Acts 24:17

After many years (di etwn pleionwn). "At an interval (dia) of more (pleionwn) years" (than a few, one must add), not "after many years." If, as is likely Paul went up to Jerusalem in Acts 18:22 , that was some five years ago and would justify "pleionwn" (several years ago or some years ago). To bring alms (elehmosuna poihson). Another (see proskunhswn in verse Acts 11 ) example of the future participle of purpose in the N.T. These "alms" (on elehmosuna see on "Mt 6:1",4; see also "Ac 10:2", common in Tobit and is in the papyri) were for the poor saints in Jerusalem ( 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 ; 2 Corinthians 8 ; 2 Corinthians 9 ; Romans 15:26 ) who were none the less Jews. "And offerings" (kai prospora). The very word used in Romans 21:26 of the offerings or sacrifices made by Paul for the four brethren and himself. It does not follow that it was Paul's original purpose to make these "offerings" before he came to Jerusalem (cf. Romans 18:18 ). He came up to worship (verse Romans 24:11 ) and to be present at Pentecost ( Romans 20:16 ).