WeekLy BooK oF Acts
17 - When they stopped at Miletus Paul went ashore and sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church, 18 and when they came, he said to them, “You know how I lived among you the whole time [for three years] from the first day I set foot in Asia. 19 By serving the Lord in humility, with tears and trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jewish/Hebrew leaders. 20 But how I didn’t shrink from proclaiming to you anything that was of benefit. And teaching you both in public and from house to house, 21 I testified to both Hebrews and Greeks, the repentance [metanoia - a change of mind, change in the inner person, repentance] toward God, and of faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, I’m going to Jerusalem, bound by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except the Holy Spirit has testified to me in every city that imprisonment and affliction awaits me. 24 But! I don’t account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course, the mission I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify and proclaim the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now I know that none of you to whom I have gone about testifying of the kingdom, will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all. [Ezekiel 3:18 - If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood/death.] 27 I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God, 28 so pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Take care of the church of God, which he obtained with his own sufferings. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 And also, from among you yourselves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away disciples, into following them.
31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I didn’t cease night or day to teach and warn each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance - among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands worked for my necessities and of those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of everyone. And they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because he had said they wouldn’t see him again. And they accompanied him back to the ship.
🗝️ [ ] - word/language insights, facts, cross references, etc.
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By Necessity Paraphrased
Weekly ‘Enter the Story’ Reading & Study
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