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| Chapter 20 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ And after the uproar had ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone through those parts and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. 3 And there he abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail for Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. 4 And there accompanied him into Asia, Sopater of Berea, and Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and from Asia, Tychichus and Trophimus. 5 These, going ahead, tarried for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread and came unto them in five days at Troas, where we stayed seven days. 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. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber where they were gathered together. 9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, having fallen into a deep sleep; and as Paul was long in preaching, he sank down with sleep and fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead. 10 And Paul went down and fell on him, and embracing him, said, "Trouble not yourselves, for his life is in him." 11 When he therefore had come up again, and had broken bread and eaten and talked for a long while, even until break of day, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 ¶ And we went ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, there intending to take aboard Paul; for so had he arranged, intending himself to go on foot. 14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 And we sailed thence and arrived the next day off Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia; for he was in haste, that it might be possible for him to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. 17 ¶ And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said unto them, "Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, in what manner I have been with you in all seasons, 19 serving the Lord in all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations which befell me through the lying in wait of the Jews; 20 and how I kept back nothing that was profitable for you, but have shown 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. 22 And now behold, bound by the Spirit, I go unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there, 23 save that the Holy Spirit witnessed in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 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 from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. 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. 26 Therefore I attest to you this day that I am pure from the blood of all men, 27 for I have not shrunk from declaring unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God which He hath purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this: that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears. 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 those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no man’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my own necessities, and also to those who were with me. 35 I have shown you all things, how that by so laboring 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.’" 36 ¶ And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept sorely and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all because of the words which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship. |
v1 In the following chapters Luke records Paul’s journey to Jerusalem, his arrest, and the journey to Rome. Paul leaves Ephesus after peace had been restored, he visits various groups of believers as he travels to Greece, Paul has great care for all the churches. 2 Cor 11:23-28 During the journey Paul had expected Titus to join him at Troas 2 Cor 2:12-13. They were finally to meet in Macedonia 2 Cor 7:5-7. v4 A group of men from various churches were travelling with Paul to assist in handling the collection 2 Cor 8:1-24. When he arrived at Greece he stayed for three months but then has to change his plans as the Jews were planning to attack him while at sea, instead he traveled back through Macedonia. Instead of sailing from Corinth he travels overland to Philippi, goes by boat to Troas where the group had planned to meet up. v6 Luke now changes to using "we" and "us" indicating that he was now travelling with Paul. v6-12 They remained in Troas for a week, meeting the local believers on the Sunday, "the first day of the week," 1 Cor 16:1-2. The first day of the week had become the "Lord’s Day" because Jesus arose on this day, so completing the Salvation Plan of God. The Church was also "born" on the Sunday at Pentecost. The believers held the meeting in the evening because Sunday was not a rest day, many of them would have been slaves so could only come after work. In the early church the believers shared a "love meal" where they shared a normal meal together, this was different to the "Breaking of Bread," the Lord’s Supper Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 11:17-34; and would have been taken separate from the meal. It is also possible that some people often had a "Breaking of Bread" as part of their meal at home. Possible Paul felt that he would never visit Troas again, so he gave a long sermon from The Word of God 1 Tim 4:13. Paul felt he had much to tell the church, unfortunately one of the listeners, Eutychus, probably a young slave, fell asleep, as a slaves he would have been working very hard all day. The text tells us that he falls asleep slowly, he had tried to stay with Paul, unfortunately, as he slept Eutychus falls out of the third floor window and is killed. v10 Luke tells us that Paul immediately ran down to the body and raised Eutychus from the dead. We may ask today why did no one notice that the young man was in danger, we should care for each other. v13-18 Paul now sets off on the rest of the journey, he chooses to walk from Troas to Assos, about twenty miles, possibly to spend as much time with the believers from Troas and have a time of quite with the Lord as he walked. The rest of the group sailed along the coast and meet Paul at Assos. v16 Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost so they planned not stop at Ephesus, instead Paul sends a message to the Ephesian elders to travel thirty miles to meet them and the ship at Miletus. v18-38 When Paul meets the Elders from Ephesus he starts by talking about the past v18-21, he speaks of faithfulness to the Lord during his three years at Ephesus. From the "first day" he gave himself to the work v18, serving the Lord as a slave of Jesus Christ, v24. Paul always made sure people understand that his ministry was for God and not for himself. 1 Thess 2:1-13. Paul always lived a life which could be examined by any one as he had nothing to hide v18-19. His message is known by many, he does not speak just to churches and fellowship but any who will listen. v22-27 Paul now speaks of the present. His journey to Jerusalem is "bound" (being guided) by the Spirit. He knew that there was possible danger but had been revealed (told through various believers in each city) by the Holy Spirit that he was going to suffer for his belief. v24 Paul says,"I consider my life is not worth anything, I just want to finish the task the Lord Jesus has given me, to take the gospel of God’s grace to the people.." His life is a gift from God and the Lord has given him a job which he wants to finish. v24-27 Paul has been commissioned by God to take the message to the world, one day he knows that he will be judged by God for all his actions. v28-35 The future: Paul gives a warning for the future to the Ephesian believers. There are dangers around us, v29 "wolves" will enter the church and try to destroy the "flock," the believers. Not only will these dangers come from outside but there will be danger from some of the "believers,"counterfeits, fake believers, who will use the church for personal gain Matt 7:15-23; Matt 10:16; Luke 10:3; 2 Peter 2:1-3. It is important that a believer has a good knowledge of the Word of God so that they can detect these dangerous fake believers. Note 3 John 9-11; 1 John 2:18-19. v32 build on the Word of God, worship and prayer Acts 6:4; John 15:7. v33 Avoid the desire for riches and cloths, do not desire (covet) what other people have, this could lead to lies, hatred, stealing to get what you want. 1 Tim 3:3. v34,35 earn your own money and work for your living as Paul was a tent maker. Luke 10:7; 1 Tim 5:18. v36-38 Final prayers together and good-byes. |
Easy English Translation
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