"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

Chapter Twenty

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
  1. To review Paul's travels in Macedonia and Greece, during the 3rd journey
  2. To note Paul's preaching until midnight and then talking until daybreak, after Eutychus falls out of the third floor window
  3. To review Paul's travels from Troas to Miletus
  4. To examine Paul's meeting with the Ephesian elders while in Miletus
SUMMARY

After the uproar in Ephesus had ceased, Paul gathered the disciples and exhorted them; he then departed for Macedonia. [During this period, 2 Corinthians may have been written.] Paul provided much exhortation throughout the region. He then arrived in Greece and remained some three months. [Romans may have been written at this time.] As Paul planned to sail to Syria, the Jews plotted against him. He decided to return through Macedonia. The seven brethren traveling with Paul travelled on to Troas, while Paul went to Philippi. Luke joined Paul, and they met the seven brethren in Troas. (1-6)

The traveling group remained in Troas for seven days. Paul preached on Sunday until midnight, for they had gathered to "break bread." Paul planned to depart on the next day. A young man, Eutychus, was sitting in the window. He was overcome with sleep, and fell from the third floor window. He was taken up dead. Paul went down and "fell on him." Eutychus was made alive. Paul broke bread with them, and continued talking with them until daybreak. They were greatly comforted that Eutychus was alive. (7-12)

Paul traveled from Troas to Assos by foot, while his companions sailed there. Paul joined them aboard ship in Assos. Over some four days, they sailed to/near: Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Miletus. Paul decided to sail past Ephesus, as he desired to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. (13-16)

While at Miletus, Paul called for the elders of the church at Ephesus. Paul reviewed his labors (history) with them: he had served the Lord with humility, tears and trials; he taught publicly and house-to-house; he taught Jews and Greeks; and, he taught repentance toward God and faith toward Christ. Paul spoke of his future. He was to go "bound in the Spirit" to Jerusalem. "Chains and tribulations" awaited him there. In light of these things, Paul focused on his work to continue proclaiming the Gospel. He wanted to finish his race "with joy." He told the elders that they would not see his face anymore. Paul declared that he was "innocent of the blood of all men," as he had not failed to declare to them the "whole counsel of God." Paul exhorted and warned them as elders; they were to follow his example. Paul admonished them to "take heed" unto themselves and to all the flock, over which they were overseers. They were to feed the church. Paul warned them that "wolves" would enter in, "not sparing the flock." Some, even among them, would arise to draw away the flock - "wherefore, watch ye." Paul reminded them that he had warned them day and night for three years. Paul then commended them to God and to His Word, which is "able to build you up." Paul reminded them of his example of providing for himself and those that were with him; laboring in this way, enabled them to provide for the weak. Paul then prayed with them and bade them farewell. They were weeping and sorrowful that they would not see him again. They then escorted him back to the ship for his departure. (17-38)

OUTLINE
  1. TRAVELS IN MACEDONIA AND GREECE (1-6)
    1. PAUL BADE FAREWELL TO THE EPHESIAN BRETHREN (1)
      1. Paul called the disciples to himself and said, "Goodbye"
      2. Paul departed to Macedonia
    2. PAUL ENCOURAGED THEM IN MACEDONIA AND GREECE, THEN TO TROAS (2-6)
      1. Paul traveled throughout Macedonia and encouraged them
      2. He then spent three months in Greece
      3. Paul planned to sail to Syria; the Jews plotted against him
        1. He decided to return through Macedonia
        2. Seven brethren accompanied Paul (messengers, see 1 Cor. 16:3)
        3. The seven traveled on to Troas, while Paul went to Philippi
        4. Through the use of "us" and "we," it is noted that Luke joined Paul in Philippi
        5. Paul and Luke joined the others at Troas, five days later
  2. PAUL PREACHED IN TROAS (7-12)
    1. PAUL PREACHED ON SUNDAY UNTIL MIDNIGHT (7-8)
      1. The travelers remained in Troas for seven days
      2. When the disciples assembled "to break bread," Paul preached
      3. He preached until midnight
      4. Paul planned to depart on the next day
    2. EUTYCHUS FELL OUT OF THE WINDOW (9-12)
      1. The young man, Eutychus, was sitting in the window
      2. He was overcome by sleep and fell from the third floor window
      3. Eutychus was taken up dead
      4. Paul went down and "fell on him"
      5. Eutychus was made alive
      6. Paul broke bread and continued talking with them until daybreak; they were comforted - Eutychus was alive
  3. TRAVELING FROM TROAS TO MILETUS (13-16)
    1. PAUL MET THE OTHERS IN ASSOS AND BOARDED THE SHIP (13-14)
      1. Paul traveled from Troas to Assos by foot; his companions sailed by ship
      2. Paul joined them aboard ship at Assos
      3. Over some four days, they traveled to/near:
        1. Mitylene
        2. Chios
        3. Samos
        4. Miletus
      4. Paul decided to sail past Ephesus, as he desired to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost
  4. MEETING WITH THE EPHESIAN ELDERS (17-38)
    1. PAUL REVIEWED HIS HISTORY WITH THE EPHESIAN ELDERS (17-21)
      1. While at Miletus, Paul called for the elders from Ephesus
      2. Paul reviewed his labors while he was in Ephesus
        1. He served the Lord with humility, tears and trials
        2. He taught publicly and house-to-house
        3. He taught Jews and Greeks
        4. He taught repentance toward God and faith toward Christ
    2. PAUL SPOKE OF HIS FUTURE (22-27)
      1. Paul was going to Jerusalem "bound in the Spirit"
      2. "Chains and tribulations" awaited him
      3. In light of these things, Paul focused on his work to continue to proclaim the Gospel, and to finish his race "with joy"
      4. He noted that they would not see his face anymore
      5. Paul declared that he was "innocent of the blood of all men," as he had not failed to declare to them the "whole counsel of God"
    3. PAUL EXHORTED AND WARNED THEM AS ELDERS OF THE EPHESIAN CHURCH; THEY WERE TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE (28-35)
      1. Paul admonished the elders to "take heed" unto themselves and to all the flock, of which they were overseers
      2. They were to "shepherd the flock"
      3. Paul warned them that "wolves" would enter in, "not sparing the flock"
      4. Some, even among them, would arise to draw away the flock
      5. "Wherefore, watch ye"
      6. Paul reminded them that he had warned them day and night for three years
      7. Paul commended them to God and to His Word, which was "able to build you up"
      8. Paul reminded them of his example of providing for himself and those with him; laboring in this way, enabled them to provide for the weak
    4. PAUL PRAYED WITH THE ELDERS AND BADE THEM FAREWELL (36-38)
      1. Paul kneeled and prayed with them
      2. They all wept, sorrowed that they would not see Paul again
      3. They escorted Paul back to the ship
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
Show / Hide Answers
  1. What are the main events in this chapter?
    - Paul's travels in Macedonia and Greece (1-6)
    - Paul preached in Troas (7-12)
    - Travelling from Troas to Miletus(13-16)
    - Meeting with the Ephesian Elders (17-38)
  2. When the uproar had ceased in Ephesus, who did Paul call for? (1)
    - Called for the disciples and exhorted them (1)
  3. Paul departed Ephesus and went where? And, where next? (1-2)
    - Macedonia (1)
    - Greece (2)
  4. As Paul planned to sail to Syria, what did the Jews do? How did he change his plans? (3)
    - They plotted against him (3)
    - He determined to return through Macedonia (3)
  5. How many companions were traveling with Paul? Where did they go ahead before Paul? (4-5)
    - Seven brethren (4)
    - They went ahead to Troas and waited (5)
  6. What can be noted by the use of the pronouns, "we" and "us" in this passage? (5-6)
    - The writer, Luke, had joined the travelers (13)
  7. Upon which day of the week and for what purpose had they gathered together? (7)
    - They gathered together on the first day of the week - Sunday (7)
    - They had gathered together to "break bread" (Lord's Supper) (7)
  8. How long did Paul prolong his message? (7)
    - Until midnight (7)
  9. Where was Eutychus and what happened to him? (9-12)
    - Sitting on the window sill (9)
    - Sank into a deep sleep (9)
    - Fell from the third floor window (9)
    - He was picked up dead (9)
    - Paul went down and fell upon him, embracing him (10)
    - He was alive again (12)
  10. Where did the travelers sail to? How did Paul travel there? (13)
    - Assos (13)
    - Paul traveled by land (13)
  11. List the locations they sailed to/near from Assos to Miletus? (14-15)
    - Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Miletus (14-15)
  12. What was Paul's reason for sailing past Ephesus? (16)
    - He was hurrying to be in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost (16)
  13. While in Miletus, who did Paul call to meet with him? (17)
    - The elders of the church in Ephesus (17)
  14. Briefly list Paul's history with the Ephesians that he reviewed with them. (18-21)
    - He served the Lord with humility, tears and trials (19)
    - He taught publicly and house-to-house (20)
    - He taught Jews and Greeks (21)
    - He taught repentance toward God and faith toward Christ (21)
  15. What did Paul say was in his future? (22-27)
    - He was going to Jerusalem "bound in the Spirit" (22)
    - "Chains and tribulations" awaited him (23)
    - In light of these things, Paul focused on his work to continue to proclaim the Gospel and to finish his race "with joy" (24)
    - He noted that they would not see his face anymore (25)
    - Paul declared that he was "innocent of the blood of all men," as he had not failed to declare to them the "whole counsel of God" (26-27)
  16. How did Paul exhort and warn the elders? Whose example were they to follow? (28-35)
    - Paul admonished the elders to "take heed" unto themselves and to all the flock, of which they were overseers (28)
    - They were to "shepherd the flock" (28)
    - Paul warned them that "wolves" would enter in, "not sparing the flock" (29)
    - Some, even among them, would arise to draw away the flock (30)
    - "Wherefore, watch ye" - be on the alert (31)
    - Paul reminded them that he had warned them day and night for three years (31)
    - Paul commended them to God and to His Word, which was "able to build you up" (32)
    - Paul reminded them of his example of providing for himself and those with him; laboring in this way, enabled them to provide for the weak (33-35)
  17. After Paul exhorted and warned the elders, what did he do? (36)
    - He knelt down and prayed with them (36)
  18. What were they especially grieved over? (37-38)
    - Over the word that he had spoken, that they would see his face no longer (38)