Acts 20:1-6: a reflection

1After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 2When he had gone through those parts and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece. 3When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. 4These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas. 6We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.

As Paul travels through the regions where churches have been planted, Luke notes something about what he did along the way: he went through those parts and encouraged them with many words. Wherever he went, Paul made it his business to strengthen and encourage the believers, building them up with much encouragement. Amid all his labors, teaching, traveling, and facing opposition and plots, the ministry of encouragement was woven through his work.

Notice this quiet but vital ministry: encouraging the believers with many words. Paul did not only teach doctrine, confront error, and press on with the mission; he took time to encourage, to strengthen the hearts of the believers, to build them up. Encouragement was not an afterthought, but part of how he served the churches; he gave himself to strengthening others with his words, lifting and steadying them for the road ahead.

That points to a ministry all of us can share: the ministry of encouragement. It is easy to be, toward others, a source of criticism, discouragement, or mere neutrality; but Paul went about encouraging, deliberately strengthening others with his words. Words have power to build up or to tear down; and there is great good in being one who builds others up, who encourages the discouraged, strengthens the weary, and lifts the downcast. Be an encourager, as Paul was. Look for opportunities to strengthen others with your words, to lift and steady them, rather than to discourage or merely find fault. The ministry of encouragement is one we can all share; give yourself to it, building others up with your words, as Paul encouraged the believers with many.

Lord, as Paul traveled among the churches, he went about encouraging the believers with many words, strengthening their hearts; the ministry of encouragement was woven through all his work. Point me to that ministry I can share. It is easy for me to be, toward others, a source of criticism, discouragement, or mere neutrality; but Paul went about encouraging, deliberately strengthening others with his words. Words have power to build up or to tear down; and there is great good in being one who builds others up, who encourages the discouraged, strengthens the weary, and lifts the downcast. Make me an encourager, as Paul was. Help me look for opportunities to strengthen others with my words, to lift and steady them, rather than to discourage or merely find fault. The ministry of encouragement is one I can share; help me give myself to it, building others up with my words, as Paul encouraged the believers with many. Let my words strengthen, not discourage.