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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 20:1-6

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, the world would not contain the books that would have been written; and therefore we have only some general hints of occurrences, which therefore ought to be the more precious. Here is, 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;... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 20:1-6

20:1-6 After the disturbance had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples. He spoke words of encouragement to them and bade them farewell and departed to go to Macedonia. When he had gone through those parts and when he had spoken many a word of encouragement to them, he went into Greece. When he had spent three months there, and when he was about to set sail for Syria, a plot was made against him by the Jews. So he made up his mind to make the return journey through Macedonia. As far as Asia... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:1

And after the uproar was ceased ,.... Which Demetrius, and the craftsmen, had raised at Ephesus, and which was put an end to by the speech of the town clerk, or register keeper of the theatre: Paul called unto him the disciples ; the members of the church at Ephesus, whom he convened, either at his own lodgings, or at their usual place of meeting: and embraced them ; or "saluted them"; that is, with a kiss, which was sometimes done at parting, as well as at meeting; see Acts 20:37 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:1

After the uproar was ceased - The tumult excited by Demetrius apparently induced Paul to leave Ephesus sooner than he had intended. He had written to the Corinthians that he should leave that place after pentecost, 1 Corinthians 16:8 ; but it is very probable that he left it sooner. read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1− 1.Luke declareth in this chapter how Paul, loosing from Asia, did again cross the seas to go to Jerusalem. And though whatsoever is written in this narration be worthy of most diligent meditation and marking, yet doth it need no long exposition. It appeareth that the Church was preserved in safety by the wonderful power of God amidst those troublesome tumults. The church of Ephesus was as yet slender and weak: the faithful having had experience of a sudden motion [commotion] once,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:1

Having sent for … and exhorted for called unto him, A.V. and T.R.; took leave of them, and departed for and embraced them, and departed, A.V. Departed for to go into Macedonia . This was St. Paul's purpose, as he had written to the Corinthians ( 1 Corinthians 16:5 ) from Ephesus. He judged it wise, not only with a view to his own safety and that of his companions, but also for the rest and quiet of the Ephesian Church, to take advantage of the lull in the popular storm, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:1-6

Apostolic supervision of Church life. From Ephesus through Macedonia, to Greece, returning through Macedonia by way of Philippi to Troas. I. The cautious vigilance of Paul in superintending THE RISING SPIRITUAL LIFE of the infant Churches; a lesson in faithfulness and devotion to the interests of fellow-Christians, as well as in allegiance to Christ. It was not enough that the Churches had the truth. It was endangered by many difficulties and surrounding obstructive influences,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:1-12

"In labors more abundant." The rapid succession and the unbroken continuance of St. Paul's labors is truly marvelous. Rest or recreation seem to be things unknown to him. The tension of spirit caused by imminent and pressing danger seems not to have produced in him, as it does in most men, the need of breathing-time to recover their usual tone. His one idea of the use of life, and of the various faculties of mind and body with which his life was equipped, was apparently to preach Jesus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:1-12

Human life: lights and shadows. In these verses we are reminded of— I. THE SCANTY RECORD OF HUMAN LIFE . We have six verses of this valuable chronicle given to the unimportant incident of the accident which befell Eutychus ( Acts 20:7-12 ), and only three to Paul's visit to Macedonia and Greece. We do not understand why Luke should thus apportion his space, but the fact that he did so reminds us how often most interesting and instructive scenes, or even precious and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:1-16

Scenes by the way. I. FUGITIVE SERVICE . "When they persecute you in one city, flee into another," had said the Lord. But not as a hireling who sees the wolf coming; rather as a brave warrior who retreats fighting. The brave retreat may reflect more honor than the hopeless prolongation of warfare. We must know when to give way. There is a "wise passiveness" and a "masterly inactivity." If we can but gain our Christian point, we should suffer no scruple of vanity to stand in our... read more

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