20:1 And 1 after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto [him]
the disciples, and embraced [them], and departed for to go
into Macedonia.
(1) Paul departs from Ephesus by the consent of the church, not
to be idle or at rest, but to take pains in another place.
20:2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them
a much exhortation, he came into Greece,
(a) For after so great trouble, there was need of much
exhortation.
20:32 And [there] abode three months. And when the Jews laid
wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he
purposed to return through Macedonia.
(2) A perverse zeal is the guider and instructor to murderers:
and we are not excluded by the wisdom of God to prevent the
endeavours of wicked men.
20:73 And upon the b first [day] of the week, when the
disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto
them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his
speech until midnight.
(3) Assemblies in the night-time cannot be justly condemned,
neither should they be, when the cause is good.
(b) Literally, "the first day of the Sabbath", that is,
upon the Lord's day: so that by this place, and by
(1Co 16:2) we properly understand that in those
days the Christians habitually assembled themselves
solemnly together upon that day.
20:84 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where
they were gathered together.
(4) The devil, taking care to trouble the Church with a great
offence, gives Paul a singular occasion to confirm the
Gospel
20:165 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he
would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it
were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of
Pentecost.
(5) Paul, an earnest and diligent follower of Christ, making
haste to his bonds without any ceasing or stopping in his
race, first of all as it were makes his testament, wherein
he gives an account of his former life, defends the doctrine
which he taught, and exhorts the pastors of the church to
persevere and go forward with continuance in their office.
20:17 And from c Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the
elders of the church.
(c) According as the situation of these places is set
forth, the distance between Ephesus and Miletus was
almost 50 miles or 80 km.
20:186 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye
know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what
manner I have been with you at all seasons,
(6) A graphic image of a true pastor.
20:20 [And] how I kept d back nothing that was profitable
[unto you], but have shewed you, and have taught you
publickly, and from house to house,
(d) I did not refrain form speaking, neither did I conceal
my motives in any way at all, either for fear or for
wicked gain.
20:227 And now, behold, I go e bound in the spirit unto
Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me
there:
(7) He testifies that he goes to his imprisonment by the
commandment of God.
(e) He calls the guiding direction of the Holy Spirit, who
forced him to take his journey to Jerusalem, the bond
of the Sprit, whom he followed with all his heart.
20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] f
pure from the blood of all [men].
(f) If you perish, yet there will fault with me.
)See Geneva (d) "Ac 18:6")
20:278 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the
counsel of God.
(8) The doctrine of the apostles is most perfect and absolute.
20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock,
over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to
g feed the church of God, which h he hath purchased
with i his own blood.
(g) To keep it, to feed and govern it.
(h) A notable sentence for Christ's Godhead: which shows
plainly in his person, how that by reason of the
joining together of the two natures in his own person,
that which is proper to one is spoken of the other,
being taken as deriving from one another, and not in
the original: which in old time the godly fathers
termed a communicating or fellowship of properties or
attributes, that is to say, a making common of that to
two, which belongs but to one.
(i) The words "his own" show forth the excellency of that
blood.
20:299 For I know this, that after my departing shall
grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
(9) A prophecy of pastors that would immediately degenerate
into wolves, against those who boast and brag only of a
succession of persons.
20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to k draw away disciples after them.
(k) This is great misery, to want the presence of such a
shepherd, but it is a greater misery to have wolves
enter in.
20:3210 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the
word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to
give you an l inheritance among all them which are
sanctified.
(10) The power of God, and his free promises revealed in his
word, are the props and upholders of the ministry of the
Gospel.
(l) As children, and therefore an inheritance of free love
and good will.
20:3311 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
(11) Pastors must before all things beware of covetousness.
20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye
ought m to support the weak, and to remember the words
of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give
than to receive.
(m) As it were by reaching out the hand to those who
otherwise are about to slip and fall away, and so to
steady them.
20:3712 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and
kissed him,
(12) The Gospel does not take away natural affections, but
rules and bridles them in good order.
