Acts 20:24

Commentary on Acts 20:24

1. The Text

Acts 20:24 (King James Version):
“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.”

2. Context in Acts 20

Acts 20[i] records the Apostle Paul’s farewell to the elders of the church in Ephesus. He is travelling toward Jerusalem, compelled by the Holy Spirit, fully aware that suffering awaits him.

Acts 20:22–23 (KJV):
“And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.”

Paul’s speech is pastoral, weighty, and deeply personal. He reminds the elders of his manner of life, his teaching, his tears, his trials, and his wholehearted service to Christ.

3. Exegetical Commentary on Acts 20:24

“But none of these things move me”

Paul acknowledges the reality of suffering, but he is not shaken by it. His stability is not stoicism but gospel conviction. He is anchored in the sovereignty of God and the certainty of Christ’s call.

This reflects the Christian emphasis on God’s preserving grace. Paul is not strong in himself; he is upheld by the God who called him.

“Neither count I my life dear unto myself”

Paul is not careless with his life, but he refuses to make self-preservation his highest priority. His life is valuable, but not ultimate. Christ is ultimate.

This echoes Jesus’ teaching:

Matthew 16:24–25 (KJV):
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

Paul embodies this discipleship ethic.

“So that I might finish my course with joy”

Paul sees his life as a race marked out by God. His aim is not merely to finish, but to finish with joy—joy rooted in obedience, faithfulness, and the hope of Christ.

This anticipates his later words:

2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV):
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Joy is not the absence of hardship; it is the fruit of faithfulness.

“And the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus”

Paul’s ministry is not self-appointed. It is a stewardship entrusted to him by Christ Himself. This reinforces a Christian understanding of calling: God initiates, equips, and sustains.

Ministry is not a personal project; it is a divine commission.

“To testify the gospel of the grace of God”

This is the heart of Paul’s mission. The gospel is fundamentally about grace—God’s unearned favour shown in Jesus Christ’s saving work.

Paul’s task is to testify, to bear witness, to proclaim. His life is shaped by the message he preaches.

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4. Theological Insights

a. The Sovereignty of God in Calling

Paul’s ministry is received, not invented. God appoints His servants and equips them for the work He gives.

b. The Cost of Discipleship

Following Christ involves suffering, sacrifice, and self-denial. Yet it is marked by joy, not despair.

c. The Centrality of the Gospel of Grace

Paul’s life is oriented around the gospel. Grace is not an idea; it is the power that shapes his identity, mission, and endurance.

d. Perseverance as a Gift of Grace

Paul’s determination to finish his course reflects God’s preserving work. Perseverance is not human grit but divine grace in action.

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5. Application to Modern Christian Living

1. Hold your life loosely

We live in a culture that prizes comfort, safety, and self-protection. Paul challenges us to see our lives as belonging to Christ, not ourselves.

2. Embrace the race God has set before you

Your “course” may involve challenges, disappointments, or suffering. Yet God calls you to run with faithfulness and joy.

3. Remember that ministry is received, not achieved

Whether you serve in formal ministry or everyday Christian witness, your calling comes from Christ. This brings humility and confidence.

4. Make the gospel central

Paul’s life was shaped by the gospel of grace. Let the gospel shape your decisions, relationships, priorities, and hopes.

5. Expect hardship, but pursue joy

Christian joy is not fragile. It grows in the soil of obedience, trust, and hope in Christ.

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6. Meditation Guide

“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.”

Reflect

• What “things” tend to move you—fear, uncertainty, criticism, suffering?
• Do you count your life “dear” in ways that hinder obedience to Christ?
• What would it look like to finish your course with joy?

Pray

• Ask God to give you Paul’s clarity of purpose.
• Pray for courage to follow Christ even when it costs you.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your joy in the gospel of grace.

Act

• Identify one area where fear or self-protection is holding you back.
• Take one step of obedience this week, trusting God’s grace.
• Encourage someone else to persevere in their calling.

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[i] Acts 20

King James Version

20 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 publicly, 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.