You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.
Parallel translations
- WEB You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.
- KJV Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
- NKJV Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
- NASB You yourselves know that these hands served my own needs and the men who were with me.
- NLT You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me.
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 them that he worked with his own hands to support himself and his companions. He modeled self-supporting, generous labor.
Overview
Though entitled to support, Paul often labored as a tentmaker to provide for himself and others and to avoid burdening the churches. His example refutes any suspicion of profiteering and dignifies honest work. Such diligence backed his teaching with action, showing love that gives rather than takes.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Acts 18:3and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
- 1 Cor 4:12We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
- 2 Th 3:8–9nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
- Acts 19:22He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed for a time in the province of Asia.
- 1 Th 2:9Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
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.
How Acts 20:34 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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