Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Original Language Analysis
ὑπέδειξα
I have shewed
G5263
ὑπέδειξα
I have shewed
Strong's:
G5263
Word #:
2 of 26
to exhibit under the eyes, i.e., (figuratively) to exemplify (instruct, admonish)
ὅτι
how
G3754
ὅτι
how
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 26
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
δεῖ
ye ought
G1163
δεῖ
ye ought
Strong's:
G1163
Word #:
7 of 26
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι
to support
G482
ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι
to support
Strong's:
G482
Word #:
8 of 26
to take hold of in turn, i.e., succor; also to participate
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημονεύειν
to remember
G3421
μνημονεύειν
to remember
Strong's:
G3421
Word #:
11 of 26
to exercise memory, i.e., recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγων
the words
G3056
λόγων
the words
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
14 of 26
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
16 of 26
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
17 of 26
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὅτι
how
G3754
ὅτι
how
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
18 of 26
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὐτὸς
G846
αὐτὸς
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 26
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
Μακάριόν
blessed
G3107
Μακάριόν
blessed
Strong's:
G3107
Word #:
21 of 26
supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off
διδόναι
to give
G1325
διδόναι
to give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
23 of 26
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
Cross References
Hebrews 13:16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.Matthew 10:8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.2 Corinthians 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.1 Thessalonians 5:14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.Romans 15:1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.Hebrews 13:3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.Acts 20:27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.Isaiah 35:3Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.Isaiah 32:8But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.
Historical Context
Concludes Paul's defense of his ministry methods to Ephesian elders. He worked as tentmaker (Acts 18:3) to fund gospel ministry and model self-sacrifice. This saying of Jesus was preserved in oral tradition before being recorded by Luke here. Paul uses similar language in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 ('support the weak') and his own generosity theology in 2 Corinthians 8-9.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your work enable generosity toward others versus merely sustaining personal lifestyle?
- In what areas of life have you experienced the truth that giving brings more blessing than receiving?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive—Paul cites an unrecorded saying of Jesus (not in the Gospels) to model generous labor. So labouring refers to Paul's tentmaking (v.34), supporting himself and companions rather than burdening churches. Ye ought to support the weak makes labor's purpose not self-enrichment but enabling generosity to needy believers. More blessed to give than to receive inverts natural selfishness—joy comes from giving, not getting. This Jesus-saying became foundational for Christian generosity and work ethic.