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:

ACTS 20:19KJV
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Acts 20:19 (KJV)

What does Acts 20:19 mean?

Acts 20:19 describes Paul explaining how he served the Lord with complete humility, often in tears, and while facing many difficult trials, especially because of opposition from some of the Jewish people. Paul is highlighting the sincerity and hardship of his ministry as he speaks to the elders from the church in Ephesus.

Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders during his farewell address in Miletus, recounting his time serving among them. He emphasizes not just his commitment to God (the Lord), but also the emotional and challenging circumstances—such as tears and temptations (trials)—that marked his ministry, especially due to plots against him by some of his fellow Jews. This verse sets the tone for his message about faithful service despite adversity.

The Greek behind Acts 20:19

  • The word for "serving" is δουλεύων (douleuōn), from G1398, which means serving as a slave or bondservant. Paul is stressing that his service to the Lord (κύριος, kyrios, G2962) was wholehearted and humble, not for personal gain or status.
  • The phrase "humility of mind" uses ταπεινοφροσύνη (tapeinophrosynē, G5012), which means a deep, genuine humility, not just outward modesty. Paul is pointing to an attitude of lowliness and selflessness in his work.
  • "Temptations" comes from πειρασμοῖς (peirasmois, G3986), which often means trials or tests, not just temptations to sin. Here, it refers to the difficult circumstances and dangers Paul faced.
  • The phrase "lying in wait" is ἐπιβουλῆς (epiboulēs, G1917), meaning plots or ambushes. This highlights that the dangers Paul faced were not just accidental hardships but included deliberate opposition.

Why Acts 20:19 matters

  • Acts 20:19 clears up any idea that Paul’s ministry was easy or glamorous; he openly shares the emotional and physical cost of serving.
  • The verse emphasizes humility as central to Christian leadership, showing that Paul did not act out of pride or self-importance.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by setting up Paul’s later instructions to the elders, grounding his advice in his own lived example of perseverance and faithfulness under pressure.

Where else these words appear

“wait” Greek G1917 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 9:24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
  • Acts 20:3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
  • Acts 23:30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

“mind” Greek G5012 · used in 7 verses

  • Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
  • Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
  • Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

“befell” Greek G4819 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
  • Acts 3:10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

“tears” Greek G1144 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
  • Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
  • Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;