Acts 20:18

18 When they arrived, he said to them, "You yourselves know how, from the first day I set foot in the province of Asia, I was with you the whole time,

Acts 20:18 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 20:18

And when they were come to him
That is, when the elders or pastors of the church at Ephesus were come to the apostle at Miletus:

he said unto them, ye know, from the first day I came into Asia;
to Ephesus the chief city in it:

after what manner I have been with you at all seasons;
what was his conduct, conversation, and constant manner of life; which the apostle takes notice of, not to commend himself, or to obtain applause of men; but either in vindication of himself, against those that were ready to charge and censure him; or to recommend the doctrine which he taught; and chiefly for the imitation of these elders, he had sent for, and convened in this place; and he appeals to themselves, as eyewitnesses of what he was going to say.

Acts 20:18 In-Context

16 For Sha'ul had decided to bypass Ephesus on his voyage, in order to avoid losing time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to get to Yerushalayim, if possible in time to celebrate Shavu'ot.

17 But he did send from Miletus to Ephesus, summoning the elders of the Messianic community.

18 When they arrived, he said to them, "You yourselves know how, from the first day I set foot in the province of Asia, I was with you the whole time,

19 serving the Lord with much humility and with tears, in spite of the tests I had to undergo because of the plots of the unbelieving Jews.

20 You know that I held back nothing that could be helpful to you, and that I taught you both in public and from house to house,