He 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: "I commend you to God, as your Master, whom you are to serve, and I have found him a good Master, and to the word of his grace, as cutting you out your work, and by which you are to govern yourselves; observe the precepts of this word, and then live upon the promises of it.". Secondly, It is rather to be understood of seducers and false teachers. 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. (1) From Ephesus, Paul travels to Macedonia. "And some days after Paul said to Barnabas" (the younger takes the lead), "Let us go again and visit the brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.". "And the times of this ignorance" (what a way to treat the boasting men of Athens!) (3.) I neither condemn them nor envy them. And God brought life, because you can, you know, if you take a person who's been dead as long as that kid had been dead, there's no way any resuscitation is gonna bring him back. Paul was sometimes reduced to necessities, and the want of the common supports of life, though he was so great a favourite of Heaven and so great a blessing to this earth. This love feast was especially significant for the slaves because it was probably the only good meal they had all week long. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary. In point of fact it is thoroughly wrong, not only not defensible by the word of God, but flagrantly opposed to it. It is to confound with (or its equivalent, ). Not, of course, but that the Holy Ghost had to do with the action of a Peter, or a John, or of any others that have come before us in the previous accounts of this book; but it is expressly said here and not without an admirable reason, and of the deepest interest to us, because God is here preparing the road and instructing His servants as to His ways, more particularly in the church among the Gentiles. (I give more exactly than in the common text. Even among the poor Jews, spite of all the coldness and narrowness of their system, there was then a greater openness of heart, and a simplicity to receive whatever could be communicated than one sees where there ought to be the rivers of living water, where there should reign the cherished desire among all that belong to the Lord, that the best help at all cost be rendered to every saint of God, as well as to every poor perishing sinner. 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 ). He's talking out of his heart. (4.) He then set out for Macedonia. As it is said here, "she followed Paul and us (for Luke was now with the apostle) with the cry, These men are the servants of the Most High God, which show unto us the way of salvation." As he fulfilled his course, he acknowledged that he was not the Messiah. The Holy Ghost also directed those that chose, and called, and ordained, them to this work in answer to prayer. This was hard indeed. Some, however, did cleave to him, and believed: "among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.". Let them consider the danger that the flock was in of being made a prey to its adversaries, Acts 20:29; Acts 20:30. The masters were troubled because the source of their gains was gone; and the magistrates disliked anything that produced an uproar. Now at that time it was the feast of the Passover and Paul was probably wanting to get back to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. This was turned to good account, because it was far more important to stem the tidal in Jerusalem, and to have the sentence of the apostles, elders, and all thoroughly against these evil doers, than simply the censure of Paul and Barnabas. God hates the sin. He sent to Ephesus - Perhaps a distance of twenty or thirty miles. He had preached to them nothing but the counsel of God, and had not added any inventions of his own; "it was pure gospel, and nothing else, the will of God concerning your salvation." The truth of scripture, if summed up as to its character, amounts to this that ministry is the exercise of a spiritual gift. And they all of them began to weep, and they fell on Paul's neck, and they kissed him. It doesn't make any difference. Eccles. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus.". He here tells them. "For so," says he, "hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles." We had a farewell luncheon with them Friday in which these distributors got up and just sort of expressed themselves concerning the conference that they just had. When the crowd poured down the outside stair and found the lad lying senseless below, they began to scream in an uncontrolled eastern way; but Paul told them to stop the fuss, for the life was still in the lad. And in turning his back upon the Gospel, I believe he became possessed by an evil spirit. Here the ruler was not only unwilling to entertain the question, but supercilious, and indifferent to the general disorder. "To give," Paul said, you know, "Our Lord told us it's more blessed to give than to receive. I coveted no man's silver or gold or raiment. ", The man who has received a true vision of the Lord is a man who has humility of mind. (Colossians 4:1-18 and 2 Timothy 4:1-22) How good of the Lord thus to let us see the triumph of His grace in the end! We sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread ( Acts 20:6 ). 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. . We may take it in this sense: "I never coveted to have so much silver and gold at command as I see others have, nor to wear such rich clothes as I see others wear. This was the secret of the apostle's action here, but it did not hinder in the least his use of the decision arrived at in the recent council at Jerusalem. From the Greek word , comes the Latin presbyterus, the English presbyter, the French prestre, and our own term priest; and all, when traced up to their original, signify merely an elderly or aged person; though it soon became the name of an office, rather than of a state of years. Discoursed (); Acts 17:17, note. It is well to note this, because we may find persons now in a state somewhat analogous. Jerusalem, alas! &c. cent. "And they were not a little comforted." 20:17-27 The elders knew that Paul was no designing, self-seeking man. It is a question that often comes up in various forms; but I believe there is only one means of solving it. Thus it is seen, they were believers, though they had not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. No matter how deeply you have sunk into sin, God loves you. People are hungry to be fed the Word of God. Paul aimed to preach not that which was pleasing, but that which was profitable, and to please only in order to profit. 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." We have found already districts among the Jews, as also among the Samaritans, which were powerfully impressed (to say the least) by the gospel; but among the Gentiles families seem particularly visited by divine grace as recorded by the Spirit. The apostles pass thence into another place; they are, as ever, unwearied in their love. He worked not only for himself, but for the support of those also that were with him. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying (for he now takes the place of proposing or giving a judgment), "Men [and] brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Even as was the right of circumcision a special covenant between God and Israel, but not something that was required of the Gentiles. But none of these things disturb me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy ( Acts 20:24 ). Which is said, by some, to be about four hundred furlongs from Miletus, and, by others, ten German miles. He, conscious of his weakness, covets the power that he would like to wield, having still the consciousness of the place to which he was called, but from which he has fallen; for God put every creature under him, and although through sin he is fallen from his estate, he has in nowise abandoned his pretensions, and he would fain have the power that would enable him not to hold up only, but to reverse if possible the sad consequences of the fall. I doubt whether it would have been according to the will of God for a woman to have done so alone; but she, along with her husband, instructed him as they could. Acts 20:17-24 NIV - From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for - Bible Gateway Because Luke was with Paul we can follow the journey almost day by day and stage by stage. The book of Acts leaves Paul sort of imprisoned in Rome awaiting his trial before Nero. For there is no place where the apostle condescends more to the elementary forms of truth, than in that city of art, poetry, and high mental activity. On the other hand, the truth which divine revelation discloses is that which man's mind never did discover, but, when propounded, at once brings conviction along with it. The true God, although He had suffered all nations to walk in their own ways in times past, nevertheless did not "leave himself without witness in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." And in real trials, tribulations, because the Jews were always lying in wait to ambush me.". Galatians 1:1 denies such an inference. Studies in the Book of Acts: Acts 20 - Grace Communion Seminary Oh, what monotony! He loved them with an unrequited affection; he loved them spite of all their hatred and their envy. 1. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.". etc., Amphipolis (not Philippi) was the chief city of that part or district. Paul also urges certain claims upon his friends. It is just what he does not know. Into the synagogue he went again here (as in each new place that he visits), and so spake, "that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. It is the state described in the latter part of Romans 7:1-25. His preaching was likewise such as it should be, Acts 20:20; Acts 20:21. And this too from Peter! "Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And evidently, the churches there realized that there were real threats being made upon Paul's life, and so there were several brethren from the different churches that accompanied Paul, in order, no doubt, to afford him a certain amount of protection. Though he was one that God had put a great deal of honour upon, and done a great deal of good by, yet he never took state upon him, nor kept people at a distance, but conversed as freely and familiarly with the meanest, for their good, as if he had stood upon a level with them. Here Christians ate in loving fellowship with each other. From him you received the trust, and to him you must give up your account, and therefore take heed to yourselves. I mean, he was committed to a cause, a cause of Jesus Christ. ), It was important to have the presence of men who were themselves competent witnesses of what had been debated and decided at Jerusalem. Though he was not yet bound in body, he was bound in spirit; he was in full expectation of trouble, and made it his daily business to prepare for it. "Now, if we take that philosophy, God takes care of us. Acts Commentaries & Sermons | Precept Austin This we must bear as a part of the burden of His work. what induced the great apostle of the circumcision so to speak? In answer to all these perplexities, Paul directs them to look up to God with an eye of faith, and beseeches God to look down on them with an eye of favour. Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And that miracle that God works in bringing a person back to life is really never for that person's benefit. There he stayed with Mnason, who was a Jewish Christian from Cyprus and an early member of the Jerusalem church. Is not this a thing to be weighed? On the other hand, need it be said that nothing is more uncomely than a rudely personal and slashing habit with others in carrying out the will of the Lord? 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. (they were generally just the same to Paul in one place as in another) "stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. It is still able to build them up. (2.) These befel him by the lying in wait of the Jews, who still were plotting some mischief or other against him. "I fought a good fight, I finished the course. And the name of the Lord was published throughout all the region." It was seen among men that various races had each their own national god, and thus naturally the falsehood of many gods was bound up with and fostered the kindred pretension of many independent races of men. It must have been on this occasion that he visited Illyricum ( Romans 15:19). It is vain to deny or parry the importance of this decision of scripture on the subject of presbyters. AND FROM MILETUS HE SENT TO EPHESUS, AND CALLED THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH. (4.) But so it is; those that are willing to take the labouring oar will find those about them willing they should have it. About to be worshipped as a god, and the next thing after it to be stoned and left for dead! "Neither is worshipped (served) with men's hands, as though he needed anything," contrary to all religion of nature, wherever and whatever it may be. Yet are they persons that we can truly accept as born of God; they detest sin; they love holiness; they really adore the Lord Jesus, having no doubt at all as to His glory, and that He is the Saviour. 2. The abominations of Paganism had risen up to a fearful height. Tyrannus, yes, very good. Poor Paul. John Piper Aug 14, 1989. I commend you to God, that is, to his providence, and to the protection and care of that. "And there were in the church" (or assembly) "that was at Antioch [certain]* prophets and teachers." Besides the common notice given to all Christians and ministers to expect and prepare for sufferings, Paul had particular intimations of an extraordinary trouble, greater and longer than any he had yet met with, that was now before him. Now I do not hesitate to say, that so far from Paul being under legal prepossession in this act, on the contrary he never did anything in his course that showed him to be more completely above it. There were proselytes as well as children of Jacob. Thus they raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. Thus some of the poets among them (Cleanthes and Aratus) had said, "For we are also His offspring." This is the particular point we may see in Acts 15:1-41. There was no collusion about it. Notwithstanding, I do not doubt that this is often done with comparatively good let us conceive the best intentions on the part of many, but with very great rashness and inattention to the word of God. That the word was so used in later times by ecclesiastical writers is true; that this is its meaning in scripture is palpable error. What I really desire is just to finish my course with joy,". (1.) 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. This is the sign that once again Luke is there and that we are getting an eye-witness account. Acts 20 KJV - And after the uproar was ceased, Paul - Bible Gateway [1.] We may find, there is little doubt, the importance of it before we have got through our little career. For "as they went through the cities, they delivered to them to keep the decrees that were ordained of the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem. This, in the latter part of it, is simply the precepts of Noah, the injunctions that were laid down before the call of Abram, and, again, that which was evidently due to God Himself in regard to the human corruption that accompanies idolatry; so that things were then left in a manner alike simple and wise. Christian faith appropriates to itself what was said to Him. And so Paul said, "You know that my attitude the whole while I've been with you is one of a servant of the Lord, serving Him in all humility of mind. So, again, a real miracle as God restored life to Eutychus.It's interesting Paul fell on him embracing him. Those are not likely to be skilful or faithful keepers of the vineyards of others that do not keep their own. Now, (1.) I love Paul; he was a stouthearted man. "I really don't know what's going to happen to me when I get to Jerusalem. So Paul wanted now to go through Macedonia and Greece and collect these offerings that he had asked them to take up for the poor saints in Jerusalem. We have had the irritation and the murderous opposition of the Jews in Jerusalem. As far as Asia there accompanied him Sopatros, the son of Pyrrhus, who belonged to Beroea; and, of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius from Derbe and Timothy; and the men from Asia, Tychichus and Trophimus. "The address is constructed in a way familiar to all readers of Pauls letters. See the notes on Acts 15:2. For their edification: "It is able (the Spirit of grace working with it and by it) to build you up, and you may depend upon this, while you keep close to it, and are deriving daily from it. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. How different from the vileness of a Jupiter or of a Mercury, a god devoted to corruption and self-will, and another god devoted to stealing! Not even a Jew would have gone so far. Oh, it's that which is able to build you up and bring us into that glorious inheritance. He was sitting by a window to get the cool night air. 27. Paul's Parting Words (Acts 20:1-38) | Bible.org "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened." Because wolves are going to come in. It doesn't move me that I'm going to be bound. Scriptural usage in every instance is simply choice. We find the liveliest discussions among them. Showing you, demonstrating by my life, the lifestyle that I lived among you, as well as teaching you. This was the very time when the Messiah, lost to Israel, becomes, in a new and intimate way, the centre for God to associate fully in grace with Him. The journey from Troas to Miletus (Acts 20:13). Many a time they had been glad to see his face in the pulpit, and saw it as it had been the face of an angel. It is only crotchety people who have made a mistake. And so for the sake of the people, God performed this miracle on Eutychus. He could not only say with Moses (Numbers 16:15), and with Samuel (1 Samuel 12:3; 1 Samuel 12:5), Whose ox have I taken? we took him in, and we came to Mitylene. The time of the Passover was the middle of April. Thus the evil of their own hearts was brought out among the Jews, and the more in proportion as the might of the grace of God proved itself in attracting souls to the Lord. On the next day we sailed away from there and arrived opposite Chios. Could it be that the apostle of the uncircumcision had at length succumbed to the adversary? See here what he commends them to the word of God's grace for, not so much for a protection from their enemies, or a provision for their families, as for the spiritual blessings which they most needed and ought most to value.