Acts 20:35

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

I have demonstrated before you a [good] example in all [these] things, so that you [too] will work hard to help those who are [physically] weak. [Also] remember the words of the Lord Jesus who Himself said, ‘It is a greater blessing [for you] to give [to people's needs] than to receive [help yourselves].’”

Cross References

Hebrews 13:16

But do not forget to do good deeds and share [with others], for God is very pleased with such “sacrifices.”

Matthew 10:8

Heal sick people, raise people from the dead, restore health to those with infectious skin diseases, and drive out evil spirits. You have received [blessings] freely, [now] give them out freely.

2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the unearned favor of our Lord Jesus Christ, [how] that even though He was rich, He became poor for your sakes, so that through His poverty you people could become [spiritually] rich.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

And we urge you, brothers, to warn those who are idle [Note: The word “idle” originally meant, “insubordinate, or unruly.” See II Thess. 3:6-7, 11], encourage those who are timid, help the [spiritually] weak and be patient with everyone.

Romans 15:1

Now those of us who are strong [spiritually] should put up with [or, help] the failings of [spiritually] weak people, and not [simply] do what pleases ourselves.

Acts 20:27

For I held nothing back in declaring to you the entire message of God.

Hebrews 13:3

Remember [to pray for and help] those who are in prison, as though you [yourselves] were in prison with them. [Remember] those who are being mistreated, realizing that you [yourselves] also share [with them] a physical body [i.e., you are subject to the same kind of trials].

Ephesians 4:28

The person who has stolen must stop doing it; instead, he should work hard, doing something worthwhile with his own hands, so that he can have [money] to share with the person who needs it.

Acts 20:20

[You know] how I held back nothing in declaring to you whatever was profitable, and taught you in public [meetings] and in your homes.

2 Corinthians 12:13

For in what way were you people inferior to the rest of the churches, unless it was that I was not a [financial] burden to you? Forgive me for this wrong.

2 Corinthians 11:9

And when I was there with you and in need, I was not a [financial] burden to anyone, for when the brothers came from Macedonia they provided me with what I lacked, so I kept myself from being a burden to you in every way and will continue to do so.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

[We also urge you to] make it your aim to live a quiet life, and to attend to your own business matters, and to work with your hands, as we urged you. [Note: Possibly this exhortation was directed toward the tendency of some people there to neglect ordinary responsibilities in view of an imminent return of Christ].

2 Corinthians 11:12

But what I am doing, I will continue to do, so that I can cut off the opportunity from those who want an occasion [to receive financial support for themselves because of my example of receiving it]. They want to boast [that they are preaching] on the same terms as I do. [Note: Paul’s argument seems to be that one reason for his foregoing financial support was so those “super apostles” in Corinth (see verse 5) would not be able to use his example to wrongfully exact financial support from the church].

1 Corinthians 9:12

If other people have the right to receive a share of what you have, should we not have even more [right to it]? Yet we did not make use of this right, but instead we put up with whatever we had to so we would not become a hindrance to [the spread of] the good news [about Christ].

Acts 20:34

You [also] know that I worked with my own hands to provide not only my own needs, but the needs of those who were with me.

Acts 20:36

After speaking these things Paul knelt down and prayed with all of the elders.

3 John 1:7

For they went out, [ministering] for the sake of [Jesus’] name, without taking [any money] from Gentiles [i.e., non-Christians].