Acts 20 35

Acts 20:35 kjv

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.

Acts 20:35 nkjv

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

Acts 20:35 niv

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

Acts 20:35 esv

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Acts 20:35 nlt

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 35 Meaning

Acts 20:35 conveys Paul's unwavering commitment to Christ-like self-sufficiency and sacrificial service as an example for the Ephesian elders. It highlights that true blessing is found not in personal accumulation or receipt of aid, but in diligent labor and selfless giving to support those in need. Paul substantiates this principle by quoting a specific, otherwise unrecorded saying of Jesus, affirming the profound spiritual superiority of giving over receiving.

Acts 20 35 Context

Acts chapter 20 recounts Paul's journey through Macedonia and Greece, culminating in his poignant farewell speech to the Ephesian elders at Miletus. This speech is a deep pastoral charge, a spiritual last will and testament, outlining Paul's diligent and sacrificial ministry as a model for their future leadership. The verse itself stands as a powerful summary and ultimate principle for Christian service and ethics, following Paul's defense of his own conduct—that he coveted no one's possessions and worked to support himself and his companions (Acts 20:33-34). It serves as a call for the elders to emulate his selfless example in caring for the community, especially the vulnerable, founded on a profound, counter-cultural teaching of Jesus that prioritizes generosity over personal gain.

Historically and culturally, self-sufficiency in labor was common, and Paul's trade as a tentmaker (or leatherworker) was a practical skill. While Roman and Greek societies had patronage systems where benefactors supported others, Paul’s ministry deliberately avoided becoming a financial burden to those he ministered to. This not only differentiated him from potentially opportunistic philosophical teachers or religious figures of the day but also modeled an active, hands-on, self-sacrificing dedication to the gospel. The exhortation to help the "weak" also touches upon the social realities of poverty, sickness, and marginalization prevalent in ancient urban centers.

Acts 20 35 Word analysis

• In all things: Indicates a comprehensive demonstration. Paul's life and ministry were consistent examples.
• I have shown you (ὑπέδειξα, hypedeixa): To demonstrate, to make clear by example. It's not just a verbal instruction but a lived reality, emphasizing the integrity and practical outworking of Paul's teaching.
• that by working hard (κοπιῶντας, kopiōntas): From kopos, meaning labor, toil, effort, even to the point of exhaustion. It signifies strenuous, self-denying physical exertion. This is not idle labor but productive, intense effort.
• in this way (οὕτως, houtōs): Refers back to Paul's personal example of working with his hands to support himself, as detailed in Acts 20:33-34.
• we must help (ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι, antilambanesthai): To take hold of, to come to the aid of, to assist or support. It implies active engagement and provision. The imperative "we must" indicates a non-negotiable obligation.
• the weak (τῶν ἀσθενούντων, tōn asthenountōn): Literally "those who are without strength." This refers to those who are physically infirm, poor, or otherwise vulnerable and dependent, requiring assistance. It's a broad category encompassing various forms of inability or need.
• and remember (μνημονεύειν, mnēmoneuein): To call to mind, to recollect, but also to be mindful of or to act upon. It's not merely mental recall but practical adherence to the principle.
• the words of the Lord Jesus (τῶν λόγων τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ, tōn logōn tou Kyriou Iēsou): Highlights the divine authority and origin of the following teaching. "Lord Jesus" emphasizes His full divine and human identity. This specific saying of Jesus ("It is more blessed to give than to receive") is an agraphon, meaning it's a saying of Jesus not recorded in the canonical Gospels, found only here in the New Testament.
• how he himself said (αὐτὸς εἶπεν, autos eipen): Emphasizes that this teaching comes directly from Jesus, adding significant weight and authenticity to the proverb.
• It is more blessed (Μακάριόν ἐστιν, Makarioteron estin): "More blessed" (comparative of makarios, often translated as "blessed," "happy," or "fortunate"). It speaks of a deeper, inherent spiritual happiness or favor from God, often associated with participating in God's nature and values. This blessedness is qualitatively superior, not necessarily a material reward.
• to give (διδόναι, didonai): The act of imparting, bestowing, providing. This is proactive benevolence.
• than to receive (λαμβάνειν, lambanein): The act of accepting or taking. The worldly paradigm often prizes receiving and accumulating, but Jesus' teaching reverses this.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way": This phrase underlines Paul's unwavering consistency and hands-on, self-sacrificial approach to ministry. His life was the sermon, demonstrating a specific method of service. This contrasts with false teachers or those who might exploit others for personal gain. It establishes a pattern for true Christian leadership: labor, not exploitation.
• "we must help the weak": This reveals the ultimate purpose of such diligent labor for a Christian and leader: to alleviate the burdens of others, specifically those most vulnerable in the community. It mandates practical compassion, showing the concrete outcome of Christ-like ethics.
• "and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'": This climactic statement anchors the entire principle in the supreme authority of Jesus Christ. It elevates selfless giving from a mere human virtue to a divine principle, indicating that true fulfillment and spiritual blessing come from emulating God's giving nature, rather than from human self-interest or material accumulation. It's a paradigm shift in values.

Acts 20 35 Bonus section

The "It is more blessed to give than to receive" is a unique instance of an agraphon in the New Testament, highlighting that not all of Jesus' teachings were preserved in the canonical Gospels, yet some were evidently cherished and transmitted by the apostles. This emphasizes the richness of the early Christian oral tradition. Paul's emphasis on working with his hands was not merely a practical choice but a theological statement about independence from human patronage and reliance on God. It countered common ancient perceptions of manual labor as demeaning, instead dignifying it as a means for self-sufficiency and communal generosity. Paul went above and beyond typical apostolic rights (as discussed in 1 Cor 9), choosing to forgo legitimate support for the greater good of the gospel, further cementing his exemplary character in ministry.

Acts 20 35 Commentary

Acts 20:35 stands as a profound testament to the core values of the Kingdom of God, articulated through Paul’s life and teaching. It crystallizes the essence of Christian leadership and community ethics: self-sacrifice, diligent labor, and radical generosity rooted in the words of Jesus Himself. Paul modeled a ministry that refused to be a burden, choosing hard work to support himself and others, thus preempting accusations of greed or manipulation. This exemplified sacrificial love, contrasting sharply with worldly priorities of acquiring and possessing. The heart of the verse lies in the agraphon—Jesus’ direct and singular declaration that "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This is not a transactional blessing for future reward, but an inherent, present spiritual joy and fulfillment found in emulating God's own generous nature. To give is to partake in the divine character, where the act itself yields greater internal joy and God's favor than simply being a recipient. It encourages Christians to strive for active benevolence, seeing needs as opportunities to extend grace and reflect Christ. Practically, this means cultivating a generous spirit, being resourceful through diligent effort, and intentionally looking for opportunities to support those who cannot support themselves, understanding that such service is true worship.