Acts Chapter 20.

Acts Chapter 20.

           

Paul revisits Greece.  B-D. 493.  20:1-6.   The persecution at Ephesus was a threat to Paul's life and of others as well.  He crossed to Macedonia (B-D. 764) even though there was an open door for the Gospel at Troas, (2.Cor.2:12-13).  Paul was concerned about the Church at Corinth.  In Macedonia Paul met Titus, who brought good news of the Corinthians. (2.Cor.7:5-16.  Paul immediately writes 2.Corinthians.  On this occasion Paul may have made his visit to Illyricum, Rom.15:19. (B-D. 555).  Paul then makes his way into Greece. 20:2.

           

Greece here means Achaia, B-D. 9.   Greece comprises the Province of Macedonia and Achaia, but here Achaia is meant, for it stands in contrast to Macedonia, where Paul is already present.  He would go to Corinth, the church he had founded in Achaia.  At Corinth, Paul remained three months - the winter season - while shipping was idle.  During this stay at Corinth he wrote the Epistle to the Romans.

           

Phoebe of Cenchrea (B-D. 202) may have been the bearer of the Epistle.  Most scholars accept the Corinthian origin of the Roman Epistle. But a recent writer, J.R.Richards, has argued for an Ephesian origin of the Roman Epistle.  He claims that the obvious close relationship of Romans and 1.Corinthians, both linguistic and doctrinal, is best explained by accepting the priority of Romans.

           

Richards takes Acts 19:21-22 as the occasion for writing Romans and that 1 Corinthians was written almost immediately after.  This means denying chapter 16 to Romans, and taking it as a distinct letter, written by Paul to Ephesus, from Corinth.

           

The Fund.   One of Paul's reasons for visiting Greece, was to finalize the organization of a relief fund for the church at Jerusalem.  Sources of information concerning this fund are 1.Cor.16;  2.Cor. chapters 8-9;  Rom.15;  Acts 24:17.  He had some doubt about the response of the Corinthians.  Munck thought they made little response and that no Corinthian names are among the group who took the money to Jerusalem.

           

Troas. B-D. 1300.  20:5.

           

The "we" sections again commence.  Had Luke remained at Philippi or at Troas? 

           

At regular church-meeting for the breaking of bread Paul addressed the Church.  The purpose of the meeting was to keep the Eucharist, but opportunity was given to Paul to preach.  They do not appear to have put any restrictions on the form Paul's ministry took.

           

The story of Eutychus, B-D. 399, reminds us of the need of reasonable ventilation at church meetings.

Assos.  B-D. 100.                     

Mitylene.  B-D. 832.                  

Chios.  B-D. 209.

Samos. B-D. 822.         

Miletus.  B-D. 822.

           

Paul and the Ephesian elders.  20:17-38.   Paul's address shows him as a model missionary and pastor.

*   The pattern of Paul's own ministry, his humility and trials, his message to all men.           Repentance towards God and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  20:18-21.

*   The purpose of his heart and life, a faithful witness unto death.  20:22-27.

*   The pastoral charge and commendation.  20:28-35.

            Responsibility.

            Imitation of Paul.

            Resource.

Paul is about to journey on, but God and the Word of His grace, remained.  Paul's address could be outlined this way:-

            The character of his ministry at Ephesus.            20:18-21.

            The course to be fulfilled at Jerusalem.  20:22-24.

            The charge to the elders of the church.   20:25-31.

            The commendation to God.                   20:32-35.

            The word of God is "all-sufficient" for building up the people of God.

             

Theological Assessment.

           

*   Christology.   Greek manuscripts vary.  20:28.  See R.V., R.Vm. and other trans.

Christ is identified with God and a unique worth is attributed to his death.  God purchased the Church with the blood of His own Son.  This sacrificial language tells what the Church is to God.

           

*Holy Spirit.   The Holy Spirit appointed them overseers.  We are not told how this was done but, presumably, by imparting a spiritual concern and spiritual gifts with qualities of leadership.  This Divine appointment need not exclude the choice of the Church by election, nor appointment by an apostle.  This reference to the Holy Spirit indicates the greatness of the task involved in their appointment.  Paul wants them to feel their responsibility.

           

*Church and Ministry.

           

Overseership:  The elders or presbyters of verse 17, are called 'episkopoi' in verse 28.  From this Greek word is derived our word "bishop". B-D. 158.  The word "elder" has special reference to the man himself and bishop or overseer to his ministry.  The New Testament gives no blue-print as to the office of an overseer and where qualifications are described they are chiefly moral and spiritual (see 1.Tim.3).  But the word "shepherd" or "pastor", seems applicable to the work of the overseer.  The shepherd unites, protects, leads, feeds and cares for the flock.  See use of the word 'poimaino', Vine's Dictionary.  This word is used in John 21:16;  Acts 20:28;  1.Pet.5:2.  The word translated, "pastors," in Ephesians (4:11),  means, "shepherds."

           

The elders are made overseers 'in' (not 'over') the Church of God.  They continued to be part of the congregation.  Paul new no such distinction as clergy and laity.  Paul's own ministry was a model for them to follow.  In his missionary work, he combined evangelism with pastoral instruction and care.  The pastor is one who cares, and caring is the word that best describes his ministry.

           

Eucharist.  20:6,7,11.   The breaking of bread almost certainly was the remembrance supper, that is, the Eucharist or Lord's supper, B-D. 748.  The language suggests that the first day of the week, or Lord's Day, B-D. 745, was the regular and recognized day for this function.  No blue-print of the meeting is given, and we are not certain that it included a communal meal, known as the 'agape' or 'love-feast',  B-D. 745.

           

Room was given for a discourse by Paul :-

            Modes.                                     Message.

            Declaration.      20:20 R.V., 27.  Anything that was profitable.      20:20.

            Teaching.           20:20.                           Repentance.                     20:21.

            Testifying.          20:21,24,26.                 Faith.                                20:21.

            Preaching.         20:25.                           The Gospel.                     20:24.

            Admonishing.    20:31.                           The Kingdom.                  20:25.

            Personal example. 20:35.                      The whole counsel.        20:27.