“Si Zòt Pyès Péwi, Sé Pa Fòt Mwen”

1-3. (a) Bay an ti détay asou sa ki té fèt swè-a Youtikòs mò. (b) Ki sa zapòt Pòl fè, èk ki sa wakont sala ka di nou konsèné mannyè i té ka katjilé?

PAUL is in a crowded upper chamber in Troas. He speaks at length to the brothers, since this is the last evening he will be with them. It is now midnight. There are quite a few lamps burning in the room, adding to the heat and perhaps contributing to a smoky atmosphere. Seated at one of the windows is a young man named Eutychus. As Paul is speaking, Eutychus falls asleep and tumbles out of the third-story window!

² As a physician, Luke is likely among the first to rush outside and examine the young man. There is no question about his condition. Eutychus is “picked up dead.” (Twav. 20:9) But then a miracle occurs. Paul throws himself on the young man and says to the crowd: “Stop making a commotion, for he is alive.” Paul has raised Eutychus back to life!​—Twav. 20:10.

³ That incident demonstrates the power of God’s holy spirit. Paul could not rightly be blamed for the death of Eutychus. Still, he did not want the young man’s death to mar this important occasion or to stumble anyone spiritually. By resurrecting Eutychus, Paul left the congregation comforted and fully invigorated to carry on their ministry. Clearly, Paul took a very responsible view of the lives of others. We are reminded of his words: “I am clean from the blood of all men.” (Twav. 20:26) Let us consider how Paul’s example can help us in this regard.

“I Pati [Alé] Masédonnya” (Twavay 20:1, 2)

4. Ki mové èspéyans zapòt Pòl té ni an vil Èfésòs?

⁴ As discussed in the preceding chapter, Paul had been through a harrowing ordeal. His ministry in Ephesus had stirred up quite a commotion. Indeed, the silversmiths whose livelihood depended on the worship of Artemis had taken part in a riot! “When the uproar had subsided,” Acts 20:1 relates, “Paul sent for the disciples, and after he had encouraged them and said farewell, he began his journey to Macedonia.”

5, 6. (a) Apipwé konmen tan zapòt Pòl wèsté an vil Masédonnya, èk ki sa i fè bay sé fwè èk sè-a an vil sala? (b) Ki mannyè nou sav Pòl té enmen sé fwè èk sè-a?

⁵ On the way to Macedonia, Paul stopped in the seaport of Troas and spent time there. Paul hoped that Titus, who had been sent to Corinth, would join him there. (2 Kòr. 2:12, 13) However, when it became evident that Titus was not coming, Paul went on to Macedonia, perhaps spending a year or so “giving many words of encouragement to the ones there.”a (Twav. 20:2) Titus finally joined Paul in Macedonia, bringing good news regarding the Corinthians’ response to Paul’s first letter. (2 Kòr. 7:5-7) This moved Paul to write another letter to them, which we now know as 2 Corinthians.

⁶ It is noteworthy that Luke uses the words “encouraged” and “encouragement” to describe Paul’s visits to the brothers in Ephesus and Macedonia. How well those words express Paul’s attitude toward fellow believers! In contrast with the Pharisees, who looked on others with contempt, Paul viewed the sheep as fellow workers. (Jan 7:47-49; 1 Kòr. 3:9) Paul maintained that attitude even when he had to give them strong counsel.​—2 Kòr. 2:4.

7. Ki mannyè ansyen an tan jòdi sa imité ègzanp zapòt Pòl?

⁷ Today, congregation elders and circuit overseers strive to imitate Paul’s example. Even when giving reproof, they have the goal of strengthening those needing assistance. Overseers empathetically seek to encourage rather than condemn. One experienced circuit overseer put it this way: “Most of our brothers and sisters want to do what is right, but they often struggle with frustrations, fears, and the feeling that they are powerless to help themselves.” Overseers can be a source of strength to such fellow believers.​—Hib. 12:12, 13.

“Sé Jwif-la Té Ka Fè Plan Pou Yo Té Tjwéʼy” (Twavay 20:3, 4)

8, 9. (a) Pòl té fè plan pou alé vil Siriya, mé i chanjé lidé’y. Pouki? (b) Pou ki wézon sé Jwif-la té hayi Pòl otan?

⁸ From Macedonia, Paul went to Corinth.b After spending three months there, he was eager to move on to Cenchreae, where he planned to board a boat to Syria. From there, he would be able to go to Jerusalem and deliver the contributions to the needy brothers there.c (Twav. 24:17; Ronm 15:25, 26) However, an unexpected turn of events changed Paul’s plans. Acts 20:3 reports: “A plot was hatched against him by the Jews”!

⁹ It is not surprising that the Jews harbored animosity toward Paul, for they considered him to be an apostate. Earlier, his ministry had led to the conversion of Crispus​—a prominent figure in the Corinthian synagogue. (Twav. 18:7, 8; 1 Kòr. 1:14) On another occasion, the Jews in Corinth had brought charges against Paul before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia. Yet, Gallio had dismissed those charges as baseless​—a decision that infuriated Paul’s enemies. (Twav. 18:12-17) The Jews in Corinth may have known or assumed that Paul would soon set sail from nearby Cenchreae, so they devised a scheme to ambush him there. What would Paul do?

10. Paski Pòl désidé pou pa alé vil Senkré, ès sa vlé di i té kwapon? Èspliké.

¹⁰ In the interests of personal safety​—and to protect the funds with which he had been entrusted—​Paul opted to stay away from Cenchreae and to retrace his steps through Macedonia. Granted, traveling on land would have its own dangers. Bandits often lurked along ancient roads. Even the inns could be unsafe. Still, Paul chose the risks on land over those that awaited him at Cenchreae. Thankfully, he was not traveling alone. Paul’s companions for this part of his missionary tour included Aristarchus, Gaius, Secundus, Sopater, Timothy, Trophimus, and Tychicus.​—Twav. 20:3, 4.

11. Ki sa Kwityen jòdi ka fè pou pa mété kò yo an chimen danjé, èvèk ki ègzanp Jézi kité lè’y vini pou sa?

¹¹ Like Paul, Christians today take measures to protect themselves while in the ministry. In some areas, they travel in groups​—or at least in pairs—​rather than alone. What about persecution? Christians realize that it is inevitable. (Jan 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12) Still, they do not deliberately put themselves in harm’s way. Consider the example of Jesus. On one occasion, when opposers in Jerusalem began picking up stones to hurl at him, “Jesus hid and went out of the temple.” (Jan 8:59) Later, when the Jews were plotting to kill him, “Jesus no longer walked about publicly among the Jews, but he departed from there to the region near the wilderness.” (Jan 11:54) Jesus took reasonable measures to protect himself when doing so did not conflict with God’s will for him. Christians today do the same.​—Maf. 10:16.

“Sa Té Konfòté Yo An Chay” (Twavay 20:5-12)

12, 13. (a) Ki mannyè sé fwè èk sè-a té santi lè Pòl wésisité Youtikòs? (b) Lè an moun nou enmen mò, ki bèl èspwa ki ka konfòté nou?

¹² Paul and his companions traveled through Macedonia together and then apparently split up. Evidently, the group reunited at Troas.d The account says: “Within five days we came to them in Troas.”e (Twav. 20:6) It is here that the young man Eutychus was resurrected, as discussed at the outset of this chapter. Imagine how the brothers felt to see their companion Eutychus raised back to life! As the account reports, they were “comforted beyond measure.”​—Twav. 20:12.

¹³ Of course, miracles of that sort do not occur today. Still, those who have lost loved ones in death are “comforted beyond measure” by the Bible-based hope of the resurrection. (Jan 5:28, 29) Consider: Because he was imperfect, Eutychus eventually died again. (Ronm 6:23) But those who are resurrected in God’s new world have the prospect of living forever! Moreover, those who are raised to rule with Jesus in heaven are clothed with immortality. (1 Kòr. 15:51-53) Christians today​—whether of the anointed or of the “other sheep”—​have good reason to be “comforted beyond measure.”​—Jan 10:16.

“Ni An Piblik” Ni Kay An Kay (Twavay 20:13-24)

14. Ki sa zapòt Pòl di sé ansyen ki sòti Èfésòs lè i jwenn épi yo an vil Militis?

¹⁴ Paul and his group traveled from Troas to Assos, then to Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Miletus. Paul’s goal was to reach Jerusalem in time for the Festival of Pentecost. His haste to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost explains why he selected a vessel that bypassed Ephesus on this return trip. Since Paul wanted to talk to the Ephesian elders, however, he requested that they meet him at Miletus. (Twav. 20:13-17) When they arrived, Paul said to them: “You well know how I conducted myself among you from the first day I stepped into the province of Asia, slaving for the Lord with all humility and with tears and trials that befell me by the plots of the Jews, while I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house. But I thoroughly bore witness both to Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.”​—Twav. 20:18-21.

15. Pouki kay an kay sé pwensipal mannyè-a nou ka sèvi pou pwéché bon nouvèl-la?

¹⁵ There are many ways to reach people with the good news today. Like Paul, we strive to go where the people are, whether at bus stops, on busy streets, or in marketplaces. Yet, going from house to house remains the primary preaching method used by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Why? For one thing, house-to-house preaching gives all an adequate opportunity to hear the Kingdom message on a regular basis, thus demonstrating God’s impartiality. It also allows honesthearted ones to receive personal assistance according to their needs. In addition, the house-to-house ministry builds the faith and endurance of those who engage in it. Indeed, a trademark of true Christians today is their zeal in witnessing “publicly and from house to house.”

16, 17. Ki mannyè zapòt Pòl té moutwé i ni kouwaj, èk ki mannyè Kwityen jòdi ka imité ègzanp li?

¹⁶ Paul explained to the Ephesian elders that he did not know what dangers would await him on his return to Jerusalem. “Nevertheless, I do not consider my own life of any importance to me,” he told them, “if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received of the Lord Jesus, to bear thorough witness to the good news of the undeserved kindness of God.” (Twav. 20:24) Fearlessly, Paul refused to let any circumstance​—whether poor health or bitter opposition—​prevent him from completing his assignment.

¹⁷ Christians today likewise endure a variety of negative circumstances. Some face governmental ban and persecution. Others courageously battle debilitating physical or emotional illnesses. Christian youths deal with peer pressure at school. In whatever circumstances they find themselves, Jehovah’s Witnesses display steadfastness, as did Paul. They are determined to “bear thorough witness to the good news.”

“Véyé Kòʼw Épi Véyé Sé Moun-an Bondyé Mété An Lanmenʼw” (Twavay 20:25-38)

18. (a) Pouki Pòl té sa di sé moun-nan si yo péwi sé pa fòt li? (b) Ki mannyè sé ansyen-an an vil Èfésòs té sa fè menm kon zapòt Pòl?

¹⁸ Paul next gave straightforward admonition to the Ephesian elders, using his own course as an example. First he informed them that this was likely the last time they would see him. Then he stated: “I am clean from the blood of all men, for I have not held back from telling you all the counsel of God.” How could the Ephesian elders imitate Paul, thus keeping themselves free from bloodguilt? He told them: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.” (Twav. 20:26-28) Paul warned that “oppressive wolves” would infiltrate the flock and would “speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” What should the elders do? “Keep awake,” Paul warned, “and bear in mind that for three years, night and day, I never stopped admonishing each one of you with tears.”​—Twav. 20:29-31.

19. Silon 1 Jan 2:18, 19, ki mannyè sé apòsta-a té koumansé pawèt an finisman pwèmyé syèk-la, èk ki sa ki fèt an sé syèk-la apwé sa?

¹⁹ “Oppressive wolves” made their appearance by the end of the first century. About 98 C.E., the apostle John wrote: “Even now many antichrists have appeared . . . They went out from us, but they were not of our sort; for if they had been of our sort, they would have remained with us.” (1 Jan 2:18, 19) By the third century, apostasy had led to the development of the clergy class of Christendom, and in the fourth century, Emperor Constantine gave official recognition to this corrupt form of “Christianity.” By adopting pagan rituals and giving them a “Christian” veneer, religious leaders did indeed “speak twisted things.” The effects of that apostasy are still seen in the teachings and customs of Christendom.

20, 21. Ki mannyè zapòt Pòl té mété lentéwé lézòt avan sa li, èk ki mannyè ansyen jòdi sa imité ègzanp Pòl?

²⁰ Paul’s life course was in stark contrast to that of those who would in later times take advantage of the flock. He worked to support himself so as not to impose a burden on the congregation. His efforts in behalf of fellow believers were not for personal gain. Paul urged the Ephesian elders to display a self-sacrificing spirit. “You must assist those who are weak,” he told them, “and must keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said: ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’”​—Twav. 20:35.

²¹ Like Paul, Christian elders today are self-sacrificing. In contrast with the clergy of Christendom, who fleece their flocks, those who are entrusted with the responsibility to “shepherd the congregation of God” perform their duties unselfishly. Pride and ambition have no place in the Christian congregation, for those who seek their “own glory” will fail in the long run. (Pwov. 25:27) Presumptuousness can only lead to dishonor.​—Pwov. 11:2.

22. Pouki sé ansyen-an an vil Èfésòs té enmen Pòl otan?

²² Paul’s genuine love for his brothers endeared him to them. Indeed, when it was time for him to depart, “quite a bit of weeping broke out among them all, and they embraced Paul and affectionately kissed him.” (Twav. 20:37, 38) Christians truly appreciate and love those who, like Paul, give of themselves unselfishly in behalf of the flock. After considering Paul’s sterling example, would you not agree that he was neither boasting nor exaggerating when he stated: “I am clean from the blood of all men”?​—Twav. 20:26.