Coachlight Bible Study - Acts Chapter 20

Characteristics of the Didaskalos

 

In the last chapter, Demetrius, a silversmith making shrines to Diana, caused an uproar against Paul.  Two of Paul's companions had been taken to the Ampitheatre in Ephesis presumably to be victims in gladiator spectacles.  The Lord used the townclerk to deliver his people, and Paul left for Macedonia

Paul leaves Ephesis and travels up and down Macedonia, Greece, Asia, and finily to Troas where he met his friends There Paul breaks bread with his friends and preached. After raising a boy who fell out of a window while Paul was preaching, Paul leaves to Assos.  There he meets with Luke and other disciples and sails to a seaport next to Ephesis Paul calls a meeting  with the Elders of the Church at Ephesus. At that meeting we have the characteristics of a great teacher (didaskalos) -  characteristics of compassion to teach, discipling, warnings, and encouragement to feed the flock.

In this chapter, Paul demonstrates what it means to tend God's flock, and as he charged Timothy, he challenges us today:

 

2 Timothy 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

 

I. After The Uproar. (Acts 20:1-6)

A. Paul had intended to go to Macedonia in the last chapter

 

Acts 19:21  After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

 

B. Paul leaves Ephesis and goes to Macedonia first

1. He gave them much exortation

3870 parakalew parakaleo par-ak-al-eh’-o

2. He watered churches he had planted

a. Philippi

b. Thessalonica

C. He left for Greece 

1. It was on his way to Greece that the first epistle to the Corinthians was written

a. Unleavened bread mentioned to note the time

b. Paul taught,  that Christs is our Passover,  and a Christian life our feast of unleavened bread

 

1 Corinthians 5:7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: {is sacrificed; or, is slain}

1 Corinthians 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. {the feast: or, holyday}

 

2. In Greece (Achaia) for 3 months

D.  Paul returns  To Macedonia

a. was about to sail to Antioch of Syria

b. Paul changed his mind,  and returned to Macedonia,  the same way he came.

c. The Jews were after him - Wanting to kill him

E. Details of Paul's trip we get from his Epistles

1. Paul wanted to stay at Ephesis until after Pentecost

 

1 Corinthians 16:8  But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

 

2. Paul went to Troas again - A door opened

 

2 Corinthians 2:12  Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

 

3. Paul would have remained longer except that Titus had not arrived

a.  Titus, whom he sent to Corinth to finish the collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem

b. Paul wanted to bring him word what effect his first Epistle to that church had produced.

 

1 Corinthians 16:1  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of  Galatia, even so do ye.

1 Corinthians 16:2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

2 Corinthians 8:6  Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. {grace: or, gift}

 

4. Titus not arriving as soon as Paul concerned him

 

2 Corinthians 7:5  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

 

5. Paul left the brethren at Troas, and went to Macedonia.

a. It was, no doubt, the city of  Phillipi that he came to (Nicopolis, its seaport)

compare these two Scriptures

 

2 Corinthians 11:9  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

 

Philippians 4:15  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

 

6. Finally Titus arrived, to the joy of Paul and brought good news from Corinth

 

2 Corinthians 7:6  Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

2 Corinthians 7:7  And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

2 Corinthians 7:13  Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

 

E. Paul went to Troas,  where he had set up a rendezvous of his friends

1. Sopater of Berea

2.From Thesolonica

a, Aristarchus

b. Secundus

3. From Derbe

a. Gaius

b. Timotheus

4. From Asia

a. Tychicus

b. Trophimus.

5. Luke sailed from Phillipi to meet Paul in Troas - Paul left him there in chapter 16

III. Lord's Supper and Paul Preaches at Troas - (Acts 20:7-8)

A. They were gathered together in an upper chamber of a home

B. They came together to break bread - Paul taught the Corinthians

 

1 Corinthians 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

 

C. Paul preaches a long sermon

IV. Eutychus .Falls Three Stories (Acts 20:9-12)

A. A yong man fell asleep

B. Fell from the third loft

C. Taken for dead

D. Paul falls on him - like Elisha and Eljah

 

2 Kings 4:34  And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

 

1 Kings 17:21  And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again. {stretched: Heb. measured} {into…: Heb. into his inward parts}

 

E. Paul then broke bread and preached until morning

F. They were comforted because Eutychus was alive

3870 parakalew parakaleo par-ak-al-eh’-o

G. Paul takes off on foot to Assos

V. Paul's Journey To The Seaport Next To Ephesis (Acts 20:14-16)

A. At Assos Paul went on board ship with Luke and his friends

B. Paul takes the best route one would take to Jerusalem

1. His ship passed by Chios

2. And Samos

3. They stayed awhile at Trogyllium,  the seaport next to Samos

4. The next day they came to Miletus,  the seaport next to Ephesus

a. Paul didn't want to stay in Asia Minor

b. He wanted to go to Jerusalem for Pentecost

c. It had been 4-5 years since he had been to Jerusalem (chapter 18)

 

VI. Paul Calls For The Elders Of Ephesis To Meet Him at Melitas(Acts 20:17)

 

VII. Paul Speaks To The Elders Of Ephesis (Acts 20:18-38)

A. Paul's Service to the Lord in Asia (Acts 20:18-19)

1. He served in all seasons

2. He served with humility

3. He served with many tears

4. He served with temptations - The Jews laying wait for him

5. As Paul later wrote to the Philippian church:

 

Philippians 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

B. Paul's Passion To Teach Christ (Acts 20:20-21)

1. Paul held nothing profitable back to them

2. Showed and taught them

a. Publicly

b. From house to house

 

312 anaggellw anaggello an-ang-el’-lo

from 303 and the base of 32; TDNT-1:61,10; v

AV-tell 6, show 6, declare 3, rehearse 1, speak 1, report 1; 18

1) to announce, make known

2) to report, bring back tidings, rehearse

 

1321 didaskw didasko did-as’-ko

a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb dao (to learn); TDNT-2:135,161;

AV-teach 93, taught + 2258 4; 97

1) to teach

1a) to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses

1b) to be a teacher

1c) to discharge the office of a teacher, conduct one’s self as a teacher

2) to teach one

2a) to impart instruction

2b) instill doctrine into one

2c) the thing taught or enjoined

2d) to explain or expound a thing

2f) to teach one something

 

3. Who Paul taught

a. To the Jews

b. To the Gentiles

4. What Paul taught

a. Repentance toward God

b. Faith toward Chrst

5. Jesus was called didaskalos come from God

 

John 3:2  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

6. Jesus was called didaskalos who taught eternal life

 

Matthew 19:16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

 

C. Paul's Willingness to suffer for Christ (Acts 20:22-24)

1. Paul goes to Jerusalem bound in the spirit

{Bound in the spirit} (dedemenov tw pneumati). Perfect passive participle of dew,  to bind,  with the locative case. "Bound in my spirit" he means,  as in

 

Acts 19:21  After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

 

from a high sense of duty. The mention of "the Holy Spirit" specifically in verse 23 seems to be in contrast to his own spirit here. His own spirit was under the control of the Holy Spiritand the sense does not differ greatly.

 

Romans 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

 

2. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself

a. So that I might finish my course with joy

b. So that I may finish my course with the ministry

1. Which I have received of the Lord Jesus

2. To testify the gospel of the grace of God.

 

D. Paul's purity from the blood of all men (Acts 20:25-27)

1. Because he preached unto them the Kingdom of God

 

{I am pure from the blood of all men} (kayarov eimi apo tou aimatov pantwn). Paul was sensitive on this point as in:

 

Acts 18:6  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

2. Because he did not hold back the council of God

 

E. Paul's warning of strife to come (Acts 20:28-31)

1. Mind compassionately the work to which they were called.

2. The Holy Ghost has made you overseers of the flock

3. Feed the flock - be a shepherd - as Jesus said:

 

John 21:16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 

4. Wolves will come amoung you to divide

a. From among the flock

b. From among the elders

5 Watch and remember - 3 years night and day with tears Paul tended the flock since he planted the church.

 

F. Paul Commends them to God (Acts 20:32)

 

3908 paratiyhmi paratithemi par-at-ith’-ay-mee

from 3844 and 5087; TDNT-8:162,1176; v

AV-set before 9, commit 3, commend 3, put forth 2, commit the keeping of 1, allege 1; 19

 

1) to place beside or near or set before

1a) food, i.e. food placed on a table

1b) to set before (one) in teaching

1c) to set forth (from one’s self), to explain

2) to place down (from one’s self or for one’s self) with any one

2a) to deposit

2b) to intrust, commit to one’s charge

 

1. Paul also commended his disciple Timothy

 

1 Timothy 1:18  This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

2 Timothy 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. {among: or, by}

2. Paul commended the Ephesian Elders

a. To God

b. To Word of His Grace

3. It will build you up

4. Give you your inheritance

 

G. Paul reminds them to give (Acts 20:33-35)

1. Paul never aimed at worldly wealth

2.Paul's own hands had labored for his and others needs

3. They should so labor

a. To give to the weak

b. Remember it is better to give than receive

 

H. Paul's Farewell (Acts 20:36-38)

1. Paul kneeled down and prayed

2. They all said their sorrowful goodbyes

3. Sorrowful because they would see him nomore

4. They saw him to the ship

 

2 Timothy 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.