`But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course

with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God'

(Acts 20:24).

The Received Text here reads: `That I may finish my course with joy', but the Revised Text omits the last two

words (meta charis), and there does not appear to be sufficient evidence for their retention. The apostle might well

have wished that the end of his career would be `with joy', but he was far more concerned that he should `finish',

whether with joy or otherwise. Another point to note about this verse is that it provides us with a case in which the

Greek logos so often translated `word', claims its fuller meaning, `account'. Also, in the phrase: `so that I might

finish my course' the word hos is not, strictly speaking, `so that', but rather `as'. The rendering given by Alford

seems to recognize these various features:

`I hold my life of no account, nor is it so precious to me, as the finishing of my course'.

The use of the figure of a `course' or `race' is one that is characteristic of the apostle, and, at the close, he was

able to say: `I have finished my course'. The word `course' (dromos) is borrowed from the Greek sports, and is

found in verbal form in 1 Corinthians 9:24 and Hebrews 12:1 :

`They which run in a race run all ... So run, that ye may obtain'.

`Let us run with patience the race that is set before us'.

In his desire to `finish' his course the apostle manifests once more his conformity to his Lord, Who, near the

beginning of His ministry said: `My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work' (John 4:34),

and at the close declared: `I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do' (John 17:4). It is encouraging to

remember that not all the injustice represented by Rome could prevent either the Lord or His servant from finishing

the course.

In 2 Timothy 4:7, the finishing of the course is associated with keeping the faith, or as expressed in Acts 20:24,

`The ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God'.

Resuming the description of his ministry, the apostle says, in verse 25:

`And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my

face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men' (Acts

A more specific reference to the twofold character of his ministry is found in Acts 26 where Paul makes his

defence before King Agrippa.

This vindication is the fullest of which we have any record. He was no longer on trial, and he availed himself of

the great opportunity to give a complete testimony.

A 1-3.  Agrippa acknowledged as an expert.

B 4-7.  Paul's manner of life from his youth. A Pharisee.

Personal appeal to Agrippa. `Incredible' (Apistos).

C 8.

D 9-15. Contrary to Jesus of Nazareth. Jerusalem. Damascus.

a Stand (Histemi).

E 16-18. Paul's

c Both ... I have ... I will.

d People and Gentiles.

The two

e Forgiveness. Inheritance.

D 19-21. Obedience to heavenly vision.

Damascus. Jerusalem.

E 22,23. Paul's

a Continue (Histemi).