Acts 20:33

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:33

Coveted for have coveted, A V. Apparel . One of the items of an Oriental's treasure for the purpose of gifts ( 2 Kings 5:5 , 2 Kings 5:22 , 2 Kings 5:23 , 2 Kings 5:26 ; Genesis 45:22 ; Matthew 6:19 , Matthew 6:2 (1). St. Paul contrasts his own example in not seeking such gifts with the conduct of the false apostles who draw away disciples after them for gain. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 20:33

I have coveted - I have not desired. I have not made it an object of my living among you to obtain your property. Thus, 2 Corinthians 12:14 he says, “I seek not yours, but you.” Paul had power to demand support in the, ministry as the reward of his labor, 1 Corinthians 9:13-14. Yet he did not choose to exercise it, lest it should bring the charge of avarice against the ministry, 1 Corinthians 9:12, 1 Corinthians 9:15. He also had power in another respect. He had a vast influence over the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 20:33-35

Acts 20:33-35. I have coveted no man’s silver, &c. Here the apostle begins another branch of his farewell discourse, in terms like those of old Samuel, taking his leave of the children of Israel, 1 Samuel 12:8. As if he had said, I have a testimony in my own conscience and in yours, that I have not directed my ministry to any mercenary views of pleasing any, how distinguished soever their circumstances might be, nor sought by any methods to enrich myself among you. Yea, ye yourselves... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 20:13-38

To Jerusalem with the offering (20:13-21:16)From Troas Paul went by land to Assos, where he rejoined the rest of the party and sailed to Miletus (13-16). Since Miletus was only about fifty kilometres from Ephesus, Paul took the opportunity to call the elders of the Ephesian church to come and meet him. He wanted to give them some final encouragement and pass on helpful warnings (17).Paul’s opponents in Asia had probably been trying to turn the Christians against him. Therefore, he reminded the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 20:33

have coveted = desired. no man's . Greek. oudeis. apparel . Greek. himatismos. The word expresses more stateliness than the common word himation. Here, Matthew 27:35 .Luke 7:25 ; Luke 9:29 . John 19:24 . read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 20:17-35

Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders 20:17-35"Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian elders is the nearest approximation to the Pauline letters in Acts. Its general content recalls how in his letters Paul encouraged, warned, and exhorted his converts. Moreover, its theological themes and vocabulary are distinctively Pauline. In his three missionary sermons (Acts 13:16-41; Acts 14:15-17; Acts 17:22-31) and five defenses (chs. 22-26), Paul addressed non-Christian audiences. But he was speaking... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 20:33-35

The apostle concluded with an exhortation, as he typically did in his epistles. Was Paul boasting when he reviewed his habits of life in Ephesus? I think not. He was reminding these elders of his example that they were to follow as they led the church as he had led them. They were to serve without concern for present material reward. Paul’s policy was not to ask others to support him but to labor at his trade when he or his fellow workers or his converts needed financial support. He did not... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:1-38

Third Missionary Journey (continued)1-6. Paul in Macedonia and Greece. St. Paul waited at Ephesus until the return of Timothy and Erastus, and left Ephesus shortly after Pentecost, 55 a.d. (1 Corinthians 16:8-12). We learn from Romans 15:19 that he spent some time in Macedonia, and extended his missionary labours (which were marked by signal miracles) as far as Illyricum. From Macedonia he wrote the second Corinthian Epistle, and (according to a widely held opinion) the Epistle to the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 20:33

(33) I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.—Comp. the parallel of Samuel’s appeal to the people (1 Samuel 12:3). In each case there was a special reason for what might otherwise seem an uncalled-for boast. Samuel’s sons had been guilty of corrupt practices, taking bribes and the like (1 Samuel 8:3). Among the many calumnies against St. Paul, one was that he used his apostolic ministry “as a cloke of covetousness.” (Comp. 2 Corinthians 7:2; 2 Corinthians 12:17-18; 1 Thessalonians... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 20:1-38

The Sunday Sleeper Acts 20:9 In considering Eutychus, I purpose looking first at the things which may be said in excuse of his famous sleep, and then pass on to look at what was blameworthy in it. I. And first of all, in excuse of this poor young man, I must remark (1) that he was listening to a very long sermon. It is said that on one occasion a child in the Sunday-school was asked by her teacher, 'What does the story of Eutychus teach?' and she promptly replied, 'That ministers should not... read more

Group of Brands