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Thematic Bible

Themes in Acts 20
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Themes in Acts 20

Acts 20:1

After the commotion died down, Paul sent for the [Ephesian] disciples and encouraged them before he left, [heading west] for Macedonia.

Acts 20:2

And when he had traveled through those districts and had delivered many messages of encouragement, he went on [south] into Greece,

Acts 20:3

where he spent three months. Then, just as he was about to set sail for Syria, Paul discovered that a plot was being laid against him by the Jews, so he decided to return through Macedonia.

Acts 20:4

The following men accompanied Paul as far as [the province of] Asia [where Troas was located]: Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, of Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, of Thessalonica; Gaius, of Derbe; Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from [the province of] Asia, [seven in all].

Acts 20:5

These [men] had gone ahead and were waiting for us [when we arrived] in Troas [i.e., a seaport town across the Aegean Sea from Philippi]. [Note: The use of "us" begins here again, suggesting that the writer Luke rejoins the party at Philippi. See next verse].

Acts 20:6

And we [ourselves] sailed away from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread [Note: This was the Jewish feast commemorating deliverance from Egyptian bondage], and five days later [we] joined them at Troas [i.e., the seven men mentioned in verses

Acts 20:7

And on the first day of the week [i.e., Sunday], when we [disciples] had gathered together to break bread [i.e., the Lord's Supper. See I Cor. 11:20-24], Paul delivered a message that lasted until midnight, [since] he was planning to leave [Troas] the next day.

Acts 20:8

Now there were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting.

Acts 20:9

A certain young man, named Eutychus, fell sound asleep while sitting on an [open] window ledge [during the message]. Since Paul's message continued [until nearly midnight] Eutychus was overcome by sleep and fell from the third floor to his death.

Acts 20:10

Paul hurried downstairs and placed himself on the young man and held him closely, saying [to the people gathered around], "Do not be upset, he is alive."

Acts 20:11

After that Paul went upstairs, broke bread and ate [a common meal]. [Following the meal] Paul talked with them for a long time, even until it got daylight, and then he left.

Acts 20:12

[In the meantime] they brought the young fellow [back upstairs] alive, and were greatly comforted.

Acts 20:13

But we went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos [i.e., a seaport town near Troas], where we expected to take Paul on board. This is how Paul had planned it, intending to go there himself by land.

Acts 20:14

When he met us at Assos, we took him on board, then [together] we went to Mitylene [i.e., a town on a nearby island].

Acts 20:15

And after leaving there, the next day we sailed past Chios [i.e., another small island on the way], and the next day past Samos [i.e., another small island], until [finally] on the following day we arrived at Miletus [i.e., another seaport town near Ephesus].

Acts 20:16

For Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus so he would not have to spend any time in [the province of] Asia, because he was hurrying to get to Jerusalem in time for the Day of Pentecost, if at all possible.

Acts 20:17

And from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus, requesting that the elders of the church [there] come to him.

Acts 20:18

And when they arrived, he said to them, "You [men] know the kind of life I lived when I was with you, from the [very] first day I set foot in [the province of] Asia.

Acts 20:19

[You know that] I served the Lord with humility, with tears and with trials that I experienced as the result of plots by the Jews.

Acts 20:20

[You know] how I held back nothing in declaring to you whatever was profitable, and taught you in public [meetings] and in your homes.

Acts 20:21

[You know how] I testified to both Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], that they must repent [i.e., change their attitudes and behavior] toward God, and have faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:22

"And now, look, I am going to Jerusalem, impelled by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me [when I get] there,

Acts 20:23

except that the Holy Spirit reveals to me in every city [I visit] that chains and persecutions await me there.

Acts 20:24

But I do not consider my life to be of value, as precious to me, [when compared to the importance of] accomplishing my task and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus to declare the good news of God's unearned favor [through Christ].

Acts 20:25

Now look, I know that none of you, among whom I traveled on preaching missions, will ever see my face again.

Acts 20:26

Therefore, I [must] declare to you today that I am not responsible for what happens to any of you.

Acts 20:27

For I held nothing back in declaring to you the entire message of God.

Acts 20:28

So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood.

Acts 20:29

[Because] I know that after I am gone [from here] there will be vicious wolves [i.e., ravaging false teachers] who will come in among you, and they will not spare the flock [i.e., the congregation].

Acts 20:30

[Indeed, even] from among your own selves [i.e., the body of elders there in Ephesus] some men will arise and, by speaking false things, they will lead away the disciples, [influencing them] to follow them.

Acts 20:31

So, be very watchful, and remember that for three years I never stopped warning every one of you [about such matters] both night and day with tears [in my eyes].

Acts 20:32

"Now I commit you [elders] to God and to the message of His unearned favor which can build you up [spiritually] and provide you with the inheritance [of never ending life], along with others who are [specially] set apart [for God].

Acts 20:33

[You know that] I had no greedy desire for anyone's silver, gold or clothing.

Acts 20:34

You [also] know that I worked with my own hands to provide not only my own needs, but the needs of those who were with me.

Acts 20:35

I have demonstrated before you a [good] example in all [these] things, so that you [too] will work hard to help those who are [physically] weak. [Also] remember the words of the Lord Jesus who Himself said, 'It is a greater blessing [for you] to give [to people's needs] than to receive [help yourselves].' "

Acts 20:36

After speaking these things Paul knelt down and prayed with all of the elders.

Acts 20:37

And when they all had a good cry, they embraced Paul and kissed him.

Acts 20:38

What saddened them most of all was when Paul said that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to his ship.
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