Acts 20:31

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:22-32

Paul at Miletus: the forecast which exalts. Paul had received intimations "in every city" ( Acts 20:23 ) that "bonds and afflictions" were in store for him; he looked forward with absolute certainty to personal suffering of some kind; but this assurance was so far from daunting or depressing him that his spirit rose on strong and eager wing to the full height of such apostolic opportunity ( Matthew 5:10-12 ). The anticipated future, with its bonds and its sufferings and possibly death... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:28-31

Paul at Miletus: the prospect which pains. Paul, pursuing his path of self-sacrificing devotion, going on to he knew not what dangers ahead, looking a violent death in the face, was calm, tranquil, even joyful. But the apostle, looking forward to a distracted and injured Church, torn by false doctrine, laid waste by sinful men, was grieved at heart, and he uses the language of solemn adjuration and entreaty. I. HUMAN APPREHENSION . We often go forward with painful apprehension that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:31

Wherefore watch ye for therefore watch, A.V.; remembering for and remember, A.V.; admonish for warn, A.V. By the space of three years ( τριετίαν ). The word is only found here in the New Testament; but it is used in the LXX . of Isaiah 15:5 and 2 Chronicles 31:16 , and in classical Greek. We have here one of the few chronological data in the Acts. Three years includes the whole of his sojourn at Ephesus as his headquarters. There were first the three months during which... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 20:31

Therefore watch - Matthew 24:42. In view of the dangers which beset yourselves Acts 20:28, the danger from people not connected with the church Acts 20:29, and the danger which will arise from the love of power among yourselves Acts 20:30, be on your guard. Observe the approach of danger, and set yourselves against it.Remember - Recall my counsels and admonitions in reference to these dangers.By the space of three years - In Acts 19:10, we are told that Paul spent two years in the school of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 20:31

Acts 20:31. Therefore watch With all diligence and care; take heed yourselves, and warn others to take heed; and remember, that by the space of three years, (for so long had he been preaching at Ephesus and the parts adjacent,) I ceased not to warn every one To whom I had access; night and day with tears This was watching indeed! Who copies after this example? Let it then, as if he had said, be your care, that a church planted by me with so much labour and solicitude, may not be... 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 20:31

watch . Compare 1 Peter 5:8 . and remember = remembering. Greek. mnemoneuo. Always translated "remember", save Hebrews 11:15 , Hebrews 11:22 . by the space of three years . Greek. trietia. Only here. warn . Greek. noutheteo. Used only by Paul, here and seven times in his epistles. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 20:31

Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.Alas, Paul's warning was not properly heeded.From the Epistles of St. John, written from Ephesus, we learn that the Ephesian heresies were of the Gnostic and Docetic types. St. John's chief opponent at Ephesus was Cerinthus, who taught a Jewish form of Gnosticism.[23]By the time of the writing of Revelation, the Ephesians had "fallen" from their first love, and were in a... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 20:31

Acts 20:31. To warn every one night and day with tears.— If this expression be taken in any other than a general sense for incessantly, or without intermission, it may probably intimate that the Christians sometimes assembled at nights, either about the time of the tumult, to avoid offence, or because many of the Christians, being poor, were obliged to spend great part of the day in secular labours. Compare Acts 20:7; Acts 20:34. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 20:31

31. by the space of three years—speaking in round numbers; for it was nearer three than two years. I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears—What an appeal to be able to make! "And if this was an apostle's part, how much more a pastor's!" [BENGEL]. read more

Group of Brands