Acts 20:33-35 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 20:17-35

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, Acts 19:6. But, besides these, it is probable that... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 20:17-38

20:17-38 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. When they were with him he said to them, "You yourselves know how, from the first day I came into Asia, I spent all the time, during which I was with you, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and amidst the trials that happened to me because of the machinations of the Jews. You know how I kept back nothing that was to your profit, how I did not fail to announce my tidings to you and to teach you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:33

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. This the apostle says, not merely in vindication of himself, and his character, from all charge or suspicion of avarice; but chiefly for the instruction of these elders, and all others of the same office, not to indulge the sin of covetousness, which is very disagreeable, and ought not to be in a minister of the word; and it may be observed, that many things which the apostle says before of himself to those elders, is said not to commend... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:34

Yea, you yourselves know ,.... So far was the apostle from desiring to have other men's money, or to wear their apparel, or to eat their bread, that he could appeal to these elders for the truth of it, they having been eyewitnesses of it: that these hands have ministered unto my necessities ; meaning, that he had wrought with his hands, which he then held up, or stretched out, at tent making, along with Aquila and Priscilla, at Ephesus, as he had done before at Corinth, Acts 18:2 and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:35

I have showed you all things ,.... Both as to doctrine and practice, and had set them an example how to behave in every point, and particularly in this: how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak ; the sense of which is, that they should labour with their hands as he did, and so support the weak; either such who were weak in body, and unable to work and help themselves, and therefore should be helped, assisted, relieved, and supported by the labours of others, that were able; or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:33

I have coveted no man's silver, etc. - And from this circumstance they would be able to discover the grievous wolves, and the perverters; for these had nothing but their own interests in view; whereas the genuine disciples of Christ neither coveted nor had worldly possessions. St. Paul's account of his own disinterestedness is very similar to that given by Samuel of his, 1 Samuel 12:3-5 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:34

These hands have ministered, etc. - It was neither "sin nor discredit" for the apostle to work to maintain himself, when the circumstances of the Church were such that it could not support him. Still many eminent ministers of God are obliged to support themselves and their families, at least in part, in the same way, while indefatigably testifying the Gospel of the grace of God. Whatever it may be to the people, it is no cause of reproach to the minister, to be obliged thus to employ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:35

I have showed you all things - The preposition κατα is to be understood before παντα ; and the clause should be read thus - I have showed you In all things, etc. It is more blessed to give than to receive - That is, the giver is more happy than the receiver. Where, or on what occasion, our Lord spake these words we know not, as they do not exist in any of the four evangelists. But that our Lord did speak them, St. Paul's evidence is quite sufficient to prove. The sentiment is worthy... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:33

Verse 33− 33.I have not. As he showed of late what an hurtful plague ambition is; so now he showeth that they must beware of covetousness, [avarice] and he maketh himself an example again, even in this point, that he did covet no man’s goods; but did rather get his living with the work of his hands. Not that it was sufficient to find him without some help, but because in applying his handy-work, he spared the churches, that he might not be too chargeable to them, so much as in him lay. We must... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:34

Verse 34− 34.Yea, ye know He doth not, in these words, precisely set down a law which all the ministers of the word must needs keep; for he did not behave himself so loftily and lordlike, that he did take that away which the Lord had granted to his servants, but doth rather in many places maintain their right, which is, that they be maintained with that which is common, Matthew 10:10; 1 Corinthians 9:14; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17; Philippians 4:10; 2 Corinthians 11:8. Whereunto belongeth... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 20:17-35

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 20:17-38

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:34

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:35

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:33

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:34

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:35

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:33

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:34

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