Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 20:34
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
34. Yea, ye yourselves know ] The oldest texts omit “Yea.” The working in company with Aquila and Priscilla, which the Apostle began in Corinth, was probably continued when they came together to Ephesus, and so the Apostle’s trade and his steady pursuit of it would be well known to many of the listeners. It has been suggested that he was a partner in trade-matters with Philemon during this residence at Ephesus. Cp. Phm 1:17.
that these hands have ministered ] No doubt, he held them forth, and they bore marks that not only while at Ephesus, but since that time they had laboured for the means of living.
unto them that were with me ] We cannot determine under what circumstances the Apostle felt himself called upon to minister by his hand-labour to the support of his companions. We may be sure however that the necessity was there, and that St Paul, working himself, did not countenance indolence in others. And when we read of Timothy’s “often infirmities” (1Ti 5:23) we may conjecture that there were those among the companions of St Paul who were less able to work with the hands than the Apostle himself.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Yea, ye yourselves know – By your own acquaintance with my manner of life. In Corinth he had lived and labored with Apollos (note, Act 18:3); and he refers elsewhere to the fact that he had supported himself, in part at least, by his own labor, 1Co 4:12; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8. We may hence learn that it is no discredit to a minister to labor. Whatever it may be to a people who put him under a necessity to toil for his support, yet the example of Paul shows that a man should rejoice in the privilege of preaching the gospel, even if it is done while he is obliged to resort to labor for his daily bread. It is well when a minister of the gospel can make an appeal to his people like this of Paul, and say, I have coveted no mans gold, or silver, or apparel. Every minister should so live that he can make this appeal to their own consciences of the sincerity and disinterestedness of his labors from the pulpit; or when called to separate from them as Paul did; or when on a dying bed. Every minister of the gospel, when be comes to lie down to die, will desire to be able to make this appeal, and to leave a solemn testimony there, that it was not for gold, or ease, or fame, that he toiled in the ministerial office. How much more influence will such a man have than he who has been worldly-minded; he who has sought to become rich; and he, the only memorials of whose life is, that he has sought the fleece, not the flock – that he has gained the property, not the souls of people.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 34. These hands have ministered, &c.] It was neither “sin nor discredit” for the apostle to work to maintain himself, when the circumstances of the Church were such that it could not support him. Still many eminent ministers of God are obliged to support themselves and their families, at least in part, in the same way, while indefatigably testifying the Gospel of the grace of God. Whatever it may be to the people, it is no cause of reproach to the minister, to be obliged thus to employ himself.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
St. Paul working hard (as they all knew) for a livelihood, Act 18:3; 1Co 4:12; 1Th 2:9; which he gives an account of, 2Th 3:8, to have been done only that in such a juncture, they being poor, and the false teachers watching all advantages against him, he might not then be chargeable to them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
34. these handsdoubtlessholding them up, as before Agrippa in chains (Ac26:29).
have ministered unto mynecessities, and to them that were with meSee Act 18:3;1Co 4:12; 1Co 9:6,written from Ephesus; also 1Th 2:9.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Yea, you yourselves know,…. So far was the apostle from desiring to have other men’s money, or to wear their apparel, or to eat their bread, that he could appeal to these elders for the truth of it, they having been eyewitnesses of it:
that these hands have ministered unto my necessities; meaning, that he had wrought with his hands, which he then held up, or stretched out, at tent making, along with Aquila and Priscilla, at Ephesus, as he had done before at Corinth, Ac 18:2 and therewith supplied himself with necessaries for food and clothing; for though he had a power, as a minister of the Gospel, to forbear working, and to insist upon a maintenance from the churches, yet in some cases, and in some places, he chose rather to forego that, lest he should either any ways hinder the progress of the Gospel at the first preaching of it, or be burdensome to the churches, or give the false teachers any handle against him; and he not only supported himself in this way, but assisted others also:
and to them that were with me; as Luke, Timothy, and others; see Ac 20:4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Ye yourselves (). Intensive pronoun. Certainly they knew that the church in Ephesus had not supported Paul while there.
These hands ( ). Paul was not above manual labour. He pointed to his hands with pride as proof that he toiled at his trade of tent-making as at Thessalonica and Corinth for his own needs () and for those with him (probably Aquila and Priscilla) with whom he lived and probably Timothy because of his often infirmities (1Ti 5:23).
Ministered (). First aorist active of , to act as under rower, old verb, but in the N.T. only in Acts 13:36; Acts 20:34; Acts 24:23. While in Ephesus Paul wrote to Corinth: “We toil, working with our own hands” (1Co 4:12). “As he held them up, they saw a tongue of truth in every seam that marked them” (Furneaux).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “Yea, ye yourselves know,” (autoi ginoskete)”You all yourselves know,” from personal knowledge and observation. The tent-craft trade that Paul began with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth, Greece, on the European continent, he seems to have continued with them together, here in Ephesus on the Asian continent, where they too had come, Act 18:18-19; Act 18:26.
2) “That these hands have ministered unto my necessities,” (hoti tais chreiais mou hupertesan hai cheires autai) “That to my needs these hands (I hold before you) ministered,” while I was among you all, even as he had done with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth, in the tent-making craft, Act 18:1-3; 2Co 12:15.
3) “And to them that were with me.”(kai tois ousin met’ emou) “As well as to the needs of those (my missionary helpers) who were, have been with me;” He not only supported himself, but also helped support certain missionary helpers, perhaps including Luke, who traveled with him, 1Co 4:9-16; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:7-12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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34. Yea, ye know He doth not, in these words, precisely set down a law which all the ministers of the word must needs keep; for he did not behave himself so loftily and lordlike, that he did take that away which the Lord had granted to his servants, but doth rather in many places maintain their right, which is, that they be maintained with that which is common, Mat 10:10; 1Co 9:14; Gal 6:6; 1Ti 5:17; Phi 4:10; 2Co 11:8. Whereunto belongeth that, that he suffered many churches to minister unto him food and raiment. Neither did he only freely receive wages for the work which he did in any place of those who were there, but when he was in necessity at Corinth, he saith that he robbed other churches to relieve his poverty. Therefore, he doth not simply command pastors to maintain their life with their handy-work, but immediately after he declareth how far forth he exhorteth them to follow his example. Those men of Corinth did not deny him that which was due to him; − (448) but seeing that the false apostles did boast that they did their work freely, and get thereby praise among the people; Paul would not be behind them in this point, nor give them any occasion to accuse him falsely; as he himself affirmeth ( 1Co 9:15, and 2Co 11:10). Therefore, he warneth that there be no stumbling-block laid in the way of the weak, and that their faith be not overthrown. For to receive the weak, importeth as much as somewhat to bear with their rudeness and simplicity, as it is ( Rom 14:1). −
And to remember. We read this sentence in no place word for word; but the Evangelists have other not much unlike this, out of which Paul might gather this. Again, we know that all the sayings of Christ were not written; and he repeateth that general doctrine of the contempt of money; whereof this is a true token, when a man is more bent to give than to take. Neither did Christ speak only politicly, − (449) as if those who are liberal are therefore blessed, because they bind other men unto them with their benefits, and it is a kind of bondage to owe anything; but he had respect unto an higher thing, because, he which giveth to the poor lendeth unto the Lord, ( Pro 19:17) that those be faithful and good stewards of God, who impart to their brethren some of that plenty which they have lent them; that men draw nearer unto God in nothing than in liberality. We do also read these titles of liberality in profane authors; and a good part of the world confess that these things are true, but they consent (as it is in the proverb) with ass’s ears. For the common life doth show how few be persuaded that nothing ought more to be wished, than that we bestow our goods to help our brethren. For which cause the disciples of Christ must more studiously think upon this felicity, that abstaining so much as in them lieth, from that which is another man’s, they accustom themselves to give. And yet they must not do this with an haughty heart, as if it were a miserable thing for them to be in any man’s danger; − (450) either through ambition, that they may bind other men to them; but only that they may exercise themselves willingly in the duties of love, and by this means make known the grace of their adoption. −
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Non negabant illi Corinthii debitam mercedem,” those Corinthians did not deny that hire was due to him.
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Politice,” of what was politic.
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Ipsos cuiquam esse obnoxios,” that they themselves should be subjected (under obligation) to any one.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(34) These hands have ministered unto my necessities.The words clearly cover the whole three years of the Apostles ministry at Ephesus. The partnership with Aquila and Priscilla (Act. 18:3) continued. Philemon was probably a sharer in it (Phm. 1:17). And the Apostle had not been satisfied with working for himself, but ministered also to those who were with him. His teaching in 2Th. 3:10 makes it improbable that he would have thus laboured to maintain others who were able-bodied in idleness, and the words that immediately follow make it almost certain that we must confine the statement to those who were suffering from infirmity. In 1Co. 4:12, written, it will be remembered, from Ephesus, we have an undesigned coincidence confirming the statement.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
34. These hands Doubtless presenting his hands, hard with the tokens of toil. Yet Dr. Hackett truly remarks: “It may be added that Paul, although he waived his own right to a maintenance from those to where he preached, was remarkable for the decision with which he asserted that eight in behalf of others. Compare Rom 15:27; 1Co 9:13-14; Gal 6:6; 1Ti 5:17-18; see also the Saviour’s rule on this subject in Luk 10:7.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Ver. 34. These hands have ministered ] More shame for them to suffer it. Sed rara ingeniorum praemia, rara item et merces, saith one; and Nescio quomodo bonae mentis soror est paupertas, saith Petronius; and, Paupertas est Thilosophiae vernacula, saith Apuleius. Let God’s servant keep them honest, the world will keep them poor enough.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
34. ] See 1Co 4:12 , which he wrote when at Ephesus.
with a gen. of the person in want , is an expression of Paul only; see among reff.
is used only twice more; once by Paul, ch. Act 13:36 , once of Paul, ch. Act 24:23 .
The construction is varied in this sentence.
. , (not , but) . This is not without meaning his friends were among his he supplied by his labour, not his and their wants, but his wants and them .
. ] also [strikingly] in Paul’s manner: compare , ch. Act 26:29 , and ch. Act 28:20 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 20:34 . : placed first for emphasis, so too emphasised in Act 2:22 , Act 16:37 , Act 18:15 . In 1Co 4:12 we may see an undesigned coincidence, and cf. the word in Act 20:35 , Paley, H.P. , iii., 6. : so the work of the Christian convert . . is to be done , Eph 4:28 , and for the word as used by St. Paul elsewhere in same sense, cf. Rom 12:13 , Phi 2:25 ; Phi 4:16 , Tit 3:14 . : only in Act 13:36 , used by Paul, Act 24:23 , used of Paul ( cf. 1Co 4:1 ); Wis 16:24 . : “callos, ut videtis,” Bengel, so Blass; quite in Paul’s manner, cf. Act 26:29 , Act 28:20 ; so also , 1Co 9:25 ; 1Co 10:33 ; 1Co 11:2 , Eph 4:15 . Paul pursued his trade at Ephesus probably with Aquila and Priscilla, possibly with Philemon, Phm 1:17 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
know. Greek. ginosko. App-132.
have ministered = ministered. Greek. hupereteo. App-190. See note on Act 13:36.
necessities = needs. Compare Act 2:45.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
34.] See 1Co 4:12, which he wrote when at Ephesus.
with a gen. of the person in want, is an expression of Paul only; see among reff.
is used only twice more; once by Paul, ch. Act 13:36, once of Paul, ch. Act 24:23.
The construction is varied in this sentence.
. , (not , but) . This is not without meaning-his friends were among his -he supplied by his labour, not his and their wants, but his wants and them.
. ] also [strikingly] in Pauls manner: compare , ch. Act 26:29,-and ch. Act 28:20.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 20:34. , these) which are hardened with labour, as ye see.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
that these: Act 18:3, 1Co 4:12, 1Th 2:9, 2Th 3:8, 2Th 3:9
Reciprocal: Num 16:15 – I have not 1Ki 18:13 – what I did 2Ki 6:2 – and take thence Job 23:11 – My foot Pro 31:20 – she reacheth Mat 20:27 – whosoever Joh 13:29 – that Joh 21:3 – I go Rom 12:11 – slothful Rom 12:13 – Distributing 1Co 9:6 – have 1Co 9:15 – I have 2Co 6:4 – necessities 2Co 11:7 – in 2Co 11:27 – weariness Eph 4:28 – labour Phi 4:17 – because 1Th 2:3 – General 1Th 2:10 – witnesses 1Pe 5:2 – not for
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4
Act 20:34. As proof of the preceding statement, Paul reminded them of his manual labor for the temporal support, of himself and his traveling companions. (See chapter 18:3.) Not that it would not have been right for him to receive financial support in his work, for he taught elsewhere that such support would have been right (1Co 9:4 1Co 9:14). But he refers to his own secular work as proof that temporal support was not his purpose in preaching the Gospel.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 20:34. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands. No doubt here holding up his toil-worn, work-scarred hands. See the reference to St. Pauls custom of working with his own hands in the note above on the preceding (Act 20:33) verse.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 28