Book-of-Acts---Acts-20-Part-II

Auxano Ministry

By the grace of God I am what I am:

1 Cor. 15:10a

Acts 20

The Road to Rome

Part II

Acts 20:3b

…And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

Once again, the religious Judeans come to their normal solution to their Paul problem, kill him! Their envy of Paul was to great to see or receive other things. Once again, the religious Judeans did not see their real problem. They saw a man, they did not see that their real problem was a failure to believe God.

Acts 20:4-6

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. These going before tarried for us at Troas. 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.

Notice in verse 4 Luke writes in the third person, but then in verses 5 and 6 he writes in the first person. This then begins the second section in Acts when Luke is traveling with Paul. The first section being in Acts chapter 16 with the man from Macedonia.

It does not say Paul or those with him celebrated Passover, but it is placed here to reckon time. Remember, Paul wants to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost. This means he has approximately 50 days to travel to Jerusalem.

Under the Law, God gave seven Feasts to Moses. Each applied to the accomplishments of the coming Messiah. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Passover, the Feast of First Fruits, and the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) have all been accomplished. By accomplished I mean they were fulfilled and will not be celebrated again. Religious Judaism will celebrate them because they do not believe God.

The Feast of Passover can be reflected upon, and its accomplishments can be claimed, but celebrating the Feast itself has ended.

Three Feast days remain to be accomplished and they are the Fall Feasts. The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles shall be celebrated yearly during the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.

Zechariah 14:16

And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

The word “worship” is translated from the Hebrew word saha and means, “to bow down before a superior in homage.”1 Every year they will come to show their respect to the King of kings.

The Feast of Tabernacles is a celebration of God delivering Israel out of Egypt (Leviticus 23), and of God’s provision for Israel (Psalm 105:37). The connection to the Millennial Kingdom of Christ is clear to see.

Acts 20:7

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples [we in the text] came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

“Preached” is dialegomai in the Greek and means to reason, to have a conversation. Back in Acts chapter 17 we handled this word with the following conclusion.

“The best way to understand this Greek word, dialegomai, is to see it as a conversation. What happens when you have a conversation with one or more people? In an average conversation, questions are asked and answered, and declarative statements are made. In a conversation there is give and take, it is an exchange of thoughts and ideas, it is a spontaneous interaction between two or more people.”

This is a conversation during and after the evening meal. Remember all of Asia heard the Word of God during Paul’s time in Ephesus, but he taught in the school of Tyrannus daily. This means he was not traveling throughout Asia, but others carried the Word of God that he was teaching.

Tyrannus was running a literal school. It was common in Ephesus to close between eleven in the morning until three in the afternoon, the hot part of their day. Did Paul teach in the school during these hours? We do not know. We know Paul used the school of Tyrannus some portion of every day.

Colossians 2:1

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

If Paul could not get to Colossae or Laodicea, he certainly did not have the time to travel across Asia to Troas. Therefore, some of the believers in Troas are seeing Paul, in the flesh, possibly for the first time. Paul made a brief stop in Troas almost a year ago on his way to Macedonia, but this time he was there for a whole week. This meeting was Paul’s final night in Troas.

Acts 20:8-9

And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 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.

Remember, this “preaching” began with their evening meal. The customs of the day saw the people of the Middle East eating two meals a day. The first meal would take place during the break to avoid the heat of the day, and the second meal would take place between six and ten in the evening.

They did not sit around a table like those of us in Western cultures. Most times, the evening meal was eaten in a reclining position and on cushions or pillows. If Eutychus was relaxing against a pillow, combined with the hour of the day, his sleep is somewhat understandable.

I have heard many a person teaching on these verses make a joke out of the situation. Do you know why someone can get away with a joke here? I mean, the young man died! That is not something to laugh at.

The situation can be treated light-heartedly because they know the end of the situation. The young man is raised from the dead.

Now consider this in light of 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 about Paul being shown the Third Heaven and paradise. Have a view of eternity and the day-to-day pressures of life become much easier to handle.

Acts 20:10-12

And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he [Paul] therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive and were not a little comforted.

God shows believers in the Administration of Grace, what is coming for the end of our administration and thereby offers us comfort.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So, when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

When you know our end with this world, the earlier chapters, when suspense is building for some and outside pressures want to overwhelm, peace and joy can rule in your heart because you know whom you have believed.

Acts 20:13-14

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. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

It is about a 20 mile walk from Troas to Assos, and this after a sleepless night of teaching and ministering to the believers in Troas. What was he doing on this walk? Other than walking, I do not know and guessing only opens the wrong doors. If we stick to what God says in His Word, then we are good ambassadors for Christ.

Eve left a word out of what God had said and added another word to what God had said, it only led to trouble.

Acts 20:15-16

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. 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.

The word “determined” in verse 16 is krino in the text. It means to judge, to resolve, to decree. Paul had mentally determined he would skip time with believers in Ephesus so he could get to Jerusalem by Pentecost.

“Spend the time” is the Greek word chronotribeo, “The verb tribō, to rub, to wear out by rubbing, lends itself to the idea of wasting time.”2 Combine this with the word “hasted” and you can see that Paul was in a great hurry to get to Jerusalem. This is not to say Paul considered time with believers a “waste of time.” But it would be wasting the brief time he had to reach Jerusalem.

Acts 20:17-18

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church. 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,

“After what manner” is the Greek word pos and it simply means how. You know “how” I have acted the entire time I was with you.

Acts 20:19-21

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: 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, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Serving” is douleuo, the verb form of doulos. A doulos is a servant of a Lord. A servant who serves out of love, it is a freewill commitment. Paul was a doulos of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1).

Look back at the road to Damascus when Jesus first appeared to Paul.

Acts 9:6

And he [Paul] trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

The doulos asks his Lord, “what will you have me do?” Once directions have been given, the doulos acts in obedience to do the will of his Lord. Paul rose and then went into the city, he obeyed. This is the attitude of a doulos.

Acts 20:19

Serving the LORD …

Paul’s Lord is Jesus Christ. Doulos is always vertical, servant to Lord. While conducting the directions is horizonal, that is a diakonos.

Colossians 1:7

As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant [syndoulos], who is for you a faithful minister [diakonos] of Christ.

Epaphras is a doulos of Christ [Colossians 4:12] and a diakonos to believers as he follows the directions he has been given.

Being a leader for God is not a position of power. It is a position of service. A leader in the Body of Christ is two times a servant. First, he must be a doulos to his Lord. Then he must be a diakonos to the other believers in the Body of Christ. Doulos is vertical and diakonos is horizontal.

The position of power is one that every child of God holds as a child of God. The power is in God’s gift of holy spirit.

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power [dynamis/dunamis] that worketh in us,

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power [dunamis/dynamis], and of love, and of a sound mind.

Having God’s gift of holy spirit is power. Positions in the Body of Christ are ways of serving.

Acts 20:19

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:

“Humility of mind” is the Greek word tapeinophrosyne. It means humility, a humility that comes from the inside out. What does that mean? It is not a lessening of self. It is not belittling yourself or a false modesty. It is esteeming the value of your Lord.

I am a joint-heir with Christ. I have the spirit from God created within me. I am a member in particular in the Body of Christ. I am too valuable to God to dimmish my renewed mind, for I carry within me a treasure from God. But my Lord is the Head of the Body and he sits at the right hand of our Father. Therefore, with a humility that flows from the depths of my inner man I esteem the words of my Lord, that I may know how to serve.

This is the humility of mind of a doulos of the Lord.

“With many tears” is the figure of speech pathopceia which is an expression of feeling or emotion.

2 Corinthians 2:4a

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears…

Philippians 3:18

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Paul was a passionate man and with passion you will find emotions. Nothing is wrong with having emotions, God designed us with emotions. It only becomes a problem when we allow our emotions to lead our walk rather than the will of our Lord.

Paul’s enthusiasm to share God with the world, to speak, to teach, to impart a genuine knowledge of a loving and gracious God was bursting forth, from the inside out, in every fiber of his being. Paul had emotions, intense emotions, that he normally used to carry out the Will of God.

This love for the will of God and his enthusiasm to declare it brought trial’s from unbelievers, “temptations” in verse 19 and Paul’s thorn in the flesh from Second Corinthians twelve.

Acts 20:20-21

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, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul did not just wait for people to come to him in the school of Tyrannus, he went to where they were in Ephesus. Whether he was in the agora or going from one house to the next house. He kept back nothing, meaning he did not shrink in fear to openly speak and declare the Gospel of God and belief in Jesus as Lord.

Romans 1:15-17

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Whether standing before the religious Sanhedrin of Israel, or the intelligentsia on Mars Hill, or the common man of Lystra, Philippi, or Ephesus the message of Paul was always the same, repentance toward God and believing in the Lord Jesus.

“Repentance” is the Greek word metanoia, and it literally means after understanding. Meta means after and noia, from noeo, means understanding. After hearing the good news from God (Gospel) change your thinking toward God and believe in the Lord Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

This is a metanoia response. Repentance toward God and believing toward the Lord Jesus is always the core of Paul’s message.

Acts 20:22-23

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.

“Bound” is the Greek word deo and means to tie, fasten, or to chain. There is no occurrence of God’s gift of holy spirit binding a person to do anything in the Administration of Grace. The spirit that is binding Paul is the spirit of man, his own mind. Simply put, Paul wants to go to Jerusalem, and he wants to be there on Pentecost. Paul’s logic for this course of action is the next portion of the verse, “save that the holy spirit witnesses in every city.”

Paul says, “in every city”, but the only city he is referring to is Jerusalem.

If you will recall, back in 37 A.D., when Paul returned to Jerusalem from Damascus, Paul received revelation about witnessing in Jerusalem.

Acts 22:18

And saw him saying unto me, make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

Paul was told, “they will not receive your testimony.” Paul has received no new revelation to alter what he was told twenty-one years ago.

Acts 20:24

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.

This is all genuine, heartfelt, and Paul believes these words down to the tips of his toes. But they are still completely wrong. God has asked one man to sacrifice his physical life, and that was His son Jesus Christ. God has asked the men and women of the Administration of Grace to be living sacrifices, the operative word being, living.

Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

After all that God has declared in the opening chapters of Romans, recognize the compassion God has poured out upon your life and make the decision to place yourself beside God, by being a living sacrifice. Live your life for and with Him.

We were dead in sin, but God justified us. We were in an unfortunate position of misery, but God had compassion on us because of His great love. We were separated from Him spiritually, physically, and mentally, but God gave us righteousness to end the spiritual separation, and His son to end our physical separation, and His words to end our mental separation.

Now He exhorts, urges, or encourages us to stand by His side and live for Him. God does not demand, as well He could, but He encourages us to live for Him who gave us life. We never should be ready to die for God, but to live for Him and with Him.

We may not count our life dear unto ourselves, but God counts each of our lives very dear to Himself.

The question becomes, is Paul allowing his emotions toward Israel to cloud his spiritual sharpness? When sitting in the back seat emotions add fuel to your fire. When sitting in the front seat emotions have the tendency to silence the Truth your ears are refusing to hear.

Romans 9:2-5

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Even without an explanation these verses show Paul’s overwhelming emotion toward Israel. But an explanation helps our understanding. The phrase, “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ” is the figure of speech epitrechon, a parenetic addition, that should be offset with brackets. Next, it is also the figure of speech anamnesis which is a figure of speech that recalls past feelings. This alters the statement from, “I could” into “I used to.”

The word “for” right after the brackets we have added, is the Greek word huper and should be translated and understood as “in the interests of.”3

When did Paul wish himself cursed from Christ? While he was persecuting those who believed in Jesus Christ. He is recalling his mindset as an unbeliever, the current position of Israel. If he could come from that position of unbelief, so too could the rest of Israel.

Realize, Paul has just written this epistle to the Romans before he began his trip to Jerusalem. These thoughts, these emotions are fresh in his mind.

Now, Romans 9 again.

Romans 9:2-5

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart, ( for I use to wish that myself were cursed away from Christ) in the interests of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Israel, that has held such an exulted and loving position with God continues to refuse Christ, refuse to believe and it weighs heavily on the heart and life of the Apostle Paul. This is why he is going to Jerusalem, one last time. He is expecting to leave for Rome and then Spain. He has one last opportunity to convert Israel to the words of God, God’s gospel of grace.

Romans 10:1

Brethren, my heart's desire, and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Understanding these things does not make Paul’s actions right. Traveling to Jerusalem because his Lord is directing his path will make his actions right.

Paul has left Corinth, Macedonia, and Troas and no one has told him not to go to Jerusalem. We are only questioning his actions because from his time in Ephesus until now, he has not sought direction from his Lord for this fourth missionary journey to Rome.

Now, back to Acts 20.

Acts 20:24

The Adversary cannot threaten or intimidate Paul. Paul is willing to lay down his life if it means another will hear and believe God’s Word. The Adversary cannot bribe Paul, he tried that in Lystra with the adoration of a god.

The Gospel of Grace fills Paul’s mind and heart. Now he wants it to fill Israel. You know this feeling because you know others, maybe family or friends, people you love, that do not believe the gospel of God. You desire greatly to share what you have learned, what you have experienced in learning of the Lord. But you cannot force auxano growth on another person. Auxano growth is without compulsion. Auxano growth is personal and uniquely individual.

Acts 20:25

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

This is a gut punch! There is no better way to say this. If you are an Ephesian, Paul just took your breath completely away. You are gasping for air as you clutch at your chest. Melodramatic? Maybe. Your mother, your wife, your lover, your best friend, pick one - without notice or warning just said good-bye forever.

“I will never see you again?” Their collective heart was just shattered.

Acts 20:26-27

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Acts 20:27 begins with the Greek word gar, translated for. Paul was pure from the blood of all men for (gar). Again, gar gives a reason or the purpose of the statement that precedes it, it adds clarity. Their blood is upon their own head because Paul delivered to them the whole counsel of God. Therefore, if anyone did not believe, their lack of salvation is their own fault.

“Shunned” is the Greek word hypostello.

Helps Word-studies: hypostéllō (from hypó, "under" and stéllō, "draw in") – properly, draw under, pulling back to retreat (go backwards); withdraw (shrink from); shun; "back off," especially due to compromise.

“Declare” is the Greek word anangello, and it means to announce, to declare, to report.

The Greek word boule translated counsel in this verse, “expresses a decision, a purpose or a plan which in regard to men is the result of inner deliberation. When used of God boule indicates His fixed intention.”4

Paul held nothing back, he did not back off or back away from the Truth, he declared it, he made known the purpose of God, the whole plan of God.

Acts 20:27

for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Paul has used himself as the example of a leader to follow. A leader must first be a doulos, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:28

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.

Take heed unto yourself is to pay attention to yourself.

2 Timothy 2:1

Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

The fellowships were in decline when second Timothy is written. There were false doctrines and false leaders. Timothy needed to be sharp, he needed to be strong. Paul taught him to be strong in the grace.

Give attention to your spiritual needs, my grace is sufficient. Then you can take care of others. Consider the instructions on an airplane when they explain the oxygen mask. Put yours on first, then you can help another person.

Then, you can help the flock. This is the figure of speech metaphor, a comparison by representation. Believers in the Administration of Grace are not sheep, but it makes the point of the care that each person will require.

God, The Holy The Spirit has made you an overseer. You are working with Him through His son, your Lord.

“Overseer” is episkopos in the Greek. From epi, meaning upon or over and skopos meaning a watchman, a bishop. Used seven times in the New Testament, translated bishop six times and overseer here.

“Feed” is the Greek word poimaino and it means to function as a shepherd.

Help Word-studies: poimaínō ("shepherding, pastoring") is distinct from "feeding" focuses on "tending" ("shepherding"), which includes guarding, guiding, and folding the flock.("to shepherd, tend") occurs 11 times in the NT, usually with a figurative sense of "shepherding (tending) God's flock. This provides Spirit-directed guidance (care) conjunction with feeding His people (teaching them Scripture).” In other words, it goes well beyond a simple feeding.

“God” is Lord, kyrios (kurios), in the text.

The essence of Acts 20:28 is, “Therefore, be attentive to yourselves and to the whole assembly of believers over which THE Holy THE Spirit has placed you a bishop (an elder), to guide and protect (as a shepherd) the called out of the Lord, which he purchased with his own blood.”

Acts 20:29

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Continuing with the metaphor, “grievous” is the Greek word barys, meaning violent, cruel, unsparing.”5 “Wolves” lykos which means cruel, greedy, and destructive men.6

In short, once Paul is gone men that are violent, cruel, and destructive will enter in among the body of believers. This is not because Paul is leaving, it is because this world is still under the thumb of the Adversary and God has shown us the Adversary’s response to righteousness.

Galatians 2:4

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Colossians 2:16-19

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Paul knew this because he has met these men in city after city. The Adversary wants all those who believe in the Lord Jesus back in bondage to him and his tricks of suppression and oppression.

Acts 20:30

Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

If Paul knows this, why not remove these men now!

First, Paul could only know something like this by revelation. Next, this verse does not say Paul knows exactly who. Next, if removing one or more individuals was necessary, his Lord would tell him. Adding to revelation is no different than adding to the written Word of God.

Acts 20:31

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Gregoreo is translated “watch” in this verse. It means to stay awake, to be vigilant, sharp, responsible. Gregoreo is in the imperative mood, it is a command, stay spiritually awake! Then, remember the example of the Apostle Paul, who warned every one night and day with tears for three years.

“Warn” is the Greek word noutheteo and means, to warn, to exhort, to urge. In this context it would be better translated to exhort.

“With tears” is the same figure of speech as earlier, pathopceia an expression of feelings or emotion. Notice it is in the back seat, after the exhortation.

Acts 20:32

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.

Commend is paratithemi. Paul is saying he has set them before God. How he did this is by the Word of God that he has taught them over the course of three years. The word of His grace is logos autos charis, all that the Apostle Paul taught is the Word of God’s Grace. This Word of Grace has the power to build you up, to establish you.

Acts 20:33-35

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 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.

Then the elders who came to Miletus walked Paul to his ship.

Acts 20:36-38

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, 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.

Leaving Miletus, Paul’s Road to Rome, by way of Jerusalem, continues.

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1. Blue Letter Bible Lexicon, saha

2.A.T. Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament

3.Appendix 104, huper, Companion Bible, E.W. Bullinger

4.Acts 20:17-27 Commentary | Precept Austin

5.G926 - barys - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv) (blueletterbible.org)

6.G3074 - lykos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv) (blueletterbible.org)

A Journey through the Book of Acts