The Book of
Acts 20
38 verses≈ 6 min3 peopleBSB
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In this chapter
Paul in Macedonia and Greece
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia. After traveling through that area and speaking many words of encouragement, he arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. And when the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.
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Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
Seven companions
Whiteboard
Seven men from Macedonia, Galatia and Asia travel together toward Jerusalem. Churches that did not exist a few years earlier now send their own people with Paul, most likely carrying the gift they had collected for the poor believers in Judea.
These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas. And after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and five days later we rejoined them in Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Stylised map · locations approximate
Where it happened
Round the Aegean
After the uproar in Ephesus, Paul crosses into Macedonia, goes on to Greece for three months, then turns back through Macedonia to Philippi. From there it is five days by sea to Troas, where his companions are waiting.
Eutychus Revived at Troas
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.
Now there were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.
And a certain young man named Eutychus, seated in the window, was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third story and was picked up dead. But Paul went down, threw himself on the young man, and embraced him.
Paul
“Do not be alarmed!” he said. “He is still alive!”
Then Paul went back upstairs, broke bread, and ate.
And after speaking until daybreak, he departed. And the people were greatly relieved to take the boy home alive.
Question
Quick question
Luke, who was in the room, gives the details: the lamps, the window, the hour.
How far did Eutychus fall?
From Troas to Miletus
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
Stylised map · locations approximate
Where it happened
Island by island
From Troas the ship hugs the coast: Assos, where Paul comes aboard after walking overland, then Mitylene on Lesbos, past Chios, across to Samos and on to Miletus. Paul sails past Ephesus on purpose, and sends for its elders to meet him at Miletus instead.
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.
I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus— the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
0:24
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.
Acts 20:27
Reflect
Of no value to me
Paul does not know what will happen in Jerusalem. He knows only that “chains and afflictions await me.” Yet he says, “I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course.” What is the ministry the Lord Jesus has given you to finish? Write down one thing you would gladly spend your life on.
And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.
I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.
They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.
They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Pray
Kept by His grace
Paul could not stay with the church he loved, so he left them in better hands: “I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up.” Pray for the people who have shepherded you, and for the ones you care for. Commit them to God by name, and ask Him to keep them in His word.
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Acts 20
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A verse to carry with you
But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24
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