Acts 20 7

Acts 20:7 kjv

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

Acts 20:7 nkjv

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

Acts 20:7 niv

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.

Acts 20:7 esv

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

Acts 20:7 nlt

On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord's Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 7 Meaning

Acts 20:7 details a pivotal gathering of believers in Troas on the "first day of the week," where they assembled to "break bread." This phrase refers to the communal meal which often included the celebration of the Lord's Supper, a central act of Christian worship and fellowship. The Apostle Paul, intending to depart the next day, seized the opportunity to preach and instruct them, prolonging his discourse until midnight, emphasizing the spiritual importance and the urgency of his teaching.

Acts 20 7 Context

Acts chapter 20 describes Paul's journey back to Jerusalem after his third missionary journey. He travels through Macedonia and Greece, stopping in Troas on his way to Syria. This particular incident in verse 7 occurs during a week-long stay in Troas (Acts 20:6), just before his scheduled departure. It marks one of Paul's last opportunities to spend time with the believers in that region. The immediate context of Paul's long speech sets the stage for the dramatic event of Eutychus falling from the window and being miraculously restored to life (Acts 20:9-12), which further highlights the spiritual intensity and the lateness of the hour. Historically, this account provides valuable insight into the practices and priorities of the early Christian community, particularly their observance of the "first day of the week."

Acts 20 7 Word analysis

• On the first day of the week (Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων, Tē de mia tōn sabbatōn):
  • "first" (μιᾷ, mia): Literally "one." In this context, in combination with "Sabbaths," it refers to the day following the Jewish Sabbath, making it Sunday. It is the ordinal use of "one" after a Sabbath cycle.
  • "day of the week" (τῶν σαββάτων, tōn sabbatōn): Plural genitive, literally "of the Sabbaths." In Koine Greek, this idiom designated the days of the week following the Sabbath. This phrasing strongly denotes Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection. The early church, composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts, progressively distinguished their day of worship from the Jewish Sabbath, centering their gatherings on the day Jesus rose from the dead.
• when we were gathered (συνηγμένων ἡμῶν, synēgmenōn hēmōn):
  • "gathered" (συνηγμένων, synēgmenōn): A passive participle, implying that they had come together for a specific purpose. This highlights the intentional, communal aspect of early Christian worship, underscoring the body of Christ actively assembling. This collective assembly was fundamental to Christian identity and practice.
• to break bread (τοῦ κλάσαι ἄρτον, tou klasai arton):
  • "to break" (κλάσαι, klasai): Infinitive form, indicating purpose.
  • "bread" (ἄρτον, arton): Represents the common meal but, significantly in a Christian context, often includes or refers specifically to the Lord's Supper. In the early church, these two aspects were frequently intertwined, with a full meal preceding or incorporating the symbolic bread and wine. This act was central to their fellowship, memorializing Christ's sacrifice, and affirming their unity.
• Paul talked with them (ὁ Παῦλος διελέγετο αὐτοῖς, ho Paulos dielegeto autois):
  • "talked with them" (διελέγετο αὐτοῖς, dielegeto autois): The verb dialogomai implies reasoning, discoursing, or engaging in extensive teaching. Paul's characteristic method of sharing the Gospel involved extended persuasive dialogue and instruction. This was not a casual chat but a serious theological exposition.
• intending to depart on the next day (μέλλων ἐκπορεύεσθαι τῇ ἐπαύριον, mellon ekporeuesthai tē epaurion):
  • "intending" (μέλλων, mellon): Highlights Paul's determination and the scheduled nature of his departure.
  • "to depart" (ἐκπορεύεσθαι, ekporeuesthai): Signifies setting out or leaving.
  • "on the next day" (τῇ ἐπαύριον, tē epaurion): The specific timeline adds context to Paul's prolonged speech; he knew this was his final opportunity to instruct them before his journey.
• and he prolonged his speech until midnight (παρέτεινέν τε τὸν λόγον μέχρι μεσονυκτίου, pareteinen te ton logon mechri mesonyktiou):
  • "prolonged" (παρέτεινέν, pareteinen): Emphasizes the extended duration, stretching the discourse.
  • "his speech" (τὸν λόγον, ton logon): Referring to his teaching and preaching.
  • "until midnight" (μέχρι μεσονυκτίου, mechri mesonyktiou): This specific time marker further underscores the earnestness of Paul's teaching and the dedication of the listeners, creating a late-night vigil for spiritual instruction. This detail is crucial for the subsequent account of Eutychus.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered": This phrase firmly establishes the Christian practice of congregating for worship on Sunday. This timing symbolically honored Christ's resurrection, setting it apart from the Jewish Sabbath observance. The "we" (from Luke, the author, being present) reinforces this was a standard, expected gathering of the community.
• "to break bread": This group of words denotes one of the core liturgical practices of the early church. While it implies fellowship and sharing a meal, its prominence in Luke's description and elsewhere in Acts strongly suggests the Eucharist (Lord's Supper) was a central component of this gathering. It was both an act of remembrance and an expression of communal identity in Christ.
• "Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day": This indicates the urgency and deliberateness of Paul's extended teaching. Knowing he had limited time, Paul dedicated himself fully to imparting essential spiritual guidance. His imminent departure served as a catalyst for his passionate, prolonged sermon.
• "and he prolonged his speech until midnight": This group further illustrates Paul's commitment to ministry and the deep spiritual hunger of the believers. The extended teaching session highlights the emphasis placed on doctrinal instruction and the personal interaction between the apostle and the congregation, despite the late hour.

Acts 20 7 Bonus section

The details in Acts 20:7 reveal an informal yet highly dedicated worship environment. The lack of a purpose-built church building implies that meetings were held in homes or available spaces, fostering an intimate atmosphere. The combination of "breaking bread" with "Paul talked" suggests that teaching and fellowship (including the Eucharist) were integral parts of the same gathering, demonstrating a holistic approach to worship that addressed both spiritual instruction and communal identity. The detail about Paul speaking "until midnight" provides a human touch to the narrative, highlighting not only Paul's fervor but also the extraordinary commitment of the early believers, willing to forgo sleep for spiritual nourishment. This deep engagement contrasts sharply with modern, often time-limited, worship services and reminds believers of the immense value placed on the Word and fellowship in the nascent church.

Acts 20 7 Commentary

Acts 20:7 offers profound insights into early Christian worship, establishing foundational practices that persist today. The consistent emphasis on "the first day of the week" as the gathering time points to the resurrection of Jesus as the cornerstone of their faith and worship, consciously distinguishing it from the Jewish Sabbath. The phrase "to break bread" underscores the centrality of the Lord's Supper—a commemoration of Christ's sacrifice, a declaration of unity, and an anticipation of His return—often combined with a communal meal, in the life of the nascent church. Paul's example of diligent and prolonged teaching until midnight, especially given his imminent departure, sets a powerful precedent for devoted pastoral ministry and the imperative of sharing God's Word without reservation, reflecting both the spiritual needs of the flock and the transient nature of opportunities for instruction.