Acts 20

1 Paul travelleth towards Macedonia and Graecia, 4 with some of Asia, 6 passeth over freom Phillipi to Troas, 7 where on the first day of the week he preacheth and breaketh bread with the Disciples, extending his discourse untill midnight. 9 Eutichus a young man through sleep, falleth out of the window dead, 10 and is raised up by Paul. 13 Paul prosecuteth his journey towards Jerusalem, and cometh to Mileus, 17 sends for the Elders of Ephesus to come thither unto him, to whom be holds forth his faithfulness and pains in his ministry amongst them. 22 Foretelleth what should befall him at Jerusalem, 26 and declareth that he had published unto them the whole counsel of God. 28 Exhorts them to take heed to the stock, 29 and to watch against the grievous wolves, which should arise amongst them. 32 takes his leave of them, testifying that he had maintained him and his with his own hands. 36 Kneeleth and prayeth with them, who with great sorrow bring him to the ship.

1. Now after that the uproar was quieted, Paul having called the Disciples to him and saluted (them) [Namely, by embracing and kissing them according to the custome of those Countries, Genesis 31:55. 1 Thes. 5. 26.] went forth to travel towards Macedonia.

2. And when he had journeyed through those parts, and exhorted them with many speeches, he came into Greece which was called Attica.]

3. And when he had spent [Gr.made. See Acts 15:33.and 18. 23.] three moneths (there,) and snares were laid for him by the Jews, as he was to sayl towards Syria. [Gr.should be driven into the height or depth, namely, of the Sea.] he was minded [or of purpose, opinion] to return through Macedonia.

4. And there accompanied him into Asia [It seems that Paul was not willing that these should accompany him further, excepting Trophimus, Acts 21:29.] Sopater [otherwise Sofipater, to which some adde the son of Pyrrhus. See of him Romans 16:21.] of Berea [Gr. Berean] and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus, and Secundus, and. Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus: and of those of Asia, [whence it appears that that which the Apostle saith 2 Tim. 1. 15.must not be understood of all, but of the greatest part] Tychicus.

5. These being gone before waited for us at Troas.

6. Now we sailed off from Phillippi after the daies of unleavened (bread) [That is, of the Passover, Matthew 26:17.] and came in five daies [or at the end of five daies] unto them at Troas, where we [namely, Paul and his company, amongst whom also Luke here comprehends himself] turned seven daies, [Gr.wore out, namely the time.]

7. And on the first (day) [Gr.one, see Genesis 1:5. Matthew 28:1.and compare therewith 1 Cor. 16. 2.which day is called the day of the Lord, Revel. 1. 10.] of the week [Gr.of the Sabbaths. See Matthew 28:1. Luke 18:12.] when the disciples were come together to break bread [that is, to eat with one another, and to hold the Lords Supper. See Acts 2:42; 46. 1 Cor. 11. 20, 21, 22.] Paul treated with them [namely, of the doctrine of the Gospell] being to depart the next day: and he extended (his) discourse unto midnight.

8. And there were many lights [Gr.many lamps. The faithfull to escape the danger of the persecution, then assembled many times by night: and had lights in their Assemblies, that they might not be slandered (as yet nevertheless they were by the ungodly) that they committed any thing unsitting in the same] in the upper-room, where they were assembled. [otherwise we.]

9. And a certain young man by name Eutychus, sate in the window, and being surprised by a deep sleep, [Or being fallen into a deep sleep, Gr.being taken away, carried away] seeing Paul, spake long (unto them) [Gr.discoursed very much] falling down headlong by sleep [or being cast down headlong] fell from the loft downward, and was taken up dead.

10. But Paul being come down fell upon him, and clasping (him) about, he said; be not troubled; for his soul is in him. [The soule was indeed departed from him ver.9.but this Paul speaketh, because he was fully assured that the same should come into him again, as Matthew 9:24.or because at that instant the same came into him againe.]

11. And when he was gone up (again) and had broken bread [See ver.7.] and eaten (somewhat) [Gr.had tasted, namely, common food, which used to be done together with the use of the (Lords) Supper] and had spoken with them long, untill break of day, so [see the like John 4:6.] he departed

12. And they brought the youth alive, and were comforted [That is, joyed and revived] above measure.

13. But we being forth before towards the ship, sayled off into Assos, [ACity in Mysia about Troas, otherwise called also Apollonia] where were should take in Paul. For so he commanded it, [Gr.ordained] and he himself would goe a foot. [that is, travel by land, to preach the Gospel here and there by the way.]

14. And when he had joined himself with us at Assos, wee took him in, and came to Mitylene. [An Island with a City of the same name, not far from Assos, lying in the Aegean Sea.]

15. And being shipt away from thence, we came the (day) following over agast Chios, [An Island betwixt Samos and Lesbos in the same Sea] and the next (day) we put in to Samos, [an Island thereabout having a City of the same name] and abode at Trogyllium, [a corner of the mountain Mycales, stretching out into the Sea, flying from Samos forty furlongs] and the (day) following we came to Miletus. [a City by the Sea, on the firm land of Ionia, not far from Ephesus.]

16. For Paul had purposed [Gr.judged, i.e. thought good] to sayl by Ephesus, that he might not spend the time in Asia, For he hasted (if it were possible for him) to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, [of this Feast day see Acts 2:1. This the Apostle did, not because he thought that the Jewish Feast must yet be observed Galatians 4:10. Colossians 2:16.but because by the multitude of people that came to the feast, he should have opportunity the better to spread abroad the Gospell.]

17. But he sent from Miletus to Ephesus, and he called over the Elders of the Church.

18. And when they were come unto him he said unto them, ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, [Namely, properly so called, being a part of Asia the less, of which Ephesus was the chief City] how I was with you the whole time:

19. Serving the Lord with all humility [Or lowliness, of mind, or of condition as Luke 1:48.] and many tears, [namely, out of compassion towards poor ignorant or seduced persons] and temptations [that is, afflictions. See James 1:2.and 1 Pet. 1. 6.] which came upon me by the lyings in wait of the Jews.

20. How I have kept back nothing [Gr.withdrawn, i.e. concealed, either for fear of men or for lucre sake, 1 Thes. 2.ver. 3. 4.] of that which was profitable, that I have not declared unto you and have taught you publikly, and by the houses. [That is, in particular.]

21. Testifying both to Jews and Greeks, [Namely, everywhere and very strongly, with firm grounds and testimonies of the holy Scripture] repentance unto God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

22. And now behold I being bound [That is, being drawn as with bands] by the Spirit, [that is, by strong impulse and command of the Holy Ghost: or by my mind through the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. See Acts 19:21.] travel to Jerusalem, not knowing [namely particularly] what shall meet with me there.

23. Save that the Holy Ghost from City to City [That is, every where, in all Cities which I travel thorow, Luke 8:4.] witnesseth, [namely, by the Prophets, to whom the Holy Ghost hath revealed this, Acts 21:4. 11.] saying, that bands and afflictions are ready for me. [Gr.waite for me.]

24. But I regard nothing [Gr. I make no reckoning of any thing] neither hold my life [Gr.my soul] precious to my self, that I may finish my course [namely, of the Christian life, and especially of my ministry 1 Cor. 9. 24. 2 Tim. 4. 7.] with joy, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testifie the Gospell of the grace of God. [that is, wherein the grace of God is published unto us.]

25. And now behold, I know that ye all where I passed preaching the Kingdome of God, shall see my face no more.

26. Therefore I testifie unto you on this present day, that I am pure from the blood of (you) all. [That is, guiltless of your destruction, seeing I have faithfully shewed you the way of salvation. See Ezekiel 3:18, 19. Acts 18:6.]

27. For I have kept back nothing [See ver. 20.] that I should have declared unto you, all the counsel of God. [That is, all that God hath decreed and revealed concerning the salvation of men; through whom, and how the same is obtained, Luke 7:30. Ephesians 1:11.]

28. Therefore take heed to your selves, [That is, to your doctrine, life, and office] and to the whole stock, over which [Gr.in which] the Holy Ghost [who is the principall cause of the lawfull calling of the Ministers of the word, although he do it by the ministry of men. See Acts 13.ver. 2. 3.] hath set you Overseers [Gr. Episcopous, from whence the word Bishop is come. These ver.17.are called Elders of the Church, from whence it appears that in the holy Scripture there is no difference made betwixt Elder and Bishops. See Philippians 1:1.] to feed the Church of God, [Namely, with the sound doctrine of the word of God: by a similitude taken form Sherpeards, to whom the office of the Ministers of the word is very fitly compared, Jeremiah 23:4. John 21:15. Ephesians 4:11. 1 Pet. 5. 2.] which he [namely God i.e. teh Son of God, who hath assumed our humane nature, into the unity of his person] hath gotten [Or purchased bought, made his own] by his own blood. [namely, by which he hath redeemed us, and not by the blood of any beasts. Hebrews 9:12. This blood is called Gods own blood, because the Son of God, being and remaining true God, assumed humane flesh and blood in unity of person. A phrase whereby, is ascribed to the person of Christ, being denominated from the one nature, that which is proper to him according to the other nature. See John 3. V. 13.]

29. For this I know that after my departure [Namely, from hence out of these Countreys, or else out of this life] grievous [that is, abominable, troublesome] wolves [that is, false Teachers, which seek to destroy the sheep by their false doctrine, Mat. 7, 15.] shall come in unto you, which spare not the stock.

30. And of your selves [That is, of the Teachers and Overseers themselves] shall men arise, speaking perverse things [or wrested, like as Satan wresteth all things to obscure the truth] to draw away the Disciples after them. [namely, to follow them and their doctrine.]

31. Therefore watch and remember that (for) three years, [Compare Acts 19:10.] night and day I ceased not to admonish every one with tears.

32. And now brethren I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, [That is, to the Gospel, therewith to confirm the faith, and therein to seek your comfort. See Acts 14:26.] who is able [namely, God] to build you up [namely, increasing the Church with gifts and in number] and to give you an inheritance [namely, of the heavenly Countrey] among all the sanctified ones. [namely, by the spirit of regeneration: or separated from the world by faith.

33. I have desired no mans silver, or gold, or apparell.

34. And you your selves know that these hands have ministred to my necessities, and to those that were with me.

35. I have shewed you in all (things) that thus labouring we must take up [That is, either support them that they may not fall, or being fallen offer the hand to help them up, Luke 1, 54.] the weak, [namely, in faith and knowledge of Christian doctrine] and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said [these words are not written in the Evangelical History, like as all the words and deeds of Christ are not written, John 20:30.and 21. 25.but may notwithstanding be gathered from some speeches of Christ, Luke 6:38.and 16. 9.] it is more blessed [for he that giveth to the poor, he gives it upon usury to the Lord, Proverbs 19:17.] to give, [namely, temporal goods for the maintenance of the ministry of the Church, or of the poor] then to receive.

36. And when he had said this, kneeling down he prayed with them all.

37. And there was a great weeping of (them) all: [A token of hearty love to their Teacher] and they falling about Pauls neck, kissed him.

38. Being greatly grieved, most of all for the word that he said, that they should see his face no more: and they brought him to the ship.