Paul had managed to make the idol makers union mad. While Paul preached the gospel and God's word to anyone who would hear; these men felt this truth threaten their income and the object of their worship. The words Paul spoke were turning the world upside down. People were laying down their idols, burning their books of magic, leaving behind their old life for a new life in Christ.
The threat these men perceived from the ministry of a single man is a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of God's word. It also speaks of the weakness and powerlessness of the goddess they worshiped. She couldn't stand on her own, couldn't defend herself or fight off the teaching of one man. She was no goddess at all.
Acts 20:1-6
When this riot in Ephesus ceased, Paul was probably glad to be alive and he was glad to see the other disciples come through unscathed. Paul knew it was time to leave. He called the disciples all together; hugged them and departed to Macedonia. Paul couldn't settle down in any one place too long. He had grown into this fellowship at Ephesus for a couple years. At this point it is late 56 or early 57 A.D.
Paul loved the church in general, not just the Church of Ephesus. At each stop he encouraged and built up the believers; loving on them and teaching them. All the goodbyes seem to be catching up with him. It seemed like it was getting harder for him to leave them. But he had to leave, there was work to do. God had laid it on his heart to return to Jerusalem and take up a collection for the saints there.
Paul left Ephesus and traveled a couple hundred miles through Asia to Troas. From there he traveled another couple hundred miles over water to Neapolis in Macedonia, then on to Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea. He had previously been arrested in Philippi; he left Thessalonica to protect Jason; and sent away from Berea by the believers when the Jews caught up with him there. While the Christians laid out the welcome mat, this was dangerous territory for Paul.
The miles add up quickly in these verses. We can piece together much of what was going on by what Paul wrote in his epistles. If you look at Romans 15:19, we even see that Paul said he went to Illyricum. This was on west of Macedonia, the land that rolled up around the Adriatic Sea and connected to Italy. Paul was a very short distance from Rome!!
Paul passed through Macedonia encouraging the churches with many words and we know he was writing many inspired words along the way. Prior to leaving Ephesus He wrote 1 Corinthians; then, while in Macedonia and on the way to Corinth, he wrote 2nd Corinthians. Paul then went on to Greece. While in Corinth he wrote 1 Timothy (who was in Ephesus). He wrote the book of Romans while in Corinth and the book of Titus right after leaving Corinth.
Paul stayed in Greece for 3 months; most of this time was in Corinth. Corinth was another place where he had been threatened by a mob stirred up by the Jews. It's interesting that there is no record of Paul going back to Athens.
Paul wasn't real popular at Corinth because of what happened in his previous visits. In chapter 18 the Jews brought charges against Paul. They didn't like what Paul and the Christians were teaching. They took their case before the Proconsul to be judged and he threw the case out because it was religious in nature. He told them Jews and Christians to settle their dispute amongst themselves. Even though it had been a few years the Jews apparently hadn't forgotten this. They hadn't forgotten about the conversion of Crispus and Sosthenes either; both of these guys were leaders of the synagogues that had become Christians. This was embarrassing to them.
These Jews were so hardhearted and felt so threatened by Paul and what he taught, they plotted to kill him. The gospel message was offensive to them and their ways. Paul was going to sail back to Syria to Antioch. This was his home base. There must have been a plot to kill him on the ship en route. Once he found this out, he changed his plans and went back north to Macedonia.
The men of verse 4 were probably official representatives of their churches or regions. They were going to accompany Paul back to Jerusalem to deliver the offering to Jerusalem. This entourage went on ahead to Troas. Note that the trip took 5 days verses the 2 days it took back in chapter 16, verse 11 as they ran a straight course (had the wind at their back).
Paul and Luke came along later and sailed to Troas.
Acts 20:7-12
The disciples gathered on Sunday to break bread and hear from Paul. We don't know what time they first gathered, but it was the day before Paul was to leave. It was a going away party with parting words of those who loved each other and may not see each other again. You can imagine he had a lot to say to them before he left. Paul was saying good bye. He cared so much for these people he wanted to teach them all he knew, forgetting nothing. He wanted to care for them and warn them of all that would threaten them. Like any parent might do, he got longwinded.
We don't know what time this gathering started but the day gave way to night. They were in the upper room on the 3rd floor of a house. Luke lets us know there were a lot of lamps burning. Eutychus (meaning happy, well off) was a youth; the word means between 20 and 40 years old. The fact there were lots of lamps burning may be offered to explain why the youth was sitting in the window. We know that lots of lamps burn up the oxygen, though the window was probably a mere opening, likely one of many, this may not have been a problem. The late hour is probably the best explanation for falling asleep. Being at the window may also indicate he was fighting sleep with the fresh air. However, he lost the battle and fell asleep. Poor ole Eutychus ended up falling from the 3rd floor and it killed him. Remember Luke was a doctor so when he writes that the boy was dead, he was dead.
I wonder what Paul was teaching on. He might have been fired up and full of the Spirit when this Eutychus fell to his death. The Spirit prompted him to respond. Paul rushed down, fell on Eutychus and embraced him and declared him to have life. Once Paul ministered to him, he was brought back to life. Paul was given that gift right then to declare him alive by faith.
Eutychus was certainly true to his name, happy and well off. He was also probably very embarrassed! That young man had a story to tell of a killer sermon preached by Paul. While Paul could tell of the sermon that contained a restoration of life.
Paul went back up and they broke bread and he preached till morning. I'm sure none of those people forgot that night, especially Eutychus. And then they said goodbye.
Acts 20:13-16
Paul was left at Troas; he would walk to Assos. This was a short little jaunt around a peninsula. Paul was picked up and they sailed on to Mitylene, a city on an island off the coast of Asia. From there they weaved their way around the islands of Chios and Samos and mad their way to Miletus, about 30 miles south of Ephesus as the crow flies. Paul didn't want too stop at Ephesus because he was trying to get back to Jerusalem for Pentecost.
Pentecost was 50 days after Passover (20:6). The days were ticking away. Paul sailed past Ephesus and goes on the Miletus.
Acts 20:17-24
Paul did send a message to the elders of Ephesus to meet him in Miletus. Paul spoke words of farewell; there's a melancholy in his speech. He was always fired up, talking doctrine, correcting and warning; but here he is thinking back about the first day that he came to Asia. Much had happened and all that had taken place was an investment in eternal things. None of this was for Paul's glory, but all for the Lord. He was turning it over to them for their care.
Paul pointed out his manner of ministry, going back to the beginning. It was charactered by service and humility. In the midst of that there were tears and trials from the Jews. His tears were from weeping for those who don't know Christ; for the lost and deceived. The word for trials means 'examination to prove authenticity'. We can imagine the temptation to hold something back, to not anger the Jews, to make fewer waves. Not Paul, though, he held nothing back but proclaimed and taught publicly and privately to both Jews and Greeks. He gave all he had to them, giving his life for them.
Now, however, the Holy Spirit had made it clear to Paul that he was to go to Jerusalem. He was bound in the spirit for this. This 'bound in the spirit' is this desire or calling that welled up in Paul. He could do nothing else. He knew it was God's intention and desire that he go there.
In fact, the Holy Spirit had already testified in every city that chains and tribulation awaited him. Paul was willing to follow the Holy Spirit wherever it led him. This was a lesson he was passing on to these elders. The Spirit wasn't telling Paul not to go – the Spirit was saying things wouldn't be so good when he got there. But in telling him these things, the Spirit showed His continual presence in Paul's life.
Paul wanted these elders to know what was happening. He wasn't just taking off somewhere. He was going at God's prompting. He was going to Jerusalem with the same passion as he had first come to them. The threat of chains and persecution didn't move Paul. This wasn't false bravado – the threats just didn't bother him. He didn't count his life dear to himself. He considered himself purchased by Christ and his life was not his own.
He just wanted to finish the course and ministry that he received from the Lord Jesus. Paul saw this as a race. Every race has a fixed distance. However, none of us know the distance of our race. Paul wasn't any different. He just wanted to finish it. He wanted to be true to his calling. His ministry was the testimony of the gospel of the grace of the God. He wanted to be found faithful to the end. When he crossed the finish line, he wanted to be running full out with all he had left. He wasn't interested in just finishing but finishing well.
To finish well is to come across the finish line, exhausted from effort, prayer calloused knees and a worn-out sword; it's coming across the line with others in tow and the joy of the Lord in your heart.
Acts 20:25-31
These were Paul's last words to these men. This was a sad time, but Paul clearly held nothing back. He did this out of concern for those he loved. Even in his good bye, Paul was still teaching. He let these Elders know the importance of teaching the whole counsel of God. This ought to be a distinctive in every church. For one person to pick and choose what you study hurts both the teacher and the student. Line by line, verse by verse puts the whole counsel of God before you.
Paul advises the elders of the church to "take heed" for themselves, which is to be guarded and attentive. The Holy Spirit had made these guys overseers. It was their job to be shepherds to the people. This was no small responsibility. He was to feed and guard and keep them healthy.
Paul knew they would be challenged and they needed to be prepared to act. He anticipated savage wolves would come in behind him. This phrase is borrowed from Jesus' words in Matthew 7:15.
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
The church always expects the wolves trying to come in and damage the church. These are easily seen and defended against. However, Paul also warned of a bigger issue. Some of the wolves would come from within their fellowships. It is much harder to keep the ravenous wolves out of the flock when they resemble sheep. Often, they are not discovered until the damage is done.
The picture here is of this vicious animal waiting and hiding among the sheep just waiting to rip the innocent to shreds. They are ravenous and controlled by their lusts and hunger. Paul said these men would rise up and twist things around, distort the truth and pervert the scriptures to draw disciples to them. (1 Timothy 1:20 and 2 Timothy 1:15; 2:17; Jude 3, 4.) Their end purpose was to promote themselves. It wasn't to glorify God.
Acts 20:32-35
Paul had poured his life into these churches. This happened through many miles of travel, sacrifice and persecution. In the end, all he could do was commend them to God and to the word. Paul is saying, "I've done all I can do." He commends them to God and to the word of grace. When the wolves came, that was ultimately all that would save them.
Paul wasn't in the ministry for money. This was another way to spot the ravenous wolves and false teachers. They were seeking wealth and riches. Paul didn't allow money to ever interfere with what he was teaching. No one could say he was just hanging around because the offerings were good. He earned enough living building tents to provide the necessities for himself and those with him.
When we hear that it's better to give than receive, we automatically think of money don't we? It's not just talking about giving money. It's talking about giving of all that you have and all that you are, for your ministry.
Acts 20:36-38
The pastors and elders of the churches of Asia knelt there with Paul. They prayed, and cried and hugged. Paul was their teacher and mentor. He told them they wouldn't see him again. They would clearly miss him. Yet they knew they would meet again in paradise. They knew they would spend eternity together. These men walked Paul to the ship and they said goodbye.
©2008, 2014, 2021 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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