Acts 24:17

δι' ἐνῶν δὲ πλειόνων, now after many years. St Paul had come to Jerusalem on the return from his second missionary journey in A.D. 53. It was now A.D. 58, so that his absence had lasted four or five years (see note on Acts 24:10).

ἐλεημοσύνας ποιήσων εἰς τὸ ἔθνος μου, to bring alms to my nation. These consisted of the money which had been collected in the Churches of Macedonia and Achaia at St Paul’s request, and which is often alluded to in his Epistles (cp. 1 Corinthians 16:1; Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8:4, &c.). There could be no desire to wound the feelings of the Jews in a man who had come for such a purpose. It is noticeable too that he describes the alms as not for the Christians only, but for his nation, conveying by the word the impression of his great regard for all the Jews.

St Paul can say ἐλεημοσύνας ποιεῖν, for though the gifts were not his own, he was the cause of their being sent.

καὶ προσφοράς, and offerings. These were the sacrifices connected with the vow which he had undertaken. They must be offered in the Temple, and the offerer was not likely to be one who thought of profaning the holy place.