Acts 20
20
The Apostle Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece
1When the uproar finally died down, Paul gathered the believers and encouraged their hearts. He kissed them, # 20:1 As translated from the Aramaic. said good-bye, and left for Macedonia. 2At every place he passed through, he brought words of great comfort and encouragement to the believers. Then he went on to Greece 3and stayed there for three months.
Just as Paul was about to sail for Syria, he learned of a plot against him by the Jews, so he decided to return by going through Macedonia. 4Seven men accompanied him as far as western Turkey. They were Sopater, # 20:4 Sopater, or Sosipater, is mentioned in Rom. 16:21 as one of Paul’s relatives. His name means “his father’s savior.” son of Pyrrhus # 20:4 Or “son of fiery red flames.” This phrase is not found in the Aramaic. from Berea, Aristarchus # 20:4 See the third footnote on 19:29. and Secundus # 20:4 Secundus means “fortunate.” from Thessalonica, Gaius # 20:4 Many believe this is the same Gaius mentioned in 19:29. See the second footnote on 19:29. from Derbe, and Timothy, # 20:4 The Aramaic is “Timothy of Lystra.” See introductions to 1 and 2 Timothy. Tychicus, # 20:4 It is likely that Tychicus was a native of Ephesus since he carried the letter Paul wrote to them as well as the letter to Colossae. See Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7. He is also mentioned in 2 Tim. 4:12 and Titus 3:12. His name means “child of fortune.” and Trophimus # 20:4 Trophimus was not a Jew. He is mentioned in Acts 21:29. His name means “nutritious.” from western Turkey. 5These men went ahead and were waiting for us at Troas. # 20:5 Notice “us,” which implies Luke has now rejoined the missionary team.
6As soon as all of the Passover celebrations were over, # 20:6 Or “the Days of Unleavened Bread.” This holiday was observed during the week immediately following Passover and was wrapped into the Passover celebration. we sailed from Philippi. After five days we joined the others in Troas, where we stayed another week. # 20:6 This is when the events took place mentioned by Paul in 2 Cor. 2:12–13. 7On Sunday we gathered to take communion # 20:7 The Aramaic is “breaking pieces of the Eucharist.” and to hear Paul preach. Because he was planning to leave the next day, he continued speaking until past midnight. 8There were many flickering lights # 20:8 It is possible that these flickering lights refer to angelic activity in the upper chamber. in the upstairs chamber where we were meeting. 9Sitting in an open window listening was a young man named Eutychus. # 20:9 Or “a preteen named Eutychus,” which means “fortunate” or “lucky.” As Paul’s sermon dragged on, Eutychus became drowsy and fell into a deep slumber. Sound asleep, he fell three stories to his death below. # 20:9 There is no doubt that “Lucky” died because of his fall. The Greek word nekros can only mean that he was lifeless. This boy becomes a picture of some believers today who, because they view themselves as “well off,” sit carelessly where they shouldn’t, growing drowsy, falling asleep, and enduring a disastrous fall. But God has grace and power to raise even the foolish ones back to life.
10Paul went downstairs, bent over the boy, and embraced him. Taking him in his arms, he said to all the people gathered, “Stop your worrying. He’s come back to life!” # 20:10 Or “His soul is in him.” Paul raised him from the dead.
11Paul went back upstairs, served communion, and ate a meal with them. Then he picked back up where he left off and taught until dawn. # 20:11 The Aramaic adds “by land” (on foot). 12Filled with enormous joy, they took the boy home alive and everyone was encouraged. # 20:12 The Greek is “comforted,” while the Aramaic is “overjoyed.” This translation merges both concepts.
Paul’s Voyage to Miletus
13Continuing our journey, we made our way to the ship and sailed for Assos. # 20:13 A coastal city in far western Turkey. Assos means “approaching.” Paul had previously arranged to meet us there as he traveled overland by foot. 14So he rejoined our team there and we took him aboard and sailed for Mitylene. # 20:14 A city on the Greek island of Lesbos. 15The next day we crossed over to Chios, # 20:15 A Greek island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey. and the following day we arrived at the island of Samos. # 20:15 A Greek island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey. We stayed at Trogyllium, # 20:15 As translated from the Aramaic and some Greek manuscripts. Most Greek manuscripts do not have this clause. and on the day after that we reached Miletus. # 20:15 An ancient seaport of far western Turkey. 16Paul was in a hurry to arrive in Jerusalem, hoping to make it in time for the Feast of Pentecost, so he decided to bypass Ephesus and not spend any time in that region. # 20:16 Or “waste any time in the province of Asia [Minor].” 17However, from Miletus Paul had sent a message to the elders of the church # 20:17 These elders would be equivalent to pastors, leaders of the church. in Ephesus and asked them to come meet with him.
18When they arrived, he said to them, “All of you know how I’ve lived and conducted myself while I was with you. From the first day I set foot in western Turkey 19I’ve operated in God’s miracle power # 20:19 As translated in the Aramaic, which is literally “I’ve performed God’s miracles.” The Greek is “I’ve served the Lord.” with great humility and served you # 20:19 Some manuscripts add, “for more than three years.” See also 1 Thess. 2:10–12. with many tears. I’ve endured numerous ordeals because of the plots of the Jews. 20You know how I’ve taught you in public meetings and in your homes, and that I’ve not held anything back from you that would help you grow. 21I urged both Jews and non-Jews to turn from sin to God and to have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22And now I am captive to the Holy Spirit # 20:22 Or “shackled by the Holy Spirit.” to go to Jerusalem, without really knowing what will happen to me there. 23Yet I know that the Holy Spirit warns me # 20:23 This warning from the Holy Spirit could have come through prophecies, dreams, visions, or the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking within him. in town after town, saying, ‘Chains and afflictions are prepared for you.’
24“But whether I live or die is not important, for I don’t esteem my life as indispensable. # 20:24 Or “I do not consider my life worth a single word.” That is, Paul viewed his life as not worth mentioning. We don’t need to see our lives as precious in our own eyes, for they are precious in the eyes of our Lord Jesus, and that must be enough. It’s more important for me to fulfill my destiny and to finish the ministry my Lord Jesus has assigned to me, which is to faithfully preach the wonderful news of God’s grace. 25I’ve been a part of your lives and shared with you many times the message of God’s kingdom realm. But now I leave you, and you will not see my face again. 26If any of you should be lost, I will not be blamed, for my conscience is clean, 27because I’ve taught you everything I could about God’s eternal plan and I’ve held nothing back. 28So guard your hearts. Be true shepherds # 20:28 Or “pastors.” over all the flock and feed them well. Remember, it was the Holy Spirit who appointed you to guard and oversee # 20:28 The Greek uses the word overseers or guardians. This is the sacred duty of his leaders in the church. the churches that belong to Jesus, the Anointed One, # 20:28 As translated from some Greek and Aramaic texts. Jesus is implied, for the Aramaic is simply “the Anointed One.” Some Greek manuscripts and the Western Peshitta read “the church of God.” which he purchased and established by his own blood.
29“I know that after I leave, imposters who have no loyalty to the flock # 20:29 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “they won’t spare the flock.” will come among you like savage wolves. 30Even some from among your very own ranks will rise up, twisting the truth # 20:30 Or “speaking crooked things.” to seduce people into following them instead of Jesus. 31So be alert and discerning. Remember that for three years, night and day, I’ve never stopped warning each of you, pouring out my heart to you with tears.
32“And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, # 20:32 The Aramaic is “the manifestation of grace.” which is all that you need to become strong. # 20:32 Or “to build you up,” a Greek word taken from the root word for “architect.” All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which he provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones. # 20:32 Or “sanctified”; that is, those who are devoted to holiness.
33“I haven’t been after your money or any of your possessions. # 20:33 Or “silver, gold, or fine apparel.” 34You all know that I’ve worked with my hands to meet my own needs and the needs of those who’ve served with me. 35I’ve left you an example of how you should serve and take care of those who are weak. # 20:35 Or “minister to the sick.” For we must always cherish the words of our Lord Jesus, who taught, ‘Giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving.’ ” # 20:35 The Aramaic is an idiom that speaks of extravagant generosity. “Blessed are those who try to give more than they’ve been given.”
36After Paul finished speaking, he knelt down and prayed with them. 37Then they all cried with great weeping as one after another hugged Paul and kissed him. 38What broke their hearts the most were his words “You will not see my face again.”
Then they tearfully accompanied Paul back to the ship.
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Acts 20: TPT
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