Acts 20:34
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοὶ
ye yourselves
G846
αὐτοὶ
ye yourselves
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
1 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
γινώσκετε
know
G1097
γινώσκετε
know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
3 of 16
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 16
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χρείαις
necessities
G5532
χρείαις
necessities
Strong's:
G5532
Word #:
6 of 16
employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ὑπηρέτησαν
have ministered
G5256
ὑπηρέτησαν
have ministered
Strong's:
G5256
Word #:
13 of 16
to be a subordinate, i.e., (by implication) subserve
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 18:3And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.Acts 19:22So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.1 Corinthians 4:12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:1 Thessalonians 2:9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Historical Context
Paul's manual labor (Acts 18:3, 1 Thessalonians 2:9) was exceptional among traveling teachers. He supported his team, not just himself.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Paul's self-support teach about ministry and money?
- How can manual labor serve gospel credibility?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.' Paul's tent-making supported both himself and others. Physical labor served the gospel by removing accusation and modeling work ethic.