Acts (Written)

Entering Thurston County, Washington. Going over the Nisqually River.

Thursday, 5 October 2023

“Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. Acts 20:34

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The words are out of their original order and should read, “And you yourselves know that to my needs, and to those being with me, these hands ministered” (CG).

Paul just noted that he had coveted no one’s silver, gold, or apparel. He now goes further, beginning with, “And you yourselves know that to my needs.”

He is stating, right in front of those that he lived and served with, that his own needs were met in a particular way that will be noted in a minute. In starting with a statement about his own needs, he is ensuring that what will follow in his statement did not interfere with his needs, nor were his needs met in some other way than how he will indicate. Next, he says, “and to those being with me.”

Paul uses a present participle to indicate the ongoing nature of what he is referring to. Thus, it would be inclusive of even the present time while speaking to these men. He is, in fact, doing for them what he will next state, even at the present time. It is these words concerning the needs of those with him that explain why he started with his own needs. Both to his needs and to those who were there with him, he says, “these hands ministered.”

It could have been that Paul came to Ephesus and ministered to others but let others tend to his needs. This is how most churches are set up today. The pastor does his thing while the church tends to the pastor. Paul excluded himself from such a notion, noting first and foremost that he had tended to his own needs, but he had not done so at the expense of others.

Anytime that someone was in need, as evidenced by the present tense, he was there ministering to that person. If his words weren’t true, Paul could neither have said it to the Ephesians nor could Luke have recorded it for them to read. It would have been shown false as soon as it was published.

And the fact that Paul was counseling them and encouraging them at this time meant that he was still ministering to them. He could have just sent a letter from Jerusalem, but he purposely stopped at Miletus to minister one last time to his beloved disciples.

Life application: Paul’s words concerning his work show the truth of his faith in the gospel he preached. Nobody in their right mind would conduct themselves in this way unless he was convinced that the message he was relaying was the truth.

Instead, he would have accepted the gold, silver, and clothes offered to him and lived like Creflo Dollar. For a succinct statement of one’s labors, the words of Paul show special devotion to the work set before him. This is not unlike Jacob –

“Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: ‘What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me? ³⁷ Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both! ³⁸ These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock. ³⁹ That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. ⁴⁰ There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes. ⁴¹ Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. ⁴² Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.’” Genesis 31:36-42

Jacob served for his wives and his flocks. Paul served for the bride of Christ and the flock of His church. Both of them did so tirelessly. Labor, when rightly placed in the hours of one’s life, is a blessing. Solomon reflected on that and wrote these words to consider –

“What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? ¹⁰ I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. ¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
¹² I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, ¹³ and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:9-13

Be sure to conduct your labors honorably and with a sense of enjoyment. They take up the majority of the time of your existence, so find satisfaction in them because they are the gift of God to you.

Lord God, we all have chores and responsibilities. Help us to do them to Your glory. May our attitudes toward our work and those we work for be positive and pleasing in Your sight. Thank You for the labor of our hands, O God. Amen.

A mall or something. Can’t remember. Washington State.

Wednesday, 4 October 2023

“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Acts 20:33

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The order of the words is reversed in the translation – “Silver or gold or clothing of none I coveted” (CG).

Paul just commended those with him to God and the word of His grace. He also spoke of the inheritance among those who have been sanctified. The words he now will speak seem somewhat disconnected from that, but they are not. Rather, he is going to use his state among them to confirm the truth that what he just said is living in him. Rather than focusing on the things of this world, he was doing exactly what he just commended to them. Taken together, this can be seen –

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God and the word of His grace, being able to build and to give the inheritance among all those having been sanctified. Silver or gold or clothing of none I coveted.”

He will continue this thought in the verses to come. But the point is that it would be outrageous to commend someone to God and the word of His grace if he wasn’t living in exactly that manner. Understanding this, the verse itself appeals to three particular items, “Silver or gold or clothing.”

Smith’s translation seems right by placing a comma after gold – “Silver or gold, or clothing.” In other words, Paul begins with the metals that are commonly used for wealth accumulation, starting with the lesser and going to the more desired. He then mentions one of the highly desired commodities that can be bought with silver or gold. Thus, the idea would be, “Silver or gold, or even clothing.” As such, clothing reflects the wealth status of a person.

The words demonstrate the cultural value of garments at that time, something that has not changed in the past two millennia. The outward adornment of clothing is still something that reflects the status and wealth of a person. Of these things, Paul next says, “of none I coveted.”

He was unconcerned with getting rich, nor did he envy those who were rich. His focus was on God and the word of His grace. Those things, and not silver or gold or even clothing, were able “to build and to give the inheritance.”

Therefore, his words of the previous verse are being validated by his own personal conduct before them. The same general intent of Paul’s words is reflected later in his first letter to Timothy –

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Life application: Although the reason for Samuel’s words is a bit different, his words to Israel in 1 Samuel are similar to those of Paul in Acts –

“Now Samuel said to all Israel: ‘Indeed I have heeded your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. ² And now here is the king, walking before you; and I am old and grayheaded, and look, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. ³ Here I am. Witness against me before the Lord and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.’” 1 Samuel 12:1-3

Samuel was confirming his integrity before Israel to demonstrate that it was not his actions that led to the people’s call for a king. Rather, the Lord had supplied them with a faithful judge, but the people wanted a king to rule them instead of the Lord. In Paul’s case, he is commending the people to live a God-focused life, trusting in His word rather than looking for security or status in earthly things.

Both Samuel and Paul were using their lives as examples of how people should conduct themselves and in whom they should place their trust. And their words were not just, “Do as I say but not as I do.” Rather, they were, “Trust in God as you see I have been doing.” This is what we should look for in our leaders, both political and spiritual.

Don’t get caught up in fancy people who merely impress with externals. Rather focus on what the true intent of those you encounter is. When those you surround yourself with are honest, sincere people, you will find yourself blessed for it.

Heavenly Father, it is very easy for us to get distracted by the things of this world. We are earthly beings that have needs and desires that must be met. But help us to, first and foremost, keep our eyes and hearts focused on You. In this, we will then be able to rightly fulfill our needs and desires. May our lives always be committed to You. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Mt Rainier. Washington.

Tuesday, 3 October 2023

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

A few small adjustments will bring the words closer to the Greek text, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God and the word of His grace, being able to build and to give the inheritance among all those having been sanctified” (CG).

Paul just reminded the elders of Ephesus that he did not cease to constantly warn everyone for three years, even with tears. Now, to bolster them in how to stay on the right path, he begins his next words with, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God.”

Paul, calling these men “brethren” for emphasis and a sense of true fraternity, begins his summary thoughts to their ears. He has spoken frankly about the hazards that lay ahead of them in hopes that they would pay heed. He does this by commending them to God. It is something he says about himself in his second letter to Timothy –

“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:12

As for these men of Ephesus, Paul would no longer be their instructor or counselor in the things of God and so they would have to rely on the same Source he relied on continuously, meaning God. And further, he continues by saying, “and the word of His grace.”

It is doubtful that he is thinking of Christ in the way John later writes, meaning the Word of God. Rather, he is rather speaking in the sense of what James 1 says, where James repeatedly brings up the word, meaning Scripture –

“Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
¹⁹So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

James is essentially committing his reader to the word of God’s grace. Likewise, this is what Paul is telling the elders of Ephesus, imploring them to cling to the word. It is the word that, according to Hebrews 4:12, is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

This word was, at this time, limited to the Old Testament and any verbal or written communications that existed concerning the Lord as the fulfillment of them. Together, they were sufficient to meet the specifics of the second half of Paul’s words in this verse which begin with, “being able to build and to give the inheritance.”

The idea of building is used by Paul several times, mostly in his first letter to the Corinthians. The word “edify” carries the same connotation and once meant exactly that: to build. Of this word, Albert Barnes says –

“The word used here is properly applied to a house which is raised and completed by slow degrees, and by toil. It here means to establish, make firm, or permanent, and hence, to instruct, to establish in doctrine and in hope. The idea is, that the Word of God was able to confirm and establish them, amidst the dangers to which they would be exposed.”

This process of building is specifically said by Paul to be for the inheritance. That is another thought carefully described by Paul in his epistles, especially his letter to the Ephesians, the very group who is represented before him now. He refers to the “guarantee of our inheritance” in Ephesians 1:14, the “riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” in Ephesians 1:18, and the “inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” in Ephesians 5:5.

Understanding this, Paul’s words finish with this thought concerning the inheritance. It is “among all those having been sanctified.” The verb is a participle in the perfect tense. Through faith in Christ Jesus, the sanctification of the believer is immediate, and it is complete.

This doesn’t mean that the believer is now perfected. Rather, it means that in God’s view, what Christ did to sanctify us is complete and perfect. Nothing is lacking. Jesus’ perfect life and atoning death have allowed us to be fully consecrated to God, once and for all time. Nothing further needs to be accomplished for us to be allowed into the presence of the infinitely holy and pure Creator.

Sanctification is also implied in his words, but not the ongoing sanctification of our Christian walk. Rather, he is speaking of the position we are in because of the work of Christ – sanctified by Him as holy and acceptable to God.

Life application: Paul’s words to those of Ephesus are a descriptive account of what he conveyed to them. However, what he said is to be taken as a truthful and accurate state of how things are. It is as if his words are an epistle spoken forth to them. When he commits them to God and the word of His grace, he intends for them to trust God wholeheartedly and not waffle in their convictions concerning their state before Him.

It means that the word of God is sufficient for believers to trust in regard to their walk before God. It is where our knowledge of Him and what He has done for humanity is recorded. There is nothing lacking for those who are considering a relationship with Him, and like those already counted as believers, their hope will not be futile. Rather, they will also be sanctified and set for eternal glory by trusting in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

How sad it is that people fail to accept that God’s provided sanctification is complete and now belongs to them forever! There is no hint in Scripture of the false doctrine of “loss of salvation.” What God has done in Christ is fully sufficient to sanctify His people once and for all time.

We are to accept this and hold fast to it. Otherwise, we will be like so many whose hope is marred by their personal failures, as if their failings can somehow override the full, final, finished, and forever work of God in Christ. Don’t be like that. Instead, be confident that His grace is sufficient to cover all our sins and failings.

Heavenly Father, Your word says that the work of Jesus Christ is sufficient to carry us through this life and into Your presence. We will fail You, but in Christ, we will never be separated from You again. We accept this and give our eternal thanks to You. Hallelujah to Jesus Christ, who has made this possible! Amen.

Pointy mountain.

Monday, 2 October 2023

“Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Acts 20:31

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

A little more literally, the words read, “Therefore, be awake, remembering that three years – night and day – I ceased not with tears, admonishing each one” (CG).

Paul warned the elders standing before him about savage wolves coming in among them, not sparing the flock. He also warned them that even among them men would rise up, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves. Based on this, he next says, “Therefore, be awake.”

It is a single word in the Greek, grégoreó. It is used in the synoptic gospels where Jesus admonished the disciples to stay alert. It literally means to stay awake, but it figuratively means to be alert or to watch. It is usually translated in the figurative sense: watch. With that, he next says, “remembering that three years – night and day – I ceased not with tears.”

The words “three years” come from the Greek noun trietia. It is a term only used here in the New Testament. It comes from treis (three) and etos (year). There is no suitable single word in English to translate it.

Paul’s use of the words “with tears” shows his immense passion for the Person of Christ, the truth of the gospel, and his love for the converts he discipled. He knew what would come about after he was gone, and he constantly warned what was coming, even to the point of tears. They were to constantly watch and be continuously remembering his admonitions. Further, the term “night and day” means that it was something that he never stopped telling them.

It cannot go unstated that Paul could not have said these words unless they were true. The people he is talking to are the same people that he had given the admonitions to in the past. He was literally brought to tears over the thought of his precious churches falling away from sound doctrine. Therefore, he was “admonishing each one.”

Those in Ephesus could not say they weren’t fully warned of what was coming. They had been implored to hold fast to the truth, watching out for those who would do their best to misdirect them.

Life application: Jesus’ words to those in Ephesus in Revelation 2 show that they had paid heed to Paul’s warnings to some extent, but in so doing, they had actually lost their first love. Unfortunately, the importance of doctrine had become elevated to such a degree that Jesus had become a side issue in many ways. Doctrine is important, but only if it continuously points us to the reason for the doctrine, Jesus.

Jesus warned the disciples to watch on several occasions. Paul continued with this admonition to the churches he planted. Without watching, we are also going to fall. This is the case without any doubt.

No church is immune from temptation, division, or apostasy. Eventually, it seems that most churches will follow this path. If you have a pastor who constantly tells you to read your Bible, do you pay heed? If your pastor tells you to pay heed to your doctrine, do you listen and stay focused on what is right?

These are right and proper to do, but while reading your Bible, don’t let it take the place of your love for the Lord. And while pursuing right doctrine, don’t let that head knowledge replace total love and devotion for Jesus. These things should complement each other so that we come to love Jesus more and more as the days go by.

Heavenly Father, learning doctrine can bring us a lot of joy as we grow in our knowledge of what is right and wrong concerning who You are and what it means to follow You. It is also great to debate doctrine with others to hone our own thoughts about these things. But, Lord God, may our doctrine be sound because of our love for You. May it never replace You in our hearts and minds. Amen.

Foggy mountain, trees, etc.

Sunday, 1 October 2023 

“Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Acts 20:30

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

Paul just noted to the elders at Ephesus who are gathered with him in Miletus that after his departure savage wolves will come in among them, and they will not spare the flock. With that, he continues, saying, “Also from among yourselves.”

As a point concerning how the church is structured, Paul’s words show the ingenious nature of the New Testament church. There is no individual “church,” such as the Roman Catholics claim. Rather, there are believers who unite together who are the church.

Therefore, if a church departs from the faith, another can spring up that can go back to the foundation and hold fast to the integrity of Scripture. This is why instead of there being one letter to the churches in Revelation 2 & 3 there are 7.

Any church that claims to be the “true” church, which is as common as peanuts in peanut butter, is already either departing from or has departed from the model. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd. There are overseers below Him who are expected to be faithful to the word He has given and to the flock entrusted to them.

However, as Paul notes, not only would wolves come from without, but even from among the ranks of a faithful church. Again, the words “from among yourselves” reveal this. Paul was standing there telling the church leaders this will be the case because he knew the inclinations of the human heart. There is the desire to control others always brewing within it. And so, he says, “men will rise up.”

Right out of a perfectly functioning flock, there are people who will sow discord. They will try to usurp authority, and they will try to remove surety of salvation from the hearts and minds of those they sit with each week. In doing so, they will then introduce various aberrant ideas about what God is like, what He expects of His people, and how He can be appeased.

Grace is not a consideration in their theology because grace removes all hope of their power and influence being wielded over others. Think of the Roman Catholic Church! They have innumerable doctrines that divert eyes and hearts away from Jesus, the very pinnacle of God’s grace to the people of the world.

Why do they do this? It is because, in so doing, they become the arbiters of what is and is not acceptable. If they are, the people are in bondage to them and will do anything in their means to secure salvation through them. It is a trap that innumerable souls are stuck in.

Grace cannot be earned. But expecting allegiance and money to be given to a church means that those individuals in the congregation are attempting to earn favor. Such evil overseers know this, and they have profited for millennia because of it.

And yet, Paul stood there with these men from Ephesus and warned them of exactly what is happening in churches all over the world to this day. And the way that it comes about is by such men rising up and “speaking perverse things.”

The word translated as perverse is diastrephó. It signifies through (dia) and to convert or change (strephó). The word then means distorting, perverting, and making something different or even the opposite of what it was.

These people will give perverse ideas about the nature of God. They will twist Scripture away from grace to works. They will deny the fully sufficient work of Christ. They will claim that grace means license, such as “I have been given grace, and so I can do whatever I want.” On and on, the things they come up with are perverse and corrupt. And the reason is for self-gain. As Paul says, they do it “to draw away the disciples after themselves.”

This is the crux of the matter. They will be able to wield power over those they control. They will have fame, ease, sexual gratification, or whatever other perverted thing that motivates them. And this is not limited to local churches. By establishing denominations, the level of power only increases, just as in government entities. Those at the top wield unbiblical authority over those they have never even met.

In and of itself, there is nothing wrong with denominations, but they eventually become self-feeding bodies that do not have the interests of the local churches in mind. It is an inevitable outcome of such structures.

Life application: How sad it is to look at once faithful churches and denominations where Paul’s words have been proven true. But the Bible warned of it. Therefore, the blame rests upon those who are unwilling to take to heart the words of Scripture and carefully follow what is provided there.

Is it possible that Hymenaeus and Philetus noted in 2 Timothy 2:17 were standing there with Paul as he spoke? Were they back in Ephesus waiting till he left for good so that they could work their evil?

Heretics promote self and they divide in order to conquer. John Lange notes exactly this when he says, “The note of heresy was that it was essentially self-asserting and schismatical.”

It is not only good, but proper to teach sound doctrine. If a church divides over such a thing, so be it. But it is not good when someone divides to promote self in the process. Watch out for such people and be on guard against those who would attempt to mar grace.

Lord God, our hearts are wicked, and our thoughts are corrupt. This is the natural state of humanity. Please help us to grow in the knowledge of Your word so that we can change this and become people with pure hearts and intentions. May we learn to place others ahead of ourselves and acknowledge our faults and failures as a part of who we are. You alone are to be exalted for the grace You have given us in the giving of Your Son. Amen.