Homilist Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry… Paul betrays in these words several valuable characteristics. I. FIRMNESS. "None of these things move me." What things? 1. Excitement of travelling. How weary and tired. 2. Love of the Churches. Ephesus (chap. Acts 20.); Tyre (Acts 21:4, 5). 3. Personal friendship (vers. 8-13). Philip, Timothy, Luke, Silas, etc. II. SELF-SACRIFICE. "Neither count I my life dear," etc. (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16). His life was daily self-sacrifice, and death would be but short pain. But Paul's life was not his own; hence his Master would take care of His own property; and Paul could say, Philippians 1:23, 24. III. PERSEVERANCE. "So that I might finish my course," etc. Paul was now on his way to Jerusalem with the offerings of the Gentile Churches to the poor in that city. It was a part of his "ministry"; he could not turn aside, whatever the result. IV. GRATITUDE. "To testify the gospel of the grace of God" (ver. 13). "For the name of the Lord Jesus" (Galatians 2:20), "who loved me." Yet he loved earthly friends too; how hard to grieve them! "If you weep thus you will break my heart, though you cannot divert me from my work." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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