Acts 20:20-21 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,… I. ITS NATURE — Testimony. He laid no claim to originality: he was simply a witness to tell just what he knew, no more, no less, and in such a way as to create conviction. 1. This testimony was — (1) Complete — "I kept back nothing": "I shunned not to declare all," etc. (2) Profitable. It is worth man's while to listen to it. "Godliness is profitable," etc. (3) Clear — "Showed you." (4) Educational — "Sought you." 2. This testimony was delivered — (1) Publicly. (2) Privately. II. ITS OBJECTS — "Jews and Greeks." 1. To all men as generally typified by those two great races. The gospel is an universal remedy for an universal need. 2. To those whom Jews and Greeks specially represent. (1) The Jews as representing the Pharisaism, Sadduceeism — the formalism and religious freethinking of all time. (2) The Greeks as representing the culture, science, art and worldliness of every age. III. ITS THEMES. 1. Repentance — the afterthought which is the result of the discovery and sense of sin. Hence it is — (1) Self-knowledge — coming to one's self. (2) Self-abhorrence. (3) Hatred of that which has made self what it is. (4) Penitential sorrow before God. (5) Change of life. 2. Faith. Repentance is of no value in itself and cannot atone for sin nor avert sin's consequences. The object of faith is Christ who has borne our sins. The penitent sinner trusts Him and is saved. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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, |
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