Acts 20:33

33 `The silver or gold or garments of no one did I covet;

Acts 20:33 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 20:33

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
] This the apostle says, not merely in vindication of himself, and his character, from all charge or suspicion of avarice; but chiefly for the instruction of these elders, and all others of the same office, not to indulge the sin of covetousness, which is very disagreeable, and ought not to be in a minister of the word; and it may be observed, that many things which the apostle says before of himself to those elders, is said not to commend himself, nor so much in his own vindication, as for their imitation; compare with this ( Numbers 16:15 ) ( 1 Samuel 12:3 ) and to point out the character of false teachers that would come in, or spring up among them, who would make merchandise of them. Beza's ancient copy, and others, read, "the silver of none of you"; and so the Ethiopic version.

Acts 20:33 In-Context

31 `Therefore, watch, remembering that three years, night and day, I did not cease with tears warning each one;

32 and now, I commend you, brethren, to God, and to the word of His grace, that is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those sanctified.

33 `The silver or gold or garments of no one did I covet;

34 and ye yourselves know that to my necessities, and to those who were with me, minister did these hands;

35 all things I did shew you, that, thus labouring, it behoveth [us] to partake with the ailing, to be mindful also of the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.'