But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
Parallel translations
- WEB but taking his leave of them, and saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.
- BSB But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
- NKJV but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.
- NASB but took leave of them and said, “I will return to you again if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.
- NLT As he left, however, he said, “I will come back later, God willing.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul took his leave, promising to return if God willed, and set sail from Ephesus.
Overview
His words, if God wills, express a humble submission to providence that marks all godly planning (cf. James 4:15). Paul's intention to keep the feast in Jerusalem reflects his continued reverence for Jewish worship. The promise to return would be fulfilled in his extended Ephesian ministry in the next chapter.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- 1 Cor 4:19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
- Jas 4:15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
- Rom 1:10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
- Rom 15:32That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
- Heb 6:3And this will we do, if God permit.
- Acts 20:16For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
- Deut 16:1Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
- Phil 2:19–24But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
- Acts 15:29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
- Acts 19:21After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
- 1 Pet 3:17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
- 1 Cor 16:7For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
- Acts 21:14And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
- 2 Cor 13:11Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
- Matt 26:39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
- Luke 9:61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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