1 AND after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.
6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

1And after the vprore was ceased, Paul called vnto him the disciples, and imbraced them, & departed, for to go into Macedonia.

2And when he had gone ouer those parts, and had giuen them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

3And there abode three moneths: and when the Iewes layed waite for him, as hee was about to saile into Syria, hee purposed to returne thorow Macedonia.

4And there accompanied him into Asia, Sopater of Berea: and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus, and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus: and of Asia Tychicus and Trophimus.

5These going before, taried for vs at Troas:

6And wee sailed away from Philippi, after the dayes of vnleauened bread, and came vnto them to Troas in fiue dayes, where we abode seuen daies.

7And vpon the first day of the weeke, when the disciples came together to breake bread, Paul preached vnto them, ready to depart on the morrow, and continued his speach vntill midnight.

8And there were many lights in the vpper chamber where they were gathered together.

9And there sate in a window a certaine yong man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deepe sleepe, and as Paul was long preaching, hee sunke downe with sleepe, and fel downe from the third loft, and was taken vp dead.

10And Paul went downe, and fell on him, and embracing him, saide, Trouble not your selues, for his life is in him.

11When hee therefore was come vp againe, & had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, euen till breake of day, so he departed.

12And they brought the yong man aliue, and were not a little comforted.

13 And wee went before to ship, and sailed vnto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had hee appointed, minding himselfe to goe afoote.

14And when he met with vs at Assos, wee tooke him in, and came to Mitylene.

15And wee sailed thence, and came the next day ouer against Chios, and the next day we arriued at Samos, and taried at Trogyllium: and the next day we came to Miletus.

16For Paul had determined to saile by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Hierusalem the day of Pentecost.

17 And from Miletus hee sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church.

18And when they were come to him, he said vnto them, Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what maner I haue bene with you at all seasons,

19Seruing the Lord with all humilitie of minde, and with many teares, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Iewes:

20And how I kept backe nothing that was profitable vnto you, but haue shewed you, and haue taught you publikely, and from house to house,

21Testifying both to the Iewes and also to the Greekes, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ.

22And now behold, I goe bound in the spirit vnto Hierusalem, not knowing the things that shal befall me there:

23Saue that the holy Ghost witnesseth in euery city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

24But none of these things mooue me, neither count I my life deare vnto my self, so that I might finish my course with ioy, & the ministery which I haue receiued of the Lord Iesus, to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God.

25And now behold, I know that ye all, among whom I haue gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27For I haue not shunned to declare vnto you all the counsell of God.

28 Take heed therefore vnto your selues, & to all the flocke, ouer the which the holy Ghost hath made you ouerseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29For I know this, that after my departing shall grieuous wolues enter in among you, not sparing the flocke.

30Also of your owne selues shal men arise, speaking peruerse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three yeeres, I ceased not to warne euery one night and day with teares.

32And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you vp, and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

33I haue coueted no mans siluer, or golde, or apparell.

34Yea, you your selues know, that these handes haue ministred vnto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

35I haue shewed you all things, how that so labouring, yee ought to support the weake, and to remember the words of the Lord Iesus, how he said, It is more blessed to giue, then to receiue.

36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled downe, & prayed with them all.

37And they all wept sore, and fell on Pauls necke, and kissed him,

38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him vnto the ship.

 

1 When the disturbance was over, Paul had the disciples summoned and, after encouraging them, he bade them farewell and set out on his journey to Macedonia. 2 As he traveled throughout those regions, he provided many words of encouragement for them. Then he arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed for three months. But when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return by way of Macedonia. 4 Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, from Beroea, accompanied him, as did Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia 5 who went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 We sailed from Philippi after the feast of Unleavened Bread, and rejoined them five days later in Troas, where we spent a week. 7 On the first day of the week when we gathered to break bread, Paul spoke to them because he was going to leave on the next day, and he kept on speaking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were gathered, 9 and a young man named Eutychus who was sitting on the window sill was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. Once overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and when he was picked up, he was dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself upon him, and said as he embraced him, "Don't be alarmed; there is life in him." 11 Then he returned upstairs, broke the bread, and ate; after a long conversation that lasted until daybreak, he departed. 12 And they took the boy away alive and were immeasurably comforted. 13 We went ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos where we were to take Paul on board, as he had arranged, since he was going overland. 14 When he met us in Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 We sailed away from there on the next day and reached a point off Chios, and a day later we reached Samos, and on the following day we arrived at Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus in order not to lose time in the province of Asia, for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if at all possible, for the day of Pentecost. 17 From Miletus he had the presbyters of the church at Ephesus summoned. 18 When they came to him, he addressed them, "You know how I lived among you the whole time from the day I first came to the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with all humility and with the tears and trials that came to me because of the plots of the Jews, 20 and I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for your benefit, or from teaching you in public or in your homes. 21 I earnestly bore witness for both Jews and Greeks to repentance before God and to faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know, 23 except that in one city after another the holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me. 24 Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God's grace. 25 "But now I know that none of you to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels will ever see my face again. 26 And so I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, 27 for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30 And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. 31 So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. 33 I have never wanted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34 You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. 35 In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 36 When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, 38 for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

v1. During the time at Ephesus Paul had ministered as far as Illyricum, present day Yugoslavia. He had wanted to cross to Macedonia, so following the uproar was an ideal time.
v2-5. After visiting the Macedonian churches he went down to Greece (southern Achaia and spent about 3 months in Corinth.  Becoming aware of a plot on his life at the port, he walked up through Macedonia instead  of sailing for Syria. Several loyal helpers preceded him to Troas, but apparently “us”, at least Luke was with him. These seven men were carrying funds from their churches to help the saints at Jerusalem.
v6. Paul had stayed behind to celebrate the Passover at Philippi. Note the difference in sailing time from the two days when the Lord hastened him to Macedonia. Probably had to wait a week at Troas for a ship.
v7-12. The first day of the week has already been established for the church to partake of the Lord’s Supper. The familiar story of Paul’s long preaching and the youth going to sleep and falling out the window. The many lamps with warm stuffiness contributed to the late hour. Luke the physician declared him dead, but Paul restored him in much the same manner as Elijah and Elisha, 1 Kings 17:21 and 2 Kings 4:34,35. He continued to preach till dawn then had the Lord’s supper. At some point they had also had a love feast.
v13-17. Probably after a rest Paul felt it would be physically and spiritually refreshing to take the shorter 6 -8 hour 20 mile walk alone. Boarding again at Asa the route is described to Miletus. The delay of stopping among so many friends at Ephesus might have made him late for the Pentecost at Jerusalem, so he just had the Ephesian elders come see him while the ship was in layover.
v18-21. First Paul gives them a review of his past three years in Ephesus., the troubles, his faithfulness in teaching and the consistency of preaching repentance and faith. Repentance is futile unless it is accompanied by faith. Notice he taught publicly and house to house.
v22-27. Second a description of the present situation. He has a real concern for what he will face, but his own spirit compels him to go. He is not being fool hardy as getting on the ship at Cenchrea would have been. Several with the gift of prophecy from the Holy Spirit have warned him, v23, of prison and hardships ahead. He is determined to finish the race, which he did, 2 Tim. 4:7, but because of warnings he is sure he will never see them as a group again. He stood the blood test of Ezekiel 3:17-21 because he had proclaimed all the counsel of God.
v28-35. Third the future responsibilities of the Ephesian elders. They are to be shepherds of the flock, the church, bought by Christ’s blood. They are to guard against apostasy from outside false teachers as well as some from within who would distort the truth or had joined only to be spies. (A time in a church we started where an old lady attended as a spy for opposition.) The danger at this church was so real he had constantly warned them with tears. (At this point draw a circle or square on chalkboard showing false teachers in one corner of it and wolves of persecution trying to get in.) They had no New Testament as we have. He commends them (1) to God (2) to the word of His grace. These will (1) Build you up (2) Give you an inheritance. He reminds them of his own example in working to support himself and others, and encourages them to also support the weak. In v. 35 the words of Jesus” It is more blessed to give than to receive” is not recorded but is alluded to in Luke 14:12-14.

v36-38. A blessed parting prayer, but how sorrowful the parting knowing it would be the last time they would meet on earth. They may have watched as long as they could see his form on the ship. We experience some of that when parting from elderly loved ones or dangerous situations, or pioneers going west. (invite a few  personal illustrations of parting