ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:1 In the final days of his Ephesian ministry, after writing 1 Corinthians 1:1 (see note on Acts 19:22), Paul had considerable conflict with the Corinthian church. He made a “painful” visit to them. He also wrote a “tearful” letter upon his return to Ephesus (2 Corinthians 2:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:2 GREECE is another name for the province of Achaia, where Corinth was located. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:3 Paul stayed at Corinth for THREE MONTHS, likely the winter months (see 1 Corinthians 16:6). Sea travel was more dangerous then. SYRIA. Paul’s goal was to sail to a Syrian port, with Jerusalem as the final destination (Acts 19:21). Paul wrote Romans (c. A.D. 57) during this fin... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:4 ACCOMPANIED HIM. In 1 Corinthians 16:1, Paul noted that official representatives from the various churches of his ministry would travel with him. They protected the offering from robbers. They also guaranteed Paul’s integrity in handling the funds. ARISTARCHUS. See note on Act... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:5 THESE WENT ON AHEAD. This group may have included all the representatives or just the two Asians (v. Acts 20:4). They perhaps arranged for the final voyage from TROAS (see note on 16:8). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length,... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:7 ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. The first reference in Acts 1:1 to worship on Sunday. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:15 CHIOS was the birthplace of Homer. SAMOS was the birthplace of the mathematician Pythagoras. MILETUS was a major Aegean harbor in the province of Asia in Paul’s day. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:17 Paul’s Miletus address is the only example in Acts 1:1 of a major speech to Christians. Of all Paul’s speeches in Acts 1:1, it has the most in common with his letters, which were addressed to Christians. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0,... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:20 DID NOT SHRINK. See note on vv. 26–27. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:22 CONSTRAINED indicates the Holy Spirit prompted Paul to go quickly and directly to Jerusalem. THE HOLY SPIRIT TESTIFIES TO ME IN EVERY CITY. Probably through Christian prophets (see Acts 21:11) and direct revelation from the Holy Spirit. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElement... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:24 Compare 2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 1:20; Philippians 3:8; Colossians 1:24. In 2 Timothy 4:7 he used the same expression of finishing his COURSE (or “race”). [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:26 For Paul’s claim to be INNOCENT of their BLOOD, compare Ezekiel 33:1 and see note on Acts 18:6. Paul is not responsible for any future doctrinal or moral error in the Ephesian church, FOR he DID NOT SHRINK FROM DECLARING any part of the teaching of the Word of God. WHOLE COUN... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:28 THE CHURCH OF GOD, WHICH HE OBTAINED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD. The last part of this phrase refers to Christ’s atoning death on the cross (see Romans 5:9). The first part of this phrase (“the church of God”) most likely refers to Christ (“God the Son”) as the head of the church. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:29 Paul showed remarkable insight into the future situation of the Ephesian church (probably through a revelation from the Holy Spirit). Paul’s letters to Timothy, who served Ephesus a decade or so later, mention false teachers who were using the church for their own gain. These... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:31 THREE YEARS included the “three months” and the “two years” in Ephesus that Luke mentioned earlier (see Acts 19:8, Acts 19:10). INHERITANCE. Salvation. SANCTIFIED. Made holy in heart and life by the Holy Spirit. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:35 THE WORDS OF THE LORD JESUS. This saying from Jesus is not recorded in the Gospels. Jesus did many things that are not recorded in Scripture (see John 21:25). This saying was probably passed on to Paul by those who heard Jesus teach. GIVE. On Christian generosity, see 2 Corin... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 20:38 SORROWFUL. Paul’s churches had deep affection for him. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]