Acts20

After the uproar in Ephesus, Paul traveled through Macedonia and Greece, exhorting the disciples. At Troas, he miraculously restored Eutychus to life after the young man fell from a window during Paul's lengthy sermon. Paul then journeyed to Miletus, where he delivered a poignant farewell address to the Ephesian elders, reflecting on his ministry, warning of future dangers, and preparing for his journey to Jerusalem.

Paul Travels to Macedonia and Greece

After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.

When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.

When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.

These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.

We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.

Eutychus Restored to Life at Troas

On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight.

There were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together.

A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.

Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”

When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.

They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.

Journey to Miletus

But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land.

When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard, and came to Mitylene.

Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.

For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Shavu`ot.

Paul’s Farewell Address to Ephesian Elders

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly.

When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,

serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;

how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,

testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Yeshua.

Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there;

except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.

But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Yeshua, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.

“Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about proclaiming the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men,

for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Warning Against False Teachers

Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.

For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.

Final Exhortation and Farewell

Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

I coveted no one’s silver, or gold, or clothing.

You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.

In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Yeshua, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Study Notes for Acts 20

Verse 3

Paul's planned sea route to Syria was abandoned due to a Jewish plot against his life, forcing him to take the longer land route back through Macedonia. This highlights the constant danger he faced.

Verse 4

The list of companions represents delegates from various churches (likely carrying collection money for Jerusalem), emphasizing the unity and breadth of Paul's ministry.

Verse 5

The use of 'us' indicates the resumption of the 'We-sections,' showing that Luke (the author) had rejoined Paul’s company, likely at Philippi.

Verse 6

The 'days of unleavened bread' (Passover week) marks the timing of their departure. They spent seven days in Troas, allowing time for fellowship and instruction.

Verse 7

This verse provides important evidence for the early church practice of gathering on 'the first day of the week' (Sunday) for fellowship and the Eucharist ('to break bread').

Verse 9

The detail about the young man falling from the 'third loft' (three stories high) emphasizes the gravity of the accident, confirming his death.

Verse 10

Paul’s action of falling upon the body is reminiscent of the prophets Elijah (1 Kings 17:21) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:34), demonstrating God's power working through him.

Verse 11

The breaking of bread here likely refers to both the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist) and a communal meal (agape feast), concluding the all-night meeting.

Verse 13

Paul chose to travel afoot from Troas to Assos (about 20 miles), perhaps for quiet reflection, prayer, or private conversation with his companions before the emotional journey toward Jerusalem.

Verse 16

Paul bypassed Ephesus, the center of his recent ministry, because he was rushing to reach Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Pentecost, viewing it as an opportune time for ministry.

Verse 17

Paul summons the elders (presbyteroi) from Ephesus to Miletus. This address is unique in Acts, functioning as Paul’s pastoral and theological testament.

Verse 19

Paul emphasizes that his ministry was marked by humility, suffering ('tears and temptations'), and opposition, setting an example for the leaders.

Verse 20

Paul’s comprehensive teaching method included public sermons and private discipleship ('from house to house'), ensuring no truth was withheld.

Verse 21

The core content of Paul's gospel is summarized here: the call for 'repentance toward God' (a change of mind and direction) and 'faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.'

Verse 22

'Bound in the spirit' suggests Paul felt an inner, divinely-compelled obligation to go to Jerusalem, even though he knew danger awaited him.

Verse 24

This is a foundational statement of Paul's dedication. His goal was not self-preservation, but the completion of the ministry received from Christ—testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Verse 25

Paul’s conviction that this was his final meeting with them lends a profound solemnity and urgency to his subsequent warnings and instructions.

Verse 26

Paul uses language reminiscent of the prophetic watchman (Ezek. 33:1-9) to assert his innocence, having faithfully discharged his duty to instruct them completely.

Verse 27

'All the counsel of God' (the whole purpose or plan of God) indicates the comprehensive nature of his teaching, encompassing the full scope of Christian truth, not just selective doctrines.

Verse 28

This verse contains a crucial charge to the elders (overseers/bishops), emphasizing their divine appointment by the Holy Spirit to shepherd the church. The phrase 'church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood' is a powerful Christological statement.

Verse 29

The 'grievous wolves' represent external threats—false teachers or heretics who will infiltrate the church after Paul leaves, seeking to destroy the community.

Verse 30

Paul warns that danger will also arise internally, as leaders from within the community will deviate from the truth ('speaking perverse things') to gain a following.

Verse 32

Paul commends the elders to God and 'the word of his grace,' recognizing that ultimate strength, preservation, and spiritual inheritance come from divine power and Scripture.

Verse 34

Paul’s self-sufficiency through manual labor ('these hands') was a hallmark of his ministry, ensuring he was not a financial burden and modeling diligent work.

Verse 35

This verse quotes a saying of Jesus not recorded in the Gospels, confirming the existence of oral traditions about Jesus' teachings preserved by the early church.

Verse 36

Paul concludes the address with a deeply personal act of corporate prayer, kneeling down with the leaders, symbolizing humility and reliance on God.

Verse 38

The profound sorrow reflects the genuine love and bond between Paul and the Ephesian leaders, especially due to his prediction of never seeing them again (v. 25).

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Acts20

Paul Travels to Macedonia and Greece

Eutychus Restored to Life at Troas

Journey to Miletus

Paul’s Farewell Address to Ephesian Elders

Warning Against False Teachers

Final Exhortation and Farewell

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