Acts 20 33

Acts 20:33 kjv

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

Acts 20:33 nkjv

I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.

Acts 20:33 niv

I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.

Acts 20:33 esv

I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.

Acts 20:33 nlt

"I have never coveted anyone's silver or gold or fine clothes.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 33 Meaning

This verse serves as a declaration by the Apostle Paul, asserting his blameless conduct concerning financial matters during his ministry. It emphasizes his complete lack of desire or greed for material possessions—specifically silver, gold, or fine clothing—from anyone he ministered to. Paul's statement underscores his purity of motive, contrasting with those who engage in religious activity for personal gain and establishing a benchmark for integrity in leadership within the church.

Acts 20 33 Context

Acts 20:33 is part of Paul's deeply emotional and significant farewell address to the elders of the church in Ephesus, delivered in Miletus (Acts 20:17-38). Having ministered in Ephesus for three years (Acts 20:31), Paul knows he will not see these elders again. His speech serves as a final charge, a self-defense, and a model for faithful Christian leadership.

Before this verse, Paul reviews his past conduct among them, emphasizing his humility, tireless teaching, and warnings (Acts 20:18-21). He then speaks of his future journey to Jerusalem, foreseeing suffering (Acts 20:22-24), and declaring his innocence regarding anyone's salvation, having proclaimed the "whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:26-27). This sets the stage for his appeal for the elders to guard the flock, particularly from "savage wolves" (false teachers) who will rise from within and without (Acts 20:29-30). In verse 33, Paul offers himself as an unimpeachable example, reinforcing his integrity as a counter-narrative to what would be—or already was—characteristic of false teachers who sought financial exploitation. His disclaimer of covetousness directly precedes his instruction to them on laboring for the weak and remembering Jesus' words about giving (Acts 20:34-35), creating a powerful statement about selflessness in ministry.

Historically and culturally, ancient society had a mix of perceptions regarding religious teachers and philosophers. Some genuine teachers would support themselves, but there were also Sophists and charlatans who itinerated and charged exorbitant fees for their teaching, often for personal enrichment. Paul consistently distinguished himself from such figures, not only by refusing payment but by working with his own hands, thus validating his gospel message as truly given, not sold.

Acts 20 33 Word analysis

• I (ἐγὼ - egō): The personal pronoun is emphatically placed in the Greek text. It highlights Paul as the speaker, drawing a direct connection between his personal integrity and the selfless principles he exemplifies. It implicitly sets himself apart from others, particularly false teachers who do act out of greed.
• have coveted (ἐπεθύμησα - epithymēsa): This is the Aorist active indicative form of the verb epithymeō. It denotes a strong, earnest desire, longing, or craving. While epithymeō can sometimes be used positively (e.g., Lk 22:15 "I have earnestly desired"), its use in the Septuagint for the prohibition against "coveting" in the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:17) generally lends it a negative connotation of inordinate desire or lust for something forbidden or not one's own. Here, Paul declares he never, at any point in time, harbored such a strong, unholy desire for material possessions belonging to others.
• no one’s (οὐδενὸς - oudenos): This is the genitive form of oudeis, meaning "no one" or "nothing." The phrase emphasizes the absolute absence of covetousness, indicating he had not coveted from any person, great or small, rich or poor, or any kind of possession. This complete renunciation reinforces the sincerity of his ministry.
• silver (ἀργύρου - argyrou): Referring to wealth in coinage or precious metals. Along with gold, silver was a primary medium of exchange and a significant indicator of prosperity in the ancient world. Coveting silver implied desiring financial gain.
• or gold (ἢ χρυσοῦ - ē chrysou): Also denotes monetary wealth and status. The pairing of silver and gold is a common biblical idiom for material riches, reflecting the comprehensive nature of Paul's claim. It leaves no room for misunderstanding his disinterest in any form of monetary gain.
• or apparel (ἢ ἱματισμοῦ - ē himatismou): "Apparel" or "clothing" in the ancient world was not merely functional but often represented significant value. Fine clothing was a tangible display of wealth, an investment, or could even be inherited. Storing costly apparel was a common form of saving and a source of status. Desiring someone's apparel implies coveting their material possessions and external signs of affluence.
• words-group: "coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel": This phrase succinctly states the extent of Paul's financial purity. It directly counters the accusations or temptations that leaders might face concerning financial exploitation. Paul is presenting a powerful counter-example to false teachers who preach for "dishonest gain" (Titus 1:11, 1 Pet 5:2) and affirms that his motivation was not mercenary. It reflects his consistent theme of presenting the Gospel free of charge (1 Cor 9:18) and laboring so as not to be a burden (1 Thess 2:9). This integrity protects the Gospel message itself, proving it's for God's glory, not Paul's enrichment.

Acts 20 33 Bonus section

• Paul's declaration in Acts 20:33 is reinforced by his consistent practice of supporting himself through tentmaking, as mentioned in Acts 18:3 and explicitly detailed in the very next verses (Acts 20:34-35), providing a tangible demonstration of his principles.
• This statement highlights the importance of transparent and blameless financial conduct for those in ministry. It sets a high bar for leaders, emphasizing that motives matter as much as methods.
• The absence of covetousness aligns directly with the Mosaic Law's prohibition against desiring what belongs to others, thereby connecting Paul's Christian ethic to fundamental Old Testament principles of righteousness.
• The choice of "silver, gold, or apparel" represents the comprehensive range of covetable assets in the ancient world, from liquid capital (silver/gold) to luxury goods/status symbols (apparel), leaving no category uncovered in Paul's repudiation.

Acts 20 33 Commentary

In Acts 20:33, Paul articulates a fundamental principle of godly leadership: complete detachment from covetousness. This statement is a powerful testament to his unwavering integrity and selfless motivation in ministry. He didn't desire the riches or possessions of those he served, setting a vital example for the Ephesian elders and for all who lead God's people.

Paul's renunciation of desiring "silver or gold or apparel" directly addresses the very real temptation for spiritual leaders to exploit their position for personal financial gain. By stating he has coveted nothing, he distinguishes himself sharply from the prevalent charlatans and false teachers of his era—and indeed, of all eras—who "peddle the word of God for profit" (2 Cor 2:17). This commitment to non-covetousness safeguards the credibility of the Gospel. If the messenger is seen to be motivated by material gain, the message itself becomes suspect.

His words are not just a self-vindication but an exhortation by example. It implicitly teaches that ministry driven by the pursuit of wealth corrupts the very essence of spiritual service. True shepherds of God’s flock prioritize the well-being of the sheep over their own material comforts, following the pattern of Christ who "though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor" (2 Cor 8:9). Paul's life embodied this selfless principle, proving that ministry is a calling to sacrificial service, not an opportunity for personal enrichment.