Chapter Outline
Paul's journeys. (1–6)
Eutychus restored to life. (7–12)
Paul travels towards Jerusalem. (13–16)
Paul's discourse to the elders of Ephesus. (17–27)
Their farewell. (28–38)Verses 1–6
Tumults or opposition may constrain a Christian to remove from his station or alter his purpose,
but his work and his pleasure will be the same, wherever he goes. Paul thought it worth while to
bestow five days in going to Troas, though it was but for seven days' stay there; but he knew, and
so should we, how to redeem even journeying time, and to make it turn to some good account.
Verses 7–12
Though the disciples read, and meditated, and prayed, and sung apart, and thereby kept up
communion with God, yet they came together to worship God, and so kept up their communion
with one another. They came together on the first day of the week, the Lord's day. It is to be
religiously observed by all disciples of Christ. In the breaking of the bread, not only the breaking
of Christ's body for us, to be a sacrifice for our sins, is remembered, but the breaking of Christ's
body to us, to be food and a feast for our souls, is signified. In the early times it was the custom to
receive the Lord's supper every Lord's day, thus celebrating the memorial of Christ's death. In this
assembly Paul preached. The preaching of the gospel ought to go with the sacraments. They were
willing to hear, he saw they were so, and continued his speech till midnight. Sleeping when hearing
the word, is an evil thing, a sign of low esteem of the word of God. We must do what we can to
prevent being sleepy; not put ourselves to sleep, but get our hearts affected with the word we hear,
so as to drive sleep far away. Infirmity requires tenderness; but contempt requires severity. It
interrupted the apostle's preaching; but was made to confirm his preaching. Eutychus was brought
to life again. And as they knew not when they should have Paul's company again, they made the
best use of it they could, and reckoned a night's sleep well lost for that purpose. How seldom are
hours of repose broken for the purposes of devotion! but how often for mere amusement or sinful
revelry! So hard is it for spiritual life to thrive in the heart of man! so naturally do carnal practices
flourish there!
Verses 13–16
Paul hastened to Jerusalem, but tried to do good by the way, when going from place to place,
as every good man should do. In doing God's work, our own wills and those of our friends must
often be crossed; we must not spend time with them when duty calls us another way.
Verses 17–27