Acts 20:19

“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, etc.] Meaning, in the ministration of the Gospel, being conscious to himself of his own weakness and insufficiency in himself for such service; no ways elated with those excellent and extraordinary gifts bestowed upon him; ascribing all his success to the power, grace, and Spirit of God; treating no man with contempt and disdain; nor lording it over God’s heritage, or claiming a dominion over the faith of men; nor seeking honour nor riches for himself, nor even what he had a just right unto, a maintenance from the people; but laboured with his own hands, and to his own and the necessities of others: and with many tears; at the obstinacy and…”

“Serving the Lord--Jesus. with all humility . . . and many tears and temptations--Self-exaltation was unknown to him, and ease of mind: He "sowed in tears," from anxieties both on account of the converts from whom he "travailed in birth," and of the Jews, whose bitter hostility was perpetually plotting against him, interrupting his work and endangering his life.”

“Serving the Lord - In the discharge of the appropriate duties of his apostolic office, and in private life. To discharge aright our duties in any vocation is serving the Lord. Religion is often represented in the Bible as a service rendered to the Lord. With all humility - Without arrogance, pride, or a spirit of dictation; without a desire to “lord it over God’s heritage”; without being elated with the authority of the apostolic office, the variety of the miracles which he was enabled to perform, or the success which attended his labors. What an admirable model for all who are in the ministry; for all who are endowed with talents and learning; for all who meet with remarkable success in…”

“Serving - See the picture of a faithful servant! The Lord - Whose the church is, with all humility, and with tears, and trials - These are the concomicants of it. The service itself is described more particularly in the following verse. This humility he recommends to the Ephesians themselves, Eph 4:2. His tears are mentioned again, Act 20:31, as also Co2 2:4; Phi 3:18. These passages laid together supply us with the genuine character of St. Paul. Holy tears, from those who seldom weep on account of natural occurrences, are no mean specimen of the efficacy and proof of the truth of Christianity. Yet joy is well consistent therewith, Act 20:24. The same person may be sorrowful, yet always…”

“Serving: Act 27:23; Joh 12:26; Rom 1:1, Rom 1:9, Rom 12:11; Gal 1:10; Eph 6:7; Col 3:24; Th1 1:9; Pe2 1:1; Rev 7:15 with all: Co1 15:9, Co1 15:10; Co2 3:5, Co2 7:5, Co2 12:7-10; Gal 4:13, Gal 4:14 many: Act 20:31; Psa 119:136; Jer 9:1, Jer 13:17; Luk 19:41; Co2 2:4; Phi 3:18; Ti2 1:4 temptations: Co1 4:9-13; Co2 4:7-11, Co2 11:23-30; Jam 1:2; Pe1 1:6 by the: Act 20:3, Act 9:23-25, Act 13:50, Act 13:51, Act 14:5, Act 14:6, Act 14:19, Act 14:20, Act 17:5, Act 17:13; Co2 11:26 Acts 20:20”