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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 20:5

These going before ,.... The apostle into Asia, all but Sopater, who accompanied him: tarried for us at Troas ; a city in Asia Minor; see Acts 16:8 whither they went before hand a nearer way, to provide for the apostle, and where they waited for him, and for Sopater, and for Luke, the writer of this history, who appears from hence to be in company with the apostle, and for as many others as were along with him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:6

And we sailed away from Philippi ,.... Which was in Macedonia, from whence they came in a straight course by Samothracia, over the Hellespont, to Troas, where the above six persons were waiting for them: and they set sail after the days of unleavened bread ; or the passover; which is mentioned only to observe the time of year when this voyage was taken; and not to suggest to us that Paul and his company stayed at Philippi, and kept this feast there; for the passover was only kept at... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:5

Tarried for us at Troas - See the preceding verse. Troas was a small town in Phrygia Minor, in the province called the Troad: see Acts 16:8 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:6

Days of unleavened bread - The seven days of the passover, in which they ate unleavened bread. See the account of this festival in the notes on Exodus 12:1-51 (note). It is evident, from the manner in which St. Luke writes here, that he had not been with St. Paul since the time he accompanied him to Philippi, Acts 16:10-12 ; but he now embarks at Philippi with the apostle, and accompanies him to Troas, and continues with him through the rest of his journey. To Troas in five days - So... 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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