Acts 20:31

Acts 20:31 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
• New International Version (NIV)So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

Context of Acts 20:31

29I know that after I am gone, [false teachers like] ferocious wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30even from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse and distorted things, to draw away the disciples after themselves [as their followers]. Therefore be continually alert, remembering that for three years, night or day, I did not stop admonishing and advising each one [of you] with tears. 32And now I commend you to God [placing you in His protective, loving care] and [I commend you] to the word of His grace [the counsel and promises of His unmerited favor]. His grace is able to build you up and to give you the [rightful] inheritance among all those who are sanctified [that is, among those who are set apart for God’s purpose—all believers]. 33I had no desire for anyone’s silver or gold or [expensive] clothes.

Acts 20:31 word by word

διὸ γρηγορεῖτε μνημονεύοντες ὅτι τριετίαν νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν οὐκ ἐπαυσάμην μετὰ δακρύων νουθετῶν ἕνα ἕκαστον.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
• watchγρηγορέωgrēgoreuō · to keep watchG1127
• and rememberμνημονεύωmnēmoneuō · to rememberG3421
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• by the space of three yearsτριετίαtrietia · three yearsG5148
• I ceasedπαύωpauō · to ceaseG3973
• notοὐou · noG3756
• to warnνουθετέωnoutheteō · to admonishG3560
• everyἕκαστοςhekastos · eachG1538
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
• nightνύξnux · nightG3571
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• dayἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
• withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• tearsδάκρυ, δάκρυονdakru dakruon · teardropG1144

Cross-references for Acts 20:31

• Matthew 13:25But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds [resembling wheat] among the wheat, and went away.
• Mark 13:34It is like a man away on a journey, who when he left home put his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and also ordered the doorkeeper to be continually alert.
• Luke 21:36But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].”
• 2 Timothy 4:5But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation [stay calm and cool and steady], endure every hardship [without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [the duties of] your ministry.
• Hebrews 13:17Obey your [spiritual] leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. Let them do this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to you.
• Revelation 16:15(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who stays awake and who keeps his clothes [that is, stays spiritually ready for the Lord’s return], so that he will not be naked—spiritually unprepared—and men will not see his shame.”)
• Acts 19:8And he went into the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
• Ezekiel 3:17“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.
• Matthew 3:7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the [divine] wrath and judgment to come?
• 1 Corinthians 4:14I do not write these things to shame you, but to warn and advise you as my beloved children.
• Colossians 1:28We proclaim Him, warning and instructing everyone in all wisdom [that is, with comprehensive insight into the word and purposes of God], so that we may present every person complete in Christ [mature, fully trained, and perfect in Him—the Anointed].
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper].
• Acts 20:7Now on the first day of the week (Sunday), when we were gathered together to break bread (share communion), Paul began talking with them, intending to leave the next day; and he kept on with his message until midnight.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9For you remember, believers, our labor and hardship. We worked night and day [practicing our trade] in order not to be a [financial] burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we worked night and day [to pay our own way] so that we would not be a financial burden on any of you [for our support];
• Acts 20:19serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and trials which came on me because of the plots of the Jews [against me];

Commentaries on Acts 20:31

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 31Therefore watch, and remember - The only way to abide in the truth is to watch against evil, and for good; and to keep in mind the heavenly doctrines originally received. Unwatchfulness and forgetfulness are two grand inlets to apostasy. By the space of three years - . The Greek word here does not necessarily mean three whole years: it may be months more or less. In Acts 19:8, Acts 19:10, we have an account of his spending two years and three months among…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 31Therefore watch - Matthew 24:42. In view of the dangers which beset yourselves Acts 20:28, the danger from people not connected with the church Acts 20:29, and the danger which will arise from the love of power among yourselves Acts 20:30, be on your guard. Observe the approach of danger, and set yourselves against it. Remember - Recall my counsels and admonitions in reference to these dangers. By the space of three years - In Acts 19:10, we are told that…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 28-38Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-38Paul’s message to the elders (leaders) of the church in Ephesus describes his life and work among them. He also calls these leaders to show the same kind of commitment as they continue the ministry. In this message, Paul points to his own life as an example. He shows his honesty and care for people (20:18–21, 26, 31). He also speaks about what will happen in the future (20:22–23, 25, 29–30). He warns them about false teachers (people who teach wrong ideas…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3131. by the space of three years--speaking in round numbers; for it was nearer three than two years. I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears--What an appeal to be able to make! "And if this was an apostle's part, how much more a pastor's!" [Bengel].Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 20:31

• Elder
• Ephesus
• Love
• Miletus
• Minister, Christian
• Paul
• Watchfulness
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Appoint
• Bind
• Bishop
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Counsel
• Count
• Course
• Determine
• Draw
• Embrace

Commentaries on Acts 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings