serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul highlights that genuine service to God isn't about smooth sailing but is marked by profound humility and deep emotion, even tears, alongside the hardships faced. It's the resilience amidst external plots and struggles, rather than just outward success, that truly defines his dedication.
serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the elders from Ephesus, whom he called to meet him in Miletus because he couldn't return to the city himself. He's recounting his ministry among them, emphasizing his integrity and dedication, and preparing them for future challenges. This verse highlights the emotional and dangerous aspects of his service, setting the stage for his detailed exhortations to them about faithfully shepherding the flock.
Paul calls his service to the Lord 'with all humility.' What does that really look like when you're facing opposition?
Paul's humility wasn't about being weak or having a low opinion of himself. It was about recognizing his complete dependence on God and the high calling he had received.
Acknowledging Divine Authority
He served "the Lord," emphasizing that his ultimate allegiance and authority came from God, not himself or any human institution. This meant his service was always aligned with God's will, not personal ambition.
Rejection of Self-Exaltation
Despite his incredible achievements and spiritual gifts, Paul actively guarded against pride. His humility was a conscious choice to set aside self-importance, making room for God to work powerfully through him.
Openness to Suffering
True humility, as Paul demonstrated, often involves an openness to suffering and hardship. It means not demanding comfort or recognition, but willingly embracing the difficult path if it serves the Lord.
Paul mentions 'tears and trials' as companions to his service. Discover why faithful ministry often comes with a heavy emotional and physical price.
Paul doesn't shy away from the difficult realities of ministry. His mention of tears and trials reveals the deep emotional investment and external pressures he faced.
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Tears of Compassion and Grief
Paul's tears weren't just for his own struggles but were deeply tied to the spiritual condition of those he served. They flowed from a place of genuine love and sorrow over sin, opposition, and the resistance to the gospel.
Trials as Inevitable Companions
The 'trials' Paul faced were not mere inconveniences but significant hardships, often stemming from external opposition, particularly from Jewish plotters. These were not signs of God's displeasure but part of the cost of obedience.
The Paradox of Suffering and Strength
This verse highlights a profound paradox: intense emotional pain and external hardship did not paralyze Paul. Instead, they seemed to fuel his resolve, demonstrating that God's strength is often made perfect in our weakness.
Paul specifically calls out 'the plots of the Jews.' Why this particular opposition, and what does it teach us about enduring hostility?
Paul doesn't generalize his suffering; he identifies a specific source of intense opposition – the Jews who actively plotted against him. This specificity offers crucial insights into the nature of spiritual conflict.
A Personal and Persistent Threat
The 'plots' (or 'lying in wait') indicate a deliberate, often hidden, effort to harm Paul. This wasn't just casual disagreement; it was a targeted campaign to undermine his ministry and even end his life.
The Pain of Rejection from One's Own
While Paul faced various forms of opposition, hostility from his own people, the Jews, often carried a particular sting. This opposition stemmed from their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah and their resistance to the Gentile mission.
Endurance Through Divine Protection
Paul’s continued service despite these plots demonstrates a profound reliance on God's protection and sovereignty. He understood that his life was in God's hands, and even threats couldn't ultimately derail God's purposes.
Understand the original words
douleuō · Greek Verb
To work, perform service, or be a slave to someone; in a spiritual sense, it denotes the ongoing, devoted service to God and His kingdom.
tapeinophrosunē · Greek Noun
The quality of having a modest or low view of one's own importance; a foundational Christian virtue that acknowledges dependence on God and submits to His authority.
peirasmos · Greek Noun
The testing of faith through suffering or adversity; these events are viewed as permitted by God to refine the believer's character and deepen their reliance on Him.
c. AD 53-57— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
During his extensive ministry in Ephesus, Paul faced significant opposition, particularly from hostile unbelieving Jews who plotted against him and sought to disrupt his work. This opposition was a recurring theme throughout his missionary journeys.
c. AD 57
Paul's Departure from Ephesus
Paul, having completed his time in Ephesus, sailed towards Jerusalem, intending to arrive by Pentecost. He stopped at Miletus, where he summoned the Ephesian elders to impart final instructions and warnings.
c. AD 57
Paul's Farewell to Ephesian Elders
At Miletus, Paul delivered a heartfelt farewell address to the Ephesian elders, recounting his faithful service, reminding them of his humility, tears, and the trials he endured, including the plots of the Jews. He charged them to shepherd the flock and to be vigilant against false teachings.
This passage directly parallels Paul's description of his hardships in Acts 20:19 by detailing his extensive sufferings, imprisonments, and constant dangers for the sake of the gospel, highlighting the pervasive opposition he faced.
Philippians 3:10This verse speaks to Paul's deep desire to know Christ and share in his sufferings, which aligns with the 'tears and trials' mentioned in Acts 20:19, showing his willingness to endure hardship for spiritual gain.
Romans 12:1-2While Acts 20:19 focuses on Paul's outward service, Romans 12:1-2 calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, emphasizing the 'humility' and transformed mind that undergirds such dedicated service, reflecting the internal disposition Paul exemplified.
Matthew 5:10-12Jesus' teaching on blessing those persecuted for righteousness' sake connects with Paul's 'trials' and 'plots,' affirming that enduring hardship and suffering for the gospel is a mark of blessing and a testament to one's commitment to God's kingdom.
wesleyActs 20:19: "Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:"
20:19 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, Ac 20:31, as…
henryActs 20:17-27: "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church."
20:17-27 The elders knew that Paul was no designing, self-seeking man. Those who would in any office serve the Lord acceptably, and profitably to others, must do it with humility. He was a plain preacher, one that spoke his message so as to be understood. He was a powerful preacher; he preached the gospel as a testimony to them if they received it; but as a testimony against them if they rejected it. He w…
Paul highlights that genuine service to God isn't about smooth sailing but is marked by profound humility and deep emotion, even tears, alongside the hardships faced. It's the resilience amidst external plots and struggles, rather than just outward success, that truly defines his dedication.
Paul is addressing the elders from Ephesus, whom he called to meet him in Miletus because he couldn't return to the city himself. He's recounting his ministry among them, emphasizing his integrity and dedication, and preparing them for future challenges. This verse highlights the emotional and dangerous aspects of his service, setting the stage for his detailed exhortations to them about faithfully shepherding the flock.
Paul is addressing the elders from Ephesus, whom he called to meet him in Miletus because he couldn't return to the city himself. He's recounting his ministry among them, emphasizing his integrity and dedication, and preparing them for future challenges. This verse highlights the emotional and dangerous aspects of his service, setting the stage for his detailed exhortations to them about faithfully shepherding the flock.
"serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;" — Paul highlights that genuine service to God isn't about smooth sailing but is marked by profound humility and deep emotion, even tears, alongside the hardships faced. It's the resilience amidst exter…
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Last reviewed October 2026