SEV Biblia, Chapter 20:38
dolindose en gran manera por la palabra que dijo, que no habían de ver ms su rostro. Y le acompaaron al navío.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 20:38
Verse 38. That they should see his face no more] This was a most solemn meeting, and a most affecting parting. The man who had first pointed out to them the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom they had been brought into so glorious a state of salvation, is now going away, in all likelihood, to be seen no more till the day in which the quick and dead shall stand before the throne of judgment. Such a scene, and its correspondent feelings, are more easily imagined than described. 1. As the disciples are stated to have come together on the first day of the week, we may learn from this that, ever since the apostolic times, the Lord's day, now the Christian Sabbath, was set apart for religious exercises; such as the preaching of God's holy word, and celebrating the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Besides its being the day on which our blessed Lord rose from the dead, the practice of the apostles and the primitive Church is an additional reason why we should religiously celebrate this first day of the week. They who, professing the Christian religion, still prefer the Jewish Sabbath, have little to support them in the New Testament. How prone is man to affect to be wise above what is written, while he is, in almost every respect, below the teaching so plainly laid down in the Divine word.
2. The charge of St. Paul to the pastors of the Church of Christ at Ephesus and Miletus contains much that is interesting to every Christian minister: 1. If he be sent of God at all, he is sent to feed the flock. 2. But, in order to feed them, he must have the bread of life. 3. This bread he must distribute in its due season, that each may have that portion that is suitable to time, place, and state. 4. While he is feeding others, he should take care to have his own soul fed: it is possible for a minister to be the instrument of feeding others, and yet starve himself. 5. If Jesus Christ intrust to his care the souls he has bought by his own blood, what an awful account will he have to give in the day of judgment, if any of them perish through his neglect! Though the sinner, dying in his sins, has his own blood upon his head, yet, if the watchman has not faithfully warned him, his blood will be required at the watchman's hand. Let him who is concerned read Ezekiel, Ezekiel xxxiii. 3-5, and think of the account which he is shortly to give unto God.
3. Tenderness and sympathy are not inconsistent with the highest state of grace. Paul warns his hearers day and night with tears. His hearers now weep sore at the departure of their beloved pastor. They who can give up a Christian minister with indifference, have either profited little under that ministry, or they have backslidden from the grace of God. The pastors should love as fathers, the converts as children; and all feel themselves one family, under that great head, Christ Jesus.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 38. Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake , etc.] In ( Acts 20:25) it filled them with sorrow to part with him; but this was increased, and made almost intolerable by what he said, that they should see his face no more : could they have hoped to have seen him again, it would have made their parting with him more easy; but to be told they should never see him more in this world, it cut them to the heart; which shows what a share the apostle had in their hearts and affections, and not without good reason: however, that they might have a sight of him as long as they could, they went along with him to see him take shipping, and to see the last of him. And they accompanied him unto the ship : which lay at Miletus waiting for him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 28-38 - If the Holy Ghost has made ministers overseers of the flock, that is shepherds, they must be true to their trust. Let them consider their Master's concern for the flock committed to their charge. It is the church He has purchased with his own blood. The blood was his as Man yet so close is the union between the Divine and human nature, that it is there called the blood of God, for it was the blood of Him who is God. This put such dignity and worth into it, as to ransom believer from all evil, and purchase all good. Paul spake about their souls with affection and concern. They were full of care what would become of them. Paul directs them to look up to God with faith, and commends the to the word of God's grace, not only as the foundation of their hop and the fountain of their joy, but as the rule of their walking. The most advanced Christians are capable of growing, and will find the wor of grace help their growth. As those cannot be welcome guests to the holy God who are unsanctified; so heaven would be no heaven to them but to all who are born again, and on whom the image of God is renewed it is sure, as almighty power and eternal truth make it so. He recommends himself to them as an example of not caring as to things of the present world; this they would find help forward their comfortabl passage through it. It might seem a hard saying, therefore Paul adds to it a saying of their Master's, which he would have them alway remember; "It is more blessed to give than to receive:" it seems the were words often used to his disciples. The opinion of the children of this world, is contrary to this; they are afraid of giving, unless in hope of getting. Clear gain, is with them the most blessed thing tha can be; but Christ tell us what is more blessed, more excellent. I makes us more like to God, who gives to all, and receives from none and to the Lord Jesus, who went about doing good. This mind was in Christ Jesus, may it be in us also. It is good for friends, when the part, to part with prayer. Those who exhort and pray for one another may have many weeping seasons and painful separations, but they wil meet before the throne of God, to part no more. It was a comfort to all, that the presence of Christ both went with him and stayed with them __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
οδυνωμενοι 3600 5746 V-PPP-NPM μαλιστα 3122 ADV επι 1909 PREP τω 3588 T-DSM λογω 3056 N-DSM ω 3739 R-DSM ειρηκει 2046 5715 V-LAI-3S-ATT οτι 3754 CONJ ουκετι 3765 ADV μελλουσιν 3195 5719 V-PAI-3P το 3588 T-ASN προσωπον 4383 N-ASN αυτου 846 P-GSM θεωρειν 2334 5721 V-PAN προεπεμπον 4311 5707 V-IAI-3P δε 1161 CONJ αυτον 846 P-ASM εις 1519 PREP το 3588 T-ASN πλοιον 4143 N-ASN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
38. See (qewrein). See on Luke x. 18. The word for steadfast, earnest contemplation suggests the interest and affection with which they looked upon his countenance for the last time.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
20:38 {Sorrowing} (odunwmenoi). Present middle participle of odunaw, old verb to cause intense pain, to torment (#Lu 16:24), middle to distress oneself (#Lu 2:48; Ac 20:38). Nowhere else in N.T. {Which he had spoken} (hwi eirekei). Relative attracted to the case of the antecedent logwi (word). Past perfect indicative of eipon. {They brought him on his way} (proepempon auton). Imperfect active of propempw, old verb to send forward, to accompany as in #Ac 15:3; 20:38; 21:5; 1Co 16:6,11; 2Co 1:16; Tit 3:13; 3Jo 1:6. Graphic picture of Paul's departure from this group of ministers.
