March 27, 2022
Acts 20:1-12
“Midnight Message”
Service Overview: Acts 20 records the conclusion of Paul’s third missionary journey. More than just a travelogue, this chapter holds gems of insight for today’s church if we’re willing to dig in. For one particular young man in this text, his fate serves as a perpetual caution for all those who fall asleep in church 🙂
Memory Verse for the Week:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Background Information:
- (v.3) Not much is said about this plot, but it is not hard to imagine what was involved. Jews going to Jerusalem would sail on a “pilgrim ship.” It would carry cargo, but it would take as many passengers as possible. It would be crowded to make a lot of money, and it would be quite possible in such crowded conditions for someone who had been hired by Paul’s enemies to sneak up on him and kill him some dark night at sea, perhaps pushing him overboard so people would assume he had simply fallen over the side and been lost. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 338)
- (v.7) The reference to the meeting for the breaking of the bread on “the first day of the week” is the earliest text we have from which it may be inferred with reasonable certainty that Christians regularly came together for worship on that day. The breaking of the bread was probably a fellowship meal in the course of which the Eucharist was celebrated (cf. 2:42). (F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Acts, 403)
- (v.7) Since [Paul] was going to leave the next day, he prolonged his discourse “until midnight.” He could do this, for there was plenty of light from the “many [olive-oil] lamps” in the upper room of the home where they were meeting. That the upper room was a third story (v. 9) indicates a large home and a wealthy homeowner. The room could probably hold two or three hundred people. (Stanley M. Horton, Acts, Kindle Location 7658)
- (v.9) How old was Eutychus? The Greek word manias in Acts 20:9 means a man from twenty-four to forty years of age. The word pais in Acts 20:12 means a young child or youth. Dr. Howard Marshall, an eminent Greek scholar, says he was a “young lad of eight to fourteen years. Since the word pais can mean “a servant,” Eutychus may have been a young man who was also a servant. He may have worked hard that day and was weary. No wonder he fell asleep during the lengthy sermon! (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 387)
- (v.4) Some of Paul’s companions were slaves or former slaves. Secundus, which means “the second,” was a slave name. Slaves didn’t bother to name their children but numbered them instead—the first, the second, the third, and so forth. It may be that Tertius, who wrote the letter to the Romans as Paul’s secretary, was the brother of Secundus, because Tertius means “the third”. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 265)
The question to answer…
What possible insights can be gleaned from a text like this?
Answer…
Texts like this provide profound insight into the culture, priorities, and practices of the early church, and are very helpful for informing and shaping our faith.
Key elements NOT to miss from this account…
- The Lord’s work: to encourage and empower.
(vv. 1-2, 12 | John 13:34-35; Acts 15:32; 16:40; 18:27; Eph. 4:29; 1 Thes. 5:11; Heb. 3:13)
The key word in this verse describing Paul’s ministry is “encouraging.” The Greek term is paraklesis—the same word used by Jesus for the coming Holy Spirit (John 14:16; 15:26). It literally means “called alongside,” and possible meanings run the spectrum from “counsel” to “encourage” to “correct.” The term carries with it two general ideas: (1) communication—the teaching of truth; and (2) compassion—the exhortation or encouragement that comes from a caring, concerned “Counselor.” (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: Acts, 339)
- The Lord’s people: diverse and dedicated.
(vv. 4, 6, 11 | Romans 12:15-18; 15:7; Galatians 3:28; Col. 3:11; James 2:1-4; Rev. 7:9-10)
It is noteworthy that Paul hardly ever traveled alone, and that when he was alone, he expressed his longing for human companionship. That he favored teamwork is especially clear during his missionary journeys. On this journey he was accompanied by men that represented each of the areas he had ministered to and would be visiting. (John Stott, Seeing the Spirit At Work, Acts 87)
We do not know for sure if Aristarchus really was from the aristocracy or Secundus was a slave, but it would seem so. And if that was the case, then this great church at Thessalonica must have said, “Let’s send men with Paul who are truly representative of our church. Let’s send someone who can represent the upper classes, because we have a few like that here, and let’s send Secundus to represent those of our number who are slaves.” If this is an accurate picture, it is an illustration of the remarkable change that had come about in ancient culture as a result of the revolutionary impact of Christianity. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 340)
- The Lord’s Day and Table.
(vv. 7, 11 | Mat. 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:42; Rom. 14:5-6; 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:17-34; 16:2; Col. 2:16-17; Rev. 1:10)
The mention of their meeting “on the first day of the week” (en de te mia ton sabbaton) is the earliest unambiguous evidence we have for Christians gathering together for worship on that day (cf. John 20:19, 26; 1 Cor 16:2; Rev 1:10). (Richard N. Longenecker, Acts, 509)
Sunday—or the Lord’s Day—worship did not replace Saturday or Sabbath worship overnight. It took time. It wasn’t any church edict or papal command which decided that Sunday would henceforth be the Christian day for worship. No. The transition became a reality as, more and more, Christians recognized that their new worship day rested on a new principle. The Sabbath was based on the seventh day when God finished the first creation. The Lord’s Day was, and is, based on the first day of the week when Jesus rose from the dead to give validity to the new creation. As this factor began to sink in, the change was made gradually. Thus, in 1 Corinthians 16:2 we find Paul stating that the first day of the week was the specially-set-apart day for Christians. And here, in Acts 20:7, the church gathered in fellowship to commemorate the Lord’s resurrection on the first day of the week, and Paul preached a long sermon. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 184)
- The Lord’s power; continuing to confirm God’s presence and approval.
(v. 10 | Psalm 77:14; Mark 16:20; Luke 18:27; Acts 14:3; Romans 15:19; Hebrews 2:4)
In the restoration of Eutychus, Paul’s apostolic office was again demonstrated, and the sovereign administration of the gift of healing was illustrated. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 235)
When our circumstances tumble out of our control, God wants us to rely on Him alone. If He is able to raise the dead, then what is too hard for Him? Our God works in us to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or think, according to His power at work in us.” (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 263)
Conclusion… What principles does this text remind us to hold dear as Jesus’ followers?
A. The Lord’s Day and Table.
(Luke 22:19; John 6:53-58; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:26; 14:26; Hebrews 10:25)
Nothing keeps God at the center of our worship like the biblical conviction that the essence of worship is deep, heartfelt satisfaction in Him and the conviction that the pursuit of satisfaction is why we are together. (John Piper, The Dangerous Duty of Delight, 57)
B. Devotion to the Lord’s work and to each other.
(Prov. 16:3; John 13:34-35; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-15, 23; 1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Peter described us as “living stones” (1 Pet. 2:5). You are a stone in the same structure in which the apostles and prophets are the foundation and Jesus Himself is the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)! When Paul talked about this concept, he used the plural form of you and the singular form of temple. We are all joined together to form one house for God. Somehow I am a block of a temple that transcends time and space. And because the structure is a temple, this means that God makes His home among us! (Francis Chan, Letters to the Church, 37)
Gospel principle…
The good news of Jesus, lived out in the priorities and rhythms of his people, serves as one of the greatest apologetics for the faith.
The message of the early church, as told in the book of Acts, is that the bare simplicity of the Christian faith is what counts. The testimony of these early Christians was that of God’s people proclaiming the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit … and confirming it with holy lives. (Henry Blackaby, What’s So Spiritual about Your Gifts?, 10)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- If you grew up in church, what sorts of things come to mind when you hear the phrase, “The Lord’s Day”?
- How can living in community with diverse groups of people be challenging at times? What are some things to keep in mind as you navigate the complexity of people that makeup Jesus’ church?
- How do your weekly rhythms reflect the priorities we see in the early church? What are some rhythms you find challenging to observe?
- What is your understanding of “communion”, “The Lord’s Supper”, or the “Lord’s Table”? How is it a means of grace in the lives of believers?
Quotes to note…
The term sabbath means “seventh,” not so much “seventh in a series” but “seventh in a sequence.” According to the Hebrew concept, the day could be Wednesday or Thursday just as easily. In the Old Testament the seventh day that was observed was Saturday. However, Justin Martyr noted that by the early decades of the second century, the practice of Christians meeting weekly occurred on Sunday rather than Saturday. This was virtually universal in every city and village. The question is whether this was second-century innovation, unwarranted in the departure from the biblical mandate, or whether it was established by the first-century church with apostolic warrant. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 302)
I must admit that it’s comforting for a preacher today to know that someone could go to sleep even under the ministry of the great apostle Paul. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 185)
Let’s not be too hard on Eutychus. At least he was there for the service, and he did try to keep awake. He sat near ventilation, and he must have tried to fight off the sleep that finally conquered him. The tense of the Greek verb indicates that he was gradually overcome, not suddenly. Also, let’s not be too hard on Paul. After all, he was preaching his farewell sermon to this assembly, and he had a great deal to tell them for their own good. Those sitting near should have been watching Eutychus, but, of course, they were engrossed in what Paul was saying. Paul did interrupt his sermon to rush downstairs to bring the young man back to life. His approach reminds us of Elijah (1 Kings 17:21–22) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:34–35). (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 387)
I am glad this story is in the Bible, though not for the reasons most people are glad to know about it. I am happy because it indicates that sometimes people fell asleep even when the apostle Paul was preaching. I am sure Paul was not boring or irrelevant. He did not turn people off with the dullness of the things he was teaching. Paul taught well and deeply. But sometimes, in spite of even the best teaching, human flesh is weak. That was the case with Eutychus. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 342)
God’s will is not thwarted by necessary changes in plans. Christians plan as wisely as they can, then add, “God willing.” Our best plans are subject to change. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 233)
No mention is made of a delegate from the Corinthian church. The absence of any such reference may have something to do with the strained relations between Paul and that church. But Paul had recently told the Christians of Rome that contributions were coming from Achaia (Rom. 15:26). One possibility is that the church of Corinth had entrusted its contribution to Titus (cf. 2 Cor. 8:6– 23; 12:18); if so, the failure to mention Titus here is part of the problem of his absence from the whole record of Acts. (F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Acts, 402)
(v. 7). Throughout the New Testament we see that the early Christian church came together weekly to celebrate the breaking of bread and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. This breaking of bread and celebration of the Lord’s Supper were at the heart of the regular corporate worship of the Christian community. The church came together on Sunday because at the heart of the new covenant was the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Sunday was known from the beginning as the Lord’s Day. So here we see in apostolic time the church coming together for the preaching of the Word and the celebrating of the sacrament on the first day of the week. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 302)
Jesus had warned the Jews time after time that the stone that the builders had rejected was to be the cornerstone of the new covenant. And in A.D. 70 Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman armies, and the temple was destroyed as well. The Jews fled from Jerusalem and dispersed to nations all over the world. After that momentous occasion, the Christian community had a clearly separate identity from the Jewish religion. Yet even before A.D. 70 we see the Christians coming together to worship and to celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 303)
(v. 8). The lamps were basically torches used to illumine the room so that people could see. The burning lamps, along with the people, used a lot of oxygen. As a result, a man named Eutychus was seated at a window, probably seeking a greater source of fresh air. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 303)
The word window today usually refers to panes of glass that start three or four feet off the floor and then continue upward. We use windows so that we can see outside. However, windows originally got their name because they were wind doors. They were a means of allowing fresh air into a building. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 303)
If you are prone to fall asleep on a regular basis when the Word of God is being preached, you need to ask yourself why you are so disinterested in the things of God that, when you hear them, they put you to sleep. Is the Word of God so boring that your only recourse is to flee to the arms of Morpheus and enter into dreamland? If that is the case, you need to ask yourself about the state of your soul. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 304)
What was Paul accomplishing on these quick stops? He was speaking many words of encouragement, obviously seeking to strengthen the churches in Macedonia and Achaia (20:2-5). (Phillip A. Bence, Acts: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, Kindle Location 3930)
Notice that Paul was accompanied by members of at least five churches (20:4): Sopater (Berea), Aristarchus and Secundus (Thessalonica), Gaius (Derbe), Timothy (although not mentioned explicitly, Timothy was from Derbe), and Tychicus and Trophimus (from Ephesus in Asia). In addition to these, Luke may have been the representative from Philippi, a place where he had apparently spent several years (see 16:6, 40; 20:6). These offering-bearers were there not only to insure that the money arrived at its intended destination; they may have been necessary because of the weight of the coins. (Phillip A. Bence, Acts: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, Kindle Location 3954)
Luke interrupts his speedy account of this journey to describe one incident in some detail (see 20:7-12). When we read it, we don’t know whether to laugh or cry. At Troas (where Paul had had opportunity to preach, on the outward portion of the journey; see 2 Corinthians 2:12), Paul stopped to visit the church. That church gathered on the first day of the week … to break bread (20:7). Both of these phrases are likely significant. Were churches then meeting regularly on “the Lord’s Day”? It appears that way. When the church gathered, its members celebrated the Lord’s Supper. Despite the significance of Paul on this particular day, Jesus the Lord was still central. (Phillip A. Bence, Acts: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, Kindle Location 3965)
People would have packed in to hear Paul. The room would have become stuffy. A young man [a Greek word used here indicates that he was likely between the ages of eight and fourteen] named Eutychus moved to an open window (20:9). Unfortunately, this window, at which he sought some fresh air, was on the third floor. He was attempting to stay awake. His strategy failed. (Phillip A. Bence, Acts: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, Kindle Location 3965)
The next thing Eutychus knew, he was no longer listening to Paul preach, but to the angels singing. (Phillip A. Bence, Acts: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, Kindle Location 3977)
A riot in Ephesus sent Paul to Troas, then through Macedonia to the region of Achaia. In Achaia he went to Corinth to deal with problems there. Paul had planned to sail from Corinth straight to Antioch of Syria, but a plot against his life was discovered. So he retraced his steps through Macedonia. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 339)
Second Corinthians was written somewhere during this part of the journey. Paul had written 1 Corinthians while still in Ephesus. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 340)
Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand. Thomas Carlyle
Paul’s three-month stay was brought to a close in typical fashion, as a Jewish plot was discovered against the apostle, causing him to decide to return through Macedonia. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 340)
This is an unusually complete listing of those who accompanied Paul on this section of the journey. The company provided accountability. Paul was carrying the offering from the Asian churches for the suffering church at Jerusalem (see 2 Corinthians 8–9). Paul would not want the Jerusalem church to think he handled the money by himself, without others to account for it. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 341)
Having the men deliver the gifts to Jerusalem gave the gifts a personal touch and strengthened the unity of the universal church. This was also an effective way to teach the church about giving, because the men were able to report back to their churches the ways in which God was working through their giving. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 341)
The gathering of this group was on the first day of the week. This is one of the clearest New Testament references to the church meeting on Sunday rather than on Saturday, the Sabbath. The breaking of bread most likely refers to the Lord’s Supper. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 341)
Evidently, the meeting began in the evening, presumably because the church members were not available to come during the day due to work. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 341)
The combination of the heat from the candles and the gathered number of people in an upstairs room probably made the room very warm. This no doubt helped Eutychus fall asleep. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 342)
The reason some people don’t recognize opportunity is because it often comes disguised as hard work. Unknown (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 342)
Every generation is strategic. We are not responsible for the past generation, and we cannot bear the full responsibility for the next one; but we do have our generation. God will hold us responsible as to how well we fulfill our responsibilities to this age and take advantage of our opportunities. Billy Graham
Following this amazing miracle, the meeting was resumed upstairs where they broke bread (most likely, they ate a meal, then celebrated the Lord’s Supper), followed by Paul’s continuing to teach until daylight! The believers were greatly comforted (literally, “encouraged”)—a repeated feature of Paul’s ministry. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 343)
The word “us” (v. 5) indicates Luke went back with Paul through Macedonia. (Stanley M. Horton, Acts, Kindle Location 7642)
At Troas Paul probably went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, as was his custom. Then, on the day following, “the first day of the week,” the believers gathered with Paul and his companions to “break bread.” This means they all brought food, shared a fellowship meal, and concluded with an observance of the Lord’s Supper. This is the first clear indication that Christian believers met to worship on Sunday (cf. 1 Cor. 16: 2; Rev. 1: 10). (Stanley M. Horton, Acts, Kindle Location 7655)
Luke condenses about a year’s ministry into the first three verses. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 233)
Paul would have gone directly to Syria (Palestine) from Corinth, but the discovery of a Jewish plot to murder him at sea again altered the plans. Instead he returned to Macedonia. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 234)
Paul never intended that he himself would handle or convey the offering from the Gentile churches. Carefully selected representatives of the churches would do this and would accompany him to Jerusalem. Seven of them are named here. There were eight if we include Luke. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 234)
He had so much to say to them, they were so eager to hear, and this was their last opportunity! It is impossible not to compare this occasion with Jesus’ discourse to the disciples at the Last Supper. The disciples at Troas, on the Lord’s Day, worshipped in the assurance of the risen Lord and in the power of His Spirit. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 235)
The night meeting may well have been the only time that some of the disciples, perhaps slaves, could attend. Eutychus, a young man who may have worked hard at manual labor, struggled valiantly to keep awake, as indicated by the Greek verbs. But to no avail. The many oil-burning torches may have aggravated his overwhelming drowsiness. Unconscious at last, he fell from his place on the windowsill three stories to the ground below. Luke describes it vividly as an eyewitness. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 235)
The plot by the Jews . . . against Paul was evidently to assassinate him on board ship and dispose of his body at sea. Somehow the insidious plan became known to Paul and he decided not to go directly to the eastern Mediterranean but to go back through Macedonia. (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, 412)
20:4-6. The mention of these seven men implies what is stated elsewhere: Paul was concerned for the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. As representatives of various churches they carried funds. (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, 412)
20:7. This is the clearest verse in the New Testament which indicates that Sunday was the normal meeting day of the apostolic church. Paul stayed in Troas for seven days (v. 6) and the church met on the first day of the week. Luke’s method of counting days here was not Jewish, which measures from sundown to sundown, but Roman, which counted from midnight to midnight. This can be stated dogmatically because “daylight” (v. 11) was the next day (v. 7). Probably the church met at night because most people had to work during the day. (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, 413)
20:8-10. The presence of many lamps would contribute to a soporific atmosphere because the lamps consumed oxygen. Probably crowded conditions exacerbated the condition. (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, 413)
A young man named Eutychus (lit., “fortunate”) proved to be true to his name. (John F. Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament, 413)
One activity that especially concerned Paul at this time was collecting money for the relief of impoverished believers at Jerusalem. He instructed the churches in Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia about this (cf. Rom 15:25-32; 1 Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 8-9). The collection was an act of love like that undertaken by the church at Syrian Antioch earlier (cf. 11:27-30). More than that, Paul viewed it as a symbol of unity that would help his Gentile converts realize their debt to the mother church in Jerusalem and give Jewish Christians an appreciation of the vitality of faith in the Gentile churches. (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 506)
The Greek world in the eastern part of the empire had been evangelized (cf. Rom 15:19, 23)—the flame had been kindled, the fire was spreading—and he desired to transfer his ministry to the Latin world, as far west as Spain (cf. Rom 15:24). He evidently expected to use the Roman church as his base of operations, much as he had previously used the church at Antioch in Syria. (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 507)
At the end of three months in Corinth, Paul sought to sail for Palestine-Syria, doubtless intending to reach Jerusalem in time for the great pilgrim festival of Passover (held in conjunction with the Feast of Unleavened Bread) and probably on a Jewish pilgrim ship. But a plot to kill him at sea was uncovered, and he decided to travel overland through Macedonia. (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 507)
(v.4). Almost all the main centers of the Gentile mission were represented, with the notable exception of Corinth. Perhaps Paul himself had been delegated by the Corinthian church to represent it. On the other hand, the lack of mention of Corinth may suggest continued strained relations within the church there. Luke, who appears to have joined the group at Philippi (cf. v.5), may have done so as representing Philippi. (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 507)
From 20:5 through the end of Acts (28:31), Luke’s narrative gives considerable attention to ports of call, stopovers, and time spent on Paul’s travels and includes various anecdotes. It contains the kind of details found in a travel journal, and the use of “we” in 20:5-15; 21:1-18; and 28:16 shows its eyewitness character. (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 508)
The Christians met in the evening, which was probably the most convenient time because of the necessity of working during the day. They met, Luke tells us, “to break bread” (klasai arton), which after Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 and 11:17-34 must surely mean “to celebrate the Lord’s Supper” (cf. comments on 2:42). At this time Paul “spoke to” (dielegeto; lit., “reasoned” or “discussed with”) the believers till midnight. (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 509)
Eutychus went to sleep and fell to his death. He may simply have been bored by Paul’s long discussion. Luke’s reference to “many lamps [lampades hikani; lit., “many torches”] in the upstairs room” suggests that lack of oxygen and the hypnotic effect of flickering flames caused Eutychus’s drowsiness-thereby clearing his hero Paul of any blame. But whatever its cause, Eutychus’s fall brought the meeting to a sudden and shocking halt. They dashed down and found him dead. (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 509)
In an action reminiscent of Elijah and Elisha (cf. 1 Kings 17:21; 2 Kings 4:34-35), he “threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him.” (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 509)
12 There is no hint that Paul took the incident as a rebuke for long-windedness. Nor were the people troubled by the meeting’s length. They were eager to learn and only had Paul with them a short time. It was an evening of great significance for the church at Troas: (Richard N. Longenecker, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, John and Acts, 509)
The period between his departure from Ephesus and his leaving Macedonia for “Greece” (i.e., the province of Achaia), including his stay at Troas and his missionary and pastoral activity in Macedonia, may well have covered about a year and a half—say, from the summer of A.D. 55 to the late part of 56. (F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Acts, 401)
Toward the end of winter the delegates from the contributing churches gathered at Corinth to be ready to sail with Paul to Judaea when navigation started again. It may have been their first intention to take a pilgrim ship from Cenchreae (cf. 18:18), which picked up at the principal ports those who wished to be in Jerusalem for the forthcoming festival. But Paul got wind of a plot to kill him, when once he was on board this ship, so he changed his plan, and decided to go back to Macedonia and sail from there. (F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Acts, 401)
8–10 But the air in that crowded upper room began to grow heavy with the smoke of torches which had been lit to dispel the evening darkness, and a young man named Eutychus, even though he sat at the window (where the air was freshest), found it impossible to keep awake. Perhaps he had put in a hard day’s work from dawn to sunset, and now in the stuffy atmosphere not even the words of an apostle could keep him from falling asleep. (F.F. Bruce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: Acts, 403)
After the riot, Paul left Ephesus and headed toward Macedonia and Achaia (see Acts 19:21). He expected to meet Titus at Troas and get a report on the problems in Corinth, but Titus did not come (2 Cor. 2:12–13). The men finally met in Macedonia and Paul rejoiced over the good news Titus brought (2 Cor. 7:5–7). Paul had originally planned to make two visits to Corinth (2 Cor. 1:15–16), but instead he made one visit that lasted three months (Acts 20:3; 1 Cor. 16:5–6). During that visit, he wrote his epistle to the Romans (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 386)
Paul had two goals in mind as he visited the various churches. His main purpose was to encourage and strengthen the saints so that they might stand true to the Lord and be effective witnesses. His second purpose was to finish taking up the collection for the needy believers in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25–27; 1 Cor. 16:1–9; 2 Cor. 8—9). The men who accompanied him (Acts 20:4) were representatives of the churches, appointed to travel with Paul and help handle the funds (2 Cor. 8:18–24). (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 386)
The first day came to be called “the Lord’s Day” because on it the Lord Jesus Christ arose from the dead (Rev. 1:10). We should also remember that the church was born on the first day of the week when the Spirit came at Pentecost. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 387)
The “breaking of bread” in Acts 20:7 refers to the Lord’s Supper, whereas in Acts 20:11 it describes a regular meal. By sharing and eating with one another, the church enjoyed fellowship and also gave witness of their oneness in Christ. Slaves would actually eat at the same table with their masters, something unheard of in that day. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 387)
The Word of God was always declared in the Christian assemblies, and this included the public reading of the Old Testament Scriptures (1 Tim. 4:13) as well as whatever apostolic letters had been received (Col. 4:16). (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 387)
Whether it was the lateness of the hour or the stuffiness of the room (surely not the dullness of Paul’s sermon!), Eutychus (“Fortunate”) fell asleep and then fell out the window, and was killed by the fall. However, Paul raised him from the dead and left him and the church comforted. God’s power was present to work for His people. (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 387)
The rest of this section is so much more than a travelogue. The same love Paul felt for his new friends in Ephesus pressed him on to strengthen believers in churches he had started. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 288)
Often from foreign ports Jewish pilgrim ships left for Syria to take pilgrims to the Passover and Paul must have intended to sail on one. On such a ship it would have been the easiest thing in the world for the fanatical Jews to arrange that Paul should disappear overboard and never be heard of again. Paul was a man who always walked with his life in his hands. (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, 148)
In the early Church there were two closely related things. One was what was called the Love Feast. To it all contributed and it was a real meal, often the only proper meal that poor slaves got all week. Here Christians ate in loving fellowship with each other. The other was the Lord’s Supper which was observed during or immediately after the Love Feast. It may well be that we have lost something of great value in the happy togetherness of the common meal. It marked as nothing else could the family spirit of the Church. (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, 149)
All this happened at night. That is probably because it was only at night, when the day’s work was done, that slaves could come to the Christian fellowship. (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, 149)
John Wesley preached his final sermon on February 17, 1791, in the borough of Lambeth. His text was Isaiah 55:6: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” The next day, he fell ill and went to bed. On March 2, he turned to his friends and family who were gathered around his deathbed. “The best of all is, God is with us,” he said. “Farewell, farewell.” Those were the last words of John Wesley. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 264)
Paul had planned to sail directly from Corinth to the Syrian coast, so that he could walk to Jerusalem in time for the Passover feast. But he heard rumors of a plot against his life, probably involving murder at sea. So Paul took a different path. He went through Macedonia, through Thessalonica and Philippi, and was joined by Luke (in verse 5, Luke’s use of pronouns changes from “them” to “us”). Paul sailed on to Troas with Luke and the other young men (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 265)
Paul insisted that these men go with him to Jerusalem so that he could not be accused of mishandling the funds. He also discipled and mentored these men as they traveled. In effect, Paul operated a traveling seminary, teaching these young men the ins and outs of Christian ministry as they journeyed by land and sea. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 265)
This is the first mention in the New Testament of believers worshiping on Sunday, the first day of the week. The Christian church moved worship from Saturday, the Hebrew Sabbath, to Sunday, the day our Lord’s resurrection. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 265)
Lamps burn oxygen while giving off carbon monoxide. The lateness of the hour, combined with the effect of the lamps, caused the young man to doze—and fall from the third floor window. When the people reached him, he was dead. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 265)
God has never promised a bed of roses. Remember what Paul himself wrote to the Philippians: “For it has been granted to you that, for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in him, but also suffer for his sake” (1:29). (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 182)
The church has always been at its purest when it has had to face suffering and martyrdom for Jesus Christ. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 182)
Again in our text Paul faced danger from some of the enemies of the cross of Jesus Christ in Greece (vv. 2, 3). They were Jews who wanted to kill him because he taught that men were saved by grace. The Jews wanted to have even the Gentiles circumcised, and to keep the Jewish law. Of course, there have always been those in the church who have wanted this sort of legalism. The tendency to bring the law of Moses back into the church is as old as the church itself. It is a dangerous theological point and the devil is always trying to bring people back under the umbrella of legalism of some sort to make them think that Christianity is merely a code of laws or a system of ethics. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 182)
Eutychus was raised from the dead by a special miracle. In fact, verse 10 tells us he may not really have been dead. Paul said, “there still is life in him.” Whether Paul miraculously restored the life, or whether the young man had not died—either way, God intervened. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 185)
We are told here about a team of church workers who joined Paul to go together with him to Jerusalem. Not a great deal is said about their mission, but we know from Paul’s letters that he had been traveling through the Gentile areas in order to take up an offering that he was going to bring to Jerusalem to help the Jerusalem Christians. Famine followed by poverty had come upon the church in Jerusalem, and Paul, although he does not say this in so many words, undoubtedly hoped by this tangible act of concern for the Jewish Christians to bridge the gap that had developed between the Jewish and Gentile branches of the church. Perhaps he would even be able to demonstrate something of the love of the Gentile Christians to all Jews. If they could see an act of love and compassion for Jews by Gentiles, it might be a step in winning some of them to Jesus Christ. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 339)
Was Eutychus dead? There are different opinions. Verse 9 says that he was “picked up dead.” But when Paul got to him, he said, “Don’t be alarmed. He’s alive” (v. 10). People have concluded from Paul’s words that the people thought Eutychus was dead but that, when Paul got to him, he discovered he was actually alive. Others believe that Eutychus died and that when Paul got to him he performed a resurrection. I suppose this is a matter we cannot fully resolve. Luke was present. Luke was a physician. If Luke says Eutychus was dead, I am willing to believe that he was dead and that there was a resurrection. On the other hand, not a great deal is made of the event, and maybe that is a way of indicating that the situation was not as serious as the onlookers originally thought. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 342)
