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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》