Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 20

Disturbances or opposition may compel a Christian to move from his station or alter his purpose, but his work and his pleasure will be the same, wherever he goes. Paul thought it worthwhile to spend five days traveling to Troas, even though it was only for a seven-day stay there; but he knew, and so should we, how to redeem even traveling time, and to put it to good use.

Although the disciples read, meditated, prayed, and sang separately, and in this way maintained communion with God, they also came together to worship God, and thus maintained their communion with one another. They gathered on the first day of the week, the Lord's day, which is to be religiously observed by all disciples of Christ. In the breaking of the bread, not only is the breaking of Christ's body for us—to be a sacrifice for our sins—remembered, but the breaking of Christ's body to us—to be food and a feast for our souls—is also signified.

In early times, it was the custom to receive the Lord's Supper every Lord's day, thus celebrating the memorial of Christ's death. In this assembly, Paul preached. The preaching of the gospel should accompany the sacraments. He saw that they were willing to hear, and so he continued his speech until midnight. Sleeping while hearing the word is an evil thing—a sign of low esteem for the word of God.

We must do what we can to prevent becoming sleepy; we should not lull ourselves to sleep, but rather let our hearts be so affected by the word we hear as to drive sleep far away. Infirmity requires tenderness, but contempt requires severity. Although this incident interrupted the apostle's preaching, it also served to confirm it. Eutychus was brought back to life.

And since they did not know when they would have Paul's company again, they made the best use of it they could and reckoned a night's sleep well lost for that purpose. How seldom are hours of repose broken for the purposes of devotion! Yet how often are they broken for mere amusement or sinful revelry! How hard it is for spiritual life to thrive in the human heart! How naturally carnal practices flourish there!

Paul hurried to Jerusalem, but tried to do good along the way, when going from place to place, as every good person should do. In doing God's work, our own wills and those of our friends must often be resisted; we must not spend time with them when duty calls us elsewhere.

The elders knew that Paul was no designing, self-seeking man. Those who would serve the Lord acceptably in any office, and profitably to others, must do so with humility.

He was a plain preacher, one who spoke his message so as to be understood. He was a powerful preacher; he preached the gospel as a testimony to them if they received it, but as a testimony against them if they rejected it.

He was a profitable preacher, one who aimed to inform their judgments and reform their hearts and lives. He was a diligent preacher, very industrious in his work. He was a faithful preacher; he did not withhold reproofs when necessary, nor did he withhold the preaching of the cross. He was a truly Christian, evangelical preacher; he did not preach notions or doubtful matters, nor affairs of state or the civil government, but he preached faith and repentance.

A better summary of these things, without which there is no salvation, cannot be given: namely, repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, with their fruits and effects. Without these, no sinner can escape, and with these, none will fall short of eternal life.

Let them not think that Paul left Asia for fear of persecution; he was in full expectation of trouble, yet resolved to go on, well assured that it was by Divine direction.

Thanks be to God that we do not know the things that will befall us during the year, the week, or the day that has begun. It is enough for the child of God to know that his strength will be equal to his day. He does not know, and would not want to know, what the day before him will bring forth.

The powerful influences of the Holy Spirit bind the true Christian to his duty. Even when he expects persecution and affliction, the love of Christ constrains him to proceed.

None of these things moved Paul from his work; they did not deprive him of his comfort. It is the business of our life to provide for a joyful death.

Believing that this was the last time they would see him, he appeals concerning his integrity.

He had preached to them the whole counsel of God. As he had preached the gospel to them purely, so he had preached it to them completely; he faithfully did his work, whether people would listen or refuse to listen.

If the Holy Spirit has made ministers overseers of the flock, that is, shepherds, they must be true to their trust. Let them consider their Master's concern for the flock committed to their charge. It is the church He has purchased with His own blood. The blood was His as Man; yet, because the union between the Divine and human nature is so close, it is called the blood of God, for it was the blood of Him who is God.

This gave it such dignity and worth that it could ransom believers from all evil and purchase all good. Paul spoke about their souls with affection and concern. They were deeply concerned about what would become of them. Paul directs them to look up to God with faith and commends them to the word of God's grace, not only as the foundation of their hope and the fountain of their joy, but also as the rule for their conduct.

The most advanced Christians are capable of growing and will find that the word of grace helps their growth. Just as those who are unsanctified cannot be welcome guests to the holy God, so heaven would be no heaven to them. However, for all who are born again and on whom the image of God is renewed, it is certain, because almighty power and eternal truth make it so. He recommends himself to them as an example of not being overly concerned with the things of this present world; this, they would find, would help their comfortable passage through it.

This might seem a hard saying; therefore, Paul adds to it a saying of their Master, which he wanted them to always remember: It is more blessed to give than to receive. It seems these were words He often used with His disciples. The opinion of the people of this world is contrary to this; they are afraid of giving, unless in hope of getting something in return. For them, clear gain is the most blessed thing that can be; but Christ tells us what is more blessed, more excellent.

It makes us more like God, who gives to all and receives from none, and more like the Lord Jesus, who went about doing good. This mind was in Christ Jesus; may it be in us also. It is good for friends, when they part, to do so with prayer. Those who encourage and pray for one another may experience many seasons of weeping and painful separations, but they will meet before the throne of God, never to part again.

It was a comfort to all that the presence of Christ both went with him and stayed with them.