King James Version

What Does Acts 20:35 Mean?

Acts 20:35 in the King James Version says “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 20:35 · KJV


Context

33

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

34

Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

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.

36

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

37

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your work enable generosity toward others versus merely sustaining personal lifestyle?
  2. In what areas of life have you experienced the truth that giving brings more blessing than receiving?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
πάντα1 of 26

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑπέδειξα2 of 26

I have shewed

G5263

to exhibit under the eyes, i.e., (figuratively) to exemplify (instruct, admonish)

ὑμῖν3 of 26

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι4 of 26

how

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὕτως5 of 26

so

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

κοπιῶντας6 of 26

labouring

G2872

to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard

δεῖ7 of 26

ye ought

G1163

also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)

ἀντιλαμβάνεσθαι8 of 26

to support

G482

to take hold of in turn, i.e., succor; also to participate

τῶν9 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀσθενούντων10 of 26

the weak

G770

to be feeble (in any sense)

μνημονεύειν11 of 26

to remember

G3421

to exercise memory, i.e., recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse

τε12 of 26

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

τῶν13 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγων14 of 26

the words

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

τοῦ15 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίου16 of 26

of the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Ἰησοῦ17 of 26

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ὅτι18 of 26

how

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

αὐτὸς19 of 26
G846

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

εἶπεν20 of 26

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Μακάριόν21 of 26

blessed

G3107

supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off

ἐστιν22 of 26

It is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

διδόναι23 of 26

to give

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

μᾶλλον24 of 26

more

G3123

(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather

25 of 26

than

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

λαμβάνειν26 of 26

to receive

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 20:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 20:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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