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Paul begins his message to the ministers, the pastors of Ephesus. They have seen Paul’s
lifestyle since the day he had arrived over three years before. He has been with them through
“all seasons.” They had watched Paul handle struggles and turmoil. They have watched him
rise above troubles he knew about and others he did not. The seasons of the ministry range
from good to bad, pleasant to difficult, and calm to stormy. There are times when people are
for you and your message and other times when you are opposed.

Act 20:19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me
by the plotting of the Jews;

Serving the Lord with all humility of mind (tapeiphrosune: grace thinking), and with many tears,
and temptation, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

The first attribute any minister needs is grace thinking. This is freedom from inheritance. The
first step into greatness in God’s kingdom is to realize you are nothing, and God is everything.
This way, God can build your ministry and not you.

Paul points out that many sufferings are found in the Christian life, especially in the ministry. A
minister is a special target to the devil. When a minister falls, the rest of the congregation will
probably not be far behind. With humility comes true godly exaltation (Proverbs 3:34;
Philippians 2:8-9; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6). God’s protection also comes (Isaiah 54:17). Often
there are tears when you discover what people are really like. Temptation comes from the
religious, legalistic people. The worst type of persecution comes from the religious crowd.

20:19 humility, tapelinophrosune (tap-eye-nof-ros-oo-nay); Modesty, lowliness,
humble-mindedness, a sense of moral insignificance, and a humble attitude of unselfish
concern for the welfare of others. It is a total absence of arrogance, conceit, and
haughtiness. The word is a combination of tapeinos, “humble,” and phren, “mind.” The
word was unknown in classical nonbiblical Greek. Only by abstaining from self-
aggrandizement can members of the Christian community maintain unity and harmony.

Act 20:20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you
publicly and from house to house,

And how I kept back (hupostello: did not furl the sails, cower, shrink, conceal) nothing that was
profitable unto you, but have shewed (anaggelia: announce or teach again and again) you, and
had taught you publicly, and from house to house.

The revival at Ephesus meets in the school of Tyrannus, a public building. Then as churches
begin to form, they moved into houses. Paul has been with them from the early days of the
revival to the later days when they are meeting from house-to-house or church-to-church.
Churches met in homes in many of the cities were Paul preaches (Acts 12:17; Romans 16:5; 1
Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15).