dear = precious. Paul has been speaking with a sad presentiment of the things which shall befall him in Jerusalem; prophets enlightened by the Holy Ghost tell him that bonds and afflictions await him; he himself attaches no value to his life, and knows that the congregation which he has founded shall see him no more. "To testify the gospel of the grace of God": The message that informs people concerning God"s grace (Titus 2:11-12). When I realize that every moment after my baptism is undeserved "time", "borrowed time", "time that I should be spending in hell for my sins", then it is easy to use much of that time to serve God. Commentary. Does it not seem the bitterest irony to talk about the usual life of a Christian as a course? Our goal is to provide easy-to-understand discussion of the Scriptures, without relying on jargon or slogans. . The life is, indeed, a more excellent gift than that it ought to be neglected; to wit, seeing we be therein created after the image of God, to the end we may think upon that blessed immortality which is laid up for us in heaven, in which the Lord doth now by diverse testimonies and tokens show himself to be our Father. Acts 20:7-12 When, Where, How & How Long to Worship. App-98. Now some hyper-sensitive people have thought that it was very strange that the Apostle, who was always preaching the imperfection of all human obedience and service, should, at the end of his life, indulge in such a piece of what they fancy was self-complacent retrospect as to say ‘I have kept the faith; I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course.’ But it was by no means complacent self-righteousness. 1. It must be remembered, however, that it is only a supposition. From Luke 1:1–4 and Acts 1:1–3, we know that the same author wrote both Luke and Acts. So that I might finish my course with joy.—The two last words are wanting in many of the best MSS., and were probably inserted as a rhetorical improvement. So let us live with the continual remembrance in our minds that all which we do has to be passed in review by us once more, from another standpoint, and with another illumination falling upon it. It is a pure revelation of sovereign mercy, love and grace, whereby each Person in the divine Trinity is exalted and magnified. But since Luke does not give us any hint that Paul was sinning or making a serious blunder here (or in 19:21), and since Paul was a man who walked in close fellowship with Christ, I conclude that it was the Holy Spirit impelling … Acts 20:22-25 . Acts 20:16 "For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost." If our days are to be full-fraught with the serenity and purity which it is possible for them to attain, and if we ourselves are to put forth all our powers and make the most of ourselves, we must cultivate the continual sense that life is a course-a series of definite duties marked out for us by God. Acts 15 Commentary. oudeis) account (Greek. They may roll all the golden apples out of the garden of the Hesperides in his path, and he will not stop to pick one of them up; or Satan may block it with his fiercest flames, and the man will go into them, saying, ‘When I pass through the fires He will be with me.’, ‘That I may finish my course . Commentary on Acts 20:13-16 (Read Acts 20:13-16) Paul hastened to Jerusalem, but tried to do good by the way, when going from place to place, as every good man should do. None of these things move me - ; I consider them as nothing; I value them not a straw; they weigh not with me. The festival called “Christ the King” is eclipsed for both church and … Living for God is the best life experience that you can have. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Commentary on Acts 18:24-28 (Read Acts 18:24-28) Apollos taught in the gospel of Christ, as far as John's ministry would carry him, and no further. If we were to read ‘race,’ we should get nearer to at least one side of the Apostle’s thought. . 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. New International Version (NIV) Bible Book List. There must be some good tidings brought, and there must be some person by whom, as good tidings, it is received. I can sacrifice my time and talents for Christ, because dying with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:3 ff) means that I also died to doing things "my way". There is only one pair of human lips that ever could say, in the full significance of the word, ‘It is finished! The gospel of the grace of God. I Shall Not Be Moved. "And the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus": The word ministry means service. CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, … Acts 20:22-24. You cannot stop an express train by stretching a rope across the line, nor stay the flow of a river with a barrier of straw. Acts 20, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the Church of Christ, presents a verse level look at the Bible. Enduring Word Bible Commentary Acts Chapter 20 Acts 20 – Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders A. Paul in the region of Macedonia again. Acts 20:24, ESV: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the … live and die to the Lord. And so for all of us, the true anaesthetic or ‘painkiller’ is that all-dominant sense of obligation and duty which lays hold upon us, and grips us, and makes us, not exactly indifferent to, but very partially conscious of, the sorrows or the hindrances or the pains that may come in our way. 24 But none of these … Read 20:17-38 once through to get the overall picture. After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. Apostleship is often so designated, Acts 1:17; Acts 1:25; Acts 21:19, 2 Corinthians 4:1, and other instances in Hort, Ecclesia, p. 204.— ., cf.Acts 6:4, where the . But I hold my life of no account, nor is it so precious to me, as the finishing of my course. If you and I, whilst work and troubles last, do truly say, ‘None of these things move me, so that I might finish my course,’ we too, with all our weaknesses, may be able to say at the last, ‘Thanks be to God! −, I do not suppose that Paul in prison, and within sight of martyrdom, remembered his words at Ephesus. What he wanted, as all faithful men do, was to do the work, and let the joy take care of itself. The broad arrow stamped on Crown property gives a certain dignity to whatever bears it, and whatever small duty has the name of God written across it is thereby ennobled. See note on Acts 13:25. The whole phrase is strikingly Pauline, cf.Philippians 3:12, where the same verb immediately seems to suggest the (Alford), Galatians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 9:24, 2 Timothy 4:7.— , see critical note, cf.Philippians 1:4, Colossians 1:11, Hebrews 10:34. Often translated "perfect". Acts 6 Commentary. Again, the image suggests the strenuous efforts needed for discharge of our appointed tasks. Neither count I my life before dear unto myself; поприще мое и служение, принял от Господа Иисуса, "gospel of the grace of God" was a continuation of the good news Jesus preached but in a universal context. After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and after encouraging them and saying farewell, he left for Macedonia. Greek. But what a strange thing it is that we seem to think that our Christian characters can be formed and perfected upon other conditions, and in other fashions, than those by which men make their daily bread or their worldly fortunes! It is a very easy thing for a man to say, ‘I take the discharge of my duty, given to me by Jesus Christ, as my great purpose in life,’ when there is nothing in the way to prevent him from carrying out that purpose. Paul was not thinking about the joy at the end. “Determined to sail by Ephesus’: Still trying to reach Jerusalem before Pentecost (50 days after Passover), Paul decided to have the elders (i.e., pastors, overseers) of the Ephesian church … if we carried with us, always present, that solemn, severe sense of all-pervading duty and of obligation laid upon us to pursue faithfully the path that is appointed us, there would be less waste, less selfishness, less to regret, and less that weakens and defiles, in the lives of us all. Look how beautifully we see in operation in these heartfelt and few words of the Apostle the power that there is in an absolute devotion to God-enjoined duty, to give a man ‘a solemn scorn of ills,’ and to lift him high above everything that would bar or hinder his path. 2:11). John Piper Apr 16, 1989 19 Shares Sermon. But, on the other hand, if a man in the middle of his difficulties and his conflict pulls himself habitually together and says to himself, ‘Nothing shall move me, so that I may complete this bit of my course,’ depend upon it, his effort, his believing effort, will not be in vain; and at the last he will be able to look back on a career which, though stained with many imperfections, and marred with many failures, yet on the whole has realised the divine purpose, though not with absolute completeness, at least sufficiently to enable the faithful servant to feel that all his struggle has not been in vain. is the highest function of the Apostles. The elections are over and newly elected officials prepare to take their positions. In that image of life as a race, threadbare as it is, there are several grave considerations involved, which it will contribute to the nobleness of our own lives to keep steadily in view. If we put it in we necessarily limit the meaning of the word ‘finish’ to that low, superficial sense which I have already dismissed. Whereupon it followeth that his calling is unto every one of us a rule of good life. He had in mind to revisit northern and southern Greece (Macedonia and Achaia) and then go on to Jerusalem and Rome. It has come to mean with us a quiet sequence or a succession of actions which, taken together, complete a career; but in its original force the English word ‘course,’ and still more the Greek, of which it is a translation, contain a great deal more than that. Acts 19:8-16 Miracles Performed by Paul for Authentication. Jesus had given Paul an area of "service" in His cause, and Paul was determined to finish the task, at all cost (Acts 9:15-17). Acts 20:24. 1. Thus he equated it with "preaching the kingdom" (. We note the parallelism with Luther’s famous declaration, when warned by his friends not to go to Worms, “I will go thither, though there should be devils on every house-top.”. "But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God", "I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself", "mercy and truth meet together, righteousness and peace kiss each other.". Paul"s "gospel of the grace of God" was a continuation of the good news Jesus preached but in a universal context. Acts 8 Commentary. [336] Westcott and Hort’s The New Testament in Greek: Critical Text and Notes. Commentary on Acts 20:17-27 (Read Acts 20:17-27) The … Just a few minutes ago, we had them come to the front so that we could place our hands on them and pray God’s blessings on them and on their future ministry in Nigeria. Acts 20 Commentary Acts chapter 20 commentary Bible study - Paul in Macedonia. But if it be "good news," it must be good news of something and to somebody. Log In/Sign Up . App-104. Acts 20:24 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Acts 20:24, NIV: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Christians who enjoy life, and tremble at death, often wonder in its last hour that its fear has departed. We cannot but think he had heard of Christ's death and resurrection, but he was not informed as to the mystery of them. We will never be the Christian we can be, and we will fail God, as long as we place our own personal comfort as a greater priority than doing the will of God. If we leave it out we get a far nobler thought. And if a man has once yielded himself fully to that great conception of God’s will driving him on through life, and prescribing his path for him, it is neither in sorrow nor in joy to arrest his course. δενὸς τίμιοι, τοῖς δʼ ἅξιοι τοῦ παντός, even my life is not reckoned to me valuable for myself, But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, but I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, - I hold not my life of any account, as dear, none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear, To testify the gospel of the grace of God, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Acts 13 Commentary. Acts 20:24. I believe most earnestly that we grow Christlike, not by effort only, but by faith. Probably these prophetic warnings were why Paul requested the prayers from the Christians in Rome (Romans 15:30-31). In this noble expression of entire devotion to the service of Christ and preparedness for the worst that could befall him in such a cause, note, first, his jealousy for the special character of his mission, as immediately from Christ Himself, on which all the charges against him turned; next, the Burden of that Gospel which he preached-GRACE: it was "the Gospel of the Grace of God. A man who never does anything except what he can do easily never comes to do anything greater than what he began with, and never does anything worth doing at all. ", (24) But none of these things move me . Acts 10 Commentary. Nevertheless, not to be tedious t… Effort is the law of life in all departments, as we all of us know and practise in regard to our daily business. Acts 20:13-21 Paul–An Example of Faithfulness. It is a life that is now wholly dedicated to the cause of Christ. Acts 14 Commentary. Otherwise, it would not be a gospel adapted to our needs; it would not be good news, glad tidings to us poor sinners, to us law-breakers, to us guilty criminals, to us vile transgressors, to us arraigned at the bar of infinite justice, to us condemned to die by the unswerving demands of God"s holiness. 21 On … What he wanted was to do his work, all of it, right through to the very last. How, then, should he be moved, the soles of whose feet have long trodden and walked upon the fear of death? Greek. The consciousness of definite duties loomed larger than anything else before him. To bear witness, especially as a living example of its power (1 Timothy 1:12-16), of the good tidings that God was not a harsh Judge, but a gracious Father, willing all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), that was the truth to the proclamation of which his life was to be devoted. A. Paul in the region of Macedonia again. . Time will do that for us all. The passage is grander without them. Neither can we be otherwise persuaded that the Lord alloweth that which we do, unless our life be framed and ordered according to his will, which certainly is required, especially in the ministers of the word, that they take nothing in hand unless they have Christ for their author. Now some very early transcriber of the Acts of the Apostles mistook the Apostle’s meaning, and thought that he only said that he desired to end his career; and so, with the best intentions in the world, he inserted, probably on the margin, what he thought was a necessary addition-that unfortunate ‘with joy,’ which appears in our Authorised Version, but has no place in the true text. Acts 18 Commentary. The person who really understands the true depth of their sins and the love of God that is responsible for their salvation, understands that their Christian life is an undeserved second chance. ‘That I may finish my course.’ Now ‘course,’ in our modern English, is far too feeble a word to express the Apostle’s idea here. Is to-day better than yesterday? It is one thing to endure unexpected suffering, but it is quite another thing to walk right into suffering, to continue to preach the exact same message, knowing full well that such preaching will get you into serious trouble. And why should they not be motives for us all? See 2 Timothy 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:8. of = from. . When we are reluctant about sharing the gospel with others, or talking to a Christian who is manifesting spiritual weakness, we are placing our own lives ahead of the mission that God has given us. Acts 20:24. Jesus. Acts 20:24 - But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. Its literal meaning is either "God"s word" or message, or rather, "good news," or "good tidings," which is more agreeable to the original. .—Literally, But I take account of nothing, nor do I hold my life . The Guilt of Giving Part of God's Counsel. Paul says in effect, ‘I, for my part, live at high pressure. The one thing worth our making our aim in life is to accomplish our course. v. 24 key verse . App-125. Greek: "I make an account of none of them." Author: The book of Acts, also called Acts of the Apostles, does not specifically identify its author. John Piper Nov 22, 2014 1.1K Shares Sermon. What stage of the course have I to pass over to-day?’ Each moment brought to him an appointed task which at all hazards he must do. So that I might finish my course with joy. In our modern society we might not be physically persecuted for being a Christian, but I see Christians placing their own comfort ahead of the cause of Christ. in which appears in a final clause, Burton, p. 85 (but see W.H[336], Luke 9:52, and Viteau, Le Grec du N. T., p. 74 (1893)). For it is very expedient for us to know that God is found there to be merciful and favorable. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 20:17-27 The elders knew that Paul was no designing, self-seeking man. The perpetual martyr can smile at martyrdom. Easygoing lives are always contemptible lives. The … At the Price of God's Own Blood. See critical note. Update. Acts 11 Commentary. para. The first thing the sergeants do is to teach them the ‘goose-step,’ which consists in lifting up one foot and then the other, ad infinitum, and yet always keeping on the same bit of ground. Sermon Notes for Romans 1:16 Next Book → ← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources ← Back to all Commentaries. To Paul, getting the job done right was more important than self-preservation. Christian men have an appointed task, and to do it will take all the effort that they can put forth, and will assuredly demand continuous concentration and the summoning of every faculty to its utmost energy. Nov 22, 2014. This was the image under which life presented itself to him, as it does to every man that does anything in the world worth doing, whether he be Christian or not-as being not a place for enjoyment, for selfish pursuits, making money, building family, satisfying love, seeking pleasure, or the like; but mainly as being an appointed field for a succession of efforts, all in one direction, and leading progressively to an end. on StudyLight.org He calleth it the gospel of the grace of God, of the effect or end, notwithstanding this is a title of rare commendation, that, by the gospel, salvation and the grace of God are brought unto us. The former verb is used in N.T. Acts 20:24 Parallel. An Online Bible Commentary You Can Understand Welcome to BibleRef.com, the free online Bible study site. So that I might finish my course with joy. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible. In doing God's work, our own wills and those of our friends must often be crossed; we must not spend time with them when duty calls us another way. Consider the courageous attitude of Paul. The grace of God cannot be obtained by ignoring the gospel message. Acts 19 Commentary. “But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself,” R.V., reading for omitting and . What St. Paul desired was to finish his course—whether “with joy” or not mattered little. II. John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible, Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture, Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Commentary by J.C.Philpot on select texts of the Bible. Acts 20:24. Neither is it to be doubted but that Paul, in giving his apostleship this mark, (as he useth to do very often) doth confirm the credit thereof. Acts 12 Commentary. With joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify, [ diamarturasthai (Greek #1263)] - 'to testify thoroughly' (see for this word the note at Acts 20:21). By what right can they talk of running the Christian race? In this there was the central truth of the kingdom of God, of which the next verse speaks. Apr 16, 1989. I. Acts 16 Commentary. The Apostle, like all men of imaginative and sensitive nature, was accustomed to speak in metaphors, which expressed his fervid convictions more adequately than more abstract expressions would have done. He was a plain preacher, one that spoke his … But none of these things move me From the hope of the Gospel, nor from the ministry of the word, nor from his journey to Jerusalem; they did not shake his faith, nor inject fear into him, nor cause him to alter his purpose and design: neither count I my life dear unto myself: Many a man will march up to a battery without a tremor who would not face a hole where a snake lay. “So that I may accomplish my course,” R.V., “in comparison of accomplishing my course,” margin. Neither count I my life dear - I am not my own; my life and being are the Lord' s; he requires me to employ them in his service; I act under his direction, and am not anxious about the issue. He knew there would be joy, but he does not speak about it. In it "mercy and truth meet together, righteousness and peace kiss each other." His first waking thought was, ‘What is God’s will for me to-day? After eight years among us, this is Richardson and Christianah Oyediran’s last full day with us before they return to their homeland in Nigeria to serve our Lord there. But none of these things move me, neither, etc. Difficulty has arisen because this is the only case in the N.T. ‘We note the parallelism with Luther’s famous declaration when warned by his friends not to go to Worms, “I will go thither, though there should be devils on every house-top”’ (Professor Plumptre). None of these things move me - Ουδενος λογον ποιουμαι; I consider them as nothing; I value them not a straw; they weigh not with me. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Which I have received of the Lord Jesus -, So that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, To testify the gospel of the grace of God, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. 24.None’ move me—The perpetual martyr can smile at martyrdom. Acts 17 Commentary. He was about to set sail for Syria when a plot was made … The same words and the same thought re-occur in the Second Epistle to Timothy, only there the goal was in sight, and Paul wrote, ‘I have finished my course’ (2 Timothy 4:7). Commentary on Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 View Bible Text . These are, What Paul thought that life chiefly was; what Paul aimed at; and what Paul won thereby. I have finished my course.’. Greek. And oh! After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. Acts 20:24 REV and Commentary - But I consider my life worth nothing to myself, if only I can finish my course, and the mi - Bible verse In order, then, that the gospel should be good news, glad tidings, there must be a message from God to Prayer of Manasseh, God being the Speaker, and man the hearer; he the gracious Giver, and man the happy receiver. Study the bible online using commentary on Acts 20 and more! And the meaning that the Apostle attaches to the word in both of our texts is not merely to scramble through anyhow, so as to get to the last of it; but to complete, accomplish the course, or, to put away the metaphor, to do all that it was meant by God that he should do. I have finished my course’; in the same lofty meaning, not merely ended, though that was true, but ‘completed, accomplished, perfected.’. I have completed the work which Thou gavest Me to do.’ Jesus Christ’s retrospect of a stainless career, without defect or discordance at any point from the divine ideal, is not repeated in any of His servants’ experiences. Both verbs and are found in similar phrases in LXX, Tobit 6:16, Job 22:4, so also in classical Greek (Wetstein). The Gospel of the Grace of God Kempton Turner Ordination Service. Neither do I count my life (literally, my soul ) more precious than myself, having consecrated all my endeavours, my thoughts, my life, my whole self, body and soul, to God's service. That is the kind of ‘course’ which hosts of so-called Christians content themselves with running-a vast deal of apparent exercise and no advance. Acts 20:24 Context. teleioo. "The gospel of the grace of God." Bible Gateway Plus puts a library of commentaries and Greek & Hebrew language tools right in your pocket. Are former attainments continually being left behind? How, then, should he be moved, the soles of whose feet have long trodden and walked upon the fear of death? It reveals an obedience whereby the law was magnified and made honorable, and a atoning sacrifice for sin by which it was forever blotted out and put away; and thus it brings glory to God and salvation to the soul. Is it not bracing to see any one actuated by such motives as these? Once we decide to live for God completely we will experience more exhilaration than a mountain climber, more excitement than a professional athlete, and more … Paul thought of his life as a racecourse, traced for him by God, and from which it would be perilous and rebellious to diverge. But if the gospel means good news from heaven to earth, it can only be worthy of the name as it proclaims grace, mercy, pardon, deliverance, and salvation, and all as free gifts of God"s unmerited favor. Acts 1:8 Commentary; Acts 20:17-27 Commentary; Acts 20:28-38 Commentary; JOSEPH A ALEXANDER Acts Commentary (1857, 1866) (Over 1000 pages!) I do not regard them as of any moment, or as worth consideration in the great purpose to which I have devoted my life. At the same time, you’ll find links to related … The Times They Are A-Changin’ These days at the end of November are a season of changing times. Acts 9 Commentary. Now there are in these two passages, thus put together, three points that I touch for a moment. But the fact that what was aspiration whilst he was in the very thick of his difficulties came to be calm retrospect at the close is to me very beautiful and significant.