Comments on Acts 20

v1-6  Various travels and traveling companions of Paul are noted. 
Also note the shift to "we" in v. 6.  Luke has again joined
company with Paul after leaving him around 16:19.

v7-12  A lengthy lecture by Paul runs late into the night and one
of the young men present falls asleep in the window and falls out
three stories to his death.  Paul goes down and embraces the
young man's body and his life returns to him.  They then finish
out the night talking, breaking bread and eating, and Paul
departs in the morning.

v10 is reminiscent of the two OT events of restoring life to a
dead person, cf. 1 Ki. 17:19-22, 2 Ki. 4:33-35.

v13-16  The geographical points of their journey are recounted. 
Paul is also in a rush to get to Jerusalem because he wants to
observe the Feast of Weeks there.

v17-35  When passing by Ephesus, Paul summons the elders of the
Church to him for what he knows will be his farewell to them. 
Paul tells them his future is uncertain as he is going to
Jerusalem.  But, regardless, he knows he has fulfilled his
responsibilities in preaching the gospel to them (v. 18-27). 
     Paul then warns the elders of the Church to guard themselves
and the flock against people both inside and outside the Church
who will lie to them (v. 28-31).  
     He commends them to God to be prospered and ultimately to be
among the sanctified (v. 32).  
     He then closes with an admonition to avoid priestcraft just
as he has avoided it.  He admonishes them to support themselves
with their own hands, and to give more than they receive as Jesus
taught (v. 33-35).

v34 "It is more blessed to give than to receive", Paul attributes
this to Jesus.  It is not documented anywhere else.

v36-38  The elders grieve aloud over Paul's departure knowing
they will never see him again.



Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller <kurtn@cybcon.com>.  All rights 
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