DuPage
Paul’s extensive third missionary journey throughout Macedonia and Achaia is covered in six, short verses before his return to Troas in Asia Minor. Formerly, he had hoped to reach Jerusalem sooner (see 19:21), but now he hoped to arrive there for Pentecost (see 20:16).
Paul stayed in Troas seven days despite his plans because he felt the need to meet with the believers. He wanted to break bread with them as the Lord had commanded, which they customarily did on the first day of week (7; Lk 22:19).
Initially, he intended to leave the next day, which compelled him to give a longer sermon: “he kept on talking until midnight” (7b). Seated in a window, a young man named Eutychus sank into a deep sleep, fell to the ground from the third story, and was picked up dead. Paul’s sense of urgency to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom that gives eternal life greatly contrasted with the young man’s disinterest in spiritual matters. Granted, the situation was not favorable to the young man—long hours, warmth, and poor air circulation—yet what happened to him still serves as a warning against “sleepy saints.” And God was gracious to him that he was brought back to life by Paul.
Oct 20, 2025
THE WORDS OF GOD MUST NOT PUT US TO SLEEP
Passage: Acts 20:1-12
Key verse: 10
NIV
chapter 20
1. When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia.
2. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,
3. where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.
4. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
5. These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas.
6. But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
7. On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.
8. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting.
9. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.
10. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don’t be alarmed," he said. "He’s alive!"
11. Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left.
12. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Father, help me spiritually stay alert and vigilant (cf. 1 Peter 5:8).
One Word: “Watch and pray”