Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 20:19
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
19. serving humility of mind ] The Rev. Ver. here has “lowliness of mind,” as the word is rendered Php 2:3, but the version is not consistent, for the same rendering is not kept (Col 3:12) where it might just as well have been. Probably the translators of 1611 did not like the collocation all lowliness. St Paul is careful to point out that the service in which he spent himself was done unto the Lord as His Apostle.
and with many tears ] The oldest authorities omit “many.” The adjective is a comment from the statement in Act 20:31. In 2Co 2:4 St Paul says “I wrote unto you with many tears.”
and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews ] The old sense of “temptation” is lost. Read (with Rev. Ver.) “ and with trials by the plots of the Jews. We could only see in the account of the tumult at Ephesus that there were some indications that the Jewish population were anxious to make it plain that they had no sympathy with the Apostle who was so obnoxious to the Gentiles. Here we have an express declaration made before those who knew all the circumstances that plots had been laid against Paul’s life by the Jews. It did not fall in with St Luke’s purpose to tell us of them, but he manifestly knew about them, for he feels no difficulty in recording the Apostle’s own mention of them here, nor has he a thought that his narrative will be held for other than true, though men may point out here an allusion to events of which he had made no mention before. We cannot too often bear in mind that the book is not meant for a history of either one or other Apostle, but a record of how the course of the Gospel was guided according to Christ’s injunction, “beginning at Jerusalem” and ending when an Apostle had proclaimed Christ in the Imperial capital.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Serving the Lord – In the discharge of the appropriate duties of his apostolic office, and in private life. To discharge aright our duties in any vocation is serving the Lord. Religion is often represented in the Bible as a service rendered to the Lord.
With all humility – Without arrogance, pride, or a spirit of dictation; without a desire to lord it over Gods heritage; without being elated with the authority of the apostolic office, the variety of the miracles which he was enabled to perform, or the success which attended his labors. What an admirable model for all who are in the ministry; for all who are endowed with talents and learning; for all who meet with remarkable success in their work! The proper effect of such success, and of such talent, will be to produce true humility. The greatest endowments are usually connected with the most simple and childlike humility.
And with many tears – Paul not infrequently gives evidence of the tenderness of his heart, of his regard for the souls of people, and of his deep solicitude for the salvation of sinners, Act 20:31; Phi 3:18; 2Co 2:4. The particular thing, however, here specified as producing weeping was the opposition of the Jews. But it cannot be supposed that those tears were shed from an apprehension of personal danger. It was rather because the opposition of the Jews impeded his work, and retarded his progress in winning souls to Christ. A minister of the gospel will:
(1) Feel, and deeply feel for the salvation of his people. He will weep over their condition when he sees theta going astray, and in danger of perishing. He will,
(2) Be specially affected with opposition, because it will retard his work, and prevent the progress and the triumph of the gospel. It is not because it is a personal concern, but because it is the cause of his Master.
And temptations – Trials arising from their opposition. We use the word temptation in a more limited sense, to denote inducements offered to one to lead him into sin. The word in the Scriptures most commonly denotes trials of any kind.
Which befell me – Which happened to me; which I encountered.
By the lying in wait … – By their snares and plots against my life. Compare Act 20:3. Those snares and plans were designed to blast his reputation and to destroy his usefulness.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 19. Serving the Lord with all humility, c.] This relates not only to his zealous and faithful performance of his apostolic functions, but also to his private walk as a Christian and shows with what carefulness this apostle himself was obliged to walk, in order to have his calling and election, as a Christian, ratified and made firm.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Serving the Lord; in his apostleship or public ministry; of which, if any ever could, he might have gloried; yet in this office he clothes himself
with humility, as the most becoming garment for a minister of Jesus Christ: though so high, yet so low. We need not cry, (as one did, though ironically), Fie, St. Paul! but fie upon all such as pretend to succeed in his dignity, and do not at all imitate him in his humility.
With many tears; he shed tears of compassion over the ignorant and blind, hard and perverse. It grieved him to see how large a dominion the god of this world had, and what a little part was left for his dear Lord and Master, Christ Jesus.
Temptations; afflictions and troubles, which befell him for Christ and the gospels sake; which are so called, Jam 1:2; 1Pe 1:6.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. Serving the LordJesus.
with all humility . . . andmany tears and temptationsSelf-exaltation was unknown to him,and ease of mind: He “sowed in tears,” from anxieties bothon account of the converts from whom he “travailed in birth,”and of the Jews, whose bitter hostility was perpetually plottingagainst him, interrupting his work and endangering his life.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind,…. Meaning, in the ministration of the Gospel, being conscious to himself of his own weakness and insufficiency in himself for such service; no ways elated with those excellent and extraordinary gifts bestowed upon him; ascribing all his success to the power, grace, and Spirit of God; treating no man with contempt and disdain; nor lording it over God’s heritage, or claiming a dominion over the faith of men; nor seeking honour nor riches for himself, nor even what he had a just right unto, a maintenance from the people; but laboured with his own hands, and to his own and the necessities of others:
and with many tears; at the obstinacy and unbelief of some, and at the distresses and afflictions of others, both corporeal and spiritual; as well as on account of the unbecoming walk of some professors:
and temptations which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: who were hardened against his ministrations, and believed not the Gospel preached by him, but spoke evil of it, and lay in wait to take away his life; by reason of which, his afflictions, which he calls temptations, because they were trials of his faith and patience, were very great.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
1) “Serving the Lord,” (douleuon to kurio) “Continually, I was serving the Lord,” as His (God’s servant) Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10; Php_1:1; Tit 1:1. Six times the phrase is used by Paul in his epistles as serving God, the Lord, and Christ, 1Th 1:9; Rom 12:11; Rom 14:18; Rom 16:18; Eph 6:7; Col 3:24.
2) “With all humility of mind, and with many tears,” (meta pases tapeinophrosunes kai dakruon) “With all humility of mind, disposition, or attitude, even with tears,” not tears of regret because of his trials, but with tears of joy for the honor of serving the Lord Himself, with tears of sorrow of heart for his own kinsman -brethren, the Jews, in rejecting Jesus Christ, Rom 9:3; Rom 10:1-4; Rom 12:16; Php_2:3; 1Pe 5:5.
3) “And temptations, which befell me,” (kai peirasmon ton sunbanton moi) “And trials that fell upon and attached to me,” or took me down, humbled me, 1Th 3:3; Php_1:27; 2Co 1:6; 2Co 6:4-10; 2Co 11:26. Our Lord had endured such temptations, or testing, and pronounced a benediction upon such as endured them for His sake, Luk 4:13; Luk 22:28; Mat 5:10-11; Jas 1:12.
4) “By the lying in wait of the Jews: (en taisepiboulais ton loudaion) “By the plots (guerrilla tactics) of the Jews,” who “hounded” him throughout his missionary witnessing journey, in both Asia and Europe in the cities of Ephesus, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth, so that he certified the words of our Lord, Joh 15:20; 2Ti 3:12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
−
19. Serving the Lord. He reckoneth up first not only in what straits he was, but most of all his humility, coupled with contempt of the world, and rebukes, and other afflictions; as if he should say , that he was not honorably received or with commendation; but he was conversant among them under the contemptible form of the cross. And this is no small trial, − (413) when we faint not, though we see ourselves trodden under foot by the intolerable pride of the world. −
Notwithstanding, we must note everything more distinctly. To serve the Lord is taken in this place, not for to worship God in holiness and righteousness, which is common to all the godly; but it doth signify to execute a public function. Therefore, Paul doth not speak of [as] some one private man, but as one made a minister of the Church. And so he doth testify, that he fulfilled the apostleship to him committed with humility and modesty; both because, knowing his own infirmity, he did mistrust himself; and also, because, considering the excellency of his calling, he counted himself very unmeet; − (414) and, lastly, because he did willingly submit himself to bear the reproach of the cross. For this humility is set both against vain confidence, and also haughtiness. Secondly, he toucheth − (415) his tears, which strifes, diverse assaults of Satan, the rage of wicked men, the inward diseases of the Church, and offenses, had made him shed; at length, he addeth, that he led a fearful life, − (416) amidst the layings in wait of the Jews; and he confesseth that he was tempted therewith, as he was not hardened, though he did not faint. For he is not ashamed to confess his infirmity. −
His drift is, that those to whom he speaketh may not faint, through like tribulations; and that, being void of all ambition, they may do their duty carefully and reverently; and that they may not only with a patient mind suffer themselves to be despised of men, but that they may be cast down in themselves. Because, that man can never be rightly framed to obey Christ whose looks are lofty, and whose heart is proud. And (as men cannot long bear a show of virtue) to the end it may appear manifestly, that he behaved himself sincerely and from his heart, he maketh mention of his constancy which lasted three years, wherein he had still kept one course. Ye know (saith he) how I have behaved myself since the first day until this time. To conclude, this is the true trial of the servants of Christ, not to be changed as the times change; but to continue like to themselves, and always to keep a straight course. −
(413) −
“
Probatio,” proof or tests
(414) −
“
Longe imparem,” far from being equal to it.
(415) −
“
Adjungit,” he addeth,
(416) −
“
Trepidam vitam,” a life of trembling.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(19) Serving the Lord with all humility of mind . . .The participle exactly answers to the epithet of the servant or slave of Christ which St. Paul so often uses of himself (Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; Php. 1:1; Tit. 1:1). The tears, too, are characteristic of the Apostle, whose intense sensitiveness and sympathy had not been hardened into a Stoic apathy, and therefore found vent in a form which the Stoic would have scorned as unmanly. (Comp. Act. 20:31; 2Co. 2:4.) Epictetus (Enchirid. c. 2) barely allowed a follower of wisdom to mourn outwardly with those who mourned, and added the warning: Take heed that thou mourn not inwardly.
Temptations.Better, trialsthe word retaining its dominant meaning of troubles coming from without, rather than allurements to evil from within. The reference to the lying in wait of the Jews refers, of course, to something altogether distinct from the Demetrian tumult, and implies unrecorded sufferings. The Apostles life was never safe, and the air was thick with plots against it.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
19. Humility tears temptations. ”Who is so broken a man, both individually who so prostrated as Paul? His righteousness had become in his mind a sin, and the law, the highest glory of his nation, had become to him a sentence of condemnation.” Baumgarten. (See Rom 9:1-5.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
Ver. 19. Serving the Lord, &c. ] Here is a mirror for ministers.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
19. ] With the sole exception of the assertion of our Lord, ‘Ye cannot serve God and mammon,’ reff. Matt., Luke, the verb for ‘serving God’ is used by Paul only , and by him seven times, viz. besides reff., Rom 12:11 ; Rom 14:18 ; Rom 16:18 ; [ Php 2:22 (?)] Col 3:24 ; 1Th 1:9 .
. . .] Also a Pauline expression, 2Co 8:7 ; 2Co 12:12 .
] See especially Gal 4:14 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 20:19 . : the word occurs six times in St. Paul’s Epistles of serving God, the Lord, Christ, 1Th 1:9 , Rom 12:11 (R., margin, ), Act 14:18 , Act 16:18 , Eph 6:7 , Col 3:24 (once in Matthew and Luke, of serving God, Mat 6:24 , Luk 16:13 ), and cf. St. Paul’s expression of himself, Rom 1:1 , Gal 1:10 , Phi 1:1 , Tit 1:1 . .: this use of may be called eminently Pauline, cf. Eph 1:3 ; Eph 1:8 , Eph 4:2 , Eph 6:18 , 2Co 8:7 ; 2Co 12:12 , 1Ti 3:4 ; 2Ti 4:2 , Tit 2:15 ; Tit 3:2 (see Hackett’s note). ., a word which may justly be called Pauline, as out of seven places in the N.T. it is used five times by St. Paul in his Epistles, and once in his address in the passage before us; Eph 4:2 , Phi 2:3 , Col 2:18 ; Col 2:23 ; Col 3:12 (elsewhere, only in 1Pe 5:5 ). It will be noted that it finds a place in three Epistles of the First Captivity, although used once disparagingly, Col 3:18 . In pagan ethics was for the most part a depreciatory characteristic, although some few notable exceptions may be quoted, Trench, Synonyms , i., 171 ff. In the LXX and Apocrypha it has a high moral significance and is opposed to in all its forms. The noun is not found either in LXX or Apocrypha, and the adjective (1Pe 3:8 ) and the verb (not in N.T.), although each found in LXX once, the former in Pro 29:23 and the latter in Psa 130:2 ( cf. instances in Aquila and Symmachus, Hatch and Redpath), cannot be traced in classical Greek before the Christian era, and then not in a laudatory sense. The noun occurs in Jos., B. J. , iv., 9, 2, but in the sense of pusillanimity, and also in Epictet., Diss. , iii., 24, 56, but in a bad sense (Grimm-Thayer). But for St. Paul as for St. Peter the life of Christ had conferred a divine honour upon all forms of lowliness and service, and every Christian was bidden to an imitation of One Who had said: , Lightfoot on Phi 2:3 ; “Ethics” (T. B. Strong), Hastings’ B.D., i., 786; Cremer, Wrterbuch, sub v. . , cf. Act 20:31 , 2Co 2:4 , Phi 3:18 . “Lachrym sanct cum his tamen consistit gaudium ”: Bengel. St. Paul was no Stoic, for whom was a virtue, the accompaniment of wisdom and the passport to perfection; see Rom 12:15 : “in every age the Christian temper has shivered at the touch of Stoic apathy”. Here the word refers not to the Apostle’s outward trials which were rather a source of joy, but to his sorrow of heart for his brethren and for the world, , Chrysostom. , cf. St. Paul’s own words, 1Th 3:3 , Phi 1:27 , 2Co 1:6 ; 2Co 6:4-10 , 2Co 11:26 , (Gal 4:14 ). In our Lord’s own life and ministry there had been “temptations,” Luk 4:13 ; Luk 22:28 ; and a beatitude rested upon the man who endured temptation, Jas 1:12 ; Jas 1:2 . The noun is found no less than six times in St. Luke’s Gospel, but only here in Acts. It occurs four times in St. Paul’s Epistles, and may be fairly classed as Lucan-Pauline (Bethge). On its use in N.T. and LXX see Hatch, Essays in Biblical Greek , p. 71 ff., and compare Mayor, Epistle of St. James , Jas 1:2 . . .: evidently classed amongst the , Hatch, u. s. , although we must not suppose that St. Luke tells us of all the Apostle’s dangers, trials and temptations here any more than elsewhere. Nothing of the kind is mentioned in connection definitely with the Ephesian Jews, “sed res minime dubia, Act 21:27 ,” Blass. The noun has not been found in any classical author, but it occurs in Dioscorides, Prf. , i., see Grimm, sub v. , and several times in LXX, six times in Ecclus. and in 1Ma 2:52 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Serving. Greek. douleuo. App-190.
humility of mind. Greek. tapeinophrosune. Only here, Eph 4:2. Php 1:2, Php 1:3. Col 2:18, Col 2:23; Col 3:12. 1Pe 5:5.
many. Omit.
temptations. Greek. peirasmos. Always translated as here, save in 1Pe 4:12. Here it means “trials”, as in Luk 22:28. See 2Co 11:26.
by = in. Greek. en. App-104.
lying in wait = plots, as in Act 20:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
19. ] With the sole exception of the assertion of our Lord, Ye cannot serve God and mammon, reff. Matt., Luke, the verb for serving God is used by Paul only, and by him seven times, viz. besides reff., Rom 12:11; Rom 14:18; Rom 16:18; [Php 2:22(?)] Col 3:24; 1Th 1:9.
. . .] Also a Pauline expression, 2Co 8:7; 2Co 12:12.
] See especially Gal 4:14.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 20:19. , serving) A noble idea of the servant of the Lord.- ) the Lord, whose is the Church.-, with) Humility of mind, tears, and temptations, are the concomitants (of service): the act of serving itself is described in the foll. verse.-, humility of mind) This he recommends to the Ephesians also in Eph 4:2, with all lowliness, .-, tears) Act 20:31; 2Co 2:4; Php 3:18. A characteristic trait of Paul. Holy tears shed by men and heroes, who seldom if ever weep for things in the ordinary course of nature, furnish a specimen of the efficacy, and an argument for the truth, of Christianity. Yet joy is compatible with these tears: Act 20:24. Add the note, Act 20:37.-, temptations) The plots of the Jews in various ways truly tried and exercised the mind of Paul.- , of the Jews) The apostle of the Gentiles speaks of them now as if they were alien (foreigners) to him.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Serving: Act 27:23, Joh 12:26, Rom 1:1, Rom 1:9, Rom 12:11, Gal 1:10, Eph 6:7, Col 3:24, 1Th 1:9, 2Pe 1:1, Rev 7:15
with all: 1Co 15:9, 1Co 15:10, 2Co 3:5, 2Co 7:5, 2Co 12:7-10, Gal 4:13, Gal 4:14
many: Act 20:31, Psa 119:136, Jer 9:1, Jer 13:17, Luk 19:41, 2Co 2:4, Phi 3:18, 2Ti 1:4
temptations: 1Co 4:9-13, 2Co 4:7-11, 2Co 11:23-30, Jam 1:2, 1Pe 1:6
by the: Act 20:3, Act 9:23-25, Act 13:50, Act 13:51, Act 14:5, Act 14:6, Act 14:19, Act 14:20, Act 17:5, Act 17:13, 2Co 11:26
Reciprocal: Gen 43:30 – wept there 2Ki 8:11 – wept Job 23:11 – My foot Psa 131:1 – my heart Act 6:4 – give Act 23:21 – for 1Co 2:3 – General Eph 4:2 – lowliness 1Th 1:5 – what 2Ti 3:11 – Persecutions
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9
Act 20:19. These elders knew about the severe trials the apostles had suffered, for many of them had taken place in their city (chapter 19).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 20:19. Serving the Lord …. with many tears. Three times in this short report of Pauls farewell words at Miletus are tears referred to: tears of suffering and pain (Act 20:19); tears of pastoral solicitude (Act 20:31); tears of natural affection and friendship (Act 20:37. See also 2Ti 1:4; 2Co 2:4; Php 3:18; and also Act 21:13). The intense sympathy and love among the early Christians is most noteworthy. It was something strange and fresh in the old selfish world, and this sweet spirit which seemed after the crucifixion to have taken up its abode in the hearts of men and women, was no doubt one of the most powerful agents in the rapid spread of the new doctrines. The revelation that God could so care for men as to weep (Joh 11:33-35) for them, taught men the glorious beauty of mutual sympathy. Pauls intense sorrow for souls that will not be redeemed has been imitated and copied faithfully by many a noble heart in the long eventful story of Christianity.
Ages before, the sore need of this sympathy had been felt and dimly groped after, but never found, and therefore never imitated. See, for instance, in that moving scene which closes the Hippolytus of Euripides. In the midst of his extreme suffering, Hippolytus addresses Artemis (Diana) with
(Divine) Mistress, do you see me, how wretched I am?
And the goddess answers,
I do; but it is wrong for these eyes of mine to shed a tear.Hippolytus of Euripides, 1395, 1396, edit. Dindorf.
A God who could weep with those that weep was a sublime conception to which the old heathen world was never able to attain.
Lucretius, who lived some three-quarters of a century before the Christian era, coldly though very grandly expressed the same view of the disregard of the immortals for human woes and sufferings (see, for instance, De Rerum Natura, Book i. 57-62); while in Juvenal, who wrote after the Son of man had come and had begun to change the whole tone of thought even of the heathen world, we see, or perhaps rather feel, the dawn of the new day (see, for instance, Juvenal, Satire xv.).
Which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews. There is no special mention of a plot against the life and liberty of the apostle during the Ephesian residence; their hostility is, however, alluded to in Act 19:9. No doubt at Ephesus, as at Corinth, Thessalonica, Antioch in Pisidia, and Jerusalem, the same sleepless, relentless hostility on the part of a section of his countrymen marred and hindered his work.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 18
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Verse 19
Temptations; trials, in the sense of dangers and sufferings.