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Acts 20:19
Verse
Context
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians
18When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.20I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,
Sermons
George VerwerGeorge Verwer
R. Edward MillerGeorge VerwerGeorge Verwer
Chuck SmithR. Edward MillerSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Serving the Lord with all humility, etc. - 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Serving the Lord--Jesus. with all humility . . . and many tears and temptations--Self-exaltation was unknown to him, and ease of mind: He "sowed in tears," from anxieties both on account of the converts from whom he "travailed in birth," and of the Jews, whose bitter hostility was perpetually plotting against him, interrupting his work and endangering his life.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you,.... The Syriac version supplies, "to your souls"; to lead them into a true knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel, and to confirm them in the same, and to preserve them from errors in principle, and immoralities in practice, and to encourage the exercise of every grace, and to instruct them in every branch of duty; nothing of this kind, or which had this tendency, did the apostle dissemble, conceal, or drop, either through sloth and indolence, or through fear of men, or for the sake of reputation, wealth, and friends. The things the apostle may have chiefly in view are the truths of the Gospel, which are very profitable to the souls of men; such as relate to the knowledge of God, his being, perfections, and persons; as that there are three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Spirit, which is profitable to be known, in order to understand the economy of salvation, in which each person has his distinct concern; and that both the Son and Spirit are equally God with the Father, which accounts for the virtue and efficacy of the blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of Christ, and how safely he may be depended upon for salvation, and how equal the Holy Spirit is to his work and office; likewise such doctrines as relate to the sin of Adam and his posterity in him, to the imputation of the guilt of that sin unto them, and the derivation of a corrupt nature from him, and which respect the impurity and impotence of human nature; all which is profitable, since it accounts for the origin of moral evil, and many of the dispensations of providence in involving those that do not know the right hand from their left in public calamities; and since it shows the necessity of regenerating grace, tends to the humiliation of men, and makes for the magnifying the riches of God's grace: also such doctrines as express the grace of God in man's salvation as the doctrines of God's everlasting love, of election, redemption, justification, pardon, reconciliation, union to Christ, and final perseverance; all which are exceeding profitable, for the peace, comfort, and refreshment of the souls of God's people. Moreover, the ordinances of the Gospel, baptism, and the Lord's supper, which are the privileges of believers, and the means of their spiritual profit, may be included, together with all the duties of religion; which though not profitable by way of merit, yet contribute to the peace and pleasure of the mind; and none of these things did the apostle withhold from the elders and church at Ephesus, as his epistle to that church does abundantly show, in which, doctrines, ordinances, and duties are taken notice of: now to keep back these, is either to keep them back wholly, to say nothing of any of them, but in the room of them to deliver out morality and legal righteousness; or in part, to mix the truths of the Gospel with the doctrines of men, and not give out the sincere milk of the word; or to draw and fetch back what has been delivered through the fear of men, and in order to gain reputation and applause: but so did not the apostle, nor should any minister of the Gospel; and that for the reason in the words, because they are profitable; as also because they are the counsel of God; and because it is the will of Christ that nothing should be hid, but everything should be published, which he has signified to his servants; and this is enforced by his own example, who whatever he heard of his Father, he made known to his disciples; and for the ministers of Christ to do otherwise, would argue unfaithfulness in them both to Christ and to the souls of men: but have showed you; all the doctrines of the Gospel, and pointed to every path of duty, and declared, as he says hereafter, the whole counsel of God: and have taught you publicly; first in the Jewish synagogue, then in the school of Tyrannus, Act 19:8 and in whatsoever place the church, when formed, might meet together for public worship; there the apostle taught them the truths of the Gospel openly, and without any reserve, before all the people, as Christ ordered his apostles to do, and as he himself did, Mat 10:27 and from house to house: as he visited the saints at their own houses, to know their personal cases, and the state of their souls, he instructed them privately and personally one by one; he taught the same publicly as privately, and privately as publicly: and took every opportunity of instilling Gospel truths into them, and of enriching them with a larger knowledge of them; which shows his affection and zeal, his laboriousness, industry, and indefatigableness in the ministry.
Acts 20:19
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians
18When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.20I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Playing at Soldiers
By George Verwer4.9K49:58ACT 20:19ACT 20:31In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that there are no shortcuts to holiness and discipleship. He highlights the example of the Apostle Paul, who dedicated three years of his life to warning and teaching others about the gospel. Paul served the Lord with humility, tears, and perseverance, not holding back anything that was profitable for others. The speaker encourages believers to have the same dedication and willingness to finish the work that God has given them, just as Jesus and Paul did.
(Om Orientation) New Testament Strategy - Part 2
By George Verwer2.2K06:29OrientationACT 12:5ACT 17:17ACT 20:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for men to carry out the work of evangelism and follow-up in the churches. He acknowledges that while there are many theorists with ideas on how to do this, there is a lack of men actually willing to go out and do the work. The speaker highlights the importance of personal work and working together with local churches to strengthen and train them for evangelism. He also emphasizes the need for humility and faith in carrying out God's strategy, as seen in the examples of the apostle Paul in the book of Acts.
No Tears
By R. Edward Miller2.1K50:27TearsPSA 84:6PSA 126:5LUK 6:6ACT 20:19ACT 20:31In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of experiencing emotional breakings in our relationship with God. He refers to Luke 6:6-13, where Jesus speaks about the different types of soil and how they receive the seed. The preacher emphasizes the need for breakings in our soul, will, mind, and heart. Specifically, he discusses the importance of emotional breakings and how tears can be a powerful expression of our love and devotion to God. He encourages the congregation not to be afraid of their emotions and to seek a deep connection with God through emotional vulnerability.
Hunger for God (Alternative)
By George Verwer1.2K41:16MAT 6:33JHN 5:39JHN 5:44ACT 20:19GAL 3:3In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the powerful work of Brother Bakht Singh, who had led many souls to God without any publicity or gimmicks. Brother Bakht Singh was a man of praise and hunger for God, spending hours in prayer and seeking God's heart. The speaker shares a personal experience of listening to a tape of Indian music from Brother Bakht Singh's holy convocation and being transported to Madras in his mind. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence and fellowship, rather than relying on human theories or Christian activities.
Is God Easy to Live With
By George Verwer1.1K40:33Christian LivingACT 20:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God and warns others day and night with tears. He commends the audience to God and encourages them to rely on the word of His grace for spiritual growth and inheritance. The speaker shares his personal testimony and discusses the significance of discipline and balance in the Christian life. He also mentions the need for love and genuine discipleship in Christian movements.
Servanthood - the True Ministry
By Chuck Smith83936:00ServanthoodPSA 126:5MAT 6:33MAT 23:12ACT 20:19ROM 12:102CO 1:3PHP 3:12In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of humility in serving the Lord. He shares personal experiences of humbling moments, such as slipping and falling on his face and having his zipper down while greeting people. The speaker references biblical teachings on humility, such as the verse that says "he that exalted himself shall be abased" and the instruction to esteem others better than oneself. He also highlights the need for ministers to be sensitive to the needs of others and to genuinely share in their sorrows and trials. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of having the right attitude when going out to do the work of the Lord and shares a story of a young pastor who learned the lesson of humility.
Audio Sermon: No Tears
By R. Edward Miller73850:282KI 20:5PSA 38:18PSA 84:6PSA 126:5ISA 53:3JER 31:12LUK 6:48ACT 20:192CO 7:10
This sermon emphasizes the importance of allowing God to break through our emotional barriers, encouraging the expression of genuine emotions before God. It highlights the significance of tears as a valid expression of deep emotions like sorrow, repentance, and longing for God, contrasting them with emotionalism. The speaker urges the congregation to seek God's liberation from fear and shame, to be finely tuned to the Spirit, and to embrace the full spectrum of emotions as a gift from God.
God Is Easy to Live With
By George Verwer66940:44ACT 20:19In this sermon, Watchmen Knee emphasizes the importance of drawing near to God in order to truly serve Him. He discusses the need for discipline and the challenge of overcoming laziness, particularly for Christian leaders and evangelists. He warns about the spiritual warfare that exists and the danger of falling away from the faith. Knee also mentions the importance of balance and love in discipline, highlighting the negative consequences of legalistic and unreal approaches.
Whose Tears?
By Walter Wilson02KI 20:5EST 8:3PSA 126:5LUK 7:38ACT 20:19Walter Wilson preaches about the significance of tears as seen through the eyes of a chemist, a pastor, and a police officer, emphasizing how tears reflect the bleeding of a broken heart, the sign of weakness, and the deep emotions tied to human experiences. The sermon delves into various instances of tears in the Bible, from Jesus' tears of compassion to a sinner's tears of repentance, highlighting the power and effectiveness of praying with tears in different contexts.
Did St. Paul Profess Holiness or Sin?
By Daniel Steele0MAT 5:48JHN 14:9ACT 20:19GAL 2:201JN 4:18Daniel Steele preaches on the importance of understanding St. Paul's teachings on holiness and sanctification, emphasizing the need to scrutinize Paul's Epistles to grasp the concept of perfected holiness. Steele highlights the significance of examining Paul's prayers and requests for understanding his spiritual journey towards sanctification. The sermon delves into the comparison between Christ's and Paul's professions of holiness, showcasing the indirect declarations of sinlessness and the presence of Christian perfection in their lives.
The Deliverance of the Kirk of God
By Samuel Rutherford0DEU 6:7PSA 16:10PSA 118:17ISA 10:5JER 50:4MIC 7:8ZEC 12:10ACT 20:19ROM 8:241TH 5:11HEB 11:9Samuel Rutherford preaches on the prophecy of the fall of Babylon and the deliverance of Jerusalem, emphasizing the union and fellowship of a divided Kirk and the people of God. The Scripture describes the thankfulness of the children of Israel and Judah upon their deliverance, as they journey from Babylon to Zion, weeping, seeking the Lord, and making a perpetual covenant with Him. The sermon highlights the assurance that the Kirk of God will be delivered from trouble, as faith sees beyond the present struggles and believes in God's promises of redemption and salvation.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Serving the Lord with all humility, etc. - 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Serving the Lord--Jesus. with all humility . . . and many tears and temptations--Self-exaltation was unknown to him, and ease of mind: He "sowed in tears," from anxieties both on account of the converts from whom he "travailed in birth," and of the Jews, whose bitter hostility was perpetually plotting against him, interrupting his work and endangering his life.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you,.... The Syriac version supplies, "to your souls"; to lead them into a true knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel, and to confirm them in the same, and to preserve them from errors in principle, and immoralities in practice, and to encourage the exercise of every grace, and to instruct them in every branch of duty; nothing of this kind, or which had this tendency, did the apostle dissemble, conceal, or drop, either through sloth and indolence, or through fear of men, or for the sake of reputation, wealth, and friends. The things the apostle may have chiefly in view are the truths of the Gospel, which are very profitable to the souls of men; such as relate to the knowledge of God, his being, perfections, and persons; as that there are three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Spirit, which is profitable to be known, in order to understand the economy of salvation, in which each person has his distinct concern; and that both the Son and Spirit are equally God with the Father, which accounts for the virtue and efficacy of the blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of Christ, and how safely he may be depended upon for salvation, and how equal the Holy Spirit is to his work and office; likewise such doctrines as relate to the sin of Adam and his posterity in him, to the imputation of the guilt of that sin unto them, and the derivation of a corrupt nature from him, and which respect the impurity and impotence of human nature; all which is profitable, since it accounts for the origin of moral evil, and many of the dispensations of providence in involving those that do not know the right hand from their left in public calamities; and since it shows the necessity of regenerating grace, tends to the humiliation of men, and makes for the magnifying the riches of God's grace: also such doctrines as express the grace of God in man's salvation as the doctrines of God's everlasting love, of election, redemption, justification, pardon, reconciliation, union to Christ, and final perseverance; all which are exceeding profitable, for the peace, comfort, and refreshment of the souls of God's people. Moreover, the ordinances of the Gospel, baptism, and the Lord's supper, which are the privileges of believers, and the means of their spiritual profit, may be included, together with all the duties of religion; which though not profitable by way of merit, yet contribute to the peace and pleasure of the mind; and none of these things did the apostle withhold from the elders and church at Ephesus, as his epistle to that church does abundantly show, in which, doctrines, ordinances, and duties are taken notice of: now to keep back these, is either to keep them back wholly, to say nothing of any of them, but in the room of them to deliver out morality and legal righteousness; or in part, to mix the truths of the Gospel with the doctrines of men, and not give out the sincere milk of the word; or to draw and fetch back what has been delivered through the fear of men, and in order to gain reputation and applause: but so did not the apostle, nor should any minister of the Gospel; and that for the reason in the words, because they are profitable; as also because they are the counsel of God; and because it is the will of Christ that nothing should be hid, but everything should be published, which he has signified to his servants; and this is enforced by his own example, who whatever he heard of his Father, he made known to his disciples; and for the ministers of Christ to do otherwise, would argue unfaithfulness in them both to Christ and to the souls of men: but have showed you; all the doctrines of the Gospel, and pointed to every path of duty, and declared, as he says hereafter, the whole counsel of God: and have taught you publicly; first in the Jewish synagogue, then in the school of Tyrannus, Act 19:8 and in whatsoever place the church, when formed, might meet together for public worship; there the apostle taught them the truths of the Gospel openly, and without any reserve, before all the people, as Christ ordered his apostles to do, and as he himself did, Mat 10:27 and from house to house: as he visited the saints at their own houses, to know their personal cases, and the state of their souls, he instructed them privately and personally one by one; he taught the same publicly as privately, and privately as publicly: and took every opportunity of instilling Gospel truths into them, and of enriching them with a larger knowledge of them; which shows his affection and zeal, his laboriousness, industry, and indefatigableness in the ministry.