Acts 20
Acts 20 describes the concluding phase of Paul’s third missionary journey. It focuses on an emotional farewell with the Ephesian elders, alongside scenes of him traveling through various regions to proclaim the gospel and build up communities. In particular, the incident of Eutychus being restored to life, as well as Paul’s words of encouragement in Miletus and the tearful farewell, vividly reveals the living spirituality of the early faith community and Paul’s strong sense of mission.
This chapter brings together Paul’s personal confession and pastoral exhortation, illuminating how the church and God’s people today should live in response to his spiritual leadership and his commitment to the gospel.
1verseAfter the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
2verseWhen he had gone through those parts and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.
3verseWhen he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
4verseThese accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
5verseBut these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6verseWe sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.
7verseOn the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day; and continued his speech until midnight.
8verseThere were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together.
9verseA certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead.
10versePaul went down and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”
11verseWhen he had gone up, had broken bread and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.
12verseThey brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.
13verseBut we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there; for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land.
14verseWhen he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and came to Mitylene.
15verseSailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.
16verseFor Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
17verseFrom Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the assembly.
18verseWhen they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,
19verseserving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;
20versehow I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,
21versetestifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.
22verseNow, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there;
23verseexcept that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.
24verseBut these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
25verse“Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more.
26verseTherefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,
27versefor I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
28verseTake heed, therefore, to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.
29verseFor I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30verseMen will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31verseTherefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
32verseNow, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33verseI coveted no one’s silver, gold, or clothing.
34verseYou yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.
35verseIn all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36verseWhen he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37verseThey all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
38versesorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Paul’s Final Missionary Journey (Verses 1–6)
Acts 20 begins at the point when Paul’s third missionary journey is drawing to a close. After the commotion in Ephesus calms down, he visits Macedonia and the region of Greece and exhorts many people. In particular, the way he changes his route due to a plot by the Jews in verse 3 shows that Paul continues to carry out his ministry despite constant threats.
Also, verses 4–6 mention the names of fellow workers who followed Paul, confirming that his work was never done by his strength alone. Fellow workers from various regions symbolize the universality and unity of the early church.
The Incident of Eutychus in Troas (Verses 7–12)
In Troas, Paul speaks with the believers gathered on the first day of the week and preaches late into the night. This scene is considered to reflect the tradition of the early church meeting for worship on Sunday—the day after the Sabbath.
At that time, a young man named Eutychus is sitting on the windowsill, falls from the third floor because of sleepiness, and dies; then a miracle occurs in which Paul embraces him and brings him back to life. On the one hand, this is an event that reveals Paul’s apostolic authority. On the other hand, it shows the early church’s vibrant life—how the community restores itself to faith when crises arise within it.
Paul’s Farewell to the Elders in Miletus (Verses 13–38)
The latter part of this chapter contains a deeply moving scene: Paul calls for the Ephesian elders to come to Miletus and delivers his final exhortation. He recalls how he faithfully proclaimed the gospel even amid tears and trials. Although he anticipates the hardships that lie ahead, he confesses that he will not stop preaching the gospel.(Verse 24).
Paul warns the elders that after he is gone, “vicious wolves” will try to harm the church, so they must stay alert. He explains that he made the life of serving and sharing his example, not seeking material gain, and “there is more blessing in giving than in receiving” brings his words to a close. After that, the scene where everyone says farewell to Paul with tears makes you feel their deep love and trust.
Points for Reflection
- Even amid threats and hardships, Paul did not give up his mission. Today, we are led to reflect on how much we are committed to the gospel.
- The community worship and gatherings centered on the word in Troas invite us to think again about what the essence of worship and community is today.
- Paul’s exhortation in Miletus becomes an example of leadership, faithful service, and caring for the community. We can deeply reflect on how the church should be built up and protected.
Applying It to My Life
- Like Paul, am I also living my life centered on the gospel?
- Within the community I belong to, am I fulfilling well the role of serving and caring for others?
- Do I need a decision today to carry out the calling I received before God to the very end?
