ACTS 20 - CONCLUDING THE THIRD JOURNEY

As the chapter opens, Paul is just getting ready to leave Ephesus after the uproar caused by the silversmiths.

Eutychus Sleeps

A. Paul in Macedonia - Acts 20:2. Paul had been planning this trip for some time - Acts 19:21

And when he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece. (Acts 20:2)

Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." (Acts 19:21)

B. Evading the Jews - Acts 20:3-5

And there he spent three months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus; and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. But these had gone on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas. (Acts 20:3-5)

C. Paul's sermon in Troas

1. He was there seven days - Acts 20:6

And we sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas within five days; and there we stayed seven days. (Acts 20:6)

2. He left on Monday - Acts 20:11 Thus he must have come the preceding Monday.

And when he had gone back up, and had broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. (Acts 20:11)

3. Had they worshipped on Saturday, as some believe, there would have been no need to wait until Monday to leave.

4. This was not a special meeting, but the regular worship of the Christians.

5. Paul was long-winded - Acts 20:7 and Acts 20:9

And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. (Acts 20:7)

And there was a certain young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor, and was picked up dead. (Acts 20:9)

D. Eutychus injured - Acts 20:9-10

And there was a certain young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor, and was picked up dead. But Paul went down and fell upon him and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be troubled, for his life is in him." (Acts 20:9-10)

Paul Weeps

A. Paul hurries toward Jerusalem - Acts 20:13-16

But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for thus he had arranged it, intending himself to go by land. And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. And sailing from there, we arrived the following day opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos; and the day following we came to Miletus. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus in order that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 20:13-16)

B. Paul’s message to the elders from Ephesus

1. Paul’s faithfulness - Acts 20:18-21

And 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 the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:18-21)

2. Paul's future - Acts 20:22-27

"And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. "And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see my face no more. "Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men. "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. (Acts 20:22-27)

3. Paul's admonitions

a. concerning responsibility to themselves - Acts 20:28

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28)

b. concerning responsibility to the church - Acts 20:28-31

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. "Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. (Acts 20:28-31)

c. concerning responsibility to others - Acts 20:35

"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35)

C. Paul's farewell - Acts 20:36-38 Paul kneeled, prayed, wept, and sorrowed

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they were accompanying him to the ship. (Acts 20:36-38)

Study Questions

1. Was Paul a "loner" or did he work with a team? - Acts 20:4-6

And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus; and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. But these had gone on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas. And we sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas within five days; and there we stayed seven days. (Acts 20:4-6)

2. What day of the week did the disciples gather together? - Acts 20:7

And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. (Acts 20:7)

3. Was Paul long-winded? - Acts 20:7 and Acts 20:9

And there was a certain young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor, and was picked up dead. (Acts 20:9)

4. Did Paul show genuine concern and affection for his fellow Christians? - Acts 20:1-2, Acts 20:10, and Acts 20:31 Note the attitude of the Christians toward Paul in Acts 20:36-37

And after the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he departed to go to Macedonia. And when he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece. (Acts 20:1-2)

But Paul went down and fell upon him and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be troubled, for his life is in him." (Acts 20:10)

"Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. (Acts 20:31)

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, (Acts 20:36-37)

5. Was Paul glad to be a minister of Christ? - Acts 20:24

"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

6. What had the Holy Spirit revealed to Paul about his future prospects? - Acts 20:23

except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. (Acts 20:23)

7. Did the Apostle Paul have any problems? - Acts 20:19

serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; (Acts 20:19)

8. What was Paul's attitude toward ministering to other racial groups? - Acts 20:21

solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)

9. What was Paul's attitude toward money? - Acts 20:33

"I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes. (Acts 20:33)