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Paul makes his own plans
20
Greece
1 Now after the uproar had ended, Paul summoned the disciples, took leave of them, and set out for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those parts and encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece. 3 When he had stayed three months, as he was about to set sail for Syria, the Jews made a plot against him, so he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Now Sopater of Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia were going to accompany him as far as Asia;*Just 1.1% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit ‘as far as Asia’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). 5 so having gone on ahead, these men were waiting for us†At this point Luke joins Paul again, and will stay with him until he gets to Rome, several years later. in Troas. 6 But it was after the Days of Unleavened Bread that we sailed from Philippi, and in five days we joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Troas
7 Now on the first day of the week,‡Note that the disciples are meeting on Sunday. the disciples being assembled to break bread, Paul started addressing them, and because he intended to leave the next day he continued his message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we§Instead of “we”, perhaps 15% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘they’ (as in AV and NKJV). were assembled. 9 Well a certain young man named Eutychus sat in a window and was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking; when he was overcome by the sleep he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 So Paul went down, threw himself on him and embracing him said, “Do not be distressed, because his life is in him!” 11 Then he went back up and broke bread, ate, and kept on speaking until daybreak—that is how he left! 12 (On their part, they led the boy away alive, and were greatly comforted.)*One gets the impression that Paul simply imposed his will on the local congregation (he had already taken the bit in his teeth and was doing things his own way). They let him do it, but were probably relieved when he left. Apparently they walked Eutychus back to his home.
13 As for us, we went to the ship and set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul on board there—so it had been arranged, he himself intending to go on foot.†His baggage went on the boat, so he walked without a load—good exercise. 14 When he met us at Assos we took him aboard and went on to Mityline. 15 Sailing from there, the next day we arrived opposite Chios, and the day after we crossed over to Samos and stopped in Trogylium;‡Samos is an island, so Trogylium was presumably a settlement on that island (though we are no longer sure just where it was). Some 6% of the Greek manuscripts omit ‘and stopped in Trogylium’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). the following day we came to Miletus. 16 (Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, to avoid being detained in Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, if he possibly could.)
Miletus
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the congregation.§The distance was some 30 miles, as the crow flies, and the elders had not received advance warning, so at least two days would have elapsed before they arrived (even if the messenger ran, the elders would not). 18 So when they had come to him he said to them: “You yourselves know, from the first day that I arrived in Asia, how I lived the whole time I was with you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, and with many tears and trials, the ones that happened to me by the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly proclaiming to both Jews and Greeks the repentance toward God and the faith into our Lord Jesus.*Some 25% of the Greek manuscripts add ‘Christ’, as in AV and NKJV. 22 Now then, I am going to Jerusalem bound in my spirit,†This was his own spirit, not the Holy Spirit. I have a hard time trying to understand what happened to Paul. The Holy Spirit kept telling him not to go to Jerusalem, but he is bound and determined to go anyway, only to spend years of his life in chains. Why did he do it? not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit keeps warning me in every city, saying that fetters and afflictions are just waiting for me. 24 However none of this moves me, nor do I regard my life as valuable to myself,‡Paul's statement is a non sequitur. When the Holy Spirit gives repeated warnings, He is telling us to STOP! just so that I may complete my course with joy,§How can you complete your course with joy if you are disobedient? He is not thinking clearly. Some 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit ‘with joy’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). even the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to solemnly proclaim the Good News of the grace of God.
25 “Furthermore, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the Kingdom of God*Some 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit ‘of God’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, etc.). will ever see my face again.†How did he know this? 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all; 27 because I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.‡The congregation in Ephesus had been very well grounded indeed, but even so they lost their ‘lampstand’ (Revelation 2:5). 28 So take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers, to shepherd the congregation of the Lord and God§The sheep belong to the Lord, not to the elders. Some 7% of the Greek manuscripts omit ‘the Lord and’, as in most versions. “The Lord and God” refers to Jesus. which He purchased with His own blood. 29 Because I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Yes, men will rise up from among you yourselves, speaking distorted things, to draw away the disciples after them.*Whenever you see someone trying to create his own group of followers, beware! 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that during three years, night and day,†I suppose Paul is saying he was always available. I never stopped admonishing each one, with tears.
32 “And so now, brothers, I entrust 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 have been sanctified.‡Yes. When we receive God's Word as having objective authority over us, and interpret it honestly under the Holy Spirit's direction (without preconceived doctrinal ‘packages’), we will indeed grow in understanding and sanctification. 33 I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands have supplied my own needs, and of those who were with me.§He did receive offerings from time to time, but material gain was never an objective. 35 In every way I showed you that working hard like this it is necessary to help the weak, and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”*This precise statement is not recorded in the Gospels, but Paul got it from one of those who actually heard it. It is an important truth. (Compare Luke 14:12-14.)
36 When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept freely, and falling on Paul's neck kept kissing him, 38 sorrowing most of all because of the word that he had spoken, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

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*20:4 Just 1.1% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit ‘as far as Asia’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).

†20:5 At this point Luke joins Paul again, and will stay with him until he gets to Rome, several years later.

‡20:7 Note that the disciples are meeting on Sunday.

§20:8 Instead of “we”, perhaps 15% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘they’ (as in AV and NKJV).

*20:12 One gets the impression that Paul simply imposed his will on the local congregation (he had already taken the bit in his teeth and was doing things his own way). They let him do it, but were probably relieved when he left. Apparently they walked Eutychus back to his home.

†20:13 His baggage went on the boat, so he walked without a load—good exercise.

‡20:15 Samos is an island, so Trogylium was presumably a settlement on that island (though we are no longer sure just where it was). Some 6% of the Greek manuscripts omit ‘and stopped in Trogylium’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).

§20:17 The distance was some 30 miles, as the crow flies, and the elders had not received advance warning, so at least two days would have elapsed before they arrived (even if the messenger ran, the elders would not).

*20:21 Some 25% of the Greek manuscripts add ‘Christ’, as in AV and NKJV.

†20:22 This was his own spirit, not the Holy Spirit. I have a hard time trying to understand what happened to Paul. The Holy Spirit kept telling him not to go to Jerusalem, but he is bound and determined to go anyway, only to spend years of his life in chains. Why did he do it?

‡20:24 Paul's statement is a non sequitur. When the Holy Spirit gives repeated warnings, He is telling us to STOP!

§20:24 How can you complete your course with joy if you are disobedient? He is not thinking clearly. Some 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit ‘with joy’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).

*20:25 Some 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit ‘of God’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, etc.).

†20:25 How did he know this?

‡20:27 The congregation in Ephesus had been very well grounded indeed, but even so they lost their ‘lampstand’ (Revelation 2:5).

§20:28 The sheep belong to the Lord, not to the elders. Some 7% of the Greek manuscripts omit ‘the Lord and’, as in most versions. “The Lord and God” refers to Jesus.

*20:30 Whenever you see someone trying to create his own group of followers, beware!

†20:31 I suppose Paul is saying he was always available.

‡20:32 Yes. When we receive God's Word as having objective authority over us, and interpret it honestly under the Holy Spirit's direction (without preconceived doctrinal ‘packages’), we will indeed grow in understanding and sanctification.

§20:34 He did receive offerings from time to time, but material gain was never an objective.

*20:35 This precise statement is not recorded in the Gospels, but Paul got it from one of those who actually heard it. It is an important truth. (Compare Luke 14:12-14.)

© 2016 Wilbur N. Pickering, ThM, PhD