and departs for Macedonia; he visits that whole country
and comes into Greece.
The beginning of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians gives the details of
this part of his history. In Greece he remains three months; and when the Jews
lay wait for him
he goes round by Macedonia
instead of sailing straight to
Syria. At Troas (where a door had been opened to him on his way into Greece
but where his affection for the Corinthians had not allowed him to remain) he
spends his Sunday
and even the whole week
in order to see the brethren. We
perceive the usual object of their assembly: they "came together to break
bread"; and the ordinary occasion of holding it-"the first day of the
week." Paul avails himself of this to speak to them all night; but it was
an extraordinary occasion. The presence and the exhortations of an apostle
failed in keeping them all awake. It was not however an assembly held in secret
or in the dark. There were many lamps to light the upper chamber in which they
met. By the place in which they came together we see that the assemblies were
not composed of very many persons. The upper room in Jerusalem received
perhaps
one hundred and twenty. It appears by different salutations
that they
met in private houses-probably in several
if the number of believers required
it; but there was only one assembly.
Eutychus pays the penalty of his inattention; but God
bears testimony to His own goodness
and to the power with which He had endued
the apostle
by raising him from a state of death. Paul says that his soul was
yet in him: he had only to renew the connection between it and his physical
organism. In other cases the soul had been recalled.
Paul chose to go alone from Troas to Assos. We see all
through the history
that he arranged
by the power that the Spirit gave him
over them
the willing services of his companions-not
doubtless
as their
master
yet more absolutely than if he had been so. He is (under Christ) the
centre of the system in which he labours
the centre of energy. Christ alone
can be by right the centre of salvation and of faith. It was only as filled
with the Spirit of God that Paul was the centre even of that energy; and it
was
as we have seen
by not grieving Him
and by exercising himself to have a
conscience void of offence both towards God and towards men.
Paul does not stop at Ephesus
because in so central a
place he must have stayed some time. It is necessary to avoid that which has a
certain moral claim upon us
if we would not and ought not to be detained by
the obligation it imposes upon us.
It was no want of affection for the beloved Ephesians
nor any thought
of neglecting them. He sends for the elders
and addresses a discourse to them
which we must examine a little
as setting before us the position of the
assembly at that time
and the work of the gospel among the nations.
The assemblies were consolidated over a pretty large
extent of country
and in divers places at least had taken the form of a
regularly ordered institution. Elders were established and recognised. The
apostle could send for them to come to him. His authority also was acknowledged
on their part. He speaks of his ministry as a past thing-solemn thought! but he
takes them to witness not only that he had preached the truth to them
but a
truth that spoke to their conscience; setting them before God on the one hand
and on the other presenting to them Him in whom God made Himself known
and in
whom He communicated all the fulness of grace on their behalf-Jesus
the object
of their faith
the Saviour of their souls. He had done this through trouble
and through difficulty
in face of the unprincipled opposition of the Jews who
had rejected the Anointed One
but in accordance with the grace that rose above
all this evil and declared salvation to the Jews
and going beyond these limits
(because it was grace) addressed itself to the Gentiles
to all men
as sinners
and responsible to God. Paul had done this
not with the pride of a teacher
but with the humility and the perseverance of love. He desired also to finish
his ministry
and to fail in nothing that Jesus had committed to him. And now
he was going to Jerusalem
feeling bound in spirit to do so
not knowing what
would befall him
but warned by the Holy Ghost that bonds and afflictions
awaited him. With regard to themselves
he knew his ministry was ended
and
that he should see their face no more. Henceforth responsibility would
specially rest upon them.
Thus what the Holy Ghost here sets before us is
that
now
when the detail of his work among the Gentiles to plant the gospel is
related as one entire scene among Jews and Gentiles
he bids adieu to the work;
in order to leave those whom he had gathered together in a new position
and in
a certain sense to themselves. [1] It is a discourse which marks the cessation
of one phase of the assembly-that of apostolic labours-and the entrance into
another-its responsibility to stand fast now that those labours had ceased
the
service of the elders whom "the Holy Ghost had made overseers
" and
at the same time the dangers and difficulties that would attend the cessation
of apostolic labour
and complicate the work of the elders on whom the
responsibility would now more especially devolve.
The first remark that flows from the consideration of
this discourse is
that apostolic succession is entirely denied by it. Owing to
the absence of the apostle various difficulties would arise
and there would be
no one in his place to meet or to prevent these difficulties. Successor
therefore he had none. In the second place the fact appears that
this energy
which bridled the spirit of evil
once away
devouring wolves from without
and
teachers of perverse things from within
would lift up their heads and attack
the simplicity and the happiness of the assembly
which would be harassed by
the efforts of Satan without possessing apostolic energy to withstand them.
This testimony of Paul's is of the highest importance
with regard to the whole ecclesiastical system. The attention of the elders who
are left in charge is directed elsewhere than to present apostolical care (as
having no longer this resource
or anything that officially replaced it)
in
order that the assembly might be kept in peace and sheltered from evil. It was
their part to care for the assembly in these circumstances. In the next place
that which was principally to be done for the hindrance of evil was to shepherd
the flock
and to watch
whether over themselves or over the flock
for that
purpose. He reminds them how he had himself exhorted them night and day with
tears. Let them therefore watch. He then commends them
neither to Timothy
nor
to a bishop
but-in a way that sets aside all official resource-to God
and to
the word of His grace which was able to build them up and assure them of the
inheritance. This was where he left the assembly; that which it did afterwards
is not my subject here. If John came later to work in these parts
it was a
great favour from God
but it changed nothing in the position officially. His
labours (with the exception of the warnings to the seven assemblies in the
Apocalypse
where judgment is in question) regarded the individual life
its
character
and that which sustained it.
With deep and touching affection Paul parts from the
assembly at Ephesus. Who filled the gap? At the same time he appealed to their
consciences for the uprightness of his walk. The free labours of the apostle of
the Gentiles were ended. Solemn and affecting thought! He had been the
instrument chosen of God to communicate to the world His counsels respecting
the assembly
and to establish in the midst of the world this precious object
of His affections united to Christ at His right hand. What would become of it
down here?
[1] If
Paul was ever set free and returned to these parts (not necessarily to Ephesus)
as Philippians and Philemon and perhaps 2 Timothy would lead us to suppose
we
have no scriptural account of it.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Acts》
Acts 20
Chapter Contents
Paul's journeys. (1-6) Eutychus restored to life. (7-12)
Paul travels towards Jerusalem. (13-16) Paul's discourse to the elders of
Ephesus. (17-27) Their farewell. (28-38)
Commentary on Acts 20:1-6
(Read Acts 20:1-6)
Tumults or opposition may constrain a Christian to remove
from his station or alter his purpose
but his work and his pleasure will be
the same
wherever he goes. Paul thought it worth while to bestow five days in
going to Troas
though it was but for seven days' stay there; but he knew
and
so should we
how to redeem even journeying time
and to make it turn to some
good account.
Commentary on Acts 20:7-12
(Read Acts 20:7-12)
Though the disciples read
and meditated
and prayed
and
sung apart
and thereby kept up communion with God
yet they came together to
worship God
and so kept up their communion with one another. They came
together on the first day of the week
the Lord's day. It is to be religiously
observed by all disciples of Christ. In the breaking of the bread
not only the
breaking of Christ's body for us
to be a sacrifice for our sins
is
remembered
but the breaking of Christ's body to us
to be food and a feast for
our souls
is signified. In the early times it was the custom to receive the
Lord's supper every Lord's day
thus celebrating the memorial of Christ's
death. In this assembly Paul preached. The preaching of the gospel ought to go
with the sacraments. They were willing to hear
he saw they were so
and
continued his speech till midnight. Sleeping when hearing the word
is an evil
thing
a sign of low esteem of the word of God. We must do what we can to
prevent being sleepy; not put ourselves to sleep
but get our hearts affected
with the word we hear
so as to drive sleep far away. Infirmity requires
tenderness; but contempt requires severity. It interrupted the apostle's
preaching; but was made to confirm his preaching. Eutychus was brought to life again.
And as they knew not when they should have Paul's company again
they made the
best use of it they could
and reckoned a night's sleep well lost for that
purpose. How seldom are hours of repose broken for the purposes of devotion!
but how often for mere amusement or sinful revelry! So hard is it for spiritual
life to thrive in the heart of man! so naturally do carnal practices flourish
there!
Commentary on Acts 20:13-16
(Read Acts 20:13-16)
Paul hastened to Jerusalem
but tried to do good by the
way
when going from place to place
as every good man should do. In doing
God's work
our own wills and those of our friends must often be crossed; we
must not spend time with them when duty calls us another way.
Commentary on Acts 20:17-27
(Read Acts 20:17-27)
The elders knew that Paul was no designing
self-seeking
man. Those who would in any office serve the Lord acceptably
and profitably to
others
must do it with humility. He was a plain preacher
one that spoke his
message so as to be understood. He was a powerful preacher; he preached the
gospel as a testimony to them if they received it; but as a testimony against
them if they rejected it. He was a profitable preacher; one that aimed to
inform their judgments
and reform their hearts and lives. He was a painful
preacher
very industrious in his work. He was a faithful preacher; he did not
keep back reproofs when necessary
nor keep back the preaching of the cross. He
was a truly Christian
evangelical preacher; he did not preach notions or
doubtful matters; nor affairs of state or the civil government; but he preached
faith and repentance. A better summary of these things
without which there is
no salvation
cannot be given: even repentance towards God
and faith towards
our Lord Jesus Christ
with their fruits and effects. Without these no sinner
can escape
and with these none will come short of eternal life. Let them not
think that Paul left Asia for fear of persecution; he was in full expectation
of trouble
yet resolved to go on
well assured that it was by Divine
direction. Thanks be to God that we know not the things which shall befall us
during the year
the week
the day which has begun. It is enough for the child
of God to know that his strength shall be equal to his day. He knows not
he
would not know
what the day before him shall bring forth. The powerful
influences of the Holy Spirit bind the true Christian to his duty. Even when he
expects persecution and affliction
the love of Christ constrains him to
proceed. None of these things moved Paul from his work; they did not deprive
him of his comfort. It is the business of our life to provide for a joyful
death. Believing that this was the last time they should see him
he appeals
concerning his integrity. He had preached to them the whole counsel of God. As
he had preached to them the gospel purely
so he had preached it to them
entire; he faithfully did his work
whether men would bear or forbear.
Commentary on Acts 20:28-38
(Read Acts 20:28-38)
If the Holy Ghost has made ministers overseers of the
flock
that is
shepherds
they must be true to their trust. Let them consider
their Master's concern for the flock committed to their charge. It is the
church He has purchased with his own blood. The blood was his as Man; yet so
close is the union between the Divine and human nature
that it is there called
the blood of God
for it was the blood of Him who is God. This put such dignity
and worth into it
as to ransom believers from all evil
and purchase all good.
Paul spake about their souls with affection and concern. They were full of care
what would become of them. Paul directs them to look up to God with faith
and
commends them to the word of God's grace
not only as the foundation of their
hope and the fountain of their joy
but as the rule of their walking. The most
advanced Christians are capable of growing
and will find the word of grace
help their growth. As those cannot be welcome guests to the holy God who are
unsanctified; so heaven would be no heaven to them; but to all who are born
again
and on whom the image of God is renewed
it is sure
as almighty power
and eternal truth make it so. He recommends himself to them as an example of
not caring as to things of the present world; this they would find help forward
their comfortable passage through it. It might seem a hard saying
therefore
Paul adds to it a saying of their Master's
which he would have them always
remember; "It is more blessed to give than to receive:" it seems they
were words often used to his disciples. The opinion of the children of this
world
is contrary to this; they are afraid of giving
unless in hope of
getting. Clear gain
is with them the most blessed thing that can be; but
Christ tell us what is more blessed
more excellent. It makes us more like to
God
who gives to all
and receives from none; and to the Lord Jesus
who went
about doing good. This mind was in Christ Jesus
may it be in us also. It is
good for friends
when they part
to part with prayer. Those who exhort and
pray for one another
may have many weeping seasons and painful separations
but they will meet before the throne of God
to part no more. It was a comfort
to all
that the presence of Christ both went with him and stayed with them.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Acts》
Acts 20
Verse 2
[2] And
when he had gone over those parts
and had given them much exhortation
he came
into Greece
He came into Greece —
That part of it which lay between Macedonia and Achaia.
Verse 3
[3] And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him
as he
was about to sail into Syria
he purposed to return through Macedonia.
An ambush being laid for him — In his way to the ship.
Verse 4
[4] And
there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians
Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe
and Timotheus; and of Asia
Tychicus and Trophimus.
To Asia —
There some of them left him. But Trophimus went with him to Jerusalem
Acts 21:29. Aristarchus
even to Rome
Acts 27:2.
Verse 6
[6] And
we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread
and came unto
them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
We set sail —
St. Luke was now with St. Paul again
as we learn from his manner of expressing
himself.
Verse 7
[7] And upon the first day of the week
when the disciples came together to
break bread
Paul preached unto them
ready to depart on the morrow; and
continued his speech until midnight.
To break bread —
That is
to celebrate the Lord's Supper; continued his discourse - Through
uncommon fervour of spirit.
Verse 8
[8] And
there were many lights in the upper chamber
where they were gathered together.
There were many lamps in the room where they
were assembled — To prevent any possible scandal.
Verse 9
[9] And
there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus
being fallen into a
deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching
he sunk down with sleep
and fell
down from the third loft
and was taken up dead.
In the window —
Doubtless kept open
to prevent heat
both from the lamps and the number of
people.
Verse 10
[10] And
Paul went down
and fell on him
and embracing him said
Trouble not
yourselves; for his life is in him.
Paul fell or him — It
is observable
our Lord never used this gesture. But Elijah and Elisha did as
well as Paul.
His life is in him — He
is alive again.
Verse 11
[11] When
he therefore was come up again
and had broken bread
and eaten
and talked a
long while
even till break of day
so he departed.
So departed —
Without taking any rest at all.
Verse 12
[12] And
they brought the young man alive
and were not a little comforted.
And they brought the young man alive — But alas! How many of those who have allowed themselves to sleep under
sermons
or as it were to dream awake
have slept the sleep of eternal death
and fallen to rise no more!
Verse 13
[13] And
we went before to ship
and sailed unto Assos
there intending to take in Paul:
for so had he appointed
minding himself to go afoot.
Being himself to go on foot — That he might enjoy the company of his Christian brethren a little
longer
although he had passed the night without sleep
and though Assos was of
difficult and dangerous access by land.
Verse 14
[14] And
when he met with us at Assos
we took him in
and came to Mitylene.
Mitylene —
Was a city and part of the isle of Lesbos
about seven miles distant from the
Asiatic coast. `16.
For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus — Which lay on the other side of the bay.
He hasted to be at Jerusalem on the day of
pentecost — Because then was the greatest concourse of
people.
Verse 17
[17] And
from Miletus he sent to Ephesus
and called the elders of the church.
Sending to Ephesus
he called the elders of
the Church — These are called bishops in the 28th
verse
Acts 20:28 (rendered overseers in our
translation.) Perhaps elders and bishops were then the same; or no otherwise
different than are the rector of a parish and his curates.
Verse 18
[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
Ye know —
Happy is he who can thus appeal to the conscience of his hearers.
Verse 19
[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:
Serving —
See the picture of a faithful servant! The Lord - Whose the church is
with all
humility
and with tears
and trials - These are the concomicants of it. The
service itself is described more particularly in the following verse. This
humility he recommends to the Ephesians themselves
Ephesians 4:2. His tears are mentioned again
Acts 20:31
as also 2 Corinthians 2:4; Philippians 3:18. These passages laid together
supply us with the genuine character of St. Paul. Holy tears
from those who
seldom weep on account of natural occurrences
are no mean specimen of the
efficacy and proof of the truth of Christianity. Yet joy is well consistent
therewith
Acts 20:24. The same person may be sorrowful
yet always rejoicing.
Verse 20
[20] And
how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you
but have shewed you
and
have taught you publickly
and from house to house
I have preached —
Publicly; and taught - From house to house. Else he had not been pure from
their blood. For even an apostle could not discharge his duty by public
preaching only. How much less can an ordinary pastor!
Verse 21
[21]
Testifying both to the Jews
and also to the Greeks
repentance toward God
and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Repentance toward God — The very first motion of the soul toward God is a kind of repentance.
Verse 22
[22] And
now
behold
I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem
not knowing the things
that shall befall me there:
Bound by the Spirit —
Strongly impelled by him.
Verse 23
[23] Save
that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city
saying that bonds and afflictions
abide me.
Save that —
Only this I know in general; the Holy Ghost witnesseth - By other persons. Such
was God's good pleasure to reveal these things to him
not immediately
but by
the ministry of others.
Verse 24
[24] But
none of these things move me
neither count I my life dear unto myself
so that
I might finish my course with joy
and the ministry
which I have received of
the Lord Jesus
to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Nor do I count my life precious — It adds great force to this and all the other passages of Scripture
in
which the apostles express their contempt of the world
that they were not
uttered by persons like Seneca and Antoninus
who talked elegantly of despising
the world in the full affluence of all its enjoyments; but by men who daily
underwent the greatest calamities
and exposed their lives in proof of their
assertions.
Verse 25
[25] And
now
behold
I know that ye all
among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom
of God
shall see my face no more.
Ye shall see my face no more — He wisely inserts this
that what follows might make the deeper
impression.
Verse 27
[27] For
I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
For I have not shunned — Otherwise if any had perished
their blood would have been on his head.
Verse 28
[28] Take
heed therefore unto yourselves
and to all the flock
over the which the Holy
Ghost hath made you overseers
to feed the church of God
which he hath
purchased with his own blood.
Take heed therefore — I
now devolve my care upon you; first to yourselves; then to the flock over which
the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers - For no man
or number of men upon
earth
can constitute an overseer
bishop
or any other Christian minister. To
do this is the peculiar work of the Holy Ghost: to feed the Church of God -
That is
the believing
loving
holy children of God; which he hath purchased -
How precious is it then in his sight! with his own blood - For it is the blood
of the only begotten Son of God
1 John 1:7.
Verse 29
[29] For
I know this
that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you
not sparing the flock.
Grievous wolves —
From without
namely
false apostles. They had
not yet broke in on the Church
at Ephesus.
Verse 30
[30] Also
of your own selves shall men arise
speaking perverse things
to draw away
disciples after them.
Yea
from among yourselves men will arise — Such were the Nicolaitans
of whom Christ complains
Revelation 2:6; to draw away disciples - From
the purity of the Gospel and the unity of the body.
Verse 31
[31]
Therefore watch
and remember
that by the space of three years I ceased not to
warn every one night and day with tears.
I ceased not to warn every one night and day — This was watching indeed! Who copies after this example?
Verse 32
[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.
The word of his grace — It is the grand channel of it
to believers as well as unbelievers.
Who is able to build you up — To confirm and increase your faith
love
holiness. God can thus build
us up
without any instrument. But he does build us up by them. O beware of
dreaming that you have less need of human teachers after you know Christ than
before! And to give you an inheritance - Of eternal glory
among them that are
sanctified - And so made meet for it. A large number of these Paul doubtless
knew
and remembered before God.
Verse 33
[33] I
have coveted no man's silver
or gold
or apparel.
I have coveted —
Here the apostle begins the other branch of his farewell discourse
like old
Samuel
1 Samuel 12:3
taking his leave of the children
of Israel.
Verse 34
[34] Yea
ye yourselves know
that these hands have ministered unto my necessities
and
to them that were with me.
These hands —
Callous
as you see
with labour. Who is he that envies such a bishop or
archbishop as this?
Verse 35
[35] I
have shewed you all things
how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak
and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus
how he said
It is more blessed to
give than to receive.
I have showed you —
Bishops
by my example
all things - And this among the rest; that thus
labouring - So far as the labours of your office allow you time; ye ought to
help the weak - Those who are disabled by sickness
or any bodily infirmity
from maintaining themselves by their own labour.
And to remember —
Effectually
so as to follow it; the word which he himself said - Without doubt
his disciples remembered many of his words which are not recorded.
It is happier to give — To imitate God
and have him
as it were
indebted to us.
Verse 37
[37] And
they all wept sore
and fell on Paul's neck
and kissed him
They all wept — Of
old
men
yea
the best and bravest of men
were easily melted into tears; a
thousand instances of which might be produced from profane as well as sacred
writers. But now
notwithstanding the effeminacy which almost universally
prevails
we leave those tears to women and children.
Verse 38
[38]
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake
that they should see his
face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Sorrowing most for that word which he spake
that they should see his face no more —
What sorrow will be in the great day
when God shall speak that word to all who
are found on the left hand
that they shall see his face no more!
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on
Acts》
Chapter 20. continue Missionary
Travelling
Fellow Workers
Sail by Ship
Paul Himself Goes on Foot
I. Meeting in
Troas
II. Encourage
the Elders of Ephesus
III. Kneel to
Pray at Parting
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》