When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.
Parallel translations
- WEB When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,
- KJV And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
- NKJV And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,
- NASB And when they came to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time,
- NLT When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now
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 reminds the elders how he conducted himself among them from his first day in Asia. He appeals to his known and consistent example.
Overview
Paul opens his farewell by pointing to his manner of life, which the elders themselves witnessed over years of ministry. His appeal is not to boast but to model faithful, transparent leadership they should imitate. Integrity of life that matches one's message is essential to gospel ministry, as Paul consistently taught and lived.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 1 Th 1:5–6because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.
- Acts 19:1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples
- Acts 18:19When they reached Ephesus, Paul parted ways with Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews.
- Acts 19:10This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.
- 2 Th 3:7–9For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you,
- 1 Th 2:1–10You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.
- 2 Tim 3:10You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance,
- 2 Cor 6:3–11We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry.
- 2 Cor 1:12And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
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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.
How Acts 20:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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