Acts 20:27

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 20:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
Acts 20:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
27For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.] By which is meant, not the purposes and decrees of God, latent in his own breast, these the apostle could not declare; but his revealed will in the Gospel, concerning the salvation of men by Jesus Christ, even the whole of the Gospel, every truth and doctrine of it, necessary to salvation, and to the peace, joy, and comfort of the saints; together with all the ordinances of it, and everything that had any tendency to promote the glory of God, and the good of souls; (see <420730>Luke 7:30) none of these things did the apostle withhold from the knowledge of the church at Ephesus, but freely imparted and communicated them to…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For I have not shunned to declare . . . all the counsel of God--God's way of salvation, and His kingdom of souls saved by His Son Jesus Christ. See Luk 7:30.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For - This verse contains a reason for what had been said in the previous verse. It shows why Paul regarded himself as innocent if they should be lost. I have not shunned - I have not kept back; I have not been deterred by fear, by the desire of popularity, by the fact that the doctrines of the gospel are unpalatable to people, from declaring them fully. The proper meaning of the word translated here, “I have not shunned” ὑπεστειλάμην hupesteilamēn, is “to disguise any important truth; to withdraw it from public view; to decline publishing it from fear, or an apprehension of the consequences.” Paul means that he had not disguised any truth; he had not withdrawn or kept it from open view,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For I have not shunned - Otherwise if any had perished, their blood would have been on his head. Acts 20:28”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I have: Act 20:20, Act 20:35, Act 26:22, Act 26:23; Co2 4:2; Gal 1:7-10, Gal 4:16; Th1 2:4 all: Act 2:23; Psa 32:11; Isa 46:10, Isa 46:11; Jer 23:22; Mat 28:20; Luk 7:30; Joh 15:15; Co1 11:23; Eph 1:11 Acts 20:28”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification