Acts 20:34 kjv
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Acts 20:34 nkjv
Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
Acts 20:34 niv
You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.
Acts 20:34 esv
You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.
Acts 20:34 nlt
You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me.
Acts 20 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 18:3 | …and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked,... | Paul working as a tentmaker alongside Aquila and Priscilla |
| 1 Corinthians 9:6 | Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? | Paul asserting his right to financial support |
| 1 Corinthians 9:12 | If others share this right over you, do not we have a greater right? | Further defense of his right to support |
| 1 Corinthians 9:14 | Likewise the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should live from the gospel. | Divine institution for gospel workers' support |
| 2 Thessalonians 3:8 | nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. | Paul's example of not being a burden |
| 2 Thessalonians 3:10 | For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. | General principle of work |
| Philippians 4:11 | Not that I speak of needing things; for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, to be content. | Paul's contentment despite financial lack |
| Philippians 4:16 | For even in Thessalonica you sent me help once and again in my need. | Acknowledgment of previous support received |
| 1 Timothy 5:17 | Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and doctrine. | Honor due to elders laboring in ministry |
| 1 Timothy 5:18 | For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” | Old Testament basis for support of workers |
| Titus 1:12 | claiming to be able to detect lies. | Less direct, related to discerning truth |
| Genesis 2:15 | The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it. | Work as part of God's original creation |
| Genesis 3:19 | By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground... | Work as a consequence of the Fall |
| Proverbs 6:6 | Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways, and be wise! | Exhortation to diligence |
| Proverbs 10:4 | Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. | Reward of diligence |
| Proverbs 12:24 | Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. | Contrast between diligence and laziness |
| John 6:27 | Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. | Emphasis on spiritual work |
| Romans 15:1 | We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. | Principle of bearing others' burdens |
| Galatians 6:2 | Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. | Fulfilling Christ's law through mutual support |
| 1 Thessalonians 4:11 | and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you... | Instruction for believers to work |
Acts 20 verses
Acts 20 34 Meaning
This verse states that the Apostle Paul provided for his own needs and the needs of those who were with him. This was not by receiving provisions from the church he was ministering to, but through his own labor. His intention in doing so was to set an example for them, demonstrating that diligent work should be prioritized.
Acts 20 34 Context
This verse is part of Paul's farewell address to the elders of Ephesus. He is recounting his ministry among them, highlighting his dedication and self-sufficiency. Earlier in the chapter (Acts 20:18-21), Paul reminds them of his faithful ministry and the suffering he endured. He emphasizes that he did not shrink from teaching them anything profitable, nor did he seek financial gain from them. He deliberately chose to support himself through his labor as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). This act of self-support was a consistent principle throughout his ministry, demonstrating his commitment to being an example and avoiding any perception of exploiting the churches (2 Corinthians 11:7-12). His self-reliance in ministry ensured that the Gospel message was not hindered by financial concerns or the accusation of mercenary motives.
Acts 20 34 Word Analysis
- ὑμῖν (hymin) - "to you" (plural). Refers to the elders of Ephesus and by extension, the church in Ephesus.
- οἶδατε (oidate) - "you know." This points to the experiential knowledge of the Ephesian believers, who had witnessed Paul's conduct firsthand.
- καὶ (kai) - "and." Connects the preceding statement with the following one, creating a flowing thought.
- αἱ χρ[ε]ῖαι (hai chreiai) - "the needs" or "the necessities." Refers to the requirements for living – food, clothing, shelter.
- τ[α]ῖ[ς] (tais) - "the" (dative plural feminine article). Modifies "χρεῖαις".
- ἐμαυτ[οῦ] (emautou) - "of myself." Emphasizes personal self-provision.
- καὶ (kai) - "and." Connects his needs with the needs of those accompanying him.
- τ[οῖ]ς (tois) - "the" (dative plural masculine article). Modifies "οὖσιν μετ’ ἐμοῦ" (ousin met' emou).
- οὖσιν (ousin) - "being" (present participle of εἰμί - eimi, "to be"). Describes those who are in his company.
- μετ’ (met') - "with." Indicates companionship.
- ἐμοῦ (emou) - "me" (genitive singular of ἐγώ - ego, "I").
- Word Group: "αἱ χρεῖαι ταῖς ἐμαυτοῦ καὶ τοῖς οὖσιν μετ’ ἐμοῦ" - This phrase collectively means "the needs of myself and of those who are with me." Paul makes no distinction between his own needs and those of his companions.
- Passage: "τούτοις τοῖς κόποις ὑπηρετῶν..." (toutois tois kopois upēretōn...) - "Serving these labors..." or "In support of these labors..." This indicates that his personal work was in service to meeting these needs. The participle "ὑπηρετῶν" (upēretōn - serving) emphasizes that his work was a means of ministry and support.
Acts 20 34 Bonus Section
Paul's mention of working with his own hands is consistent with his letter to the Thessalonians where he directly addresses idleness, stating, "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (2 Thess 3:10). This emphasizes a clear correlation between work and sustenance. His choice to forgo financial support from the Ephesian church, despite having the spiritual authority to receive it, highlighted his intentionality in avoiding any grounds for criticism or accusations of self-interest, thereby safeguarding the integrity and advancement of the Gospel message.
Acts 20 34 Commentary
Paul consistently demonstrated a commitment to self-sufficiency in ministry. He did not claim a right to be financially supported by the churches he served, though he acknowledged that such a right existed according to God's design (1 Corinthians 9:4-14). Instead, he labored with his own hands as a tentmaker to meet his own needs and those of his companions. This practice served a dual purpose: to avoid becoming a financial burden on the churches, thereby allowing the Gospel to spread unhindered, and to set a powerful example of diligent, honest labor for believers to follow. His approach modeled a work ethic rooted in the principle that the Gospel should not be motivated by financial gain, and that ministers should be blameless in their conduct.
- Practical Application: Believers today can learn from Paul's example of diligence and integrity in their work, whether in vocational or full-time ministry. It underscores the importance of financial responsibility and of setting a positive example for the community of faith.