Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 20:28-38

"Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build [you] up, and to give [you] the inheritance among all them that are sanctified. I coveted no man`s silver, or gold, or apparel. Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul`s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship." — Acts 20:28-38 (ASV)

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.