Acts 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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Acts 20

Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece

1When the trouble stopped, Paul invited the Lord’s followers to come visit him. After encouraging them, he told them goodbye and left for Macedonia. 2On his way through Macedonia he had many words of encouragement for the followers in various places. Then he went to Greece 3and stayed there three months.

Paul was ready to sail for Syria, but some Jews were planning something against him. So he decided to go back through Macedonia to Syria. 4These men were traveling with him: Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, from the city of Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, from the city of Thessalonica; Gaius, from the city of Derbe; Timothy; and two men from Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5These men went first, ahead of Paul. They waited for us in the city of Troas. 6We sailed from the city of Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread. We met these men in Troas five days later and stayed there seven days.

Paul’s Last Visit to Troas

7On Sunday#20:7 Sunday Literally, “first day of the week,” which for the Jews began at sunset on Saturday. But if Luke is using Greek time here, then the meeting was Sunday night. we all met together to eat the Lord’s Supper.#20:7 to eat the Lord’s Supper Literally, “to break bread.” This may mean a meal or the Lord’s Supper, the special meal Jesus told his followers to eat to remember him. See Lk. 22:14-20. Paul talked to the group. Because he was planning to leave the next day, he continued talking until midnight. 8We were all together in a room upstairs, and there were many lights in the room. 9There was a young man named Eutychus sitting in the window. Paul continued talking, and Eutychus became very, very sleepy. Finally, he went to sleep and fell out of the window. He fell to the ground from the third floor. When the people went down and lifted him up, he was dead.

10Paul went down to where Eutychus was, knelt down beside him, and put his arms around him. He said to the other believers, “Don’t worry. He is alive now.” 11Then Paul went upstairs again, broke off some pieces of bread and ate. He spoke to them a long time. It was early morning when he finished, and then he left. 12The Lord’s followers took Eutychus home alive, and they were all greatly comforted.

The Trip From Troas to Miletus

13We went on ahead of Paul and sailed for the city of Assos, planning to meet him there. This is what he told us to do because he wanted to go by land. 14When he caught up with us at Assos, we took him on board, and we all sailed to Mitylene. 15The next day, we sailed away from there and came to a place near the island of Chios. Then the next day, we sailed to the island of Samos. A day later, we came to the city of Miletus. 16Paul had already decided not to stop at Ephesus. He did not want to stay too long in Asia. He was hurrying because he wanted to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost if possible.

Paul Speaks to the Elders From Ephesus

17In Miletus Paul sent a message back to Ephesus, telling the elders of the church in Ephesus to come to him.

18When they came, Paul said to them, “You know about my life from the first day I came to Asia. You know the way I lived all the time I was with you. 19The Jews planned things against me, and this gave me much trouble. But you know that I always served the Lord, sometimes with tears. I never thought about myself first. 20I always did what was best for you. I told you the Good News about Jesus in public before the people and also taught in your homes. 21I told everyone—Jewish and non-Jewish people—to change and turn to God. I told them all to believe in our Lord Jesus.

22“But now I must obey the Spirit and go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what will happen to me there. 23I know only that in every city the Holy Spirit tells me that troubles and even jail wait for me. 24I don’t care about my own life. The most important thing is that I finish my work. I want to finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do—to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.

25“And now listen to me. I know that none of you will ever see me again. All the time I was with you, I told you the Good News about God’s kingdom. 26So today I can tell you one thing that I am sure of: God will not blame me if some of you are not saved. 27I can say this because I know that I told you everything that God wants you to know. 28Be careful for yourselves and for all the people God has given you. The Holy Spirit gave you the work of caring for#20:28 gave … caring for Literally, “made you overseers of.” this flock.#20:28 flock A flock is many sheep. Here, it means a group of God’s people who follow their leaders (elders) like sheep following a shepherd. You must be shepherds to the church of God,#20:28 of God Some Greek copies say, “of the Lord.” the people he bought with his own blood.#20:28 his own blood Or “the blood of his own Son.” 29I know that after I leave, some men will come into your group. They will be like wild wolves and will try to destroy the flock. 30Also, men from your own group will begin to teach things that are wrong. They will lead some of the Lord’s followers away from the truth to follow them. 31So be careful! And always remember what I did during the three years I was with you. I never stopped reminding each one of you how you should live, counseling you day and night and crying over you.

32“Now I am putting you in God’s care. I am depending on the message about his grace to make you strong. That message is able to give you the blessings that God gives to all his holy people. 33When I was with you, I never wanted anyone’s money or fine clothes. 34You know that I always worked to take care of my own needs and the needs of the people who were with me. 35I always showed you that you should work just as I did and help people who are weak. I taught you to remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘You will have a greater blessing when you give than when you receive.’”

36When Paul finished speaking, he knelt down, and they all prayed together. 37-38They cried and cried. They were especially sad because Paul had said they would never see him again. They hugged him and kissed him. Then they went with him to the ship to say goodbye.

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