Acts 20:17-21

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 20:17

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus ,.... Which is said, by some, to be about four hundred furlongs from Miletus, and, by others, ten German miles. And called the elders of the church ; that is, at Ephesus; not the ancient members of the church, but the officers of it; the pastors, bishops, and overseers, as they are called, Acts 20:28 and are so styled from their office, and not their age. The twelve disciples the apostle found in this place, and the numerous converts made by him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:18

And when they were come to him ,.... That is, when the elders or pastors of the church at Ephesus were come to the apostle at Miletus: he said unto them, ye know, from the first day I came into Asia ; to Ephesus the chief city in it: after what manner I have been with you at all seasons ; what was his conduct, conversation, and constant manner of life; which the apostle takes notice of, not to commend himself, or to obtain applause of men; but either in vindication of himself,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:19

Serving the Lord with all humility of mind ,.... Meaning, in the ministration of the Gospel, being conscious to himself of his own weakness and insufficiency in himself for such service; no ways elated with those excellent and extraordinary gifts bestowed upon him; ascribing all his success to the power, grace, and Spirit of God; treating no man with contempt and disdain; nor lording it over God's heritage, or claiming a dominion over the faith of men; nor seeking honour nor riches for... read more

John Gill

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

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you ,.... The Syriac version supplies, "to your souls"; to lead them into a true knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel, and to confirm them in the same, and to preserve them from errors in principle, and immoralities in practice, and to encourage the exercise of every grace, and to instruct them in every branch of duty; nothing of this kind, or which had this tendency, did the apostle dissemble, conceal, or drop, either through sloth... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:21

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks ,.... To the Jews first in their synagogue, and then to both Jews and Greeks, or Gentiles, in the school of Tyrannus; opening and explaining to both the nature and use, urging and insisting upon, and proving by undeniable testimonies the necessity, of repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ : the former of these is not a legal repentance, but an evangelical one; which flows from a sense of the love of God, and an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:17

He sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Church - These are called επισκοποι , bishops, Acts 20:28 . By the πρεσβυτεροι , presbyters or elders, here, we are to understand all that were in authority in the Church, whether they were επισκοποι , bishops or overseers, or seniors in years, knowledge, and experience. The πρεσβυτεροι , or elders, were probably the first order in the Church; an order which was not so properly constituted, but which rose out of the state of things.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:18

After what manner I have been with you - The Codex Bezae adds here, for three years, and even more, which reading might have been borrowed from Acts 20:31 , though the time assigned by it is too long. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:19

Serving the Lord with all humility, etc. - This relates not only to his zealous and faithful performance of his apostolic functions, but also to his private walk as a Christian; and shows with what carefulness this apostle himself was obliged to walk, in order to have his calling and election, as a Christian, ratified and made firm. read more

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