1585 英翻中 (使19課) A MINISTER’S FAREWELL 宣教士的告別 25/5/2026
司布真说，“记住，如果我们現在，在聽讲道期间，因睡觉而摔死，再也没有使徒可以救我们！” Spurgeon said, “Remember, if we fall asleep during a sermon and die, no apostle can bring us back to life!”
Chapter nineteen A MINISTER’S FAREWELL Acts 20 第十九課 宣教士的告別 使徒行傳 20 章
In the
final third of the book of Acts, Dr. Luke records Paul’s journey to Jerusalem,
his arrest there, and his voyage to Rome. The gospel of Luke follows a similar
pattern as Luke describes Christ’s journey to Jerusalem to die (Luke 9:53;
13:33; 18:31; 19:11, 28). Much as Jesus set His face “like a flint” to do the
Father’s will (Isa. 50:7; Luke 9:51), so Paul determined to finish his course
with joy, no matter what the cost might be (Acts 20:24).
在使徒行传的最后的第三部分，路加博士记录了保罗到耶路撒冷的旅程，他在那里的逮捕和他到罗马的旅程。路加福音与路加所描述的基督走向耶路撒冷的路途类似（路加福音9:53; 13:33; 18：31; 19：11,28）。就像耶稣为了履行父上帝的旨意而将祂的脸设置为“堅強的決心”一样（赛50：7; 路加福音9:51），所以保罗决定无论要付出怎样的代价，都乐意完成祂的行程（使徒行传20： 24）。
This
chapter describes three “farewell events” as Paul closed his ministry in
Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia.
本章描述了保罗要關閉他在马其顿，亞西亚和亚洲等三个宣教工場的 “告别”。
1. A Farewell Journey (20:1–5)
1. 告别之旅（20：1-5）
“I do
not expect to visit this country again!” D. L. Moody spoke those words in 1867
when he made his first trip to England. He was so seasick during the voyage
that he decided he would never sail again, but he made five more visits to
England, seasickness notwithstanding.
慕廸(D. L。Moody)在1867年首次访问英格兰时, 讲了这句话, “我不指望再次访问英国！” 他在航行期间晕船得很利害，以至于他决定再也不來`，但他仍然访问了英格兰五次，尽管仍然晕船。
Paul
was ready for another journey. He wanted to make at least one more visit to the
churches the Lord had helped him to found, because Paul was a man with a
concerned heart. “The care of all the churches” was his greatest joy as well as
his heaviest burden (2 Cor. 11:23–28).
保罗准备再次旅行。他希望至少再次拜访主帮助他建立的教会，因为保罗是非常不放心的人。 “對所有教会的關心” 是他最大的喜乐和最重的负担（哥林多前书11：23-28）。
After
the riot, Paul left Ephesus and headed toward Macedonia and Achaia (see Acts
19:21). He expected to meet Titus at Troas and get a report on the problems in
Corinth, but Titus did not come (2 Cor. 2:12–13). The men finally met in
Macedonia and Paul rejoiced over the good news Titus brought (2 Cor. 7:5–7).
Paul had originally planned to make two visits to
Corinth (2 Cor. 1:15–16), but instead he made one visit that lasted three
months (Acts 20:3; 1 Cor. 16:5–6). During that visit, he wrote his epistle to
the Romans.
骚乱发生后，保罗离开以弗所，向马其顿和亚該亚前进（參 使徒行传19:21）。他期望在特罗亚与提多相会，并想得到关于哥林多问题的报告，但提多沒来（林后 2:12-13）。终于他們在马其顿见面了，保罗为提多給他带来的好消息感到高兴（林後7：5-7）。保罗原本计划对哥林多进行两次访问（哥林多後书1：15-16），但他却拜訪了三个月（徒20：3;林前16：5-6）。在那次访问期间，写下了他的给罗马人書。
Paul
had two goals in mind as he visited the various churches. His main purpose was
to encourage and strengthen the saints so that they might stand true to the
Lord and be effective witnesses. His second purpose was to finish taking up the
collection for the needy believers in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25–27; 1 Cor. 16:1–9;
2 Cor. 8—9). The men who accompanied him (Acts 20:4) were representatives of
the churches, appointed to travel with Paul and help handle the funds (2 Cor.
8:18–24).
在参观各教堂时，保罗有两个目标。他的主要目的是鼓励和堅强圣徒，使他们能够坚守對待主的真實, 并成为堅強有力的見证人。他的第二个目的是完成收集耶路撒冷贫困信徒的資料（罗马书15：25-27;林前16：1-9;林后8-9）。陪同他的人（使徒行传20：4）是教会的代表，被指派与保罗一起旅行并帮助处理基金（哥林多后书8：18-24）。
Once
again, Paul had to change his plans, this time because of a Jewish plot to kill
him at sea. Instead of sailing from Corinth, he traveled overland through
Achaia and Macedonia, sailing from Philippi to Troas, where his “team” agreed
to rendezvous. As a person who dislikes travel and changes in plans, I admire
Paul for his courage, stamina, and adaptability. In spite of the complications and delays in travel today, we have a much easier
time than Paul did—and we complain! He kept going!
2. A
Farewell Service (20:6–12)
2. 告别服事（20：6-12）
Paul was not able to make it to Jerusalem for the
annual Passover celebration, so now his goal was to arrive there at least by
Pentecost (Acts 20:16). Note the pronoun change to “us” and “we,” for Dr. Luke has now joined the party (see Acts
16:17). He had probably been ministering at Philippi where he joined Paul for
the last leg of the journey. Paul must have rejoiced to have Luke, Titus, and
Timothy at his side again. The men remained at Troas a week so that they might
fellowship with the believers there. Perhaps they were also waiting for the departure
of the next ship.
保罗不能在耶路撒冷参加一年一度的逾越节庆典，所以, 现在他的目标是至少五旬节要趕到那里（使徒行传20:16）。请注意，代名词改为 “給我们” 和 “我们”，路加博士现在已加入了宣教團體（参 使徒行传16:17）。路加在腓立比参加了保罗的最后一段宣教旅程, 他在腓立比事奉。保罗一定很高兴让路加，提多和提摩太再次與他在一起。他們待在特罗亞有一週之久，以便他们可以与那里的信徒交通。或许他们也在等待下一艘船的离港。
Luke gives us a brief report of a local church
service in Troas, and from it we learn something of how they met and worshipped
the Lord. Consider the elements involved.
路加给了关于特罗亚人当地教会服事的简要报告，从中了解到他们如何见面和敬拜主。考虑所涉及的各樣事項。
The
Lord’s Day. To begin with, they met on the first day
of the week and not on the seventh day, which was the Sabbath (see also 1 Cor.
16:1–2). The first day came to be called “the Lord’s Day” because on it the
Lord Jesus Christ arose from the dead (Rev. 1:10). We should also remember that
the church was born on the first day of the week when the Spirit came at
Pentecost. During the early years of the church, the believers did maintain
some of the Jewish traditions, such as the hours of prayer (Acts 3:1). But as
time went on, they moved away from the Mosaic calendar and developed their own
pattern of worship as the Spirit taught them.
The Lord’s people. The church met in the evening
because Sunday was not a holiday during which people were free from daily
employment. Some of the believers would no doubt be slaves, unable to come to
the assembly until their work was done. The believers met in an upper room
because they had no church buildings in which to gather. This room may have
been in the private home of one of the believers. The assembly would have been
a cosmopolitan group, but their social and national distinctions made no
difference: they were “all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).
主的子民。教堂在晚上聚会，當人没有正規的工作時, 星期日不是假日。有些信徒无疑是奴隶，直到他们的工作完成後才能来聚会。信徒们在樓房上聚會，因为他们没有教堂可以用。該樓房可能在信徒的家中的房間。集会是都市性的团体，但他们的社会和種族的区别并不顯明：他们都是 “在基督耶稣里的人”（加3:28）。
The Lord’s Supper. The early church shared a
“potluck” meal called the “love feast” (agape), after which they would observe
the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:17–34). The “breaking of bread” in Acts
20:7 refers to the Lord’s Supper, whereas in Acts 20:11 it describes a regular
meal. By sharing and eating with one another, the church enjoyed fellowship and
also gave witness of their oneness in Christ. Slaves would actually eat at the
same table with their masters, something unheard of in that day.
主的晚餐。早期的教会分享 “各自帶來的”的飲食称为 “爱宴”（上帝的愛(agape)），之后開始 “主的晚餐”（徒2:42;
林前11：17-34）。使徒行传20章7節中的 “擘饼” 是指主的晚餐，而在使徒行传20章11節中则描述正餐。通过彼此分享和吃饭，教会享受了团契，也见证了他们在基督里的合一。奴隶与主人在同一张桌子上吃饭，在那時代是闻所未闻的。
It is likely that the church observed the Lord’s
Supper each Lord’s Day when they met for fellowship and worship. In fact, some
believers probably ended many of their regular meals at home by taking the
bread and wine and remembering the Lord’s death. While Scripture does not give
us specific instructions in the matter (“as often,” 1 Cor. 11:26), the example
of the early church would encourage us to meet at the Lord’s table often.
However, the Communion must not become routine, causing us to fail to receive
the blessings inv1olved.
教会很可能在每个主日，当他们聚会并敬拜的时候舉行 “主的晚餐”。事实上，可能有些信徒在家先用正规膳食後, 再吃些面包和酒，為的是记念主的死。虽然, 圣经對主的晚餐沒有具体的指示（“经常”，林前11:26），早期教会舉行 “主的晚餐” 的例子可以鼓励我們经常去行。無論如何，圣餐決不能成为例行公事, 使我们失去了當得的祝福。
The Lord’s message. The Word of God was always
declared in the Christian assemblies, and this included the public reading of
the Old Testament Scriptures (1 Tim. 4:13) as well as whatever apostolic
letters had been received (Col. 4:16). It is sad to see how the Word is
neglected in church services today. Knowing that this would probably be his last
meeting with the saints at Troas, Paul preached a long sermon, after which he
ate and conversed with the people until morning. It’s doubtful that anybody
complained. How we today wish we could have been there to hear the apostle Paul
preach!
主的信息。上帝的话语总是在基督徒聚会中宣讀，包括公开阅读旧约圣经（提前4:13）及被認定的使徒書信（西4:16）。今日在教会事奉中忽略上帝的道是多麼的令人傷心. 由於是保羅与特罗亚圣徒的最后一次会面，他的讲道可能會长一點，之后與信徒吃饭和交谈直到早晨。怎麼會有人抱怨? 是值得怀疑的。今天信徒是如何希望能够在那里听到使徒保罗传讲福音！
The Word of God is important to the people of God,
and the preaching and teaching of the Word must be emphasized. The church meets
for edification as well as for celebration, and that edification comes through
the Word. “Preach the word!” is still God’s admonition to spiritual leaders (2
Tim. 4:2). According to Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “the decadent periods and
eras in the history of the church have always been those periods when preaching
has declined” (Preachers and Preaching, Zondervan, 24).
上帝的话语对祂的子民非常重要，在讲述和教导上帝的道上必须要强调。教会为了教導和庆祝而召开会议，而這教導是来自圣言。 “传講上帝的話！” 仍然是上帝对属灵领袖的訓誡（提后4：2）。根据馬丁. 群斯(D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)博士的说法，“教会历史上的腐朽时代和讲道退化的时期是循環的”（传教士和传教，松得萬(Zondervan)出版，24）。
The
Lord’s power. Whether it was the lateness of the hour or
the stuffiness of the room (surely not the dullness of Paul’s sermon!),
Eutychus (“Fortunate”) fell asleep and then fell out the window, and was killed
by the fall. However, Paul raised him from the dead and left him and the church
comforted. God’s power was present to work for His people.
How old
was Eutychus? The Greek word manias in Acts 20:9 means a man from twenty-four
to forty years of age. The word pais in Acts 20:12 means a young
child or youth. Dr. Howard Marshall, an eminent Greek scholar, says he was a
“young lad of eight to fourteen years. Since the word pais can mean “a
servant,” Eutychus may have been a young man who was also a servant. He may
have worked hard that day and was weary. No wonder he fell asleep during the
lengthy sermon!
Let’s not be too hard on Eutychus. At least he was
there for the service, and he did try to keep awake. He sat near ventilation,
and he must have tried to fight off the sleep that finally conquered him. The
tense of the Greek verb indicates that he was gradually overcome, not suddenly.
不要太难為了猶推古。至少他在那里是事奉，他确实尽力保持清醒。他坐在靠近通风处，他一定想藉此以消除他的睡眠, 却料不到還是被疲勞所征服。希腊语动词的时态表明它是逐渐被克服，而不是突然的。
Also, let’s not be too hard on Paul. After all, he
was preaching his farewell sermon to this assembly, and he had a great deal to
tell them for their own good. Those sitting near should have been watching
Eutychus, but, of course, they were engrossed in what Paul was saying. Paul did
interrupt his sermon to rush downstairs to bring the young man back to life.
His approach reminds us of Elijah (1 Kings 17:21–22) and Elisha (2 Kings
4:34–35).
另外，让我们不要太為难保罗。毕竟，他正在作告別的传道，他很有礼貌地告诉他们這是為他們自己好。那些靠近猶推古坐的人应该要注意他，誠然，他们要全神贯注的听保罗的講道。這确实打断了保罗的讲道，他必須匆匆下楼使這年轻人活過來。他的方法提醒我们有關以利亚（王上17：21-22）和以利沙（王下4：34-35）的事。
Perhaps each of us should ask ourselves, “What
really keeps me awake?” Christians who slumber during one hour in church
somehow manage to stay awake during early-morning fishing trips, lengthy
sporting events and concerts, or late-night TV specials. Also, we need to
prepare ourselves physically for public worship to make sure we are at our
best. “Remember,” said Spurgeon, “if we go to sleep during the sermon and die,
there are no apostles to restore us!”
也许我们每个人都该悶心自问，“真正让我保持清醒的是什么？” 在教堂里只有一小时長的講道也會沉睡，為的是預備清晨长时间的釣魚, 体育比赛和音乐会，或看深夜电视特别节目時能清醒。此外，必需要鍛鍊身体, 為宣教事奉做好准备，可以确保宣教有最佳成就。司布真说，“记住，如果我们現在於讲道期间去睡觉并死去，再没有使徒可以来救活我们！
3. A Farewell Message (20:13–38)
3. 告别信息（20：13-38）
Paul chose to walk from Troas to Assos, a distance
of about twenty miles. Why? For one thing, it enabled him to stay longer with
the saints in Troas, while he sent Luke and the party on ahead (Acts 20:13). It
would take the ship at least a day to sail from Troas to Assos, and Paul could
probably walk it in ten hours or less. Also, Paul probably wanted time alone to
commune with the Lord about his trip to Jerusalem. The apostle must have sensed
already that difficult days lay ahead of him. He may also have been pondering
the message he would give to the Ephesian elders. Finally, the exercise was
certainly beneficial! Even inspired apostles need to care for their bodies. I
personally would prefer walking to sailing!
保罗选择从特罗亚走到亞朔，大约二十英里的距离。为什么要走？ 一方面，这让他能够与特罗亚的圣徒呆在一起，同時, 一方面他可差遣路加和團隊先行（使徒行传20:13）。从特罗亚坐船到亞朔至少要一天的时间，保罗走路可能只要十多个小时, 甚至更短的时间。另外，保罗或許想望独自一人与主交通, 有關他到耶路撒冷之事。使徒已经深深感觉到困难的日子已经來臨。也可能在思考他将给以弗所长老的信息。最后，走路的鍛练, 肯定對他身體是有益的！甚至能启发使徒要锻練他们的身体。我是比較喜欢徒步勝過坐船！
There
were fifty days between Passover (Acts 20:6) and Pentecost (Acts 20:16), and
Paul’s trip from Philippi to Troas had already consumed twelve of them (Acts
20:6). It took another four days to get to
Miletus, so Paul decided not to go to Ephesus lest he lose any more valuable
time. Instead, he invited the leaders of the Ephesian church to travel about
thirty miles and meet him at Miletus, where the ship was waiting to unload
cargo and take on more. Paul was not one to waste time or to lose
opportunities.
In the
book of Acts, Luke reports eight messages given by the apostle Paul to various
people: a Jewish synagogue congregation (Acts 13:14–43), Gentiles (Acts
14:14–18; 17:22–34), church leaders (Acts 20:17–38), a Jewish mob (Acts
22:1–21), the Jewish council (Acts 23:1–10), and various government officials
(Acts 24:10–21; 26:1–32). His address to the Ephesian elders is
unique in that it reveals Paul the pastor rather than Paul the evangelist or
Paul the defender of the faith. The message enables us to get a glimpse of how
Paul ministered in Ephesus for three years.
在使徒行传中，路加报告了使徒保罗给各人的八封信息：犹太教廟堂（使徒行传13：14-43），外邦人（使徒行传14：14-18; 17：22-34），教会领袖（使徒行传20：17-38），犹太人的暴徒（使徒行传22：1-21），犹太人議会（使徒行传23：1-10）和政府官员（使徒行传24：10-21; 26：1-32 ）。其中以对以弗所长老的讲话是独特的，因为它揭示了保罗牧师，而不是传福音的保罗或保罗是信仰的捍卫者。这信息使我们能够看到保罗在以弗所事奉三年的情況。
The word elder is presbutos in the Greek
(“presbyter”) and refers to a mature person who has been selected to serve in
office (Acts 14:23). These same people are called “overseers” in Acts 20:28,
which is episkopos or “bishop.” They were chosen to “feed the church” (Acts
20:28), which means “to shepherd.” Paul called the local church “a flock” (Acts
20:28–29), so these men were also pastors. (The word pastor means “shepherd.”)
Thus in the New Testament churches, the three titles elder, bishop, and pastor
were synonymous. The qualifications for this office are given in 1 Timothy
3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9.
长老在希腊文中是presbutos（“presbyter”），指的是人格成熟的人被选中担任教會职位的者（使徒行传14:23）。在使徒行传20:28中他們被称为 “监督”，即episkopos或“主教(bishop)”。他们被选來 “支助教会”（徒20:28），意思是“牧养”。保罗称当地的教会 “群羊”（使徒行传20：28-29），所以他們也是牧师。 （牧师的意思是 “牧養群羊”。）因此，在新约的教会中，三種头衔 : 长老，主教和牧师是同义词。提摩太前书3：1-7和提多书1：5-9给出了这个办公室的资格。
There were three parts to Paul’s farewell message. First
he reviewed the past (Acts 20:18–21); then he discussed the present (Acts
20:22–27); and finally, he spoke about the future (Acts 20:28–35). In the first
part, he emphasized his faithfulness to the Lord and to the church as he
ministered for three years in Ephesus. The second section reveals Paul’s
personal feelings in view of both the past and the future. In the third part,
he warned them of the dangers that the churches faced.
保罗的告别信息分三部分。首先是回顾过去（徒20：18-21）;然后檢讨现在（徒20：22-27）;最后，他谈到未来（徒20：28-35）。在第一部分中，保羅强调了他在主及在以弗所教会傳教事奉三年多的忠诚。其次保羅从过去和未来的角度揭示了他个人的感受。最後他警告他们, 教会將面临的危险。
A
review of the past (vv. 18–21). Paul was not one to work into his ministry
gradually like a diplomat feeling his way. “From the first
day” he gave himself unsparingly to the work of the Lord in Ephesus, for Paul
was an ambassador and not a diplomat.
The motive for Paul’s ministry is found in the
phrase “serving the Lord” (Acts 20:19). He was not interested in making money
(Acts 20:33) or in enjoying an easy life (Acts 20:34–35), for he was the bond-slave
of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:24; Rom. 1:1). Paul was careful to let people know
that his motives for ministry were spiritual and not selfish (1 Thess. 2:1–13).
The manner of his ministry was exemplary (Acts
20:18–19). He lived a consistent life that anybody could inspect, for he had
nothing to hide. He served in humility and not as a “religious celebrity”
demanding that others serve him. But his humility was not a sign of weakness,
for he had the courage to face trials and dangers without quitting. Paul was
not ashamed to admit to his friends that there had also been times of tears
(see also Acts 20:31, 37; Rom. 9:1–2; 2 Cor. 2:4; Phil. 3:18).
保羅宣教的心態堪称典范（徒20：18-19）。他过着任何人都可以透視的一致生活，因为没有什么可以隐藏的。他谦卑地事奉，而不是顯給别人看的 “宗教表演”。但是他的谦卑并不表示他的弱点，因为他有勇气面对试炼和危险而永不放弃。保罗并不羞于向他的朋友们承认, 他曾经有过流泪的时刻（另參 使徒行传20:31，37;罗马书9：1-2;林后2：4;腓立比书3:18）。
The message of his ministry (Acts 20:20–21) was
also widely known, because he announced it and taught it publicly (Acts 19:9)
as well as in the various house churches of the fellowship. He told sinners to
repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ. This message was “the gospel
of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), and it is the only message that can save the
sinner (1 Cor. 15:1–8; Gal. 1:6–12).
保羅事工的信息也广为人知（使徒行传20：20-21），因为他公开的宣告并教导這信息（使徒行传19：9）以及在各家庭教会的团契中, 他告诉罪人要悔改自己的罪，并相信耶稣基督。这信息是 “上帝恩典的福音”（使徒行传20:24），这是唯一可以拯救罪人的信息（林前15：1-8; 加1：6-12）。
Furthermore, Paul reminded them that, in his
ministry, he had not held back anything that was profitable to them. He
declared to them “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). His was a balanced
message that included the doctrines and duties, as well as the privileges and
responsibilities, that belonged to the Christian life. In his preaching, he
neither compromised nor went to extremes, but kept things in balance. Paul also
kept his outlook and congregation balanced, witnessing both to Jews and to
Gentiles.
此外，保罗提醒他们，在他的事工中，他没有阻止任何有利于他们的事。 他向他们宣布“上帝的一切忠告”（使徒行传20:27）。 他的信息是平衡的信息，包括属于基督徒生活的教义和责任，以及好處和义务。 在他的讲道中，他既不妥协也不走极端，保持平衡。 保罗也保持他的观点和会众的觀點平衡，同時向犹太人和外邦人作見證。
A testimony of the present (vv. 22–27). The phrase
“And now, behold” shifts the emphasis from the past to the present as Paul
opens his heart and tells his friends just how he feels. He did not hide from
them the fact that he was bound in his spirit (Acts 19:21) to go to Jerusalem,
even though he knew that danger and possible death awaited him there. The Holy
Spirit had witnessed this message to him in city after city. A lesser man would
have found some way to escape, but not Paul. He was too gripped by his calling
and his devotion to Jesus Christ to look for some safe and easy way out. In his testimony, Paul used six graphic
pictures of his ministry to explain why he would not quit but would go to
Jerusalem to die for Jesus Christ if necessary. Paul could say, “None of these
things move me!” because he knew what he was as a minister of Jesus Christ.
目前的见证（22-27节）。保罗說, “现在，請看” ,
是他打开心門，傾訴他的感受給朋友时，語氣的強調從過去移至现在。他并没有向他们隐瞒這灵魂被束缚的事實，前往耶路撒冷即將來到的危险和可能的死亡在等待他（使徒行传19:21）。圣灵從一城至另一城向他見證这信息。軟弱的人可能会尋找逃脱的方法，但不是保罗。他被耶稣基督對他的召唤和他對祂的热爱所抓緊，去寻找比較安全而简单的方法脫離。保罗用六张他的事工的图片在他的证词中，来解释为什么他不会放弃，但如果有必要的话，他会去耶路撒冷为耶稣基督而死。保罗可以说，“这些都没有让我改變！” 因为他知道他是耶稣基督的宣教大使.
Paul saw himself as an accountant (Acts 20:24) who
had examined his assets and liabilities and decided to put Jesus Christ ahead
of everything else. He had faced this kind of reckoning early in his ministry
and had willingly made the spiritual the number one priority in his life (Phil.
3:1–11).
第一張照片, 保罗自认为是会计师（使徒行传20:24），他清點自己的资产和债务，并决定让耶稣基督在其他一切事上為首位。在保羅早期的事工上，他就是这樣的估算，并愿意将屬灵的事为他人生的优先事项（腓立比书3：1-11）。
He also saw himself as a runner who wanted to
finish his course in joyful victory (Phil. 3:12–14; 2 Tim. 4:8). The three
phrases “my life, my course, the ministry” are the key. Paul realized that his
life was God’s gift to him, and that God had a special plan for his life that
would be fulfilled in his ministry. Paul was devoted to a great Person
(“serving the Lord”) and motivated by a great purpose, the building of the
church.
第二張照片, 他也看到自己是想要在競賽中得喜乐的胜利的競爭者, 來過完自己一生的人（腓立比书3：12-14; 提后4：8）。 这三方面“我的生活，我的行程，以及我的事工” 是关键所在。保罗意识到自己的生命是上帝所赐予的礼物，上帝对他的生命有特殊的计划，这将在他的事工中实现。保罗致力做个伟大的人（“为主事奉”），并以建教會為伟大目标的动力。
Paul’s third picture is that of the steward, for
his ministry was something that he had “received of the Lord.” The steward owns
little or nothing, but he possesses all things. His sole purpose is to serve
his master and please him. “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be
found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2 nkjv). The steward must one day give an account of
his ministry, and Paul was ready for that day.
第三张照片, 保罗是管家，因为他的事工是 “从主那裡得到的”。管家虽然拥有很少或甚至什麼都没有，但保羅拥有一切。他唯一的目的是討他主人的歡喜並服事祂。 “此外，管家的人要忠实”（林前4：2新國際版）。管家必须有一天要对他的主人把事工进程说明，保罗为面對主的那天已做好准备。
The next picture is that of the witness,
“testifying of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24; and note v.21). The
word means “to solemnly give witness,” and it reminds us of the seriousness of
the message and of the ministry. As we share the gospel with others, it is a
matter of life or death (2 Cor. 2:15–16). Paul was a faithful witness both in
the life that he lived (Acts 20:18) and the message that he preached.
下一张照片是見证，“ 見证上帝恩典的福音”（使徒行传20:24;
注 21節）。意思是 “严肅地给予证據”，它提醒这信息和事工的严重性。当我们与别人分享福音时，是生死攸关的问题（哥林多后书2：15-16）。保罗以他生活的生命（徒20:18）和所传讲的信息, 都忠心的见证了它。
Picture number five is the herald (Acts 20:25). The
word preaching means “to declare a message as the herald of the king.” The
witness tells what has happened to him, but the herald tells what the king
tells him to declare. He is a man commissioned and sent with a message, and he
must not change that message in any way. And since he is sent by the king, the
people who listen had better be careful how they treat both the messenger and
the message.
第五张图片, 是先驅者（使徒行传20:25）。传道的意思是 “像君王的的先鋒者宣布信息。” 見证人讲述對他发生的事，但是先驱者是国王要他報告這事。他是被委托并发出信息者，他绝不能以任何方式改变这信息。由于他是国王派来的，所以听的人最好要小心如何对待先驅者和信息。
The
final picture, and perhaps the most dramatic, is that of the watchman(Acts 20:26). As in Acts 18:6, this is a reference to the
“watchman on the walls” in Ezekiel 3:17–21; 33:1–9. What a serious calling it
was to be a watchman! He had to stay awake and alert, ready to sound the alarm
if he saw danger approaching. He had to be faithful, not fearful, because the
safety of many people rested with him. Paul had been a faithful watchman (Acts
20:31), for he had declared to sinners and saints all the counsel of God.
Unfortunately, we have today many unfaithful watchmen who think only of
themselves (Isa. 56:10–13).
A group of servicemen asked their new chaplain if
he believed in a real hell for lost sinners, and he smiled and told them that
he did not. “Then you are wasting your time,” the men replied. “If there is no
hell, we don’t need you; and if there is a hell, you are leading us astray.
Either way, we’re better off without you!”
一群事奉的會友问他们的新牧师, 他是否相信真有地狱為失喪的罪人預備，他笑著說, 他不信。 那群會友回答, “那么你是浪费你的时间，如果没有地狱，我们不需要你; 如果有地狱，你会把我们引入歧途。无论如何，没有你, 我们会过得更好！
A
warning about the future (vv. 28–38). Paul brought his farewell message to a
close by warning the leaders of the dangers they had to recognize and deal with
if they were to protect and lead the church. Never
underestimate the great importance of the church. The church is important to
God the Father because His name is on it—“the church of God.” It is important
to the Son because He shed His blood for it, and it is important to the Holy
Spirit because He is calling and equipping people to minister to the church. It
is a serious thing to be a spiritual leader in the church of the living God.
To
begin with, there are dangers around us, “wolves” that want to ravage the flock
(Acts 20:29). Paul was referring to false teachers, the counterfeits who
exploit the church for personal gain (Matt. 7:15–23; 10:16; Luke 10:3; 2 Peter
2:1–3). How important it is that believers know
the Word of God and be able to detect and defeat these religious racketeers.
But there are also dangers among us (Acts 20:30), because of people within the
church who are ambitious for position and power. Church history, ancient and
modern, is filled with accounts of people like Diotrephes who love to have
preeminence (3 John 9–11). It is shocking to realize that more than one false
prophet got his or her start within the Christian church family! Read 1 John
2:18–19 and take heed.
There are also dangers within us (Acts 20:31–35),
and this seems to be where Paul put the greatest emphasis. “Take heed,
therefore, unto yourselves”(Acts 20:28). He names five sins that are especially
destructive to the life and ministry of spiritual leaders in the church.
在我们内部也存在危险（使徒行传20：31-35），这似乎是保罗最強調的地方。“所以, 要留意你們自己”（使徒行传20:28）。他列举了五项对教会屬靈领袖的生活和事工特别具有破坏性的罪。
The first is carelessness (Acts 20:31), failing to
stay alert and forgetting the price that others have paid so that we might have
God’s truth. “Watch and remember!” are words we had better heed. It is so easy
for us today to forget the toil and tears of those who labored before us (Heb.
13:7). Paul’s warning and weeping should be constant reminders to us to take
our spiritual responsibilities seriously.
首先是怠忽職守（使徒行传20:31），没有保持警觉，忘记了别人付出的代价，使得我们拥有上帝的真理。 “警覺且记住！”上帝的话, 要好好的留意。我们今日很容易忘记前面工作的人為我們付上的辛劳和眼泪（希伯来书13：7）。保罗的警告和哭泣应该常常用來不断提醒我们, 认真对待我们嚴肅的屬靈责任。
The second sin is shallowness (Acts 20:32). We
cannot build the church unless God is building our lives daily. There is a
balance here between prayer (“I commend you to God”) and the Word of God (“the
word of his grace”), because these two must always work together (1 Sam. 12:23;
John 15:7; Acts 6:4). The Word of God alone is able to edify and enrich us, and
the spiritual leader must spend time daily in the Word of God and prayer.
第二是浮躁的罪（徒20:32）。除非上帝每天都在監察我们的生活，否则我们不能建立教会。祷告（“ 我見議你向上帝”）和神的话语（“祂的恩典的话”）, 它們必须一起工作（撒母耳上12:23;约翰福音15：7 ;使徒行传6：4）。只有上帝的圣言能够造就和丰富我们, 屬靈领袖必须每天花时间在上帝的话语和祷告的事上.
Covetousness is the third sin we must avoid (Acts
20:33). It means a consuming and controlling desire for what others have and
for more of what we ourselves already have. “Thou shalt not covet” is the last
of the Ten Commandments, but if we do covet, we will end up breaking all the
other nine! Those who covet will steal, lie, and murder to get what they want,
and even dishonor their own parents. Covetousness is idolatry (Eph. 5:5; Col.
3:5). In the qualifications for an elder, it is expressly stated that he must
not be guilty of the sin of covetousness (1 Tim. 3:3).
贪婪是第三條必须避免的罪（徒20:33）。它意味著想控制对他人的消費和他們超過我們已经拥有的的慾望。 “不要貪心”“是十诫中的最后一条，但如果我们真貪心，最终会對前面九条誡命都不遵守！那些是 : 貪婪的人会偷窃，說谎言和用谋杀来获得想要得著的东西，甚至侮辱自己的父母。贪婪是偶像崇拜（弗5：5; 3：5）。在长老的资格中有一條誡命明确指出他不能犯有贪婪之罪（提前3：3）。
Paul also mentioned laziness (Acts 20:34). Paul
earned his own way as a tentmaker, even though he could have used his apostolic
authority to demand support and thereby have an easier life. It is not wrong
for Christian workers to receive salaries, for “the laborer is worthy of his
hire” (Luke 10:7; 1 Tim. 5:18). But they should be certain that they are really
earning those salaries! (Read Prov. 24:30–34.)
Finally, Paul warned about selfishness (Acts
20:35). True ministry means giving, not getting; it means following the example
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr. Earl V. Pierce used to call this “the supreme
beatitude” because, unlike the other beatitudes, it tells us how to be more
blessed! These words of Jesus are not found anywhere in the Gospels, but they
were a part of the oral tradition, and Paul memorized them.
最后，保罗對自私提出警告（徒20:35）。真正的宣教事工是给予，而不是获得; 它意味着遵循主耶稣基督的榜样。 以耳 . 彼斯( Earl V. Pierce)博士曾称这为“最高的賜福”，因为它不像其他的賜福，告诉我们如何會更加的得福！耶稣的这些话沒有記載在福音书的任何地方，但它们是口述传统的聖言，保罗记住了。
This beatitude does not suggest that people who
receive are “less blessed” than people who give. (The beggar in Acts 3 would
argue about that!) It could be paraphrased, “It’s better to share with others
than to keep what you have and collect more.” In other words, the blessing does
not come in accumulating wealth, but in sharing it. After all, Jesus became
poor that we might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). One of the best commentaries on
this statement is Luke 12:16–31.
这种得福感并不是說接受的人比给予的人“少些幸福”。 （使徒行传3章中所形容的乞丐会为此争论！）可以對比的解释为：“与别人分享比獨自享受和聚集更多的財物要更好。”换句话说，祝福并不是积累财富，而是分享它。毕竟，耶稣变穷，我们却变為富足（哥林多后书8：9）。关于这點教義的最好的评论是在路加福音12章16至31節。
Paul closed this memorable occasion by kneeling
down and praying for his friends, and then they all wept together. It is a
difficult thing to say good-bye, especially when you know you will not see your
friends again in this life. But we have the blessed assurance that we will one
day see our Christian friends and loved ones in heaven, when Jesus Christ
returns (1 Thess. 4:13–18).
Meanwhile, there is a job to be done—so, let’s do
it!
當前，还有一项工作要做 — 所以，让我们一起来做！
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