Acts 20:31

Act 20:31. Therefore watch — With all diligence and care; take heed yourselves, and warn others to take heed; and remember, that by the space of three years, (for so long had he been preaching at Ephesus and the parts adjacent,) I ceased not to warn every one — To whom I had access; night and day with tears — This was watching indeed! Who copies after this example? Let it then, as if he had said, be your care, that a church planted by me with so much labour and solicitude, may not be ravaged and overthrown by the enemy, but that it may long continue to flourish. Observe here, reader, 1st, Paul, like a faithful watchman, had warned them publicly, by preaching, and by the warnings he thus gave them was instrumental in prevailing with them to receive the truth and turn to God. 2d, He warned every one. Besides the public warnings he gave to all in general that attended his ministry, he applied himself to particular persons, according as he saw their case called for it. 3d, He was constant in giving warning; he warned them night and day, his time was filled up with this work. 4th, He was indefatigable in it, he ceased not to warn; though some might be obstinate and persist in sin, disregarding his warnings, yet he persevered, hoping, that at length, by the grace of God, they would be reformed. And though others might appear to comply with his warnings, yet still he did not desist, fearing lest, although they were now righteous, they should, through the power of temptation, be overcome in some unguarded hour, and turn from their righteousness, Eze 3:18 to Eze 21:5 th, He addressed them, whether in public or private, with a great deal of affection and concern; he warned them with tears, namely, with tears of compassion; thereby showing how much he was himself affected with the danger an misery of those who were in a sinful state and false way; or with tears of love and gratitude to God in behalf of those who were savingly converted to him and adorned his gospel.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 20:31. Γρηγορεῖτε, watch) A pastoral expression.—νύκτα—ἓκαστον, by night—every one) This was great watchfulness. [And if this was becoming in an apostle, how much more is it so in a pastor!—V. g.]

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act_20:31. Γρηγορεῖτε] verbum pastorale, Bengel,comp. προσέχετε ἑαυτοῖς καὶ παντὶ τῷ ποιμνίῳ Act_20:28,and that, encouraged by the recollection of my own example, μνημονεύοντες, ὅτι κ.τ.λ.

τριετίαν] See on Act_19:10.

μετὰ δακρύων] extorted both by afflictions (Act_20:19) and by the sympathetic fervour with which Paul prosecuted his quite special (ἕνα ἕκαστον) pastoral care, 2Co_11:29; 2Co_2:4.

νύκτα κ. ἡμέρ.] See on Luk_2:37. νύκτα is here placed first, because it most closely corresponds to the figurative γρηγορεῖτε.

As to the idea of νουθεσία, admonition, see on Eph_6:4.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 20:31 . γρηγ .: the pastoral metaphor continued; verb used four times by St. Paul, and it may well have passed into familiar use in the early Church by the solemn injunction of our Lord on the Mount of Olives to watch, cf. also Luk 12:37 , 1Pe 5:8 , Rev 3:2-3 ; Rev 16:15 , and the names Gregory, Vigilantius , amongst the early converts. τριετίαν : the three years may be used summarily i.e. , as speaking in round numbers, or literally. It would have seemed out of place in such an appeal to say “two years and three months,” or whatever the exact time may have been. The intention was to give a practical turn to this watchfulness: triennium celeste , Bengel. The word is regarded by Vogel as a decided employment of a medical term by Luke from Dioscorides, see also to the same effect Meyer Weiss, Evangelium des Lukas , note on Act 1:1 . The word is found only here in N.T., not at all in LXX, but used by Theophr., Plut., Artem. νύκτα : perhaps placed first because it corresponded more closely to the idea of watching against attacks, or perhaps because it emphasised the ceaselessness of the Apostle’s labours, cf. Act 26:7 , 1Th 2:9 ; 1Th 3:10 , 1Ti 5:5 , 2Ti 1:3 . μετὰ δακρύων , cf. 2Co 2:4 , Chrys., Hom. , xliv. “Quod cor tamen saxatum, ut hisce lacrimis non emolliatur? qui non fleat flente Paulo?” Corn. à Lapide; see also Farrar, St. Paul , ii., 283. νουθετῶν : only here in Acts, but seven times in St. Paul’s Epistles, but nowhere else in N.T., “admonish,” R.V. In classical Greek it is joined both with παρακαλεῖν and κολάζειν ; St. Paul too used it in gentleness, or “with a rod”. In LXX, Job 4:3 ; Wis 11:10 ; Wis 12:2 . ἕνα ἕκαστον , 2Co 11:29 and Joh 10:3 ; αἶς ἕκαστος twice in St. Luke’s Gospel, Luk 4:40 , Luk 16:5 , six times in Acts, five times in St. Paul’s Epistles (only once elsewhere in N.T., Mat 26:22 , but not in T.R.).

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

by the space of three years--speaking in round numbers; for it was nearer three than two years.

I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears--What an appeal to be able to make! "And if this was an apostle's part, how much more a pastor's!" [BENGEL].

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 31. Therefore watch, and remember] The only way to abide in the truth is to watch against evil, and for good; and to keep in mind the heavenly doctrines originally received. Unwatchfulness and forgetfulness are two grand inlets to apostasy.

By the space of three years] τριετιαν. The Greek word here does not necessarily mean three whole years: it may be months more or less. In Ac 19:8; Ac 19:10, we have an account of his spending two years and three months among them; probably this is all that is intended. One MS., perceiving that the time of three years was not completed, inserts διετιαν, the space of two years.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

31. For which cause, watch. Paul doth again exhort them unto diligence by his own example, though he doth join therewithal fear of danger, as if he should say that they have need of great attention to beware; and that it is an unseemly thing that they should be wearied who had seen his singular patience by the space of three years. Also, he speaketh of his tears, which did add no small efficacy to his exhortations. Whereas he saith that he admonished every one, it may be referred as well unto the common people as unto the elders. For because he was determined to speak such things as should be common to the whole Church, he speaketh as if the whole body were present. Nevertheless, if any had rather restrain it unto the order of the pastors, the meaning shall be this, that their studies must be kindled, not only with this speech which he now maketh, but that it is meet that they remember those often exhortations which he did continually beat in by the space of three years, and that with many tears. Yet it seemeth to me to be more likely that he speaketh of all in general.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(31) Therefore watch . . .—The word was, as it were, an echo from our Lord’s teaching (Mat_24:42; Mat_25:13, et al.), which could hardly have been unknown to St. Paul. Here, however, it receives a fresh significance from its connection with the term episcopi. They who were the bishops, the overseers, the watchers of the flock, ought, above all others, to set an example of vigilance.

By the space of three years.—Strictly speaking, the narrative of the Acts accounts for three months’ preaching in the synagogue (Act_19:8), two years in the school of Tyrannus (Act_19:10), and an undefined period embracing the time immediately before and after the tumult of Demetrius. This would be enough to warrant him describing the time of his ministry, speaking roughly, as extending over three years.

To warn every one night and day with tears.—Comp. Note on Act_20:19.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

31. Therefore watch] The sort of watching implied is that unsleeping alertness which can never be taken by surprise.

and remember, that by the space of three years] As the verb here is a participial form the Rev. Ver. translates “Wherefore watch ye, remembering, &c.,” in which there is this gain, that the watchfulness which the Apostle enjoins is thus enforced by his own example. Be ye watchful, because ye know that I was so night and day while I was among you. The “three years” may be a speaking in round numbers, yet it cannot have been far from the length of time which Paul spent at Ephesus. See notes on Act_19:8; Act_19:10.

I ceased not to warn [admonish, Rev. Ver.] every one night and day with tears] We know from his appeal to the Corinthians (2Co_11:29) and other places, how sympathetic St Paul was in all that concerned his flock. “Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?” And if for weakness and offences, how much more in a city like Ephesus where idolatry was rampant everywhere. We need not confine the “every one” to the presbyters, St Paul’s labour was spent on the whole Ephesian Church.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

I have showed you all things,.... Both as to doctrine and practice, and had set them an example how to behave in every point, and particularly in this:

how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak; the sense of which is, that they should labour with their hands as he did, and so support the weak; either such who were weak in body, and unable to work and help themselves, and therefore should be helped, assisted, relieved, and supported by the labours of others, that were able; or the weak in faith, and take nothing of them, lest they should think the preachers of the word sought only their own worldly advantage, and so they should be stumbled and fall from the truth:

and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus; which the apostle had either collected as the sense of some passages of his, such as Luk 6:30, &c. or which though not recorded in any of the Gospels, the apostle might have received from one or other of the twelve disciples, as what were frequently used by Christ in the days of his flesh; and which the apostle had inculcated among the Ephesians, and now puts them in mind of them, they being worthy of remembrance: how he said,

it is more blessed to give than to receive: it is more comfortable, honourable, pleasant, and profitable: the giver is in a more comfortable situation, having an abundance, at least a sufficiency, and something to spare; whereas the receiver is often in want and distress, and so uncomfortable: it is an honour to give; an honour is reflected upon the giver, both by the receiver, and others; when to receive is an instance of meanness, and carries in it, among men, some degree of dishonour: it is a pleasure to a liberal man to distribute to the necessities of others; and it cannot be grateful to a man to be in such circumstances, as make it necessary for him to receive from others, and be dependent on them; and great are the advantages and profit which a cheerful giver reaps, both in this world, and that to come: wherefore the conclusion which the apostle would have drawn from hence is, that it is much more eligible for a man to work with his own hands, and support himself, and assist others, than to receive at the hands of others.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Ver. 31. Night and day with tears] Good men weep easily, saith the Greek poet; {a} and the better any is, the more inclined to weeping; as David than Jonathan, 1Sa 20:41. Some (as they say of witches) cannot weep for sin. But they that weep not here, where there are wiping handkerchiefs in the hands of Christ, shall have their eyes whiped out in hell.

{a} αγαθοι δ αριδακρυες αυδρες.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Therefore watch - Mat 24:42. In view of the dangers which beset yourselves Act 20:28, the danger from people not connected with the church Act 20:29, and the danger which will arise from the love of power among yourselves Act 20:30, be on your guard. Observe the approach of danger, and set yourselves against it.

Remember - Recall my counsels and admonitions in reference to these dangers.

By the space of three years - In Act 19:10, we are told that Paul spent two years in the school of Tyrannus. In Act 19:8, it is said that he was teaching in the synagogue at Ephesus three months. In addition to this, it is not improbable that he spent some months more in Ephesus in instructing the church in other places. Perhaps, however, by the phrase three years, he meant to use merely a round number, denoting about three years; or, in accordance with the Jewish custom, part of each of the three years one whole year, and a considerable portion of the two others. Compare the notes on Mat 12:40.

I ceased not - I continued to do it.

To warn - To admonish; to place before the mind νουθετῶν nouthetōn; setting the danger and duty of each individual before him.

Everyone - He had thus set them an example of what he had enjoined, Act 20:28. He had admonished each individual, whatever was his rank or standing. It is well when a minister can refer to his own example as an illustration of what he meant by his precepts.

Night and day - Continually; by every opportunity.

With tears - Expressive of his deep feeling, and his deep interest in their welfare. See the notes on Act 20:19.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Watch; take heed yourselves, and warn others to take heed.

By the space of three years; from St. Paul’s first coming to Ephesus it was three years current, and now almost complete, Act 19:8,10; 20:3.

With tears; a great, and no feigned παθος; as Christ wept over Jerusalem, Luk 19:41, so St. Paul over the unbelieving Jews; it went to his heart to think that they could not be saved. See how St. Paul loved souls, and pitied souls.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

31. Three years—In round numbers. Three months in the synagogue, (Act_19:8,) two years in the school of Tyrannus, (Acts 10,) preceded by a brief visit, (Act_18:21,) and followed, perhaps, by a short delay, (Act_20:1.)

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Wherefore watch ye for therefore watch, A.V.; remembering for and remember, A.V.; admonish for warn, A.V. By the space of three years (trietian). The word is only found here in the New Testament; but it is used in the LXX of Isa_15:5 and 2Ch_31:16, and in classical Greek. We have here one of the few chronological data in the Acts. Three years includes the whole of his sojourn at Ephesus as his headquarters. There were first the three months during which he preached in the synagogue; then the two years which he spent in preaching in the school of Tyrannus, and which terminated with the incident of burning the books of magic. (Act_19:8, Act_19:10, Act_19:19) Then there was an indefinite time described in Act_19:22 as "for a while" (aujtosce cro) during which he was busy making plans, probably writing letters, sending off Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia, and perhaps making missionary expeditions in the neighborhood. This may have occupied three or four months longer, and made up a term of two years and six, seven, or eight months, which would quite justify the term trietia. Every one. Each one separately, not merely the whole flock together. A weighty lesson for every one who has the cure of souls. (comp. Joh_10:3) Night and day. The night is mentioned first, in accordance with Hebrew usage (meron). (Gen_1:5, Gen_1:8, Gen_1:13, etc.; comp. the word nucqh in 2Co_11:25) St. Paul enforces the word "Watch," so appropriate to shepherds who watch over their flocks by night, (Luk_2:8) by his own example of admonishing by night as well as day.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

I ceased not to warn every one night and day - This was watching indeed! Who copies after this example?

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

31. “Watch, therefore, remembering that three years, night and day, I ceased not warning each one of you with tears.” Paul was a weeping prophet, his tears giving a force to the truth as nothing else could. I preached fifteen years with dry eyes. Then sanctification, breaking up the fountains of my tears, made me a weeping prophet, so I have preached thirty years, my eyes flowing like rivers. Rest assured the Holy Ghost can find the pent-up fountains of tears in the most arid soul. God help us to be personal like Paul, looking our beloved in the face and telling them the whole truth, as here you see he looks these Ephesian elders squarely in the physiognomy and tells them that some of them will turn Satan’s wolves and lead off disciples after them. How signally true has this sad Pauline prophecy been verified in the merciless laceration of the Apostolic church into six thousand sectarian denominations, filling the world with confusion, i. e., Babylon. Entire sanctification, the only grace adequate to fortify us against human leadership and put us where we will follow Jesus only, has for this very reason been rejected and antagonized by the party leaders of all ages, from the simple fact that it renders the people unmanageable by human manipulators and puts them where God alone can lead them by His precious Word, instructing their minds, His sweet Holy Spirit illuminating their spirits, and His gracious providence determining their environments. Glory to God, for His wonderful triple leadership, actually infallible when duly appreciated. Sad will be the day for the present holiness movement when captured and manipulated by human leaders. As God’s revivals in by- gone ages, the Church of God is ruled by the Holy Ghost alone, having no laws, no creed and no authority but God’s Word. It is the very audacity of Satan to invade God’s Church through the instrumentality of his preachers, i. e., the “grievous wolves” predicted by Paul. Oh, how they have scattered, torn and devoured God’s flock in all ages! The word “heresy” means separation. Hence all separation from God and His Word is heresy. Such is the predominant influence of Satan in this awfully wicked world during these dark ages of Satanic triumph, that he actually perverts everything pertaining to truth and righteousness, calling evil good, and good evil. Hence the Lord’s people, in all ages, have been anathematized and slaughtered under charge of heresy. It was true, they had separated from the devil and his people, and were heretics from their standpoint. So it is, this day, very difficult to walk with God in the beauty of holiness and the clear light of His Word, the fullness and freedom of His Spirit, without constant collision, ostracism and persecution by the great human ecclesiasticisms, antagonistical to God’s Word and Spirit, and claiming a right to domineer human conscience, which is the prerogative of God alone. Hence we live amid the awful fulfillment of the Pauline prediction of these “grievous wolves,” i. e., carnal men, “speaking perverse things, in order to draw off disciples after them.”

William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

See notes on verse 28

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

be on guard. Remember

"be on guard and remember" or "be on guard as you remember"

be on guard

"be awake and alert" or "watch out." Christian leaders being alert about anyone that may harm the community of believers is spoken of as if they were guards in an army watching out for the enemy army. (See: Metaphor)

Remember that

"Continue to remember that" or "Do not forget that"

for three years I did not stop instructing ... night and day

Paul did not teach them continuously for three years, but over the space of three years. (See: Hyperbole and Generalization)

I did not stop instructing

"I did not stop warning"

with tears

Here "tears" refers to Paul's crying because of the strong emotion of concern he felt while he was warning the people. (See: Metonymy)

I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace

Here "word" stands for a message. AT: "I ask God to take care of you and that he will help you to keep believing the message I spoke to you about his grace" (See: Metonymy)

entrust

to give someone else the responsibility of taking care of someone or something

which is able to build you up

A person's faith becoming stronger is spoken of as if the person were a wall and someone were building him higher and stronger. AT: "which is able to make become stronger and stronger in your faith" (See: Metaphor)

to give you the inheritance

This speaks about the "word of his grace" as if it were God himself that would give the inheritance to believers. AT: "God will give you the inheritance" (See: Personification)

the inheritance

The blessings that God gives believers is spoken of as if they were money or property that a child inherits from his father. (See: Metaphor)

translationWords

year

God

grace

inherit

set apart

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

31. διὸ γρηγορεῖτε, therefore watch. And the sort of watching indicated is that unsleeping alertness which can never be taken by surprise.

μνημονεύοντες κ.τ.λ., remembering that by the space of three years. St Paul enforces watchfulness by appealing to his own example. Be ye watchful, bearing in mind that I was so night and day while I laboured among you. The three years may be a speaking in round numbers, but it cannot have been a much less time that St Paul spent in Ephesus. See notes on Act 19:8; Act 19:10.

οὐκ ἐπαυσάμην μετὰ δακρύων νουθετῶν κ.τ.λ., I ceased not to admonish every one with tears. We know from his appeal to the Corinthians (2Co 11:29) and from other places, how sympathetic St Paul was in all that concerned his flock. ‘Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?’ And if for weakness and offences, how much more in a city like Ephesus where idolatry was rampant everywhere! We need not confine the ‘every one’ to the presbyters; St Paul’s labour was spent on the whole Ephesian Church.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

31.] μνημ. ὅτι is only (retf.) used by Paul.

νύκτα κ. ἡμέραν] This expression is remarkable: we have it (see reff.) in Mark, but Luke always uses the genitive, except in the speeches of Paul: and so Paul himself, except as in reff.

νουθετῶν (reff.) is used only by Paul.

On the three years spoken of in this verse, see note, ch. 19:10. We may just remark here (1) that this passage being precise and definite, must be the master key to those others (as in ch. 19) which give wide and indefinite notes of time: and (2) that it seems at first sight to preclude the idea of a journey (as some think) to Crete and Corinth having taken place during this period. But this apparent inference may require modifying by other circumstances: cf. Prolegg. to 1 Cor. § v. 4.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Watch [γρηγορειτε] . See on Mr 8:35.

To warn [νουθετων] . From nouv, the mind, and tiqhmi, to put. Lit., to put in mind; admonish (so Rev., better than warn). "It's fundamental idea is the well - intentioned seriousness with which one would influence the mind and disposition of another by advice, admonition, warning, putting right, according to circumstances" [χρεμερ] .

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.