Acts 20:19
What does Acts 20:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 20:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 20:19 means
Paul served the Lord with humility, tears, and in the midst of trials caused by Jewish plots. True service bears the marks of compassion and endurance. His tears reveal pastoral tenderness; his sufferings reveal steadfast commitment; his humility shows that Christ, not self, is central. The opposition did not derail his ministry but refined it. The verse teaches that faithful leadership is not triumphant posturing but lowly, persevering devotion under pressure. Paul sets a pattern the elders must continue: serving the Lord first, and, in that service, loving the flock sacrificially even when hostility and hardship persist.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Doing the Lord's work without pride, through all the sorrow and troubles which came on me because of the evil designs of the Jews:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862serving the Lord with all humility, and many tears, and temptations, that befell me in the counsels of the Jews against <FI>me<Fi> ;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and temptations which befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890serving the Lord with all lowliness, and tears, and temptations, which happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
Context
Continuing his autobiographical review, Paul now highlights the inner posture and outer pressures of his ministry among them. This frames the next lines (verse 20) about not shrinking back from profitable teaching, and (verse 21) about his gospel call to repentance and faith. By recalling both his heart and his hardships, Paul prepares the elders to receive a charge that will require the same blend of courage, compassion, and endurance.
v.18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time,
v.19This passage
v.20how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 9:1
Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
- 2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God,
- John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honor.
- Acts 27:23
For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve,
- Acts 13:50
But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders.
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