mh_parser/vol_split/44 - Acts/Chapter 20.xml

<div2 id="Acts.xxi" n="xxi" next="Acts.xxii" prev="Acts.xx" progress="21.91%" title="Chapter XX">
<h2 id="Acts.xxi-p0.1">A C T S.</h2>
<h3 id="Acts.xxi-p0.2">CHAP. XX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Acts.xxi-p1">In this chapter we have, I. Paul's travels up and
down about Macedonia, Greece, and Asia, and his coming at length to
Troas, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.1-Acts.20.6" parsed="|Acts|20|1|20|6" passage="Ac 20:1-6">ver. 1-6</scripRef>. II. A
particular account of his spending one Lord's day at Troas, and his
raising Eutychus to life there, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.7-Acts.20.12" parsed="|Acts|20|7|20|12" passage="Ac 20:7-12">ver.
7-12</scripRef>. III. His progress, or circuit, for the visiting of
the churches he had planted, in his way towards Jerusalem, where he
designed to be by the next feast of pentecost, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.13-Acts.20.16" parsed="|Acts|20|13|20|16" passage="Ac 20:13-16">ver. 13-16</scripRef>. IV. The farewell sermon he
preached to the presbyters at Ephesus, now that he was leaving that
country, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.17-Acts.20.35" parsed="|Acts|20|17|20|35" passage="Ac 20:17-35">ver. 17-35</scripRef>. V.
The very sorrowful parting between him and them, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.36-Acts.20.38" parsed="|Acts|20|36|20|38" passage="Ac 20:36-38">ver. 36-38</scripRef>. And in all these we find Paul
very busy to serve Christ, and to do good to the souls of men, not
only in the conversion of heathen, but in the edification of
Christians.</p>
<scripCom id="Acts.xxi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20" parsed="|Acts|20|0|0|0" passage="Ac 20" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Acts.xxi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.1-Acts.20.6" parsed="|Acts|20|1|20|6" passage="Ac 20:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Acts.20.1-Acts.20.6">
<h4 id="Acts.xxi-p1.8">Paul's Departure from Ephesus; Paul's
Removal to Troas.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Acts.xxi-p2">1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called
unto <i>him</i> the disciples, and embraced <i>them,</i> and
departed for to go into Macedonia.   2 And when he had gone
over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into
Greece,   3 And <i>there</i> abode three months. And when the
Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he
purposed to return through Macedonia.   4 And there
accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the
Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and
Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.   5 These
going before tarried for us at Troas.   6 And we sailed away
from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto
them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p3">These travels of Paul which are thus
briefly related, if all in them had been recorded that was
memorable and worthy to be written in letters of gold, <i>the world
would not contain the books that would have been</i> written; and
therefore we have only some general hints of occurrences, which
therefore ought to be the more precious. Here is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p4">I. Paul's departure from Ephesus. He had
tarried there longer than he had done at any one place since he had
been ordained to the apostleship of the Gentiles; and now it was
time to think of removing, for he must <i>preach in other cities
also;</i> but after this, to the end of the scripture-history of
his life (which is all we can depend upon), we never find him
breaking up fresh ground again, nor preaching <i>the gospel where
Christ had not been named,</i> as hitherto he had done (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.15.20" parsed="|Rom|15|20|0|0" passage="Ro 15:20">Rom. xv. 20</scripRef>), for in the close of the
next chapter we find him made a prisoner, and so continued, and so
left, at the end of this book. 1. Paul left Ephesus soon after the
uproar had ceased, looking upon the disturbance he met with there
to be an indication of Providence to him not to stay there any
longer, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.1" parsed="|Acts|20|1|0|0" passage="Ac 20:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. His
removal might somewhat appease the rage of his adversaries, and
gain better quarter for the Christians there. <i>Currenti cede
furori—It is good to lie by in a storm.</i> Yet some think that
before he now left Ephesus he wrote <i>the first epistle to the
Corinthians,</i> and that his <i>fighting with beasts at
Ephesus,</i> which he mentions in that epistle, was a figurative
description of this uproar; but I rather take that literally. 2. He
did not leave them abruptly and in a fright, but took leave of them
solemnly: <i>He called unto him the disciples,</i> the principal
persons of the congregation, <i>and embraced them, took leave of
them</i> (saith the Syriac) <i>with the kiss of love,</i> according
to the usage of the primitive church. Loving friends know not how
well they love one another till they come to part, and then it
appears how near they lay to one another's hearts.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p5">II. His visitation of the Greek churches,
which he had planted, and more than once watered, and which appear
to have laid very near his heart. 1. He went first <i>to
Macedonia</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.1" parsed="|Acts|20|1|0|0" passage="Ac 20:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>),
according to his purpose before the uproar (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.19.21" parsed="|Acts|19|21|0|0" passage="Ac 19:21"><i>ch.</i> xix. 21</scripRef>); there he visited the
churches of Philippi and Thessalonica, and <i>gave them much
exhortation,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.2" parsed="|Acts|20|2|0|0" passage="Ac 20:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. Paul's visits to his friends were preaching visits,
and his preaching was large and copious: <i>He gave them much
exhortation;</i> he had a great deal to say to them, and did not
stint himself in time; he exhorted them to many duties, in many
cases, and (as some read it) <i>with many reasonings.</i> He
enforced his exhortation with a great variety of motives and
arguments. 2. He staid <i>three months in Greece</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.2-Acts.20.3" parsed="|Acts|20|2|20|3" passage="Ac 20:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2, 3</scripRef>), that is, <i>in
Achaia,</i> as some think, for thither also he purposed to go, to
Corinth, and thereabouts (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Acts.19.21" parsed="|Acts|19|21|0|0" passage="Ac 19:21"><i>ch.</i>
xix. 21</scripRef>), and, no doubt, there also he gave the
disciples much exhortation, to direct and confirm them, and engage
them to cleave to the Lord.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p6">III. The altering of his measures; for we
cannot always stand to our purposes. Accidents unforeseen put us
upon new counsels, which oblige us to purpose with a proviso. 1.
<i>Paul was about to sail into Syria, to Antioch,</i> whence he was
first sent out into the service of the Gentiles, and which
therefore in his journeys he generally contrived to take in his
way; but he changed his mind, and resolved <i>to return to
Macedonia,</i> the same way he came. 2. The reason was because the
Jews, expecting he would steer that course as usual, had way-laid
him, designing to be the death of him; since they could not get him
out of the way by stirring up both mobs and magistrates against
him, which they had often attempted, they contrived to assassinate
him. Some think they <i>laid wait for him,</i> to rob him of the
money that he was carrying to Jerusalem for the relief of the poor
saints there; but, considering how very spiteful the Jews were
against him, I suppose they thirsted for his blood more than for
his money.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p7">IV. His companions in his travels when he
went into Asia; they are here named, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.4" parsed="|Acts|20|4|0|0" passage="Ac 20:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. Some of them were ministers,
whether they were all so or no is not certain. <i>Sopater of
Berea,</i> it is likely, is the same with <i>Sosipater,</i> who is
mentioned <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.16.21" parsed="|Rom|16|21|0|0" passage="Ro 16:21">Rom. xvi. 21</scripRef>.
<i>Timothy</i> is reckoned among them, for though Paul, when he
departed from Ephesus (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.1" parsed="|Acts|20|1|0|0" passage="Ac 20:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>), left Timothy there, and afterwards wrote his first
epistle to him thither, to direct him as an evangelist how to
settle the church there, and in what hands to leave it (see
<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.1.3 Bible:1Tim.3.14-1Tim.3.15" parsed="|1Tim|1|3|0|0;|1Tim|3|14|3|15" passage="1Ti 1:3,3:14,15">1 Tim. i. 3; iii. 14,
15</scripRef>), which epistle was intended for direction to Timothy
what to do, not only at Ephesus where he now was, but also at other
places where he should be in like manner left, or whither he should
be sent to reside as an evangelist (and not to him only, but to the
other evangelists that attended Paul, and were in like manner
employed); yet he soon followed him, and accompanied him, with
others here named. Now, one would think, this was no good
husbandry, to have all these worthy men accompanying Paul, for
there was more need of them where Paul was not than where he was;
but so it was ordered, 1. That they might assist him in instructing
such as by his preaching were awakened and startled; wherever Paul
came, the waters were stirred, and then there was need of many
hands to help the cripples in. It was time to strike when the iron
was hot. 2. That they might be trained up by him, and fitted for
future service, <i>might fully know his doctrine and manner of
life,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.3.10" parsed="|2Tim|3|10|0|0" passage="2Ti 3:10">2 Tim. iii. 10</scripRef>.
Paul's bodily presence was weak and despicable, and therefore these
friends of his accompanied him, to put a reputation upon him, to
keep him in countenance, and to intimate to strangers, who would be
apt to judge by the sight of the eye, that he had a great deal in
him truly valuable, which was not discovered upon the outward
appearance.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p8">V. His coming to Troas, where he had
appointed a general rendezvous of his friends. 1. They went before,
and staid for him at Troas (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.5" parsed="|Acts|20|5|0|0" passage="Ac 20:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>), designing to go along with him to Jerusalem, as
Trophimus particularly did, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.21.29" parsed="|Acts|21|29|0|0" passage="Ac 21:29"><i>ch.</i>
xxi. 29</scripRef>. We should not think it hard to stay awhile for
good company in a journey. 2. Paul made the best of his way
thither; and, it should seem, Luke was now in company with him; for
he says <i>We sailed from Philippi</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.6" parsed="|Acts|20|6|0|0" passage="Ac 20:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), and the first time we find him
in his company was here at Troas, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.16.11" parsed="|Acts|16|11|0|0" passage="Ac 16:11"><i>ch.</i> xvi. 11</scripRef>. <i>The days of unleavened
bread</i> are mentioned only to describe the time, not to intimate
that Paul kept the passover after the manner of the Jews; for just
about this time he had written in his first epistle to the church
at Corinth, and taught, that Christs is our Passover, and a
Christian life our feast of unleavened bread (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.5.7-1Cor.5.8" parsed="|1Cor|5|7|5|8" passage="1Co 5:7,8">1 Cor. v. 7, 8</scripRef>), and when the substance was
come the shadow was done away. He <i>came to them to Troas,</i> by
sea, <i>in five days,</i> and when he was there staid but <i>seven
days.</i> There is no remedy, but a great deal of time will
unavoidably be lost in travelling to and fro, by those who go about
doing good, yet it shall not be put upon the score of lost time.
Paul thought it worth while to bestow <i>five days</i> in going to
Troas, though it was but for an opportunity of <i>seven days'</i>
stay there; but he knew, and so should we, how to redeem even
journeying time, and make it turn to some good account.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Acts.xxi-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.7-Acts.20.12" parsed="|Acts|20|7|20|12" passage="Ac 20:7-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Acts.20.7-Acts.20.12">
<h4 id="Acts.xxi-p8.7">Paul Preaches at Troas; The Recovery of
Eutychus.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Acts.xxi-p9">7 And upon the first <i>day</i> of the week,
when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto
them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until
midnight.   8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber,
where they were gathered together.   9 And there sat in a
window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep
sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and
fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.   10 And
Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing <i>him</i> said,
Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.   11 When he
therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and
talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.  
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little
comforted.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p10">We have here an account of what passed at
Troas the last of the seven days that Paul staid there.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p11">I. There was a solemn religious assembly of
the Christians that were there, according to their constant custom,
and the custom of all the churches. 1. <i>The disciples came
together,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.7" parsed="|Acts|20|7|0|0" passage="Ac 20:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>.
Though they read, and meditated, and prayed, and sung psalms,
apart, and thereby kept up their communion with God, yet that was
not enough; they must come together to worship God in concert, and
so keep up their communion with one another, by mutual countenance
and assistance, and testify their spiritual communion with all good
Christians. There ought to be stated times for the disciples of
Christ to come together; though they cannot all come together in
one place, yet as many as can. 2. They <i>came together upon the
first day of the week,</i> which they called <i>the Lord's day</i>
(<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.10" parsed="|Rev|1|10|0|0" passage="Re 1:10">Rev. i. 10</scripRef>), the Christian
sabbath, celebrated to the honour of Christ and the Holy Spirit, in
remembrance of the resurrection of Christ, and the pouring out of
the Spirit, both on the first day of the week. This is here said to
be the day when the disciples came together, that is, when it was
their practice to come together in all the churches. Note, The
first day of the week is to be religiously observed by all the
disciples of Christ; and it is a sign between Christ and them, for
by this it is known that they are his disciples; and it is to be
observed in solemn assemblies, which are, as it were, the courts
held in the name of our Lord Jesus, and to his honour, by his
ministers, the stewards of his courts, to which all that hold from
and under him owe suit and service, and at which they are to make
their appearance, as tenants at their Lord's courts, and the first
day of the week is appointed to be the court-day. 3. <i>They were
gathered together in an upper chamber</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.8" parsed="|Acts|20|8|0|0" passage="Ac 20:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>); they had no temple nor synagogue
to meet in, no capacious stately chapel, but met in a private
house, in a garret. As they were few, and did not need, so they
were poor, and could not build, a large meeting-place; yet they
came together, in that despicable inconvenient place. It will be no
excuse for our absenting ourselves from religious assemblies that
the place of them is not so decent nor so commodious as we would
have it to be. 4. They <i>came together to break bread,</i> that
is, to celebrate the ordinance of the Lord's supper, that one
instituted sign of breaking the bread being put for all the rest.
<i>The bread which we break is the communion of the body of
Christ,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.10.16" parsed="|1Cor|10|16|0|0" passage="1Co 10:16">1 Cor. x. 16</scripRef>.
In the breaking of the bread, not only the breaking of Christ's
body for us, to be a sacrifice for our sins, is commemorated, but
the breaking of Christ's body to us, to be food and a feast for our
souls, is signified. In the primitive times it was the custom of
many churches to receive the Lord's supper every Lord's day,
celebrating the memorial of Christ's death in the former, with that
of his resurrection in the latter; and both in concert, in a solemn
assembly, to testify their joint concurrence in the same faith and
worship.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p12">II. In this assembly Paul gave them a
sermon, a long sermon, a farewell sermon, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.7" parsed="|Acts|20|7|0|0" passage="Ac 20:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. 1. He gave them a sermon: he
<i>preached to them.</i> Though they were disciples already, yet it
was very necessary they should have the word of God preached to
them, in order to their increase in knowledge and grace. Observe,
The preaching of the gospel ought to accompany the sacraments.
<i>Moses read the book of the covenant in the audience of the
people, and then sprinkled the blood of the covenant, which the
Lord had made with them concerning all these words,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.24.7-Exod.24.8" parsed="|Exod|24|7|24|8" passage="Ex 24:7,8">Exod. xxiv. 7, 8</scripRef>. What does the seal
signify without a writing? 2. It was a farewell sermon, he being
<i>ready to depart on the morrow.</i> When he was gone, they might
have the same gospel preached, but not as he preached it; and
therefore they must make the best use of him that they could while
they had him. Farewell sermons are usually in a particular manner
affecting both to the preacher and to the hearers. 3. It was a very
long sermon: He <i>continued his speech until midnight;</i> for he
had a great deal to say, and knew not that ever he should have
another opportunity of preaching to them. After they had received
the Lord's supper, he preached to them the duties they had thereby
engaged themselves to, and the comforts they were interested in,
and in this he was very large and full and particular. There may be
occasion for ministers to preach, not only <i>in season, but out of
season.</i> We know some that would have reproached Paul for this
as a long-winded preacher, that tired his hearers; but they were
willing to hear: he saw them so, and therefore continued his
speech. He <i>continued it till midnight;</i> perhaps they met in
the evening for privacy, or in conformity to the example of the
disciples who came together on the first Christian sabbath in the
evening. It is probable he had preached to them in the morning, and
yet thus lengthened out his evening sermon even till midnight; we
wish we had the heads of this long sermon, but we may suppose it
was for substance the same with his epistles. The meeting being
continued till midnight, there were candles set up, <i>many
lights</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.8" parsed="|Acts|20|8|0|0" passage="Ac 20:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>),
that the hearers might turn to the scriptures Paul quoted, and see
<i>whether these things were so;</i> and that this might prevent
the reproach of their enemies, who said they met in the night for
works of darkness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p13">III. <i>A young man</i> in the
congregation, that slept at sermon, was killed by a fall <i>out of
the window, but raised to life again;</i> his name signifies <i>one
that had good fortune—Eutychus, bene fortunatus;</i> and he
answered his name. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p14">1. The infirmity with which he was
overtaken. It is probable his parents brought him, though but a
boy, to the assembly, out of a desire to have him well instructed
in the things of God by such a preacher as Paul. Parents should
bring their children to hear sermons as soon as they can hear with
understanding (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Neh.8.2" parsed="|Neh|8|2|0|0" passage="Ne 8:2">Neh. viii. 2</scripRef>),
even <i>the little ones,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.29.11" parsed="|Deut|29|11|0|0" passage="De 29:11">Deut.
xxix. 11</scripRef>. Now this youth was to be blamed, (1.) That he
presumptuously <i>sat in the window,</i> unglazed perhaps, and so
exposed himself; whereas, if he could have been content to sit on
the floor, he had been safe. Boys that love to climb, or otherwise
endanger themselves, to the grief of their parents, consider not
how much it is also an offence to God. (2.) That he slept, nay, he
<i>fell into a deep sleep when Paul was preaching,</i> which was a
sign he did not duly attend to the things that Paul spoke of,
though they were weighty things. The particular notice taken of his
sleeping makes us willing to hope none of the rest slept, though it
was sleeping time and after supper; but this youth fell fast
asleep, he was <i>carried away with it</i> (so the word is), which
intimates that he strove against it, but was overpowered by it, and
at last sunk down with sleep.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p15">2. The calamity with which he was seized
herein: <i>He fell down from the third loft, and was taken up
dead.</i> Some think that the hand of Satan was in it, by the
divine permission, and that he designed it for a disturbance to
this assembly and a reproach to Paul and it. Others think that God
designed it for a warning to all people to take heed of sleeping
when they are hearing the word preached; and certainly we are to
make this use of it. We must look upon it as an evil thing, as a
bad sign of our low esteem of the word of God, and a great
hindrance to our profiting by it. We must be afraid of it, do what
we can to prevent our being sleepy, not compose ourselves to sleep,
but get our hearts affected with the word we hear to such a degree
as may drive sleep far enough. Let us <i>watch and pray, that we
enter not into this temptation,</i> and by it into worse. Let the
punishment of Eutychus strike an awe upon us, and show us how
jealous God is in the matters of his worship; <i>Be not deceived,
God is not mocked.</i> See how severely God visited an iniquity
that seemed little, and but in a youth, and say, <i>Who is able to
stand before this holy Lord God?</i> Apply to this story that
lamentation (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Jer.9.20-Jer.9.21" parsed="|Jer|9|20|9|21" passage="Jer 9:20,21">Jer. ix. 20,
21</scripRef>), <i>Hear the word of the Lord, for death is come up
into our windows, to cut off the children from without and the
young men from the streets.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p16">3. The miraculous mercy shown him in his
recovery to <i>life again,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.10" parsed="|Acts|20|10|0|0" passage="Ac 20:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. It gave a present distraction
to the assembly, and an interruption to Paul's preaching; but it
proved an occasion of that which was a great confirmation to his
preaching, and helped to set it home and make it effectual. (1.)
<i>Paul fell on the dead body, and embraced it,</i> thereby
expressing a great compassion to, and an affectionate concern for,
this young man, so far was he from saying, "He was well enough
served for minding so little what I said!" Such tender spirits as
Paul had are much affected with sad accidents of this kind, and are
far from judging and censuring those that fall under them, as if
those on whom <i>the tower of Siloam fell were sinners above all
that dwelt at Jerusalem; I tell you, nay.</i> But this was not all;
his falling on him and embracing him were in imitation of Elijah
(<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.17.21" parsed="|1Kgs|17|21|0|0" passage="1Ki 17:21">1 Kings xvii. 21</scripRef>), and
Elisha (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.4.34" parsed="|2Kgs|4|34|0|0" passage="2Ki 4:34">2 Kings iv. 34</scripRef>), in
order to the raising of him to life again; not that this could as a
means contribute any thing to it, but as a sign it represented the
descent of that divine power upon the dead body, for the putting of
life into it again, which at the same time he inwardly, earnestly,
and in faith prayed for. (2.) He assured them that he had returned
to life, and it would appear presently. Various speculations, we
may suppose, this ill accident had occasioned in the congregation,
but Paul puts an end to them all: "<i>Trouble not yourselves,</i>
be not in any disorder about it, let it not put you into any hurry,
<i>for his life is in him;</i> he is not dead, but sleepeth: lay
him awhile upon a bed, and he will come to himself, for he is now
alive." Thus, when Christ raised Lazarus, he said, <i>Father, I
thank thee that thou hast heard me.</i> (3.) He returned to his
work immediately after this interruption (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.11" parsed="|Acts|20|11|0|0" passage="Ac 20:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): <i>He came up again</i> to the
meeting, they broke bread together in a love-feast, which usually
attended the eucharist, in token of their communion with each
other, and for the confirmation of friendship among them; and
<i>they talked a long while, even till break of day.</i> Paul did
not now go on in a continued discourse, as before, but he and his
friends fell into a free conversation, the subject of which, no
doubt, was good, and to the use of edifying. Christian conference
is an excellent means of promoting holiness, comfort, and Christian
love. They knew not when they should have Paul's company again, and
therefore made the best use they could of it when they had it, and
reckoned a night's sleep well lost for that purpose. (4.) Before
they parted <i>they brought the young man alive</i> into the
congregation, every one congratulating him upon his return to life
from the dead, and <i>they were not a little comforted,</i>
<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.12" parsed="|Acts|20|12|0|0" passage="Ac 20:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. It was matter
of great rejoicing among them, not only to the relations of the
young man, but to the whole society, as it not only prevented the
reproach that would otherwise have been cast upon them, but
contributed very much to the credit of the gospel.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Acts.xxi-p16.6" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.13-Acts.20.16" parsed="|Acts|20|13|20|16" passage="Ac 20:13-16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Acts.20.13-Acts.20.16">
<h4 id="Acts.xxi-p16.7">Paul on a Voyage.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Acts.xxi-p17">13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto
Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed,
minding himself to go afoot.   14 And when he met with us at
Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.   15 And we
sailed thence, and came the next <i>day</i> over against Chios; and
the next <i>day</i> we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium;
and the next <i>day</i> we came to Miletus.   16 For Paul had
determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time
in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at
Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p18">Paul is hastening towards Jerusalem, but
strives to do all the good he can by the way, <b><i>os en
parodo,</i></b> "as it were by the by." He had called at Troas, and
done good there; and now he makes a sort of coasting voyage, the
merchants would call it a trading voyage, going from place to
place, and no doubt endeavouring to make every place he came to the
better for him, as every good man should do.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p19">I. He sent his companions by sea to Assos,
but he himself was <i>minded to go afoot,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.13" parsed="|Acts|20|13|0|0" passage="Ac 20:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. He had decreed or determined
within himself that whatever importunity should be used with him to
the contrary, urging either his ease or his credit, or the
conveniency of a ship that offered itself, or the company of his
friends, he would foot it to Assos: and, if the land-way which Paul
took was the shorter way, yet it is taken notice of by the ancients
as a rough way (Homer, Iliad 6, and Eustathius upon him, say, it
was enough to <i>kill one</i> to go <i>on foot</i> to
Assos.—<i>Lorin. in locum</i>); yet that way Paul would take, 1.
That he might call on his friends by the way, and do good among
them, either converting sinners or edifying saints; and in both he
was serving his great Master, and carrying on his great work. Or,
2. That he might be alone, and might have the greater freedom of
converse with God and his own heart in solitude. He loved his
companions, and delighted in their company, yet he would show
hereby that he did not need it, but could enjoy himself alone. Or,
3. That he might inure himself to hardship, and not seem to indulge
his ease. Thus he would by voluntary instances of mortification and
self-denial <i>keep under the body, and bring it into
subjection,</i> that he might make his sufferings for Christ, when
he was called out to them, the more easy, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.3" parsed="|2Tim|2|3|0|0" passage="2Ti 2:3">2 Tim. ii. 3</scripRef>. We should use ourselves to deny
ourselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p20">II. At Assos he went on board with his
friends. There they <i>took him in;</i> for by this time he had
enough of his walk, and was willing to betake himself to the other
way of travelling; or perhaps he could not go any further by land,
but was obliged to go by water. When Christ sent his disciples away
by ship, and tarried behind himself, yet he came to them, and they
took him in, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Mark.6.45 Bible:Mark.6.51" parsed="|Mark|6|45|0|0;|Mark|6|51|0|0" passage="Mk 6:45,51">Mark vi. 45,
51</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p21">III. He made the best of his way to
Jerusalem. His ship passed by <i>Chios</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.15" parsed="|Acts|20|15|0|0" passage="Ac 20:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>), touched at <i>Samos</i> (these
are places of note among the Greek writers, both poets and
historians); they tarried awhile at <i>Trogyllium,</i> the sea-port
next to Samos; <i>and the next day</i> they came <i>to Miletus,</i>
the sea-port that lay next to Ephesus; for (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.16" parsed="|Acts|20|16|0|0" passage="Ac 20:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>) he had determined not to go to
Ephesus at this time, because he could not go thither without being
urged by his friends whose importunity he could not resist, to make
some stay with them there; and, because he was resolved not to
stay, he would not put himself into a temptation to stay; <i>for he
hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem on the day
of pentecost.</i> He had been at Jerusalem about four or five years
ago (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.18.21-Acts.18.22" parsed="|Acts|18|21|18|22" passage="Ac 18:21,22"><i>ch.</i> xviii. 21,
22</scripRef>), and now he was going thither again to pay his
continued respects to that church, with which he was careful to
keep a good correspondence, that he might not be thought alienated
from it by his commission to preach among the Gentiles. He aimed to
be there by the feast of pentecost because it was a time of
concourse, which would give him an opportunity of propagating the
gospel among the Jews and proselytes, who came from all parts to
worship at the feast: and the feast of pentecost had been
particularly made famous among the Christians by the pouring out of
the Spirit. Note, Men of business must fit themselves, and it will
contribute to the expediting of it, to set time (with submission to
Providence) and strive to keep it, contriving to do that first
which we judge to be most needful, and not suffering ourselves to
be diverted from it. It is a pleasure to us to be with our friends;
it diverts us, nothing more; but we must not by it be diverted from
our work. When Paul has a call to Jerusalem, he will not loiter
away the time in Asia, though he had more and kinder friends there.
This is not the world we are to be together in; we hope to be so in
the other world.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Acts.xxi-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.17-Acts.20.35" parsed="|Acts|20|17|20|35" passage="Ac 20:17-35" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Acts.20.17-Acts.20.35">
<h4 id="Acts.xxi-p21.5">Paul's Address to the Elders of
Ephesus.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Acts.xxi-p22">17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and
called the elders of the church.   18 And when they were come
to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came
into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
  19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many
tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the
Jews:   20 <i>And</i> how I kept back nothing that was
profitable <i>unto you,</i> but have showed you, and have taught
you publicly, and from house to house,   21 Testifying both to
the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ.   22 And now, behold, I go bound
in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall
befal me there:   23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in
every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.   24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto
myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the
ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the
gospel of the grace of God.   25 And now, behold, I know that
ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall
see my face no more.   26 Wherefore I take you to record this
day, that I <i>am</i> pure from the blood of all <i>men.</i>  
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of
God.   28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the
flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to
feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
  29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous
wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.   30 Also of
your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw
away disciples after them.   31 Therefore watch, and remember,
that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one
night and day with tears.   32 And now, brethren, I commend
you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build
you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are
sanctified.   33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or
apparel.   34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have
ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
  35 I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye
ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p23">It should seem the ship Paul and his
companions were embarked in for Jerusalem attended him on purpose,
and staid or moved as he pleased; for when he came to Miletus, he
went ashore, and tarried thee so long as to send for the elders of
Ephesus to come to him thither; for if he had gone up to Ephesus,
he could never have got away from them. These elders, or
presbyters, some think, were those twelve who received the Holy
Ghost by Paul's hands, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.19.6" parsed="|Acts|19|6|0|0" passage="Ac 19:6"><i>ch.</i> xix.
6</scripRef>. But, besides these, it is probable that Timothy had
ordained other elders there for the service of that church, and the
country about; these Paul sent for, that he might instruct and
encourage them to go on in the work to which they had laid their
hands. And what instructions he gave to them they would give to the
people under their charge.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p24">It is a very pathetic and practical
discourse with Paul here takes leave of these elders, and has in it
much of the excellent spirit of this good man.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p25">I. He appeals to them concerning both his
life and doctrine, all the time he had been in and about Ephesus
(<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.18" parsed="|Acts|20|18|0|0" passage="Ac 20:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): "<i>You
know after what manner I have been with you,</i> and how I have
done the work of an apostle among you." He mentions this as a
confirmation of his commission and consequently of the doctrine he
had preached among them. They all knew him to be a man of serious,
gracious, heavenly spirit, that he was no designing self-seeking
man, as seducers are; he could not have been carried on with so
much evenness and constancy in his services and sufferings, but by
the power of divine grace. The temper of his mind, and the tenour
both of his preaching and conversation, were such as plainly proved
that God was with him of a truth, and that he was actuated and
animated by a better spirit than his own.—He likewise makes this
reference to his own conduct as an instruction to them, in whose
hands the work was now left, to follow his example: "<i>You know
after what manner I have been with you,</i> how I have conducted
myself as a minister; in like manner be you with those that are
committed to your charge when I am gone (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.9" parsed="|Phil|4|9|0|0" passage="Php 4:9">Phil. iv. 9</scripRef>), <i>what you have seen in me</i>
that is good <i>do.</i>"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p26">1. His spirit and conversation were
excellent and exemplary; they knew after what manner he had been
among them, and how he had had his conversation towards them, in
simplicity and godly sincerity (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.12" parsed="|2Cor|1|12|0|0" passage="2Co 1:12">2 Cor.
i. 12</scripRef>), how holily, justly, and unblamably he behaved
himself, and how gentle he was towards them, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.2.7 Bible:1Thess.2.10" parsed="|1Thess|2|7|0|0;|1Thess|2|10|0|0" passage="1Th 2:7,10">1 Thess. ii. 7, 10</scripRef>. (1.) He had conducted
himself well all along, <i>from the very first day that he came
into Asia</i>—at all seasons; the manner of his entering in among
them was such as nobody could find fault with. He appeared from the
first day they knew him to be a man that aimed not only to do well,
but to do good, wherever he came. He was a man that was consistent
with himself, and all of a piece; take him where you would he was
the same at all seasons, he did not turn with the wind nor change
with the weather, but was uniform like a die, which, throw it which
way you will, lights on a square side. (2.) He had made it his
business to serve the Lord, to promote the honour of God and the
interest of Christ and his kingdom among them. He never served
himself, nor made himself a servant of men, of their lusts and
humours, nor was he a time-server; but he made it his business to
serve the Lord. In his ministry, in his whole conversation, he
proved himself what he wrote himself, Paul <i>a servant of Jesus
Christ,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p26.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.1.1" parsed="|Rom|1|1|0|0" passage="Ro 1:1">Rom. i. 1</scripRef>. (3.)
He had done his work <i>with all humility of mind</i>—<b><i>meta
pases tapeinophrosynes,</i></b> that is, in all works of
condescension, modesty, and self-abasement. Though he was one that
God had put a great deal of honour upon, and done a great deal of
good by, yet he never took state upon him, nor kept people at a
distance, but conversed as freely and familiarly with the meanest,
for their good, as if he had stood upon a level with them. He was
willing to stoop to any service, and to make himself and his
labours as cheap as they could desire. Note, Those that would in
any office serve the Lord acceptably to him, and profitably to
others, must do it with all humility of mind, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p26.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.20.26-Matt.20.27" parsed="|Matt|20|26|20|27" passage="Mt 20:26,27">Matt. xx. 26, 27</scripRef>. (4.) He had always been
very tender, affectionate, and compassionate, among them; he had
<i>served the Lord with many tears.</i> Paul was herein like his
Master; often in tears; in his praying, he <i>wept and made
supplication,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p26.5" osisRef="Bible:Hos.12.5" parsed="|Hos|12|5|0|0" passage="Ho 12:5">Hos. xii.
5</scripRef>. In his preaching, what he had told them before he
told them again, <i>even weeping,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p26.6" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.18" parsed="|Phil|3|18|0|0" passage="Php 3:18">Phil. iii. 18</scripRef>. In his concern for them,
though his acquaintance with them was but of a late standing, yet
so near did they lie to his heart that he <i>wept with those that
wept,</i> and mingled his tears with theirs upon every occasion,
which was very endearing. (5.) He had struggled with many
difficulties among them. He went on in his work in the face of much
opposition, <i>many temptations,</i> trials of his patience and
courage, such discouragements as perhaps were sometimes
<i>temptations</i> to him, as to Jeremiah in a like case to say,
<i>I will not speak any more in the name of the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p26.7" osisRef="Bible:Jer.20.8-Jer.20.9" parsed="|Jer|20|8|20|9" passage="Jer 20:8,9">Jer. xx. 8, 9</scripRef>. These befel him
<i>by the lying in wait of the Jews,</i> who still were plotting
some mischief or other against him. Note, Those are the faithful
servants of the Lord that continue to serve him in the midst of
troubles and perils, that care not what enemies they make, so that
they can but approve themselves to their Master, and make him their
friend. Paul's tears were owing to his temptations; his afflictions
helped to excite his good affections.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p27">2. His preaching was likewise such as it
should be, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.20-Acts.20.21" parsed="|Acts|20|20|20|21" passage="Ac 20:20,21"><i>v.</i> 20,
21</scripRef>. He came to Ephesus to preach the gospel of Christ
among them, and he had been faithful both to them and to him that
appointed him. (1.) He was a plain preacher, and one that delivered
his message so as to be understood. This is intimated in two words,
<i>I have shown you, and have taught you.</i> He did not amuse them
with nice speculations, nor lead them into, and then lose them in,
the clouds of lofty notions and expressions; but he showed them the
plain truths of the gospel, which were of the greatest consequence
and importance, and taught them as children are taught. "I have
shown you the right way to happiness, and taught you to go in it."
(2.) He was a powerful preacher, which is intimated in his
<i>testifying</i> to them; he preached as one upon oath, that was
himself fully assured of the truth of what he preached and was
desirous to convince them of it and to influence and govern them by
it. He preached the gospel, not as a hawker proclaims news in the
street (it is all one to him whether it be true or false), but as a
conscientious witness gives in his evidence at the bar, with the
utmost seriousness and concern. Paul preached the gospel as a
testimony to them if they received it, but as a testimony against
them if they rejected it. (3.) He was a profitable preacher, one
that in all his preaching aimed at doing good to those he preached
to; he studied that which was <i>profitable unto them,</i> which
had a tendency to make them wise and good, wiser and better, to
inform their judgments and reform their hearts and lives. He
preached <b><i>ta sympheronta,</i></b> such things as <i>brought
with them</i> divine light, and heat, and power to their souls. It
is not enough not to preach that which is hurtful, which leads into
error or hardens in sin, but we must preach that which is
profitable. <i>We do all things, dearly beloved, for your
edifying.</i> Paul aimed to preach not that which was pleasing, but
that which was profitable, and to please only in order to profit.
God is said to teach his people to profit, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.48.17" parsed="|Isa|48|17|0|0" passage="Isa 48:17">Isa. xlviii. 17</scripRef>. Those teach for God that
teach people to profit. (4.) He was a painstaking preacher, very
industrious and indefatigable in his work; he preached <i>publicly,
and from house to house.</i> He did not confine himself to a corner
when he had opportunity of preaching in the great congregation; nor
did he confine himself to the congregation when there was occasion
for private and personal instruction. He was neither afraid nor
ashamed to preach the gospel publicly, nor did he grudge to bestow
his pains privately, among a few, when there was occasion for it.
He preached publicly to the flock that came together into the green
pastures, and went from house to house to seek those that were weak
and had wandered, and did not think that the one would excuse him
from the other. Ministers should in their private visits, and as
they go from house to house, discourse of those things which they
have taught publicly, repeat them, inculcate them, and explain
them, if it be needful, asking, <i>Have you understood all these
things?</i> And, especially, they should help persons to apply the
truth to themselves and their own case. (5.) He was a faithful
preacher. He not only preached that which was profitable, but he
preached every thing that he thought might be profitable, and kept
back nothing, though the preaching of it might either cost him more
pains or be disobliging to some and expose him to their ill-will.
He declined not preaching whatever he thought might be profitable,
though it was not fashionable, nor to some acceptable. He did not
keep back reproofs, when they were necessary and would be
profitable, for fear of offending; nor did he keep back the
preaching of the cross, though he knew it was to the Jews a
stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishness, as the Roman
missionaries in China lately did. (6.) He was a catholic preacher.
He <i>testified both to the Jews and also to the Greeks.</i> Though
he was born and bred a Jew, and had an entire affection for that
nation, and was trained up in their prejudices against the
Gentiles, yet he did not therefore confine himself to the Jews and
avoid the Gentiles; but preached as readily to them as to the Jews,
and conversed as freely with them. And, on the other hand, though
he was called to be the apostle of the Gentiles, and the Jews had
an implacable enmity against him upon that score, had done him many
an ill turn, and here at Ephesus were continually plotting against
him, yet he did not therefore abandon them as reprobates, but
continued to deal with them for their good. Ministers must preach
the gospel with impartiality; for they are ministers of Christ for
the universal church. (7.) He was a truly Christian evangelical
preacher. He did not preach philosophical notions, or matters of
doubtful disputation, nor did he preach politics, or intermeddle at
all with affairs of state or the civil government; but he preached
faith and repentance, the two great gospel graces, the nature and
necessity of them; these he urged upon all occasions. [1.]
<i>Repentance towards God;</i> that those who by sin had gone away
from God, and were going further and further from him into a state
of endless separation from him, should by true repentance look
towards God, turn towards him, move towards him, and hasten to him.
He preached repentance as God's great command (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p27.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.17.30" parsed="|Acts|17|30|0|0" passage="Ac 17:30"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 30</scripRef>), which we must
obey—<i>that men should repent, and turn to God, and do works meet
for repentance</i> (so he explains it, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p27.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.26.20" parsed="|Acts|26|20|0|0" passage="Ac 26:20"><i>ch.</i> xxvi. 20</scripRef>); and he preached it as
Christ's gift, in order to the <i>remission of sins</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p27.5" osisRef="Bible:Acts.5.31" parsed="|Acts|5|31|0|0" passage="Ac 5:31"><i>ch.</i> v. 31</scripRef>), and directed people
to look up to him for it. [2.] <i>Faith towards our Lord Jesus
Christ.</i> We must be repentance look towards God as our end; and
by faith towards Christ as our way to God. Sin must by repentance
be abandoned and forsaken, and then Christ must by faith be relied
on for the pardon of sin. Our repentance towards God is not
sufficient, we must have a true faith in Christ as our Redeemer and
Saviour, consenting to him as our Lord and our God. For there is no
coming to God, as penitent prodigals to a Father, but in the
strength and righteousness of Jesus Christ as Mediator.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p28">Such a preacher as this they all knew Paul
had been; and, if they will carry on the same work, they must walk
in the same spirit, in the same steps.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p29">II. He declares his expectation of
sufferings and afflictions in his present journey to Jerusalem,
<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.22-Acts.20.24" parsed="|Acts|20|22|20|24" passage="Ac 20:22-24"><i>v.</i> 22-24</scripRef>. Let
them not think that he quitted Asia now for fear of persecution;
nor, he was so far from running away like a coward from the post of
danger that he was now like a hero hastening to the high places of
the field, where the battle was likely to be hottest: <i>Now,
behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem,</i> which may be
understood either, (1.) Of the certain foresight he had of trouble
before him. Though he was not yet bound in body, he was bound in
spirit; he was in full expectation of trouble, and made it his
daily business to prepare for it. He was bound in spirit, as all
good Christians are poor in spirit, endeavouring to accommodate
themselves to the will of God if they should be reduced to poverty.
Or, (2.) Of the strong impulse he was under from the Spirit of God
working upon his spirit to go this journey: "<i>I go bound in the
spirit,</i> that is, firmly resolved to proceed, and well assured
that it is by a divine direction and influence that I am so, and
not from any humour or design of my own. I go led by the Spirit,
and bound to follow him wherever he leads me."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p30">1. He does not know particularly the things
that shall befal him at Jerusalem. Whence the trouble shall spring,
what shall be the occasion of it, what the circumstances and to
what degree it shall arise, God had not thought fit to reveal to
him. It is good for us to be kept in the dark concerning future
events, that we may be always waiting on God and waiting for him.
When we go abroad, it should be with this thought, we know not the
things that shall befal us, nor what a day, or a night, or an hour,
may bring forth; and therefore must refer ourselves to God, let him
do with us as seemeth good in his eyes, and study to stand complete
in his whole will.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p31">2. Yet he does know in general that thee is
a storm before him; for the prophets in every city he passed
through told him, by the Holy Ghost, that bonds and afflictions
awaited him. Besides the common notice given to all Christians and
ministers to expect and prepare for sufferings, Paul had particular
intimations of an extraordinary trouble, greater and longer than
any he had yet met with, that was now before him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p32">3. He fixes a brave and heroic resolution
to go on with his work, notwithstanding. It was a melancholy peal
that was rung in his ears in every city, that <i>bonds and
afflictions did abide him;</i> it was a hard case for a poor man to
labour continually to do good, and to be so ill treated for his
pains. Now it is worth while to enquire how he bore it. He was
flesh and blood as well as other men; he was so, and yet by the
grace of God he was enabled to go on with his work, and to look
with a gracious and generous contempt upon all the difficulties and
discouragements he met with in it. Let us take it from his own
mouth here (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.24" parsed="|Acts|20|24|0|0" passage="Ac 20:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>),
where he speaks not with obstinacy nor ostentation, but with a holy
humble resolution: "<i>None of these things move me;</i> all my
care is to proceed and to persevere in the way of my duty, and to
finish well." Paul is here an example,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p33">(1.) Of holy courage and resolution in our
work, notwithstanding the difficulties and oppositions we meet with
in it; he saw them before him, but he made nothing of them: <i>None
of these things move me;</i> <b><i>oudenos logon
poioumai</i></b>—<i>I make no account of them.</i> He did not lay
these things to heart, Christ and heaven lay there. None of these
things moved him. [1.] They did not drive him off from his work; he
did not tack about, and go back again, when he saw the storm rise,
but went on resolutely, preaching there, where he knew how dearly
it would cost him. [2.] They did not deprive him of his comfort,
nor make him drive on heavily in his work. In the midst of troubles
he was as one unconcerned. In his patience he possessed his soul,
and, when he was as sorrowful, yet he was always rejoicing, and in
all things more than a conqueror. Those that have their
conversation in heaven can look down, not only upon the common
troubles of this earth but upon the threatening rage and malice of
hell itself, and say that none of these things moved them, as
knowing that none of these things can hurt them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p34">(2.) Of a holy contempt of life, and the
continuance and comforts of it: <i>Neither count I my life dear to
myself.</i> Life is sweet, and is naturally dear to us. <i>All that
a man has will he give for his life;</i> but all that a man has,
and life too, will he give who understands himself aright and his
own interest, rather than lose the favour of God and hazard eternal
life. Paul was of this mind. Though to an eye of nature life is
superlatively valuable, yet to an eye of faith it is comparatively
despicable; it is not so dear but it can be cheerfully parted with
for Christ. This explains <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.14.26" parsed="|Luke|14|26|0|0" passage="Lu 14:26">Luke xiv.
26</scripRef>, where we are required to hate our own lives, not in
a hasty passion, as Job and Jeremiah, but in a holy submission to
the will of God, and a resolution to die for Christ rather than to
deny him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p35">(3.) Of a holy concern to go through with
the work of life, which should be much more our care than to secure
either the outward comforts of it or the countenance of it. Blessed
Paul counts not his life dear in comparison with this, and resolves
in the strength of Christ, <i>non propter vitam vivendi perdere
causas—that he never will, to save his life, lose the ends of
living.</i> He is willing to spend his life in labour, to hazard
his life in dangerous services, to waste it in toilsome services;
nay, to lay down his life in martyrdom, so that he may but answer
the great intentions of his birth, of his baptism, and of his
ordination to the apostleship. Two things this great and good man
is in care about, and if he gain them it is no matter to him what
becomes of life:—[1.] That he may be found faithful to the trust
reposed in him, that he may <i>finish the ministry which he has
received of the Lord Jesus,</i> may do the work which he was sent
into the world about, or, rather, which he was sent into the church
about,—that he may complete the service of his generation, may
make full proof of his ministry,—that he may go through the
business of it, and others may reap the advantage of it, to the
utmost of what was designed,—that he may, as is said of the two
witnesses, <i>finish his testimony</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.11.7" parsed="|Rev|11|7|0|0" passage="Re 11:7">Rev. xi. 7</scripRef>), and may not do his work by
halves. Observe, <i>First,</i> The apostleship was a ministry both
to Christ and to the souls of men; and those that were called to it
considered more the ministry of it than the dignity or dominion of
it; and, if the apostles did so, much more ought the pastors and
teachers to do so, and to be in the church as those who serve.
<i>Secondly,</i> This ministry was <i>received from the Lord
Jesus.</i> He entrusted them with it, and from him they received
their charge; for him they do their work, in his name, in his
strength; and to him they must give up their account. It was Christ
that put them into the ministry (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p35.2" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.1.12" parsed="|1Tim|1|12|0|0" passage="1Ti 1:12">1
Tim. i. 12</scripRef>); it is he that carries them on in their
ministry, and from him they have strength to do their service and
bear up under the hardships of it. <i>Thirdly,</i> The work of this
ministry was to <i>testify the gospel of the grace of God,</i> to
publish it to the world, to prove it, and to recommend it; and,
being the gospel of the grace of God, it has enough in it to
recommend itself. It is a proof of God's good-will to us, and a
means of his good work in us; it shows him gracious towards us, and
tends to make us gracious, and so is the gospel of the grace of
God. Paul made it the business of his life to testify this, and
desired not to live a day longer than he might be instrumental to
spread the knowledge and savour and power of this gospel. [2.] That
he may finish well. He cares not when the period of his life comes,
nor how, be it ever so soon, ever so sudden, ever so sad, as to
outward circumstances, so that he may but <i>finish his course with
joy. First,</i> He looks upon his life as <i>a course, a race,</i>
so the word is. Our life is <i>a race set before us,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p35.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.1" parsed="|Heb|12|1|0|0" passage="Heb 12:1">Heb. xii. 1</scripRef>. This intimates that we
have our labours appointed us, for we were not sent into the world
to be idle; and our limits appointed us, for we were not sent into
the world to be here always, but to pass through the world, nay, to
run through it, and it is soon run through; I may add, to <i>run
the gauntlet</i> through it. <i>Secondly,</i> He counts upon the
finishing of his course, and speaks of it as sure and near, and
that which he had his thoughts continually upon. Dying is the end
of our race, when we come off either with honour or shame.
<i>Thirdly,</i> He is full of care to finish it well, which implies
a holy desire of obtaining and a holy fear of coming short. "Oh!
that I may but finish my course with joy; and then all will be
well, perfectly and eternally well." <i>Fourthly,</i> He thinks
nothing too much to do, nor too hard to suffer, so that he may but
finish well, finish with joy. We must look upon it as the business
of our life to provide for a joyful death, that we may not only die
safely, but die comfortably.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p36">III. Counting upon it that this was the
last time they should see him, he appeals to their consciences
concerning his integrity, and demands of them a testimony to
it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p37">1. He tells them that he was now taking his
last leave of them (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p37.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.25" parsed="|Acts|20|25|0|0" passage="Ac 20:25"><i>v.</i>
25</scripRef>): <i>I know that you all, among whom I have</i> been
conversant <i>preaching the kingdom of God,</i> though you may have
letters from me, shall never see my face again. When any of us part
with our friends, we may say, and should say, "We know not that
ever we shall see one another again: our friends may be removed, or
we ourselves may." But Paul here speaks it with assurance, by the
Spirit of prophecy, that these Ephesians should <i>see his face no
more;</i> and we cannot think that he who spoke so doubtfully of
that which he was not sure of (<i>not knowing the things that shall
befal me there,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p37.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.22" parsed="|Acts|20|22|0|0" passage="Ac 20:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>) would speak this with so much confidence, especially
when he foresaw what a trouble it would be to his friends here,
unless he had had a special warrant from the Spirit to say it, to
whom I think those do wrong who suppose that, notwithstanding this,
Paul did afterwards come to Ephesus, and see them again. He would
never have said thus solemnly, <i>Now, behold, I know it,</i> if he
had not known it <i>for certain.</i> Not but that he foresaw that
he had a great deal of time and work yet before him, but he foresaw
that his work would be cut out for him in other places, and in
these parts he had no more to do. Here he had for a great while
gone about preaching the kingdom of God, preaching down the kingdom
of sin and Satan, and preaching up the authority and dominion of
God in Christ, preaching the kingdom of glory as the end and the
kingdom of grace as the way. Many a time they had been glad to see
his face in the pulpit, and saw it <i>as it had been the face of an
angel.</i> If the feet of these messengers of peace were beautiful
upon the mountains, what were their faces? But now they shall see
his face no more. Note, We ought often to think of it, that those
who now are preaching to us the kingdom of God will shortly be
removed and we shall see their faces no more: <i>the prophets, do
they live for ever?</i> Yet a little while is their light with us;
it concerns us therefore to improve it while we have it, that when
we shall see their faces no more on earth, yet we may hope to look
them in the face with comfort in the great day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p38">2. He appeals to them concerning the
faithful discharge of his ministry among them (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p38.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.26" parsed="|Acts|20|26|0|0" passage="Ac 20:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>): "<i>Wherefore,</i> seeing my
ministry is at an end with you, it concerns both you and me to
reflect, and look back;" and, (1.) He challenges them to prove him
unfaithful, or to have said or done any thing by which he had made
himself accessory to the ruin of any precious soul: <i>I am pure
from the blood of all men,</i> the blood of souls. This plainly
refers to that of the prophet (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p38.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.33.6" parsed="|Ezek|33|6|0|0" passage="Eze 33:6">Ezek.
xxxiii. 6</scripRef>), where the blood of him that perishes by the
sword of the enemy is said to be required at the hand of the
unfaithful watchman that did not give warning: "You cannot say but
I have given warning, and therefore no man's blood can be laid at
my door." If a minister has approved himself faithful, he may have
this rejoicing in himself, <i>I am pure from the blood of all
men,</i> and ought to have this testimony from others. (2.) He
therefore leaves the blood of those that perish upon their own
heads, because they had fair warning given them, but they would not
take it. (3.) He charges these ministers to look to it that they
took care and pains, as he had done: "<i>I am pure from the blood
of all men,</i> see that you keep yourselves so too. <i>I take you
to record this day</i>"—<b><i>en te semeron hemera,</i></b> "I
call this day to witness to you:" so Streso. As sometimes the
heaven and earth are appealed to, so here this day shall be a
witness, this parting day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p39">3. He proves his own fidelity with this
(<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p39.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.27" parsed="|Acts|20|27|0|0" passage="Ac 20:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>): <i>For I
have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.</i>
(1.) He had preached to them nothing but the counsel of God, and
had not added any inventions of his own; "it was pure gospel, and
nothing else, the will of God concerning your salvation." The
gospel is the counsel of God; it is admirably contrived by his
wisdom, it is unalterably determined by his will, and it is kindly
designed by his grace for our glory, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p39.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.2.7" parsed="|1Cor|2|7|0|0" passage="1Co 2:7">1
Cor. ii. 7</scripRef>. This counsel of God it is the business of
ministers to declare as it is revealed, and not otherwise nor any
further. (2.) He had preached to them the whole counsel of God. As
he had preached to them the whole counsel of God. As he had
preached to them the gospel pure, so he had preached it to them
entire; he had gone over a body of divinity among them, that,
having the truths of the gospel opened to them methodically from
first to last in order, they might the better understand them, by
seeing them in their several connections with, and dependences
upon, one another. (3.) He had not shunned to do it; had not
wilfully nor designedly avoided the declaring of any part of the
counsel of God. He had not, to save his own pains, declined
preaching upon the most difficult parts of the gospel, nor, to save
his own credit, declined preaching upon the most plain and easy
parts of it; he had not shunned preaching those doctrines which he
knew would be provoking to the watchful enemies of Christianity, or
displeasing to the careless professors of it, but faithfully took
his work before him, whether they would hear or forbear. And thus
it was that he kept himself pure from the blood of all men.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p40">IV. He charges them as ministers to be
diligent and faithful in their work.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p41">1. He commits the care of the church at
Ephesus, that is, the saints, the Christians that were there and
thereabouts (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p41.1" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.1" parsed="|Eph|1|1|0|0" passage="Eph 1:1">Eph. i. 1</scripRef>), to
them, who, though doubtless they were so numerous that they could
not all meet in one place, but worshipped God in several
congregations, under the conduct of several ministers, are yet
called here <i>one flock,</i> because they not only agreed in one
faith, as they did with all Christian churches, but in many
instances they kept up communion one with another. To these elders
or presbyters the apostle here, upon the actual foresight of his
own final leaving them, commits the government of this church, and
tells them that not he, but <i>the Holy Ghost, had made them
overseers,</i> <b><i>episkopous</i></b>—<i>bishops of the
flock.</i> "You that are presbyters are bishops of the Holy Ghost's
making, that are to take the oversight of this part of the church
of God," <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p41.2" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.5.1-1Pet.5.2 Bible:Titus.1.5 Bible:Titus.1.7" parsed="|1Pet|5|1|5|2;|Titus|1|5|0|0;|Titus|1|7|0|0" passage="1Pe 5:1,2,Tit 1:5,7">1 Pet. v. 1, 2;
Tit. i. 5, 7</scripRef>. While Paul was present at Ephesus, he
presided in all the affairs of that church, which made the elders
loth to part with him; but now this eagle <i>stirs up the nest,
flutters over her young;</i> now that they begin to be fledged they
must learn to fly themselves, and to act without him, for the Holy
Ghost had made them overseers. They took not this honour to
themselves, nor was it conferred upon them by any prince or
potentate, but the Holy Ghost in them qualified them for, and
enriched them to, this great undertaking, the <i>Holy Ghost fell
upon them,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p41.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.19.6" parsed="|Acts|19|6|0|0" passage="Ac 19:6"><i>ch.</i> xix.
6</scripRef>. The Holy Ghost also directed those that chose, and
called, and ordained, them to this work in answer to prayer.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p42">2. He commanded them to mind the work to
which they were called. Dignity calls for duty; if the Holy Ghost
has made them <i>overseers of the flock,</i> that is, shepherds,
they must be true to their trust. (1.) They must take heed to
themselves in the first place, must have a very jealous eye upon
all the motions of their own souls, and upon all they said and did,
must walk circumspectly, and know how to behave themselves aright
in the house of God, in which they were now advanced to the office
of stewards: "You have many eyes upon you, some to take example by
you, others to pick quarrels with you, and therefore you ought to
<i>take heed to yourselves.</i>" Those are not likely to be skilful
or faithful keepers of the vineyards of others that do not keep
their own. (2.) "<i>Take heed to the flock,</i> to all the flock,
some to one part of it, others to another, according as your call
and opportunity are, but see that no part of it be neglected among
you." Ministers must not only take heed to their own souls, but
must have a constant regard to the souls of those who are under
their charge, as shepherds have to their sheep, that they may
receive no damage: "<i>Take heed to all the flock,</i> that none of
them either of themselves wander from the fold or be seized by the
beasts of prey; that none of them be missing, or miscarry, through
your neglect." (3.) They must feed the church of God, must do all
the parts of the shepherd's office, must lead the sheep of Christ
into the green pastures, must lay meat before them, must do what
they can to heal those that are distempered and have no appetite to
their meat, must feed them with wholesome doctrine, with a tender
evangelical discipline, and must see that nothing is wanting that
is necessary in order to their being nourished up to eternal life.
There is need of pastors, not only to gather the church of God by
bringing in of those that are without, but to <i>feed it</i> by
building up those that are within. (4.) They must watch (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p42.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.31" parsed="|Acts|20|31|0|0" passage="Ac 20:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>), as shepherds keep
watch over their flocks by night, must be awake and watchful, must
not give way to spiritual sloth and slumber, but must stir up
themselves to their business and closely attend it. <i>Watch thou
in all things</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p42.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.4.5" parsed="|2Tim|4|5|0|0" passage="2Ti 4:5">2 Tim. iv.
5</scripRef>), watch against every thing that will be hurtful to
the flock, and watch to every thing that will be advantageous to
it; improve every opportunity of doing it a kindness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p43">3. He gives them several good reasons why
they should mind the business of their ministry.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p44">(1.) Let them consider the interest of
their Master, and his concern for the flock that was committed to
their charge, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p44.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.28" parsed="|Acts|20|28|0|0" passage="Ac 20:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>.
It is <i>the church which he has purchased with his own blood.</i>
[1.] "It is his own; you are but his servants to take care of it
for him. It is your honour that you are employed for God, who will
own you in his service; but then your carelessness and treachery
are so much the worse if you neglect your work, for you wrong God
and are false to him. From him you received the trust, and to him
you must give up your account, and therefore <i>take heed to
yourselves.</i> And, if it be the church of God, he expects you
should show your love to him by feeding his sheep and lambs." [2.]
He has purchased it. The world is God's by right of creation, but
the church is his by right of redemption, and therefore it ought to
be dear to us, for it was dear to him, because it cost him dear,
and we cannot better show it than by feeding his sheep and his
lambs. [3.] This church of God is what he has purchased; not as
Israel of old, when he <i>gave men for them, and people for their
life</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p44.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.43.3" parsed="|Isa|43|3|0|0" passage="Isa 43:3">Isa. xliii. 3,
4</scripRef>), but <i>with his own blood.</i> This proves that
Christ is God, for he is called so here, where yet he is said to
purchase the church <i>with his own blood;</i> the blood was his as
man, yet so close is the union between the divine and human nature
that it is here called the blood of God, for it was the blood of
him who is God, and his being so put such dignity and worth into it
as made it both a valuable ransom of us from evil, and a valuable
purchase for us of all good, nay, a purchase of us to Christ, to be
to him a peculiar people: <i>Thine they were, and thou gavest them
to me.</i> In consideration of this, therefore, <i>feed the church
of God,</i> because it is purchased at so dear a rate. Did Christ
lay down his life to purchase it, and shall his ministers be
wanting in any care and pains to feed it? Their neglect of its true
interest is a contempt of his blood that purchased it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p45">(2.) Let them consider the danger that the
flock was in of being made a prey to its adversaries, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p45.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.29-Acts.20.30" parsed="|Acts|20|29|20|30" passage="Ac 20:29,30"><i>v.</i> 29, 30</scripRef>. "If the flock be
thus precious upon the account of its relation to God, and its
redemption by Christ, then you are concerned to take heed both to
yourselves and to it." Here are reasons for both. [1.] <i>Take heed
to the flock,</i> for wolves are abroad, that seek to devour
(<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p45.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.29" parsed="|Acts|20|29|0|0" passage="Ac 20:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>): <i>I know
this, that after my departure grievous wolves shall enter in among
you. First,</i> Some understand it of persecutors, that will inform
against the Christians, and incense the magistrates against them,
and will have no compassion on the flock. They thought, because,
while Paul was with them, the rage of the Jews was most against
him, that, when he had gone out of the country, they would be
quiet: "No," says he, "<i>after my departure</i> you will find the
persecuting spirit still working, therefore take heed to the flock,
confirm them in the faith, comfort and encourage them, that they
may not either leave Christ for fear of suffering or lose their
peace and comfort in their sufferings." Ministers must take a more
ordinary care of the flock in times of persecution.
<i>Secondly,</i> It is rather to be understood of seducers and
false teachers. Probably Paul has an eye to those of the
circumcision, who preached up the ceremonial law; these he calls
<i>grievous wolves,</i> for though they came in sheep's clothing,
nay, in shepherds' clothing, they made mischief in the
congregations of Christians, sowed discord among them, drew away
many from the pure gospel of Christ, and did all they could to
blemish and defame those that adhered to it; not sparing the most
valuable members of the flock, stirring up those whom they could
influence to bite and devour them (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p45.3" osisRef="Bible:Gal.5.15" parsed="|Gal|5|15|0|0" passage="Ga 5:15">Gal.
v. 15</scripRef>); therefore they are called dogs (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p45.4" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.2" parsed="|Phil|3|2|0|0" passage="Php 3:2">Phil. iii. 2</scripRef>), as here wolves. While
Paul was at Ephesus, they kept away, for they durst not face him;
but, when he was gone, then they entered in among them, and sowed
their tares where he had sown the good seed. "Therefore take heed
to the flock, and do all you can to establish them in the truth,
and to arm them against the insinuations of the false teachers."
[2.] <i>Take heed to yourselves,</i> for some shepherds will
apostatise (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p45.5" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.30" parsed="|Acts|20|30|0|0" passage="Ac 20:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>):
"<i>Also of your ownselves,</i> among the members, nay, perhaps,
among the ministers of your own church, among you that I am now
speaking to (though I am willing to hope it does not go so far as
that), <i>shall men arise speaking perverse things,</i> things
contrary to the right rule of the gospel, and destructive of the
great intentions of it. Nay, they will pervert some sayings of the
gospel, and wrest them to make them patronize their errors,
<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p45.6" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.3.16" parsed="|2Pet|3|16|0|0" passage="2Pe 3:16">2 Pet. iii. 16</scripRef>. Even those
that were well thought of among you, and that you had confidence
in, will grow proud, and conceited, and opinionative, and will
refine upon the gospel, and will pretend with more nice and curious
speculations to advance you to a higher form; but it is to <i>draw
away disciples after them,</i> to make a party for themselves, that
shall admire them, and be led by them, and pin their faith upon
their sleeve." Some read it, <i>to draw away disciples after
them</i>—those that are already disciples of Christ, draw them
from him to follow them. "Therefore, take heed to yourselves; when
you are told that some of you shall betray the gospel, you are each
of you concerned to ask, <i>Is it I?</i> and to look well to
yourselves." This was there fulfilled in <i>Phygellus and
Hermogenes,</i> who turned away from Paul and the doctrine he had
preached (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p45.7" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.15" parsed="|2Tim|1|15|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:15">2 Tim. i. 15</scripRef>),
and in <i>Hymeneus and Philetus,</i> who <i>concerning the truth
erred, and overthrew the faith of some</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p45.8" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.18" parsed="|2Tim|2|18|0|0" passage="2Ti 2:18">2 Tim. ii. 18</scripRef>), which explains the expression
here. But, though there were some such seducers in the church of
Ephesus, yet it should seem by Paul's Epistle to that church
(wherein we do not find such complaints and reprehensions as we
meet with in some other of his epistles) that that church was not
so much infested with false teachers, at least not so much infected
with their false doctrine, as some other churches were; but its
peace and purity were preserved by the blessing of God on the pains
and vigilance of these presbyters, to whom the apostle, in the
actual foresight and consideration of the rise of heresies and
schisms, as well as of his own death, committed the government of
this church.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p46">(3.) Let them consider the great pains that
Paul had taken in planting this church (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p46.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.31" parsed="|Acts|20|31|0|0" passage="Ac 20:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>): "<i>Remember that for the
space of three years</i>" (for so long he had been preaching in
Ephesus, and the parts adjacent) "<i>I ceased not to warn every one
night and day with tears;</i> and be not you negligent in building
upon that foundation which I was so diligent to lay." [1.] Paul,
like a faithful watchman, had warned them, and, by the warnings he
gave men of the danger of their continuing in their Judaism and
heathenism, he prevailed with them to embrace Christianity. [2.] He
warned every one; besides the public warnings he gave in his
preaching, he applied himself to particular persons according as he
saw their case called for it, which he had something to say
peculiar to. [3.] He was constant in giving warning; he <i>warned
night and day;</i> his time was filled up with his work. In the
night, when he should have been reposing himself, he was dealing
with those he could not get to speak with in the day about their
souls. [4.] He was indefatigable in it; he <i>ceased not</i> to
warn. Though they were ever so obstinate against his warnings, yet
he did not cease to warn, not knowing but that at length they
might, by the grace of God, be overcome; though they were ever so
pliable to his warnings, yet he did not think this would be a
sufficient excuse for him to desist, but still he warned those that
were righteous as not to turn from their righteousness, as he had
warned them when they were wicked to turn from their wickedness,
<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p46.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.3.18-Ezek.3.21" parsed="|Ezek|3|18|3|21" passage="Eze 3:18-21">Ezek. iii. 18-21</scripRef>. [5.]
He spoke to them about their souls with a great deal of affection
and concern: he <i>warned them with tears.</i> As he had served the
Lord, so he had served them, <i>with many tears,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p46.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.19" parsed="|Acts|20|19|0|0" passage="Ac 20:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. He warned them with
tears of compassion, thereby showing how much he was himself
affected with their misery and danger in a sinful state and way,
that he might affect them with it. Thus Paul had begun the good
work at Ephesus, thus free had he been of his pains; and why then
should they be sparing of their pains in carrying it on?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p47">V. He recommends them to divine direction
and influence (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p47.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.32" parsed="|Acts|20|32|0|0" passage="Ac 20:32"><i>v.</i>
32</scripRef>): "<i>And now, brethren,</i> having given you this
solemn charge and caution, <i>I commend you to God.</i> Now that I
have said what I have to say, The Lord be with you; I must leave
you, but I leave you in good hands." They were in care what would
become of them, how they should go on in their work, break through
their difficulties, and what provision would be made for them and
their families. In answer to all these perplexities, Paul directs
them to look up to God with an eye of faith, and beseeches God to
look down on them with an eye of favour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p48">1. See here to whom he commends them. He
calls them brethren, not only as Christians, but as ministers, and
thereby encourages them to hope in God, as he had done; for they
and he were brethren. (1.) He commends them to God, begs of God to
provide for them, to take care of them, and to supply all their
needs, and encourages them to cast all their care upon him, with an
assurance that he cared for them: "Whatever you want, go to God,
let your eye be ever towards him, and your dependence upon him, in
all your straits and difficulties; and let this be your comfort,
that you have a God to go to, a God all sufficient." <i>I commend
you to God,</i> that is, to his providence, and to the protection
and care of that. It is enough that, from whomsoever we are
separated, still we have God nigh unto us, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p48.1" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.4.19" parsed="|1Pet|4|19|0|0" passage="1Pe 4:19">1 Pet. iv. 19</scripRef>. (2.) He commends them <i>to
the word of his grace,</i> by which some understand Christ: he is
<i>the word</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p48.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.1" parsed="|John|1|1|0|0" passage="Joh 1:1">John i. 1</scripRef>),
<i>the word of life,</i> because life is treasured up for us in him
(<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p48.3" osisRef="Bible:1John.1.1" parsed="|1John|1|1|0|0" passage="1Jo 1:1">1 John i. 1</scripRef>), and in the
same sense he is here called <i>the word of God's grace,</i>
because <i>from his fulness we receive grace for grace.</i> He
commends them to Christ, puts them into his hand, as being his
servants, whom he would in a particular manner take care of. Paul
commends them not only to God and to his providence, but to Christ
and his grace as Christ himself did his disciples when he was
leaving them: <i>You believe in God, believe also in me.</i> It
comes to much the same thing, if by the word of his grace we
understand the gospel of Christ, for it is Christ in the word that
is nigh unto us for our support and encouragement, and his word is
spirit and life: "You will find much relief by acting faith on the
providence of God, but much more by acting faith on the promises of
the gospel." He commends them to the word of Christ's grace, which
he spoke to his disciples when he sent them forth, the commission
he gave them, with assurance that he would be with them <i>always
to the end of the world:</i> "Take hold of that word, and God give
you the benefit and comfort of it, and you need no more." He
commends them to the word of God's grace, not only as the
foundation of their hope and the fountain of their joy, but as the
rule of their walking: "<i>I commend you to God,</i> as your
Master, whom you are to serve, and I have found him a good Master,
<i>and to the word of his grace,</i> as cutting you out your work,
and by which you are to govern yourselves; observe the precepts of
this word, and then live upon the promises of it."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p49">2. See here what he commends them to the
word of God's grace for, not so much for a protection from their
enemies, or a provision for their families, as for the spiritual
blessings which they most needed and ought most to value. They had
received the gospel of the grace of God, and were entrusted to
preach it. Now he recommends them to that, (1.) For their
edification: "<i>It is able</i> (the Spirit of grace working with
it and by it) <i>to build you up,</i> and you may depend upon this,
while you keep close to it, and are deriving daily from it. Though
you are already furnished with good gifts, yet this is able to
build you up; there is that in it with which you need to be better
acquainted and more affected." Note, Ministers, in preaching the
word of grace, must aim at their own edification as well as at the
edification of others. The most advanced Christians, while they are
in this world, are capable of growing, and they will find the word
of grace to have still more and more in it to contribute to their
growth. It is still able to build them up. (2.) For their
glorification: <i>It is able to give you an inheritance among all
those who are sanctified.</i> The word of God's grace gives it, not
only as it gives the knowledge of it (for <i>life and immortality
are brought to light by the gospel</i>), but as it gives the
promise of it, the promise of a God <i>that cannot lie,</i> and
which is <i>yea and amen in Christ;</i> and by the word, as the
ordinary vehicle, the Spirit of grace is given (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p49.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.10.44" parsed="|Acts|10|44|0|0" passage="Ac 10:44"><i>ch.</i> x. 44</scripRef>), to be the seal of the
promise, and the earnest of the eternal life promised; and thus it
is the word of God's grace that gives us the inheritance. Note,
[1.] Heaven is an inheritance which gives an indefeasible right to
all the heirs; it is an inheritance like that of the Israelites in
Canaan, which was by promise and yet by lot, but was <i>sure to all
the seed.</i> [2.] This inheritance is entailed upon and secured to
all those, and those only, that are sanctified; for as those cannot
be welcome guests to the holy God, or the holy society above, that
are unsanctified, so really heaven would be no heaven to them; but
<i>to all that are sanctified,</i> that are born again, and on whom
the image of God is renewed, it is as sure as almighty power and
eternal truth can make it. Those therefore that would make out a
title to that inheritance must make it sure that they are among the
sanctified, are joined to them and incorporated with them, and
partake of the same image and nature; for we cannot expect to be
among the glorified hereafter unless we be among the sanctified
here.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p50">VI. He recommends himself to them as an
example of indifference to this world, and to every thing in it,
which, if they would walk in the same spirit and in the same steps,
they would find to contribute greatly to their easy and comfortable
passage through it. He had recommended them to God, and to the word
of his grace, for spiritual blessings, which, without doubt, are
the best blessings; but what shall they do for food for their
families, an agreeable subsistence for themselves, and portions for
their children? "As to these," Paul says, "do as I did;" and how
was that? He here tells them,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p51">1. That he never aimed at worldly wealth
(<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p51.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.33" parsed="|Acts|20|33|0|0" passage="Ac 20:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>): "<i>I have
coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel;</i> nor do you, and
then you will be easy." There were many in Ephesus, and many of
those that had embraced the Christian faith, who were rich, had a
great deal of money, and plate, and rich furniture, and wore very
good clothes, and made a very good appearance. Now, (1.) Paul was
not ambitious to live like them. We may take it in this sense:
"<i>I never coveted to have so much silver and gold at command</i>
as I see others have, nor to wear such rich clothes as I see others
wear. I neither condemn them nor envy them. I can live comfortably
and usefully without living great." The false apostles desired
<i>to make a fair show in the flesh</i> (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p51.2" osisRef="Bible:Gal.6.12" parsed="|Gal|6|12|0|0" passage="Ga 6:12">Gal. vi. 12</scripRef>), to make a figure in the world;
but Paul did not do so. <i>He knew how to want and how to be
abased.</i> (2.) He was not greedy to receive from them, silver, or
gold, or apparel; so far from being always craving that he was not
so much as coveting, nor desired them to allow him so and so for
his pains among them, but was <i>content with such things as he
had;</i> he never <i>made a gain of them,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p51.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.17" parsed="|2Cor|12|17|0|0" passage="2Co 12:17">2 Cor. xii. 17</scripRef>. He could not only say with
Moses (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p51.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.16.15" parsed="|Num|16|15|0|0" passage="Nu 16:15">Num. xvi. 15</scripRef>), and
with Samuel (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p51.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.12.3 Bible:1Sam.12.5" parsed="|1Sam|12|3|0|0;|1Sam|12|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 12:3,5">1 Sam. xii. 3,
5</scripRef>), <i>Whose ox have I taken? Or whom have I
defrauded?</i> But, "Whose kindness have I coveted, or asked? Or to
whom have I been burdensome?" He protests against desiring a gift,
<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p51.6" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.17" parsed="|Phil|4|17|0|0" passage="Php 4:17">Phil. iv. 17</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p52">2. That he had worked for his living, and
taken a great deal of pains to get bread (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p52.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.34" parsed="|Acts|20|34|0|0" passage="Ac 20:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>) "<i>Yea, you yourselves
know,</i> and have been eye-witnesses of it, <i>that these hands of
mine have ministered to my necessities, and to those that were with
me;</i> you have seen me busy early and late, cutting out tents and
making them up;" and, they being commonly made of leather, it was
very hard work. Observe, (1.) Paul was sometimes reduced to
necessities, and the want of the common supports of life, though he
was so great a favourite of Heaven and so great a blessing to this
earth. What an unthinking, unkind, and ungrateful world is this,
that could let such a man as Paul be poor in it! (2.) He desired no
more than to have his necessities supplied; he did not work at his
calling to enrich himself, but to maintain himself with food and
raiment. (3.) When he was to earn his bread, he did it by a manual
occupation. Paul had a head and a tongue that he might have got
money by, but they were these hands, saith he, <i>that ministered
to my necessities.</i> What a pity was it that those hands by the
laying on of which the Holy Ghost had been so often conferred,
those hands by which God had wrought special miracles, and both
these at Ephesus too (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p52.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.19.6 Bible:Acts.19.11" parsed="|Acts|19|6|0|0;|Acts|19|11|0|0" passage="Ac 19:6,11"><i>ch.</i>
xix. 6, 11</scripRef>), should there be obliged to lay themselves
to the needle and shears, the awl and tacking-end, in tent-making,
purely to get bread! Paul puts these presbyters (and others in
them) in mind of this, that they may not think it strange if they
be thus neglected, and yet to go on in their work, and make the
best shift they can to live; the less encouragement they have from
men, the more they shall have from God. (4.) He worked not only for
himself, but for the support of those also that were with him. This
was hard indeed. It had better become them to have worked for him
(to maintain him as their tutor) than he for them. But so it is;
those that are willing to take the labouring oar will find those
about them willing they should have it. If Paul will work for the
maintenance of his companions, he is welcome to do it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Acts.xxi-p52.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.36-Acts.20.38" parsed="|Acts|20|36|20|38" passage="Ac 20:36-38" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Acts.20.36-Acts.20.38">
<h4 id="Acts.xxi-p52.4">Paul Takes Leave of the Elders of
Ephesus.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Acts.xxi-p53">36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down,
and prayed with them all.   37 And they all wept sore, and
fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,   38 Sorrowing most of
all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no
more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p54">After the parting sermon that Paul preached
to the elders of Ephesus, which was very affecting, we have here
the parting prayer and tears, which were yet more affecting; we can
scarcely read the account here given of them, and meditate upon
them with dry eyes.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p55">I. They parted with prayer (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p55.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.36" parsed="|Acts|20|36|0|0" passage="Ac 20:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>): <i>And, when he had
thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.</i> And, no
doubt, it was a prayer every way suited to the present mournful
occasion. He committed them to God in this prayer, prayed that he
would not leave them, but continue his presence with them. 1. It
was a joint prayer. He not only prayed for them, but prayed with
them, <i>prayed with them all;</i> that they might put up the same
petitions for themselves and one another that he put up to God for
them all, and that they might learn what to ask of God for
themselves when he was gone. Public prayers are so far from being
intended to supersede our own secret prayers, and make them
needless, that they are designed to quicken and encourage them, and
to direct us in them. When we are alone we should pray over the
prayers that our ministers have put up with us. 2. It was a humble
reverent prayer. This was expressed by the posture they used: <i>He
kneeled down, and prayed with them,</i> which is the most proper
gesture in prayer, and significant both of adoration and of
petition, especially petition for the forgiveness of sin. Paul used
it much: <i>I bow my knees,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p55.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.14" parsed="|Eph|3|14|0|0" passage="Eph 3:14">Eph.
iii. 14</scripRef>. 3. It was a prayer after sermon; and, we may
suppose, he prayed over what he had preached. He had committed the
care of the church at Ephesus to those elders, and now he prays
that God would enable them faithfully to discharge this great trust
reposed in them, and would give them those measures of wisdom and
grace which it required; he prayed for the flock, and all that
belonged to it, <i>that the great Shepherd of the sheep</i> would
take care of them all, and keep them from being a prey to the
grievous wolves. Thus he taught these ministers to pray for those
they preached to, <i>that they might not labour in vain.</i> 4. It
was a parting prayer, which might be likely to leave lasting
impressions, as the farewell sermon did. It is good for friends,
when they part, to part with prayer, that by praying together just
at parting they may be enabled to pray the more feelingly one for
another when they are separated, which is one part of our Christian
duty, and an improvement of the communion of saints. The Lord watch
between us, and watch over us both, when we are absent one from the
other, is a good parting prayer (<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p55.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.31.49" parsed="|Gen|31|49|0|0" passage="Ge 31:49">Gen.
xxxi. 49</scripRef>), as also that our next meeting may be either
nearer heaven or in heaven. Paul here followed the example of
Christ, who, when he took leave of his disciples, after he had
preached to them, prayed with them all, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p55.4" osisRef="Bible:John.17.1" parsed="|John|17|1|0|0" passage="Joh 17:1">John xvii. 1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p56">II. They parted with tears, abundance of
tears, and most affectionate embraces, <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p56.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.37-Acts.20.38" parsed="|Acts|20|37|20|38" passage="Ac 20:37,38"><i>v.</i> 37, 38</scripRef>. 1. <i>They all wept
sorely.</i> We have reason to think the Paul himself began; though
he was determined to go, and saw his call clear to other work, yet
he was sorry in his heart to leave them, and many a tear it cost
him. He that was so often in tears while he was with them
(<scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p56.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.20.19 Bible:Acts.20.31" parsed="|Acts|20|19|0|0;|Acts|20|31|0|0" passage="Ac 20:19,31"><i>v.</i> 19, 31</scripRef>), no
doubt shed many at parting, so watering what he had sown among
them. But the notice is taken of their tears: <i>They all wept
sorely;</i> there was not a dry eye among them, and it is probable
the affectionate expressions Paul used in prayer set them
a-weeping. These were tears of love and mutual endearment, like
those of Jonathan and David, when they were forced to part, and
<i>wept one with another, until</i> (as if they wept for strife)
<i>David exceeded,</i> <scripRef id="Acts.xxi-p56.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.20.41" parsed="|1Sam|20|41|0|0" passage="1Sa 20:41">1 Sam. xx.
41</scripRef>. 2. <i>They fell upon Paul's neck, and kissed
him,</i> all, one after another, each bewailing his own loss: "How
can I part with this invaluable man, this blessed Paul," says one,
"in whom my life is a manner bound up?"—"Farewell, my dear
friend," says another, "a thousand thanks to thee, and ten thousand
to God for thee, and for all the pains thou hast taken with me for
my good." "And must we part?" says another: "must I lose my
spiritual father, nurse, and guide?"—"What will become of us now?"
says another, "when we shall no more have him to apply to, and
receive direction from? What shall I do, if the Lord take away my
master from my head? <i>My father, my father, the chariots of
Israel, and the horsemen thereof.</i>" Note, Those that are most
loving are commonly best beloved. Paul, who was a most affectionate
friend himself, had friends that were very affectionate to him.
These tears at parting with Paul were a grateful return for all the
tears he had shed in preaching to them and praying with them. <i>He
that watereth shall be watered also himself.</i> 3. That which cut
them to the heart thus, and made this place such a <i>Bochim, such
a place of weepers,</i> was, <i>that word which Paul spoke,
that</i> he was certain <i>they should see his face no more.</i> If
he had given them directions to follow him, as he did to those that
were his usual companions, or any intimation that he would come
hereafter and make them a visit, they could have borne this parting
pretty well; but when they are told that they shall see his face no
more in this world, that it is a final farewell they are now giving
and taking, this makes it a great mourning; it makes farewell just
like a funeral, and puts them into this passion of weeping. There
were other things for which they sorrowed—that they should lose
the benefit of his public performances, and see him no longer
presiding in their assemblies, should have none of his personal
counsels and comforts; and, we hope, they sorrowed for their own
sin, in not profiting more by his labours while they had him among
them, and which had provoked God to order his remove. But that
which gave the most sensible accent to their grief was <i>that they
should see his face no more.</i> When our friends are separated
from us by death, this is the consideration with which we raise up
our mourning, that we shall see their faces no more; but we
complain of this as those that have no hope, for if our friends
died in Christ, and we live to him, they are gone to see God's
face, to behold his glory, with the reflection of which their faces
shine, and we hope to be with them shortly. Though we shall see
their faces no more in this world, we hope to see them again in a
better world, and to be there together for ever and with the
Lord.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Acts.xxi-p57">III. They <i>accompanied him unto the
ship,</i> partly to show their respect for him (they would bring
him on his way as far as they could), and partly that they might
have a little more of his company and conversation; if it must be
the last interview, they will have as much of him as they can, and
see the last of him. And we have reason to think that when they
came to the water-side, and he was about to go on board, their
tears and embraces were repeated; for loth to part bids oft
farewell. But this was a comfort to both sides, and soon turned
this tide of passion, that the presence of Christ both went with
him and staid with them.</p>
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