Acts 20:35

Commentary on Acts 20:35

35 I have shown you in every way, by labouring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

The teaching of Acts 20:35 centres on Christ’s words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Paul uses this saying to underline the necessity of supporting the weak through diligent labour, modelling Christ’s self-giving love and calling every believer to generosity as an expression of grace.

Context within Acts 20

In Acts 20[i], Paul summons the Ephesian elders at Miletus for a heartfelt farewell. He reviews his ministry—teaching publicly and from house to house, enduring tears and trials—and warns of savage wolves and false teachers (Acts 20:18–31).

Paul then reminds them that he never coveted material gain but supported himself by hard work (Acts 20:33–34). Finally, he declares he has shown them “by labouring like this” the duty to care for the weak, and he invokes Jesus’ own saying: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Theological Significance

• Sovereignty and Grace
  Generosity flows from God’s sovereign grace. Believers, having received unmerited favour in Christ, respond by giving out of thankful hearts rather than obligation alone.
• Law and Gospel
  While no one earns salvation by good works, good deeds—such as supporting the weak—are evidence of genuine faith and the Holy Spirit’s work in sanctification (Ephesians 2:8–10).
• Stewardship and Common Grace
  All resources belong to God. Christians steward time, talents and treasures for gospel ministry and communal care, reflecting God’s common grace to humanity (Psalm 24:1).

Application to Modern Christian Living

• Supporting the Weak
  Local churches practise diaconal ministry—meals programmes, counselling, financial aid—to uphold the vulnerable as Paul instructed.
• Personal Generosity
  Believers can cultivate regular giving patterns—tithes, offerings, sponsorships—and volunteer labour, balancing personal and communal needs.
• Witness to the Gospel
  Generosity transcends culture’s profit-driven ethos. When Christians live out Paul’s model, they display gospel compassion and attract unbelievers to Christ’s transformative love (Matthew 5:16).

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Practical Takeaways

• Set aside a portion of income or time each week for those in need.
• Encourage church elders and deacons to identify and resource the marginalised.
• Reflect regularly on Scripture passages about giving (e.g. Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6–7) to renew your heart.
• Remember that true blessedness comes from mirroring Christ’s self-giving example rather than receiving praise or material gain.

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[i] 20 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece 3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

Ministering at Troas

7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where [a]they were gathered together. 9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

From Troas to Miletus

13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had [b]given orders, intending himself to go on foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

The Ephesian Elders Exhorted

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 [c]But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my [d]race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent[e] of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not [f]shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church [g]of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking [h]perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 [i]Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He 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 all. 37 Then they all wept [j]freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Footnotes

Acts 20:8 NU, M we

Acts 20:13 arranged it

Acts 20:24 NU But I do not count my life of any value or dear to myself

Acts 20:24 course

Acts 20:26 Lit. clean

Acts 20:27 avoided declaring

Acts 20:28 M of the Lord and God

Acts 20:30 misleading

Acts 20:34 NU, M omit Yes

Acts 20:37 Lit. much