Study No. 24– Eutychus - Acts 20:1-12
In the previous chapter (23-40) a goddess, Diana of the Ephesians becomes a point of discussion.
It came about because of the effect that Christianity (also called ‘The Way’) was having on the city. The Christians were not being noticed because they were being helpful and loving to their unsaved neighbors and people of the city. Instead they become the focus of attention because they are clearly pointing to Jesus as being the only way of salvation. People are being converted ‘away from’ the religion of Diana. This no doubt proves embarrassing to the priests of this religion. A second effect that ‘conversions to Christianity’ is having on the religion of the goddess Diana is probably monetary. The required donations necessary to support the religion may be dropping.
A great deal of commotion is caused, which is brought under control by the town clerk.
Three Years in Ephesus
After the ‘uproar’ has died down Paul decides to leave the church of Ephesus. He has spent a total of three years here and he will now allow it to continue to grow and develop on its own. He will drop in on the ‘elders’ of the church on his way back to Syria.
By the way, what more do we know about this church?
We know that Paul wrote them a letter in AD 62 while he was in a Roman prison. The theme of his writing can be seen in the following passages:
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
--Ephesians 4:1–3
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
--Ephesians 5:1–2
Later, (AD 95) Jesus gave the following letter to the Ephesian church via the apostle John.
1 ¶ "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place——unless you repent.
6 "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."’ Revelation 2:1-7
From Ephesus to Macdonia.
Paul announces to the Ephesian church that he desires to go into Macedonia and Achaia and then Rome. With this in mind he sends Timothy and Erastus on before him to Philippi and then, after the goddess Diana uproar is over Paul goes to Macedonia himself.
(By the way – It is probably a good idea to insert at this point that it was during the last part of Paul’s ministry here in Ephesus that he wrote the First letter to the Corinthians. He has received disturbing news regarding divisions and many other problems in the church. He addresses each of the concerns and then in chapter 16:1,3,5 8-10 he mentions some of his immediate plans. Apollos is no longer at Corinth and possibly Peter has been there for a time. I Corinthians 1:12,13. This would probably be about AD 57. Paul begins the letter to the Corinthians by identifying himself and including a reference to Sothenes. He makes no mention of Timothy … why? Because Paul has sent him ahead to Macedonia. )
Leaving Ephesus Paul heads to Macedonia to catch up with Timothy and Erastus. He went through Troas on his way (although this is not mentioned in Acts).
Paul then comes South-west from Philippi to Greece and has a three month stay in Corinth. He will be able to address in person the divisions and other things that need correcting. When he is finished there he was thinking to sail to Jerusalem and Syria. As you have probably discovered, plans can change. Because he learns of a planned ambush he does not sail, but decides to walk back to Macedonia.
Back in Philippi he writes the Second letter to the Corinthians. This would be in the Fall of AD 57. In this letter Paul speaks at length about the funds he is requesting for the poor church in Jerusalem. He bares his heart with reference to some of the extremes he went through, in terms of his own attitude and spirit. He talks of despairing even of life. Later in the letter he also shows a great disappointment toward them for their lack of respect toward him.
From 20:4 we learn that the following individuals are accompanying him from Macedonia:
Sopater -of Berea
Aristarchus and Secundus - of Thessalonica
Gaius - of Derbe,
Timotheus – (of Lystra)
And Tychicus and Trophimus. - Of Asia.
And these persons are sent ahead to Troas. Because of the ‘We’ it is clear that Paul and Luke stay in Philippi for the feast of unleavened bread, then sailed for Troas arriving five days later, and stayed a week in Troas.
Why the seemingly ‘painstaking’ detail in who accompanied him? Paul is collecting an offering for the Christians in Jerusalem, who once again are in dire straits. Since these persons are basically ‘one per church’ it is likely that they are representatives from each church and are assisting in bringing that church’s gift to Jerusalem.
Over the last years Paul has traveled many miles, planted many churches and participated in many church services. In a number of them a particular event or type of treatment or some other outstanding element is mentioned by Luke. At other times Luke simply says that Paul visited the churches in an area and encouraged them. Coming up in our study we have mentioned a church service in generous detail.
A ‘detailed’ church service
· Time: The first day of the week.
· Reason: Disciples came together for a purpose
· Location: An ‘upper room’
· Ambiance: Plenty of lights
· Elements of the meeting: Breaking of bread, preaching.
· Guest speaker: Paul
· Duration of the meeting: Longer than usual
· A sudden ‘turn of events’: an unexpected miracle.
On Sunday (as was customary) the disciples met for … breaking of bread. Do we automatically assume that this would be Sunday morning? This was probably around 7 pm on Saturday. Our present calendars that start each day just after midnight had not yet been invented, so their days still started in the evening, as the book of Genesis points out. (Genesis 1:5)
‘Breaking of Bread’ - This may be a term simply meaning ‘A church service’ or it may clearly be referring to communion. It seems from this that their custom was to include communion as a once-a-week occurrence.
Paul and his companions join the Troas disciples and Paul is the guest speaker. Verse 7 indicates that this discourse was very lengthy and continued to midnight. The word ‘preached’ is used in the KJV. Some translations say ‘discoursed’ but most say the he ‘spoke’. The Greek word used includes the thought of ‘discussion’. So, very likely, this was not one long, long sermon, but probably included discussion and a ‘question answering’ session.
It is interesting to note what commentators say about what happened next. A young man is seated in or on the window ledge. Why? Do you suppose his parents said … Be careful! You might fall!. Or ‘Don’t sit there! There is plenty of room on the floor!’
I find it the comments of various bible commentators interesting.
We must look upon it as an evil thing, as a bad sign of our low esteem of the word of God, and a great hindrance to our profiting by it. We must be afraid of it, do what we can to prevent our being sleepy, not compose ourselves to sleep, but get our hearts affected with the word we hear to such a degree as may drive sleep far enough. – Matthew Henry
No practice is more shameful, disrespectful, and abominable, than that so common of sleeping in the house of God. – Barnes New Testament notes.
In this situation I don’t think we should ‘fault’ the young boy for falling asleep in church, or for the fact that he sat on the window ledge. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I think he sat there because this room was crowded. This seat was ‘not in demand’ by anyone else. Even though it may have looked a little dangerous to some, as long as he was awake everything was fine. We are not told just how old or young he was. Logic says, old and brave enough to sit on a window ledge, but young enough not to follow everything Paul was preaching about … so … he got bored … or just couldn’t really follow Paul … and he fell asleep.
So, where does God or Satan fit into this incident? Some have said that God caused him to fall out of the window to teach us all a lesson about sleeping in church. Others said that the Devil caused him to fall out of the window … to cause the general public to question what kind of group this cult really was.
Once again … we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Ro 8:28
God, through Paul, restores the boy’s life.
Paul has been used of God in such a variety of ways up to this point. We recently read about the miracles that were wrought merely by coming in contact with a cloth that Paul had touched. We have read about the beatings and threats he experienced. We read that God at one point said, “Paul, do not be afraid.” For Paul to ‘raise the dead’ is a first. He ‘threw himself on’ the young man. In so doing he was copying what Elijah and Elisha had done many years before. Can you imagine the emotion, concern, fear and desire that was going through him? Can you imagine the shock of the entire congregation? The horror experienced by the mom and dad?
The boy is raised back to life! After they go back upstairs they ‘break bread’ together. Some think this is just a meal in the middle of the night. Others believe that this is a communion that was always held at the end of a service. The meeting (understandably) continues the rest of the night.
EXTRA STUDY – 13-16
The next section covers ‘details’ of the homeward (to Antioch in Syria) journey. Read this section over and make note of things that seem interesting to you or significant in some way.
In our next study we will look carefully at Paul’s message to the Ephesian elders.
It came about because of the effect that Christianity (also called ‘The Way’) was having on the city. The Christians were not being noticed because they were being helpful and loving to their unsaved neighbors and people of the city. Instead they become the focus of attention because they are clearly pointing to Jesus as being the only way of salvation. People are being converted ‘away from’ the religion of Diana. This no doubt proves embarrassing to the priests of this religion. A second effect that ‘conversions to Christianity’ is having on the religion of the goddess Diana is probably monetary. The required donations necessary to support the religion may be dropping.
A great deal of commotion is caused, which is brought under control by the town clerk.
Three Years in Ephesus
After the ‘uproar’ has died down Paul decides to leave the church of Ephesus. He has spent a total of three years here and he will now allow it to continue to grow and develop on its own. He will drop in on the ‘elders’ of the church on his way back to Syria.
By the way, what more do we know about this church?
We know that Paul wrote them a letter in AD 62 while he was in a Roman prison. The theme of his writing can be seen in the following passages:
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
--Ephesians 4:1–3
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
--Ephesians 5:1–2
Later, (AD 95) Jesus gave the following letter to the Ephesian church via the apostle John.
1 ¶ "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place——unless you repent.
6 "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."’ Revelation 2:1-7
From Ephesus to Macdonia.
Paul announces to the Ephesian church that he desires to go into Macedonia and Achaia and then Rome. With this in mind he sends Timothy and Erastus on before him to Philippi and then, after the goddess Diana uproar is over Paul goes to Macedonia himself.
(By the way – It is probably a good idea to insert at this point that it was during the last part of Paul’s ministry here in Ephesus that he wrote the First letter to the Corinthians. He has received disturbing news regarding divisions and many other problems in the church. He addresses each of the concerns and then in chapter 16:1,3,5 8-10 he mentions some of his immediate plans. Apollos is no longer at Corinth and possibly Peter has been there for a time. I Corinthians 1:12,13. This would probably be about AD 57. Paul begins the letter to the Corinthians by identifying himself and including a reference to Sothenes. He makes no mention of Timothy … why? Because Paul has sent him ahead to Macedonia. )
Leaving Ephesus Paul heads to Macedonia to catch up with Timothy and Erastus. He went through Troas on his way (although this is not mentioned in Acts).
Paul then comes South-west from Philippi to Greece and has a three month stay in Corinth. He will be able to address in person the divisions and other things that need correcting. When he is finished there he was thinking to sail to Jerusalem and Syria. As you have probably discovered, plans can change. Because he learns of a planned ambush he does not sail, but decides to walk back to Macedonia.
Back in Philippi he writes the Second letter to the Corinthians. This would be in the Fall of AD 57. In this letter Paul speaks at length about the funds he is requesting for the poor church in Jerusalem. He bares his heart with reference to some of the extremes he went through, in terms of his own attitude and spirit. He talks of despairing even of life. Later in the letter he also shows a great disappointment toward them for their lack of respect toward him.
From 20:4 we learn that the following individuals are accompanying him from Macedonia:
Sopater -of Berea
Aristarchus and Secundus - of Thessalonica
Gaius - of Derbe,
Timotheus – (of Lystra)
And Tychicus and Trophimus. - Of Asia.
And these persons are sent ahead to Troas. Because of the ‘We’ it is clear that Paul and Luke stay in Philippi for the feast of unleavened bread, then sailed for Troas arriving five days later, and stayed a week in Troas.
Why the seemingly ‘painstaking’ detail in who accompanied him? Paul is collecting an offering for the Christians in Jerusalem, who once again are in dire straits. Since these persons are basically ‘one per church’ it is likely that they are representatives from each church and are assisting in bringing that church’s gift to Jerusalem.
Over the last years Paul has traveled many miles, planted many churches and participated in many church services. In a number of them a particular event or type of treatment or some other outstanding element is mentioned by Luke. At other times Luke simply says that Paul visited the churches in an area and encouraged them. Coming up in our study we have mentioned a church service in generous detail.
A ‘detailed’ church service
· Time: The first day of the week.
· Reason: Disciples came together for a purpose
· Location: An ‘upper room’
· Ambiance: Plenty of lights
· Elements of the meeting: Breaking of bread, preaching.
· Guest speaker: Paul
· Duration of the meeting: Longer than usual
· A sudden ‘turn of events’: an unexpected miracle.
On Sunday (as was customary) the disciples met for … breaking of bread. Do we automatically assume that this would be Sunday morning? This was probably around 7 pm on Saturday. Our present calendars that start each day just after midnight had not yet been invented, so their days still started in the evening, as the book of Genesis points out. (Genesis 1:5)
‘Breaking of Bread’ - This may be a term simply meaning ‘A church service’ or it may clearly be referring to communion. It seems from this that their custom was to include communion as a once-a-week occurrence.
Paul and his companions join the Troas disciples and Paul is the guest speaker. Verse 7 indicates that this discourse was very lengthy and continued to midnight. The word ‘preached’ is used in the KJV. Some translations say ‘discoursed’ but most say the he ‘spoke’. The Greek word used includes the thought of ‘discussion’. So, very likely, this was not one long, long sermon, but probably included discussion and a ‘question answering’ session.
It is interesting to note what commentators say about what happened next. A young man is seated in or on the window ledge. Why? Do you suppose his parents said … Be careful! You might fall!. Or ‘Don’t sit there! There is plenty of room on the floor!’
I find it the comments of various bible commentators interesting.
We must look upon it as an evil thing, as a bad sign of our low esteem of the word of God, and a great hindrance to our profiting by it. We must be afraid of it, do what we can to prevent our being sleepy, not compose ourselves to sleep, but get our hearts affected with the word we hear to such a degree as may drive sleep far enough. – Matthew Henry
No practice is more shameful, disrespectful, and abominable, than that so common of sleeping in the house of God. – Barnes New Testament notes.
In this situation I don’t think we should ‘fault’ the young boy for falling asleep in church, or for the fact that he sat on the window ledge. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I think he sat there because this room was crowded. This seat was ‘not in demand’ by anyone else. Even though it may have looked a little dangerous to some, as long as he was awake everything was fine. We are not told just how old or young he was. Logic says, old and brave enough to sit on a window ledge, but young enough not to follow everything Paul was preaching about … so … he got bored … or just couldn’t really follow Paul … and he fell asleep.
So, where does God or Satan fit into this incident? Some have said that God caused him to fall out of the window to teach us all a lesson about sleeping in church. Others said that the Devil caused him to fall out of the window … to cause the general public to question what kind of group this cult really was.
Once again … we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Ro 8:28
God, through Paul, restores the boy’s life.
Paul has been used of God in such a variety of ways up to this point. We recently read about the miracles that were wrought merely by coming in contact with a cloth that Paul had touched. We have read about the beatings and threats he experienced. We read that God at one point said, “Paul, do not be afraid.” For Paul to ‘raise the dead’ is a first. He ‘threw himself on’ the young man. In so doing he was copying what Elijah and Elisha had done many years before. Can you imagine the emotion, concern, fear and desire that was going through him? Can you imagine the shock of the entire congregation? The horror experienced by the mom and dad?
The boy is raised back to life! After they go back upstairs they ‘break bread’ together. Some think this is just a meal in the middle of the night. Others believe that this is a communion that was always held at the end of a service. The meeting (understandably) continues the rest of the night.
EXTRA STUDY – 13-16
The next section covers ‘details’ of the homeward (to Antioch in Syria) journey. Read this section over and make note of things that seem interesting to you or significant in some way.
In our next study we will look carefully at Paul’s message to the Ephesian elders.