Berean Study Bible Paul in Macedonia and GreeceThe riot in Ephesus arose because the gospel threatened the profitable idol trade surrounding the worship of Artemis. God’s truth exposed the emptiness of pagan worship and stirred resistance where economic interest, civic pride, and false religion were joined together. Act 19:40-41 For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting… Paul sent for the disciples. Paul did not leave the believers to face the aftermath alone. He gathered the Ephesian Christians as a shepherd concerned for their courage, unity, and continued faithfulness amid public hostility. Act 19:30-31 Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples… And after encouraging them, Paul strengthened the disciples to remain firm in Christ despite opposition. The church in Ephesus needed confidence that the Lord who had overcome occult practices and idolatry would sustain His people in a city devoted to Artemis. Act 14:21-22 They preached the gospel to that city and made many… he said goodbye to them Paul’s departure marked the end of an extended season of ministry in Ephesus, where he had taught publicly and from house to house. His farewell reflected the deep affection between Paul and the churches formed through the shared labor, suffering, and grace of the gospel. Act 18:21 But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you… and left for Macedonia. Paul traveled through Macedonia to strengthen congregations in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. His continued movement among the churches shows his commitment not merely to evangelize new places, but to establish believers in sound doctrine and faithful obedience. Act 19:21 After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit… After traveling through that area Paul passed through Macedonia after leaving Ephesus, revisiting believers in places such as Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. These churches had endured persecution and needed the steadying presence of the apostle who had first proclaimed Christ among them. His return showed that gospel ministry involved not only establishing churches but also strengthening them in faith, unity, and endurance. 1Co 16:5-6 After I go through Macedonia, however, I will come to you;… and speaking many words of encouragement, Paul’s instruction fortified disciples facing opposition, temptation, and uncertainty. He urged believers to remain faithful to the risen Christ and to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. During this period he also continued organizing the collection for impoverished believers in Jerusalem, joining Gentile churches to their Jewish brethren in practical love. Act 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets,… he arrived in Greece, Greece likely refers especially to Achaia, where Paul spent three months, probably in Corinth. The Corinthian church had required stern correction, yet Paul’s return allowed him to encourage repentance, restore fellowship, and establish believers more firmly in apostolic truth. From this region he likely wrote Romans, setting forth the gospel he had preached throughout the Roman world. Act 18:1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. where he stayed three months. Paul’s extended stay in Greece was likely in Corinth, where he had previously labored for eighteen months. During this time he strengthened believers and likely wrote Romans, preparing the church in Rome for his hoped-for visit and setting forth the gospel with unusual fullness. His ministry in Corinth displayed patient care for a congregation marked by earlier divisions and moral struggles. Act 19:8 Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly… And when the Jews formed a plot against him Opposition to Paul continued wherever the gospel exposed unbelief and challenged human self-righteousness. The plot may have involved an attempt on his life during the voyage, when he would have been especially vulnerable. God’s providence preserved Paul for the work still entrusted to him. Act 23:12-15 When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy… as he was about to sail for Syria, Paul had intended to sail eastward toward Syria and ultimately Jerusalem, carrying the collection gathered from Gentile churches for needy believers in Judea. The offering testified to the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians in Christ. Act 18:18 Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time… he decided to go back through Macedonia. By changing his route, Paul avoided the danger and returned through churches in Macedonia, including Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. The altered plans did not hinder God’s purpose; they gave Paul further opportunity to encourage congregations he had planted and to demonstrate wise courage rather than reckless exposure to danger. Act 19:21 After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit… Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Sopater, whose name means “savior of his father,” represented the Berean believers, whose readiness to receive the gospel had been joined with careful daily examination of the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). His presence among Paul’s delegates showed that the church in Berea had matured into an active partner in the wider work of Christ. Rom 16:21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings… Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Aristarchus had already suffered with Paul during the Ephesian uproar and would later share his imprisonment and ministry (Acts 19:29; Colossians 4:10). Secundus, whose name means “second,” joined him as a representative of Thessalonica, where believers had received the word amid severe opposition. Their service testified to the steadfastness of the Macedonian churches. Act 19:29 Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together… Gaius from Derbe, Gaius came from Derbe in southern Galatia, a city reached during Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 14:20–21). His participation revealed enduring fruit from churches established years earlier and strengthened the bond between Jewish and Gentile believers. 1Co 1:14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you… Timothy, Timothy had served alongside Paul through much of his ministry and was trusted with demanding assignments among the churches. Raised by a Jewish mother and Greek father, he became a faithful servant of Christ whose life displayed the gospel’s power to unite believers across cultural divisions. 1Co 4:17 That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved… and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. Tychicus became a faithful messenger of Paul’s letters and a trusted minister to the churches (Ephesians 6:21–22; Colossians 4:7). Trophimus, an Ephesian Gentile believer, would later be at the center of the false accusation that Paul had brought a Gentile into the temple (Acts 21:29). Together these men reflected the breadth of the churches supporting Paul and the unity created by the risen Christ. Eph 6:21-22 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant… These men went on ahead Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus traveled before Paul and Luke to Troas. Their presence represented churches from Macedonia, Galatia, Asia, and beyond, displaying the united work of Gentile believers in the growing mission of the gospel. Their advance also supported Paul’s careful coordination of ministry and travel. Luk 19:28 After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead… and waited for us Luke again includes himself among Paul’s traveling companions. He had apparently rejoined Paul at Philippi, and together they sailed after the Days of Unleavened Bread. The companions’ waiting reflects faithful cooperation, as the churches labored together rather than through one leader alone. Act 28:14 There we found some brothers who invited us… in Troas. Troas was a major port city on the northwest coast of Asia Minor, providing passage between Asia and Macedonia. Paul had previously received the Macedonian vision there, leading to the first recorded gospel mission in Europe (Acts 16:8–10). The believers’ reunion in Troas prepared the way for worship, teaching, and fellowship before Paul continued toward Jerusalem. Act 16:8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. And after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Paul and Luke remained in Philippi through the Passover season, when Israel remembered the Lord’s deliverance from Egypt. The feast recalled both redemption through the Passover sacrifice and the urgent departure from bondage. For believers in Christ, these events point to the greater deliverance accomplished by the Lamb of God, whose sinless life and sacrificial death bring freedom from sin. Mat 26:17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread… we sailed from Philippi, Luke again joined Paul’s traveling company, marking his presence as an eyewitness to the events that follow. Philippi was the first recorded city in Europe where Paul established a church, and its believers remained faithful supporters of his ministry. Leaving after the feast also reflects Paul’s continued care to avoid unnecessarily offending Jewish consciences while proclaiming salvation through Christ alone. Act 16:40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went… and five days later we rejoined them in Troas, The voyage from Macedonia to Troas normally could be completed more quickly, but winds and sea conditions affected ancient travel. Paul and Luke met the larger group of fellow workers who had gone ahead, including representatives of several Gentile churches bringing assistance for the needy believers in Jerusalem. Troas held special significance in Paul’s ministry, for there he had received the Macedonian vision that opened the way for the gospel’s advance into Europe. 2Co 2:12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ… where we stayed seven days. The week-long stay enabled Paul to strengthen the church in Troas and to gather with the believers on the first day of the week. Their fellowship demonstrates the growing pattern of Christian worship centered on the risen Lord and the instruction of His apostles. Act 21:4 We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed…
Eutychus Revived at TroasBelievers in Troas gathered on the day of Christ’s resurrection, the day that came to be known as the Lord’s Day (Revelation 1:10). Their assembly reflects the church’s early pattern of worship centered on the risen Christ, while honoring the completed work to which the Sabbath pointed. Paul also directed churches to set aside offerings on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:2). Luk 24:1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning… we came together to break bread. The congregation met for fellowship around a shared meal and the Lord’s Supper. Breaking bread recalled Jesus’ body given for His people and proclaimed His death until He comes (Luke 22:19–20; 1 Cor. 11:23–26). The meal expressed the unity of believers who belonged to one Lord and shared one faith. Act 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching… Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, Paul used his final evening in Troas to strengthen the disciples before continuing toward Jerusalem. His approaching departure gave urgency to the gathering, for the churches depended on apostolic teaching to remain grounded in the gospel amid opposition and false teaching. Act 19:21 After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit… he talked to them Paul instructed the believers at length, likely recounting the grace of God, explaining the Scriptures, and preparing them for faithful service. His ministry joined careful teaching with personal encouragement, establishing churches in the truth Christ had entrusted to the apostles. Act 17:2-3 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue… and kept on speaking until midnight. The believers’ willingness to remain together late into the night reveals their hunger for God’s Word and their love for the apostle who had labored among them. The late hour also forms the setting for the fall and restoration of Eutychus, displaying God’s power and bringing comfort to the gathered church. Act 28:23 So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came… Now there were many lamps Oil lamps illuminated the nighttime gathering and likely added heat and smoke to the crowded room. Their number reflects the size and importance of the assembly, which had gathered to hear Paul and to break bread on the first day of the week. The light also fittingly accompanied the ministry of the gospel among believers. Mat 25:1-4 At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins… in the upper room Upper rooms provided space for meals, teaching, prayer, and fellowship. Jesus had met with His disciples in such a room before His death, and the disciples later gathered in an upper room for prayer after His ascension. The setting recalls the close fellowship and worship that marked the earliest church. Mrk 14:15 And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready… where we were gathered. Luke includes himself among those present, preserving the character of an eyewitness account. The believers assembled around God’s Word in mutual devotion, demonstrating the church’s calling to meet regularly for instruction, prayer, fellowship, and the breaking of bread. Mat 18:20 For where two or three gather together in My name,… And a certain young man named Eutychus, Eutychus, whose name means “fortunate” or “lucky,” is known only from this account. Luke’s naming of him preserves the personal character of the early churches, where individual believers and their experiences mattered. Act 7:58 They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.… seated in the window, The crowded upper room left Eutychus sitting in an open window, common in homes without glass panes. Believers regularly gathered in private homes before dedicated church buildings became widespread. 2Ki 9:30 Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it.… was sinking into a deep sleep The late hour, the crowded room, and the many lamps mentioned nearby likely contributed to his exhaustion. His gradual sleepiness portrays an ordinary human weakness amid an extraordinary gathering. Dan 10:9 I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened… as Paul talked on and on. Paul continued teaching because he expected to leave the next day and wanted to strengthen the disciples with apostolic instruction. The church’s devotion to prolonged teaching reveals the central place of God’s word in its fellowship. Act 19:8-10 Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly… When he was sound asleep, Eutychus eventually lost all awareness of his dangerous position. Physical weariness brought grave consequences, reminding believers that human frailty remains present even in seasons of spiritual blessing. Jon 1:5 The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god.… he fell from the third story The fall from the upper level was severe and would ordinarily have been fatal. The sudden tragedy interrupted a night devoted to worship, fellowship, and instruction. 2Ki 1:2-4 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room… and was picked up dead. Luke records Eutychus’s death plainly, preparing for the miracle that follows. His restoration through Paul displays God’s life-giving power and recalls the ministries of Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus, pointing ultimately to the resurrection hope secured in Christ. Act 9:40-41 Then Peter sent them all out of the room.… But Paul went down, Paul immediately left the upper room and entered the grief of the gathered believers. His response joined pastoral concern with confident faith in the God who gives life. Act 9:40 Then Peter sent them all out of the room.… threw himself on the young man, Paul’s action recalls Elijah and Elisha, who stretched themselves over dead children while seeking God’s restoring power (1 Kings 17:21; 2 Kings 4:34). God’s work through Paul confirmed that the risen Christ remained active among His churches. 1Ki 17:21 Then he stretched himself out over the child three times… and embraced him. Paul’s personal care for Eutychus reflected the love that bound the Christian community together. The apostle did not treat the young man as an interruption to ministry but as one entrusted to his care. Luk 15:20 So he got up and went to his father… “Do not be alarmed!” he said. Paul calmed the believers because God had answered in mercy. Fear and mourning gave way to assurance as the Lord displayed His power over death. Mat 14:27 But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage!”… “He is still alive!” Eutychus’s restoration provided a visible testimony to the resurrection hope proclaimed by Paul. The God who restored the young man’s life would ultimately raise all who belong to Christ. 1Ki 17:23 Then Elijah took the child, brought him down… Then Paul went back upstairs, Paul returned to the gathered believers after Eutychus had been restored to life. The upper room again became a place of worship, fellowship, and instruction, much as upper rooms had served the disciples in Jerusalem. Act 1:13 When they arrived, they went to the upper room… broke bread, The believers shared in a meal that likely included remembrance of the Lord’s Supper, consistent with their purpose in gathering on the first day of the week. Their fellowship centered on Christ, whose death had created one people from many backgrounds. Luk 24:30 While He was reclining at the table, He took bread… and ate. Paul’s participation in the meal showed that spiritual ministry was carried out within the ordinary life of the church. Shared table fellowship expressed mutual love, hospitality, and the unity of believers in Christ. Act 27:35 After he had said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks… And after speaking until daybreak, Paul continued strengthening the church through prolonged teaching before his departure. The believers received the Word with eagerness, and Paul used the remaining hours to prepare them for faithful service without his physical presence. Gen 32:24-31 So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him… he departed. Paul resumed his journey toward Jerusalem, leaving the congregation encouraged by Eutychus’s restoration and established through apostolic teaching. His departure reflected the urgency of his calling to proclaim Christ and strengthen churches wherever the Lord led him. Mrk 1:35 Early in the morning, while it was still dark,… And the people were greatly relieved The believers in Troas had feared that Eutychus had died after falling from the third-story window during Paul’s extended teaching. When Paul embraced him and declared that life remained in him, the gathered church received clear evidence of God’s mercy and power. Their comfort reflected both their love for the young man and their confidence that the risen Christ was at work through His apostle. Gen 45:28 “Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive!…”… to take the boy home alive. Eutychus’s restoration turned a night of grief into rejoicing and confirmed the Gospel Paul proclaimed. The miracle recalls God’s life-giving works through Elijah and Elisha and anticipates the resurrection hope secured by Christ. The young man’s return to his home alive testified that the Lord who conquered death remains able to preserve His people and strengthen His church. 1Ki 17:23 Then Elijah took the child, brought him down…
From Troas to MiletusLuke includes himself among Paul’s companions, preserving an eyewitness record of the journey. The team left Troas after the extended gathering in which Eutychus was restored, continuing toward Jerusalem with the collection for needy believers. Mrk 6:45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat… and sailed to Assos, Assos lay south of Troas on the coast of Asia Minor. The ship traveled around the peninsula, while the land route across it was shorter, about twenty miles. The differing routes enabled the group to meet again without delaying the voyage. Act 16:11 We sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace,… where we were to take Paul aboard. The meeting at Assos followed a deliberate plan. Paul’s companions carried forward the practical responsibilities of travel while remaining ready to receive him at the appointed place. Ministry depended not only on public preaching but also on faithful cooperation and careful preparation. Act 27:6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship… He had arranged this Paul directed the journey with purpose even as he faced mounting opposition and pressed toward Jerusalem. His plans show neither isolation from his fellow workers nor dependence upon them without personal responsibility. 1Co 16:5 After I go through Macedonia, however, I will come to you;… because he was going there on foot. The walk gave Paul time apart from the others during a demanding season of ministry. Scripture does not state his reason, but the journey reflects his willingness to accept hardship and to order his movements according to the needs of the mission entrusted to him by Christ. Exo 12:37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth… And when he met us at Assos, Paul rejoined Luke and the other companions at Assos after traveling overland from Troas while they sailed around the promontory. Assos, a fortified harbor city in Mysia, provided a natural meeting point for the missionary party. Paul’s separate journey shows both purposeful planning and his continued commitment to the work entrusted to him. Though his ministry involved demanding travel, he did not labor alone; the fellowship of trusted believers sustained the mission of the church. Luk 24:15 And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up… we took him aboard The companions welcomed Paul onto the ship and resumed their shared course toward Jerusalem. Their cooperation reflects the unity that marked the early church, as believers served alongside one another in prayer, travel, teaching, and practical support. Paul was carrying the burden of concern for the churches and the collection for needy believers in Jerusalem, yet God provided faithful fellow workers for the journey. Act 21:2-3 Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded it… and went on to Mitylene. Mitylene, the principal city of Lesbos, was an important port on the Aegean Sea. The voyage continued along established maritime routes that connected influential cities and islands throughout the Roman world. God used these ordinary means of travel to advance the gospel, strengthen congregations, and carry His servants toward the trials awaiting Paul in Jerusalem. Act 16:11-12 We sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace,… Sailing on from there, Paul continued his final journey toward Jerusalem, traveling with companions who represented churches across Macedonia, Galatia, and Asia. Their presence testified to the unity of Gentile believers with the Jewish church and accompanied the collection intended for needy saints in Jerusalem. Act 13:13 After setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions… we arrived the next day opposite Chios. The ship followed the eastern Aegean route, passing near Chios, an island noted for trade, wine, and mastic resin. Such coastal sailing depended upon winds, currents, available harbors, and the ship’s commercial schedule. Act 21:1-2 After we had torn ourselves away from them,… The day after that we arrived at Samos, Samos lay south of Chios near the coast of Asia Minor. Its prosperous ports and established sea lanes illustrate how God used the Roman world’s transportation networks to carry the gospel from city to city. Act 16:11-12 We sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace,… and on the following day we came to Miletus. Miletus, a leading port south of Ephesus, became the setting for Paul’s farewell meeting with the Ephesian elders. By stopping there rather than visiting Ephesus, Paul avoided a delay that could hinder his desire to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, while still providing spiritual counsel to shepherds responsible for the church. 2Ti 4:20 Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus… Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus Paul had spent more than two years ministering in Ephesus, where the gospel had spread throughout Asia and a strong church had been established. Rather than stop in the city, he arranged to meet the Ephesian elders at Miletus, allowing him to encourage and instruct them without the extended delay a visit to Ephesus would likely require. Act 18:19-21 When they reached Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila.… to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, Asia was the Roman province in western Asia Minor where Paul’s ministry had borne much fruit. His decision did not reflect neglect of its churches but careful stewardship of the mission God had given him. Paul knew that beloved believers, ministry needs, and travel complications could easily alter his schedule. Act 16:6-8 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking… because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, Paul was traveling to Jerusalem with gifts gathered from Gentile churches for needy believers there, demonstrating the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ. Though the Holy Spirit had warned him that suffering awaited in Jerusalem, Paul continued willingly, determined to finish his course and testify to the grace of God. Act 19:21-22 After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit… if possible, by the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was the Jewish Feast of Weeks, held fifty days after Passover and attended by pilgrims from many lands. It also recalled the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church in Jerusalem. Paul’s desire to arrive by Pentecost reflects both the urgency of his mission and his continuing concern for fellowship with the Jerusalem church. 1Co 16:8-9 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,…
Paul’s Farewell to the EphesiansPaul stopped at the port city of Miletus while traveling toward Jerusalem. He had chosen not to return to Ephesus because he was hastening to arrive in Jerusalem by Pentecost (Acts 20:16). Miletus lay about thirty miles south of Ephesus and allowed him to meet the church’s leaders without delays that a visit to the city might have caused. 2Ti 4:20 Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus… Paul sent to Ephesus Paul’s request revealed his continuing love and responsibility for the believers among whom he had labored for nearly three years. Ephesus had become a major center for the spread of the gospel throughout Asia (Acts 19:10). Though Paul could not remain with them, he sought to prepare their leaders for faithful ministry after his departure. Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,… for the elders of the church. The Ephesian church was served by a plurality of elders, men entrusted with spiritual oversight, teaching, and pastoral care. Paul would later call these same leaders overseers and charge them to shepherd God’s flock, warning that false teachers would arise both from outside and within the church (Acts 20:28–31). Their gathering at Miletus marked a solemn transfer of responsibility: the gospel Paul had preached was now to be guarded, lived, and proclaimed by those appointed to care for the church. Jas 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders… When they came to him, The elders of the church in Ephesus had traveled to Miletus at Paul’s request. Their willingness to come reflects both their respect for Paul and the seriousness of his final instructions. As shepherds of the Ephesian believers, they bore responsibility for guarding, teaching, and caring for the congregation. Act 28:30-31 Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house,… he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, Paul could appeal to a ministry openly observed by those who served beside him. His conduct had matched his preaching through humility, endurance, labor, and faithfulness amid opposition. Christian leadership requires a life that confirms the truth being taught, following the pattern of Christ Himself. 2Ti 3:10 You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct,… from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. Asia was the Roman province on the western coast of Asia Minor, with Ephesus as its leading city and commercial center. Paul’s extended ministry there, recorded in Acts 19, strengthened the church in Ephesus and helped spread the gospel throughout the region. From his arrival onward, the elders had witnessed that his service was marked by steadfast devotion to the Lord rather than personal gain. Act 19:1-2 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through… I served the Lord with great humility Paul regarded himself as Christ’s servant, not as the master of the churches or the source of their faith. His authority as an apostle was joined to a lowly, sacrificial posture patterned after the Lord Jesus, who humbled Himself in obedience to the Father (Philippians 2:5–8). Paul freely made himself a servant of others so that they might hear and believe the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:19). 1Th 2:6-8 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else… and with tears, Paul’s ministry was marked by sincere affection, grief over sin, concern for believers under pressure, and anguish for those resisting the truth. His tears revealed that pastoral faithfulness was never detached or merely public work. He carried the spiritual burdens of the churches with the love of one who desired their steadfastness in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:28). 2Co 2:4 For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress… especially in the trials that came upon me Opposition did not cause Paul to abandon his calling. Imprisonments, beatings, danger, rejection, and other afflictions became occasions for the power of Christ to sustain him. Suffering for the gospel was not evidence that God had forsaken him, but part of the cost of proclaiming a crucified and risen Savior in a hostile world (Philippians 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10). 2Co 11:23-28 Are they servants of Christ? I am speaking as if I were… through the plots of the Jews. Certain Jewish opponents repeatedly sought to silence Paul because his preaching declared that forgiveness, righteousness, and salvation come through faith in Jesus Christ rather than through reliance on the Law. Paul himself was Jewish, and many Jews received Christ; the opposition came from those who rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah. Their schemes fulfilled the pattern of persecution Jesus had foretold for His servants (John 15:20), yet God used even such hostility to advance the gospel. Act 9:23-25 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,… I did not shrink back Speaking to the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul could testify that opposition, danger, and sorrow had not diverted him from the work Christ gave him. His ministry in Ephesus included conflict with hostile Jews, spiritual warfare, and the threat of violence, yet he remained faithful to proclaiming the whole counsel of God. Heb 10:38-39 But My righteous one will live by faith;… from declaring anything that was helpful to you Paul withheld no truth necessary for the believers’ salvation, growth, correction, and perseverance. His teaching addressed both doctrine and daily obedience, preparing the church to stand firm amid error and temptation. 2Ti 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction,… as I taught you publicly Paul instructed people openly in settings such as the synagogue and the lecture hall of Tyrannus in Ephesus. Public proclamation made the gospel known throughout the city and helped spread the word of the Lord across Asia. Jhn 18:20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered.… and from house to house, Paul also brought instruction into homes, where believers could receive personal encouragement, correction, and discipleship. The early churches commonly gathered in homes for prayer, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the teaching of God’s Word. Act 2:46 With one accord they continued to meet daily… testifying to Jews and Greeks alike Paul’s ministry declared one gospel to all peoples. In Ephesus he taught publicly and from house to house, refusing to limit God’s saving message to one ethnic group or social class. Jews needed to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah, and Greeks needed to turn from idols to the living God. The inclusion of Gentiles fulfilled God’s promise that through Abraham’s seed all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16). Christ removed the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile and formed one redeemed people through His cross (Ephesians 2:14–18). Rom 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power… about repentance to God Repentance is a genuine turning from sin, self-rule, and false worship to the holy God against whom all have sinned. Israel’s prophets repeatedly called God’s people to return to Him with the heart, not merely with outward observance (Joel 2:12–13). John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles likewise proclaimed repentance as necessary preparation for receiving God’s kingdom. Repentance does not earn forgiveness; it acknowledges guilt and abandons every claim to self-justification before God. Act 26:20 First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem,… and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Faith receives Jesus Christ as the only Savior and submits to Him as Lord. The risen Jesus is the Messiah promised in Scripture, possessing divine authority and providing redemption through His death and resurrection. Repentance turns a sinner from sin toward God, while faith rests upon Christ alone for pardon, righteousness, and eternal life. Salvation is God’s gift by grace, received through faith, and it produces a life increasingly shaped by obedience to the Lord Jesus. Eph 1:15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith… And now, compelled by the Spirit, Paul understood his journey as directed by the Holy Spirit, whose guidance had shaped the advance of the gospel throughout Acts. The same Spirit who set apart Paul and Barnabas for missionary service and redirected their travels now pressed him toward Jerusalem. Obedience did not remove hardship, but it gave Paul certainty that he was walking within God’s will. Act 13:2-4 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting,… I am going to Jerusalem, Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship, the location of the temple, and the birthplace of the church. Paul was returning with a collection from Gentile churches for impoverished believers in Judea, displaying the unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians in Christ. His journey also echoes Jesus’ determined approach to Jerusalem, where suffering would accomplish God’s saving purpose. Act 21:11-14 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt,… not knowing what will happen to me there. Paul did not know the precise events awaiting him, though the Holy Spirit had warned him that imprisonment and afflictions lay ahead. He entrusted his future to God rather than allowing danger to alter his course. Faithful service often requires entering unknown circumstances with confidence that the Lord remains sovereign over every outcome. Jas 4:13-15 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow… I only know that in town after town As Paul traveled toward Jerusalem near the close of his third missionary journey, believers repeatedly confirmed that suffering lay ahead. Speaking to the Ephesian elders at Miletus, Paul acknowledged that he did not know every detail of the future, yet he knew the path of obedience would be costly. Mat 10:23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next.… the Holy Spirit warns me The Spirit who compelled Paul to go to Jerusalem also prepared him for what awaited him there. These warnings were not evidence that God had abandoned His servant, but that God was faithfully strengthening him for trial. Later, the prophet Agabus vividly confirmed the coming arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 21:10–11). Act 21:4 We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed… that chains and afflictions await me. The prediction was fulfilled when Paul was seized in Jerusalem, bound by Roman soldiers, and held in custody at Caesarea before being sent to Rome (Acts 21:33; 23:35; 28:16). Paul did not measure faithfulness by ease or safety. He accepted suffering as part of his calling to testify to the grace of God, following the Lord Jesus, who suffered according to the Father’s purpose. Act 21:11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt,… But I consider my life of no value to me, Paul did not despise life as God’s gift, but he refused to preserve it at the cost of disobedience to Christ. Speaking to the Ephesian elders at Miletus, he knew imprisonment and suffering awaited him in Jerusalem. His resolve reflects Jesus’ call to deny oneself and follow Him, trusting that eternal life outweighs every earthly loss (Matthew 16:24–25). Php 3:7-8 But whatever was gain to me I count as loss… if only I may finish my course Paul viewed his life as an assignment from God requiring endurance, discipline, and faithfulness. The goal was not personal success or safety, but completing the work God had set before him. Near the end of his life, Paul could testify that he had finished the race and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). 2Ti 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race… and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus— The risen Christ personally called Paul on the road to Damascus and appointed him to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and Israel (Acts 9:15–16). Paul therefore served as a steward accountable to the Lord who entrusted him with the message. His authority rested not in human appointment but in Christ’s commission. Col 4:17 “See to it that you complete the ministry”… the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Paul’s calling centered on proclaiming salvation through Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection provide forgiveness and reconciliation with God. God’s grace is freely given, not earned through works or obedience to the law (Ephesians 2:8–9). Paul’s witness came from both personal encounter with the risen Lord and faithful proclamation of the Gospel entrusted to him. Act 14:3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there… Now I know Paul speaks with settled conviction, having been warned by the Holy Spirit that imprisonment and afflictions await him in Jerusalem. His confidence rests in God’s revealed purpose rather than uncertain human circumstances. 2Ti 4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,… that none of you The Ephesian elders had been summoned to Miletus for this farewell meeting. They represented the church Paul had helped establish and shepherd during his extended ministry in Ephesus. Jhn 16:32 Look, an hour is coming and has already come…… among whom I have preached the kingdom Paul proclaimed God’s saving reign through the crucified and risen Christ. The kingdom message called Jews and Gentiles alike to repentance, faith, and obedient allegiance to Jesus, the King whose rule will endure forever. Act 28:31 Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God… will see my face again. Paul expected this parting to be final, giving his words the character of a final pastoral charge. The elders’ later grief confirms the depth of their fellowship and their understanding that suffering for Christ had become an inseparable part of Paul’s calling. Gen 44:23 But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your younger brother… Therefore I testify to you this day At Miletus, Paul solemnly addresses the elders from Ephesus for the last time. Knowing that imprisonment and suffering awaited him, he places his ministry among them before God and their own consciences. The day of this farewell stands as a witness that Paul had faithfully carried out the charge entrusted to him. Deu 4:26 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day… that I am innocent of the blood of all men. Paul had proclaimed repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ publicly and from house to house. Like the watchman in Ezekiel, he had warned of judgment and declared God’s saving truth without withholding what was necessary for their spiritual good. No one could rightly charge him with silence, compromise, or neglect of the gospel. His clear conscience rested not on perfect results in every hearer, but on faithful obedience in making known the whole counsel of God. Act 18:6 But when they opposed and insulted him,… For I did not shrink back Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that fear, persecution, imprisonment, and personal suffering had not silenced his ministry. He had endured violent opposition, including being stoned at Lystra and left for dead, yet he continued to strengthen the churches. His perseverance demonstrated confidence in the risen Christ and provided an example for the elders as they prepared to shepherd a congregation facing spiritual danger. Heb 10:38 But My righteous one will live by faith;… from declaring to you Paul had faithfully made known everything the Ephesian believers needed for salvation, maturity, and endurance. His ministry included public teaching, house-to-house instruction, warning, encouragement, and personal example. The gospel was not a private opinion but God’s authoritative announcement that Jesus Christ had died for sins, risen from the dead, and calls all people to repentance and faith. 1Th 2:2 As you are aware, we had already endured suffering… the whole will of God. Paul did not avoid difficult doctrines or limit his teaching to what pleased his hearers. He proclaimed God’s redemptive purpose in Christ, His commands for holy living, His warnings of judgment, and His promises for His people. Because the elders had received this full instruction, they were responsible to guard the church and continue teaching God’s truth without compromise. Col 1:9 we have not stopped praying for you and asking God… Keep watch over yourselves Spiritual leadership begins with personal holiness, sound doctrine, and a guarded life. Paul’s warning to the Ephesian elders recalls Jesus’ command to remove the plank from one’s own eye before seeking to correct another (Matthew 7:5). Leaders who neglect prayer, obedience, and repentance endanger both themselves and those entrusted to their care. 1Ti 4:16 Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching.… and the entire flock The believers in the church are pictured as sheep requiring nourishment, direction, and protection. Paul had summoned the elders of the Ephesian church to Miletus, charging them to care for every member rather than only the strong or visible. Christ is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11), and under-shepherds must reflect His faithful concern. Jhn 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this fold.… of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Church leadership carries divine responsibility because the Holy Spirit appoints and equips those who serve. The elders addressed in Acts 20:17 are also called overseers here, showing that their work involved spiritual vigilance, instruction, discipline, and protection. Their authority was never self-derived; they were accountable to the Lord who placed them among His people. Act 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting,… Be shepherds of the church of God, Shepherding includes feeding the church through God’s Word, guarding it from false teaching, restoring those who wander, and leading with humility. The church belongs to God, not to its leaders. Peter received a similar charge from the risen Christ: “Feed My sheep” (John 21:15–17). Those who lead God’s people serve as stewards of a flock purchased and claimed by Him. 1Pe 5:2-4 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you,… which He purchased with His own blood. The church has immeasurable worth because it was redeemed through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. God the Son took on flesh and shed His blood to establish the new covenant and deliver His people from sin and death. Like the blood of the Passover lamb that marked Israel for deliverance, Christ’s blood secures redemption for all who belong to Him (1 Peter 1:18–19). The cost of the church demands faithful, reverent care from every spiritual leader. 1Pe 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things… I know that after my departure, Paul spoke at Miletus to the elders from Ephesus, knowing that imprisonment and suffering awaited him. His leaving would remove his direct apostolic care from the congregation, placing greater responsibility on the elders to guard the believers entrusted to them. Jesus similarly prepared His disciples for opposition after His departure (John 16:4–7). 2Ti 4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering,… savage wolves will come in among you False teachers would arise from outside the church and seek entrance among God’s people. Jesus warned that false prophets come in sheep’s clothing while inwardly they are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15). Paul later instructed Timothy to confront false teaching in Ephesus, where some had departed from sound doctrine and promoted speculation rather than faith (1 Timothy 1:3–7). Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you… and will not spare the flock. The flock is the church, purchased by the blood of Christ and cared for by faithful shepherds (Acts 20:28; John 10:11–16). False teachers do not merely hold private errors; they injure believers, distort the gospel, divide congregations, and draw disciples away from Christ. Paul’s warning calls church leaders to vigilant, compassionate, and courageous protection of God’s people. Jhn 10:12 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep… Even from your own number, Paul warned the Ephesian elders that danger would arise within the church’s own leadership. False teachers often gain influence because they are known, trusted, and able to present error in familiar religious language. Peter likewise warned that false teachers would secretly arise among God’s people (2 Peter 2:1), and John described some who departed from the fellowship because they had never truly belonged to Christ (1 John 2:19). 2Pe 2:1 Now there were also false prophets among the people… men will rise up Such leaders would deliberately seek a place of influence rather than humbly serving the flock entrusted to them. Ambition, pride, and a desire for personal authority can corrupt those who hold spiritual responsibility. The elders were therefore to remain watchful over themselves as well as over the church. Mat 24:11 and many false prophets will arise and deceive many. and distort the truth The gospel of Christ cannot be altered without damaging its saving message. Paul had repeatedly defended the truth against those who added human works to grace or denied essential aspects of Christ’s person and work. Sound doctrine protects the church from teachings that appear spiritual but turn believers away from the apostolic gospel. 2Pe 3:16 He writes this way in all his letters… to draw away disciples after them. Their aim would not be to lead people closer to Christ, but to gather followers for themselves. True shepherds point the flock to the Chief Shepherd; false leaders build factions around their own authority, ideas, and reputation. Christ’s church must remain united in His word rather than attached to personalities. 2Pe 2:18 With lofty but empty words, they appeal… Therefore be alert The Ephesian elders were to guard the flock entrusted to them, especially because destructive teachers would arise from outside and within the church (Acts 20:28–30). Spiritual watchfulness requires devotion to truth, prayer, and careful care for God’s people. 1Co 16:13 Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage.… and remember that for three years Paul’s extended ministry in Ephesus established the church amid a city dominated by pagan worship, commerce, and the temple of Artemis. His long presence gave the elders firsthand knowledge of his teaching, conduct, and concern for believers. Gal 1:18 Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem… I never stopped warning each of you Paul taught publicly and personally, addressing the spiritual needs and dangers facing individuals rather than offering distant instruction alone. His ministry prepared the church to recognize error and remain faithful to Christ. 1Th 2:11-12 For you know that we treated each of you as a father… night and day The apostle’s care was continual and costly. His labor reflected the urgency of protecting believers from deception and strengthening them in the gospel. 1Th 2:9 Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil.… with tears. Paul’s warnings came from love, not harshness or self-interest. His tears revealed a shepherd’s heart, joining truth with deep compassion for those Christ had purchased with His blood. 2Co 2:4 For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress… And now I commit you to God Paul places the Ephesian elders in the care of the God whom he has faithfully served and proclaimed. Though Paul’s departure would remove his personal guidance, God’s presence and power would remain with the church. The Lord is able to preserve His people and sustain their leaders through every danger, trial, and season of change. Psa 31:5 Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me… and to the word of His grace, God’s gracious gospel reveals salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ rather than through human merit. The same message that brings sinners to faith continues to direct, correct, comfort, and strengthen believers. The elders were to guard this gospel from false teaching and feed God’s flock with its truth. Act 14:3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there… which can build you up God’s word establishes believers in sound doctrine, holy character, and steadfast hope. Spiritual maturity grows as the church receives, obeys, and lives under the authority of God’s revealed truth. The Lord builds His people into a faithful community that can endure opposition and remain rooted in Christ. Col 2:6-7 Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord,… and give you an inheritance The gospel directs believers beyond present ministry and suffering to the promised inheritance of eternal life. Through union with Christ, God’s children become heirs of His kingdom and will receive all that He has promised. This inheritance is secure because it rests upon God’s grace and Christ’s finished work. Col 3:24 because you know that you will receive an inheritance… among all who are sanctified. All who belong to Christ are set apart for God and share in the same promised inheritance. Sanctification begins with God’s saving work and continues as believers are conformed to the likeness of Christ. Paul’s farewell therefore joins the Ephesian elders to the whole redeemed people of God, whose future is held securely by their Lord. Act 26:18 open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness… I have not coveted Paul could appeal to his conscience before the Ephesian elders at Miletus, having served among them without seeking personal advantage. He obeyed God’s command against coveting and demonstrated the contentment he later commended to believers. Exo 20:17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.… anyone’s silver or gold Material wealth did not govern Paul’s ministry or motives. His refusal to exploit the churches distinguished him from teachers who used spiritual influence for financial gain and showed that the gospel must not be treated as a means of profit. Mat 10:9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper… or clothing. Clothing represented both necessity and social status in the ancient world. Paul’s freedom from desire for such possessions confirmed his reliance on God’s provision and directed the elders toward spiritual riches that neither decay nor death can take away. Mat 6:28-30 And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies… You yourselves know Paul appeals to the firsthand witness of the Ephesian elders, who had observed his life during his extended ministry in Ephesus. His authority rested not merely in his words but in conduct openly displayed before the church. Such transparency required integrity and gave weight to his exhortations, as he likewise reminded the Thessalonians that they knew how he had lived among them (1 Thessalonians 2:9). 1Th 2:1 You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you… that these hands of mine Paul points to the labor of his own hands, likely including tentmaking or leatherworking, the trade he practiced with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth (Acts 18:3). Though Christ had established the right of gospel workers to receive support, Paul sometimes surrendered that right so that no accusation could hinder the gospel or burden young believers (1 Corinthians 9:12, 15). 1Co 4:12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified… have ministered to my own needs Manual labor supplied Paul’s personal necessities while he preached, taught, traveled, and endured hardship for Christ. His example upheld the dignity of honest work and reinforced his instruction that believers should not live irresponsibly at the expense of others (2 Thessalonians 3:7–10). His self-support also demonstrated that the gospel could not be purchased, sold, or used as a means of personal gain. 2Co 11:9 And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden… and those of my companions. Paul’s labor helped provide for fellow servants who shared in the work of the gospel. His care for companions revealed the mutual service that marked the early church, where believers regarded one another’s needs as their concern (Acts 2:44–45). The apostle who proclaimed Christ’s self-giving love also embodied it by using his strength and resources for the good of others. Tit 3:13 Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos,… In everything, I showed you Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that his conduct among them had matched his teaching. He had served with humility, endured hardship, and sought no personal gain from the churches. Christian leadership carries credibility when faithful doctrine is joined to a life shaped by Christ, as Paul also taught in 1 Corinthians 11:1. 1Co 11:1 You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. that by this kind of hard work Paul supported himself through tentmaking during portions of his ministry, refusing to place unnecessary financial burdens on new believers. Honest labor is dignified before God and can become a means of serving others. Proverbs 14:23 likewise affirms that labor brings profit rather than empty talk. 1Co 4:12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified… we must help the weak, The strong bear responsibility toward those unable to provide fully for themselves, including the poor, sick, widowed, and otherwise vulnerable. The church was to reflect God’s concern for the needy through practical care, not merely sympathetic words. Such service fulfills the pattern of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. 1Th 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly… remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: Paul preserved an authentic saying of Jesus not recorded in the four Gospels. The apostles had received and guarded the Lord’s teaching, whether written in the Gospel accounts or passed on through reliable witness. Luk 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them… ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Giving reflects the self-giving character of Christ, who gave Himself for sinners. Material generosity, sacrificial service, and care for those in need bring a blessing greater than the temporary satisfaction of receiving. God calls His people to give freely and cheerfully, trusting Him as the ultimate provider. Luk 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,… When Paul had said this, Paul concluded his farewell charge to the elders from Ephesus, whom he had summoned to Miletus. After reminding them of his own ministry among them and warning of coming false teachers, he entrusted them to God and to the word of His grace. Paul expected imprisonment and affliction in Jerusalem, yet remained committed to finishing the ministry received from the Lord Jesus. Act 1:9 He had said this, they watched as He was taken up… he knelt down Paul publicly humbled himself before God in the presence of the elders. His posture matched the burden of the moment: the church would soon continue without his personal oversight, and its leaders needed divine wisdom, courage, and protection. The apostle who had faithfully taught them also modeled dependence upon the Lord. Act 9:40 Then Peter sent them all out of the room.… with all of them The Ephesian elders joined Paul in a final act of fellowship and submission to God. Their shared prayer reflected the close bond formed through years of labor, teaching, suffering, and service. As overseers of the flock, these men bore responsibility to guard the believers from spiritual danger and to lead them in faithfulness. Act 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together… and prayed. Prayer placed the future of the Ephesian church in God’s hands. Paul could warn, teach, and exhort, but only God could preserve His people and build them up in grace. The scene anticipates the sorrowful farewell that followed, while showing that Christian ministry is sustained not by human strength but by the care and power of God. Act 4:31 After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken… They all wept openly Paul’s farewell brought forth unrestrained grief from the Ephesian elders, revealing the love formed through years of shared ministry, teaching, prayer, hardship, and service. They understood that Paul’s warning about coming wolves and internal distortion of truth would require steadfast vigilance after his departure (Acts 20:29–31). Act 21:13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping?”… as they embraced Paul Their embrace testified to genuine fellowship in Christ and to the close pastoral bond Paul had cultivated among them. Christian leadership was not merely instruction or administration; Paul had given them his life, laboring among them with humility and tears (Acts 20:19). Gen 33:4 Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him… and kissed him. The farewell kiss was a customary sign of affection, loyalty, and peace, later reflected in the New Testament practice of greeting fellow believers with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16). Their sorrow was especially intense because Paul had told them they would not see his face again, yet their parting rested within the larger hope of Christ’s kingdom and resurrection. 1Sa 20:41 Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together… They were especially grieved by his statement The Ephesian elders were deeply sorrowful because Paul’s departure ended nearly three years of close ministry, instruction, prayer, hardship, and shared labor for the gospel. Their tears revealed genuine love between a faithful shepherd and the leaders he had helped establish in the faith. Jhn 16:6 Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow… that they would never see his face again. Paul expected imprisonment and affliction as he traveled toward Jerusalem, having been constrained by the Holy Spirit to complete his calling. The prospect of a final separation impressed upon the elders the cost of gospel ministry and the urgency of guarding the church Paul was leaving in their care. Jhn 16:16 In a little while you will see Me no more,… Then they accompanied him to the ship. The elders honored Paul by escorting him from Miletus to the vessel that would carry him onward. Their presence expressed affection, fellowship, and solidarity with a servant of Christ facing an uncertain future. Though separated in body, they remained united in the Lord and entrusted to His grace. Act 21:5-6 But when our time there had ended, we set out… This is a draft of the Berean Study Bible. Please send all comments and recommendations to bereanstudybible@aol.com. Bible Hub |
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