spirit
Cf. Acts 21:4 . In Acts 20:22 Paul's own spirit is meant; in Acts 21:4 the Holy Spirit. Paul's motive in going to Jerusalem seems to have been his great affection for the Jews Romans 9:1-5 and his hope that gifts of the Gentile churches, sent by him to the poor saints at Jerusalem Romans 15:25-28 would open the hearts of the law-bound Jewish believers to the "gospel of the grace of God" Acts 20:24 .
whole spirit and soul and body Man a trinity. That the human soul and spirit are not identical is proved by the facts that they are divisible. Hebrews 4:12 and that soul and spirit are sharply distinguished in the burial and resurrection of the body. It is sown a natural body (soma psuchikon= "soul- body"), it is raised a spiritual body (soma pneumatikon). 1 Corinthians 15:44 . To assert, therefore, that there is no difference between soul and spirit is to assert that there is no difference between the mortal body and the resurrection body. In Scripture use, the distinction between spirit and soul may be traced. Briefly, that distinction is that the spirit is that part of man which "knows" 1 Corinthians 2:11 his mind; the soul is the seat of the affections, desires, and so of the emotions, and of the active will, the self. "My soul is exceeding sorrowful" Matthew 26:38 see also; Matthew 11:29 ; John 12:27 . The word transliterated "soul" in the O.T. (nephesh) is the exact equivalent of the N.T. word for soul (Greek - εὐψυχέω ), and the use of "soul" in the O.T. is identical with the use of that word in the N.T. (see, e.g.); Deuteronomy 6:5 ; Deuteronomy 14:26 ; 1 Samuel 18:1 ; 1 Samuel 20:4 ; 1 Samuel 20:17 ; Job 7:11 ; Job 7:15 ; Job 14:22 ; Psalms 42:6 ; Psalms 84:2 . The N.T. word for spirit (pneuma) like the O.T. (ruach), is trans. "air", "breath", "wind," but predominantly "spirit," whether of God (e.g.); Genesis 1:2 ; Matthew 3:16 or of man; Genesis 41:8 ; 1 Corinthians 5:5 . Because man is "spirit" he is capable of God-consciousness, and of communication with God; Job 32:8 ; Psalms 18:28 ; Proverbs 20:27 because he is "soul" he has self- consciousness; Psalms 13:2 ; Psalms 42:5 ; Psalms 42:6 ; Psalms 42:11 because he is "body" he has, through his senses, world consciousness.
(See Scofield " Genesis 1:26 ") .
Context Summary
Acts 20:13-27 - A Parting Message
The vessel had to stop at Miletus and Paul sent word to the Ephesian elders, urging them to come and see him. He spent the day in their company, and before parting delivered this pathetic and helpful address. There are many incidental touches revealing the nature of his work in the great city, of which there is little or no mention elsewhere in the Acts. For instance, we were not aware of his tears and trials through the opposition of the Jews, Acts 20:19, nor of the labors of his toil-worn hands, Acts 20:34. We hardly realized that his ministry was not simply the public proclamation of the gospel, but a visitation from house to house as well, Acts 20:20.
The Greek word in Acts 20:20; Acts 20:27 for kept back and shunned is a nautical word which literally means "reefed up." It was so natural for Paul to use a nautical word which he must have been hearing every day. But, notice how this heroic soul alludes to the lightness with which he held comfort and life, if only he might serve his Master perfectly, and fulfill in full measure his opportunities. How Paul loved that great word grace! It was his perpetual theme, and as we come to know ourselves better, and consider how little we have deserved of God, we also shall have but one theme. We are debtors to the sovereign grace of God, and have nothing to pay. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 20
1Paul goes to Macedonia, and thence to Troas 7He celebrates the Lord's supper, and preaches 9Eutychus having fallen down dead is raised to life 13Paul continues his travels; 17and at Miletum he calls the elders together, tells them what shall befall to himself, 28commits God's flock to them, 29warns them of false teachers, 32commends them to God, 36prays with them, and departs
Greek Commentary for Acts 20:22
Bound in the spirit [δεδεμενος τωι πνευματι] Perfect passive participle of δεω deō to bind, with the locative case. “Bound in my spirit” he means, as in Acts 19:21, from a high sense of duty. The mention of “the Holy Spirit” specifically in Acts 20:23 seems to be in contrast to his own spirit here. His own spirit was under the control of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16) and the sense does not differ greatly. [source]
Not knowing [μη ειδως] Second perfect active participle of οιδα oida with μη mē That shall befall me (τα συναντησοντα εμοι ta sunantēsonta emoi). Articular future active participle of συνανταω sunantaō to meet with (Acts 10:25), to befall (with associative instrumental case) and compare with συμβαντων sumbantōn (befell) in Acts 20:19. One of the rare instances of the future participle in the N.T. [source]
That shall befall me [τα συναντησοντα εμοι] Articular future active participle of συνανταω sunantaō to meet with (Acts 10:25), to befall (with associative instrumental case) and compare with συμβαντων sumbantōn (befell) in Acts 20:19. One of the rare instances of the future participle in the N.T. [source]
Bound in the spirit [] In his own spirit. Constrained by an invincible sense of duty. Not by the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in the next verse and distinguished by the epithet the Holy. [source]
Acts 20:32And now [και τα νυν] Same phrase as in Acts 20:22,Acts 20:25 save that ιδου idou (behold) is wanting and the article τα ta occurs before νυν nun accusative of general reference. And as to the present things (or situation) as in Acts 4:29. [source]
Acts 21:4Through the Spirit [δια του πνευματος] The Holy Spirit undoubtedly who had already told Paul that bonds and afflictions awaited him in Jerusalem (Acts 20:23). That he should not set foot in Jerusalem (μη επιβαινειν εις Ιεροσολυμα mē epibainein eis Ierosoluma). Indirect command with μη mē and the present active infinitive, not to keep on going to Jerusalem (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1046). In spite of this warning Paul felt it his duty as before (Acts 20:22) to go on. Evidently Paul interpreted the action of the Holy Spirit as information and warning although the disciples at Tyre gave it the form of a prohibition. Duty called louder than warning to Paul even if both were the calls of God. [source]
Acts 21:4That he should not set foot in Jerusalem [μη επιβαινειν εις Ιεροσολυμα] Indirect command with μη mē and the present active infinitive, not to keep on going to Jerusalem (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1046). In spite of this warning Paul felt it his duty as before (Acts 20:22) to go on. Evidently Paul interpreted the action of the Holy Spirit as information and warning although the disciples at Tyre gave it the form of a prohibition. Duty called louder than warning to Paul even if both were the calls of God. [source]
Greek Commentary for Acts 20:22
Perfect passive participle of δεω deō to bind, with the locative case. “Bound in my spirit” he means, as in Acts 19:21, from a high sense of duty. The mention of “the Holy Spirit” specifically in Acts 20:23 seems to be in contrast to his own spirit here. His own spirit was under the control of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16) and the sense does not differ greatly. [source]
Second perfect active participle of οιδα oida with μη mē That shall befall me (τα συναντησοντα εμοι ta sunantēsonta emoi). Articular future active participle of συνανταω sunantaō to meet with (Acts 10:25), to befall (with associative instrumental case) and compare with συμβαντων sumbantōn (befell) in Acts 20:19. One of the rare instances of the future participle in the N.T. [source]
Articular future active participle of συνανταω sunantaō to meet with (Acts 10:25), to befall (with associative instrumental case) and compare with συμβαντων sumbantōn (befell) in Acts 20:19. One of the rare instances of the future participle in the N.T. [source]
In his own spirit. Constrained by an invincible sense of duty. Not by the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in the next verse and distinguished by the epithet the Holy. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 20:22
Second time and solemn reminder as in Acts 20:22. [source]
Same phrase as in Acts 20:22, Acts 20:25 save that ιδου idou (behold) is wanting and the article τα ta occurs before νυν nun accusative of general reference. And as to the present things (or situation) as in Acts 4:29. [source]
The Holy Spirit undoubtedly who had already told Paul that bonds and afflictions awaited him in Jerusalem (Acts 20:23). That he should not set foot in Jerusalem (μη επιβαινειν εις Ιεροσολυμα mē epibainein eis Ierosoluma). Indirect command with μη mē and the present active infinitive, not to keep on going to Jerusalem (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1046). In spite of this warning Paul felt it his duty as before (Acts 20:22) to go on. Evidently Paul interpreted the action of the Holy Spirit as information and warning although the disciples at Tyre gave it the form of a prohibition. Duty called louder than warning to Paul even if both were the calls of God. [source]
Indirect command with μη mē and the present active infinitive, not to keep on going to Jerusalem (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1046). In spite of this warning Paul felt it his duty as before (Acts 20:22) to go on. Evidently Paul interpreted the action of the Holy Spirit as information and warning although the disciples at Tyre gave it the form of a prohibition. Duty called louder than warning to Paul even if both were the calls of God. [source]
Luke is fond of these particles of transition (Acts 7:34; Acts 10:5; Acts 20:25; Acts 22:16) and also και τα νυν kai ta nun (Acts 4:29; Acts 5:38; 22:32; Acts 27:22), and even και νυν ιδου kai nun idou (Acts 13:11; Acts 20:22). [source]