Acts 20:33-35: Paul sets forward his own practice among them as a recommendation and an example for them. He came to them not for what he could get from them, their “silver, or gold, or apparel.” In proof of that we see that he worked with his hands to provide necessities, not only for himself, but “to them that were with” him. This was not an isolated incident in Ephesus. This was Paul’s established practice. He made his own way without charge, in part to set an example for these elders to labor.
In Corinth, Paul labored and made the gospel “without charge,” I Corinthians 9:1-14. See also See II Corinthians 12:13-18.
In Thessalonica, Paul was not “burdensome,” but “wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you” (I Thessalonians 2:6; II Thessalonians 3:7-10).
Others followed this practice. I Corinthians 4:9-12 indicates apostles (others in addition to Paul) labored with their hands. “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:”
Barnabas is included in Paul’s statement about the normal practice of supporting oneself, “I only and Barnabas” (I Corinthians 9:6). It appears this reference to Barnabas occurs after he and Paul had separated (cf. Acts 15:36-41 & 18:1-17). If so, this is not a reference to Barnabas abiding by Paul’s practice when traveling with him, but also of the established practice of Barnabas.
Titus, it is indicated, followed the same practice as Paul. See II Corinthians 12:13-18. “Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?”
By his own example, Paul showed the elders of the church at Ephesus (1) “how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak,” and (2) “to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” In “so labouring,” “so” means “in such a manner” as Paul did it; that is, follow his example. The words of the Lord Jesus quoted here, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” are not recorded in any of the four Gospels. This is a stimulating sample of John’s declaration that everything Jesus said and did is not recorded (John 20:30-31; 21:25). The apostles could bring forth out of their treasure of experience (3 years in Israel or 3 years in Arabia; II Peter 1:16-17, I John 1:2, Galatians 1:11-12, 17-18) and inspiration (II Timothy 3:16) things new and old.[1][1] The
Bible does not directly specify the length of time the apostles walked with the
Lord. However, it can be deduced from Scripture that Jesus’s earthly ministry
was between 3 and 4 years in length of time. First, and best, the references to
the four Passovers in the book of John (the last being the Passover when Jesus
was crucified). The fig tree is used to represent Israel, and the parable of
the fig tree in Luke 13:6-9 mentions coming to the barren fig tree three years.
The fig tree was cursed (Matthew 21:19). If the middle of the week of Daniel
9:24-27 is connected to Jesus dying “to make reconciliation for iniquity,” then
this is also suggestive of 3-1/2 years. Paul’s time in Arabia (v. 12) seems to
be connected with his also receiving the gospel from Jesus Christ (v. 17). The
correlation of three years direct teaching of the apostles is plausible, though
not beyond question.
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