The Third Missionary Journey of Paul Continued Acts 20:1-38

As chapter 20 opens, Paul goes into Macedonia and came into Greece, primarily where he revisits Athens and Corinth (v. 1-2).  As Paul went through Greece and Macedonia, he visited all the churches which he had founded there.  During Paul’s three-month stay in Greece, there was a plot against his life (v. 3).  The mention of the seven men in verse 4 suggests that the men joined Paul in the collection efforts for the saints in Jerusalem.  According to verses 5-12, at Troas, Paul preached a prolonged message, and Eutychus, being a listener, and falling asleep, falls from the third loft!  Paul restores Eutychus to life and then goes on with his message until daylight!

Yes, Paul raised Eutychus from the dead; moreover, Simon Peter raised Dorcas from the dead!  This was a special gift that belonged to the apostles.  In our day, we do not have anyone who has the ability to raise anyone from the dead!  After the canon of Scripture was established, the sign gifts were not manifested – they vanished from the church.  The miracle of Paul raising Eutychus brought great excitement, for verse 12 says:  “And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.”  When Dr. Luke, the writer of Acts, writes that they “were not a little comforted,” he really means that they were really thrilled or excited that Eutychus had been raised from the dead and was back in their midst.

In some of our churches, there are many complaints directed to Pastors who preach ten or even five minutes longer than usual!  This church listened to Paul all night!  These believers simply want to hear a word from the Lord.  From verses 13-15, Dr. Luke relates that he and others of the group sailed to Assos, but Paul traveled on foot, and finally picking up Paul at Miletus.   Dr. Luke and others of the group sailed from Assos to Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Miletus.

From verses 16-38, Paul was unwilling to take time to revisit Ephesus and sends messengers to have the elders of that city meet him as he passes by.  Paul reviews his ministry with them (vv. 17-21) and shares that he is compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, aware that danger, imprisonment, and hardship await (vv. 22-31).  Paul commits these believers to the Lord, sure that they will never see one another again (vv. 32-38).

May God Bless!