Acts 20:34 Meaning and Explanation
“Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The elders know it firsthand: Paul's own hands worked to supply his needs and the needs of his companions.
What Does Acts 20:34 Mean?
Paul may well have held up his hands as he spoke — workman's hands, hardened at the tentmaker's bench (18:3). In Ephesus he labored at his trade so that the gospel would cost his hearers nothing, and he earned enough to help carry his companions besides.
The apostle who had every right to support (1 Cor 9:14) waived it, making his own body an exhibit of the message: grace is free. There is dignity here for every workbench, desk, and kitchen — hands that labor honestly and give generously are doing holy service. Paul's hands preached as truly as his voice, in the service of one who was himself called the carpenter (Mark 6:3).
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 20:34
What does Acts 20:34 mean?
The elders know it firsthand: Paul's own hands worked to supply his needs and the needs of his companions.