Acts 20:24

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself The oldest MSS. omit the words for "neither count I," and following these the Rev. Ver.has translated, "but I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself." The feebleness and tautology of this sentence are enough to condemn it, and the "as" is a mere substitute for the "neither" of the A. V., which it quite implies. In a very clear paper on the verse Dr Field has shewn that there is probably some omission before "dear unto myself" of the same character, though not exactly the same, as what is supplied in the A. V., and that the reading of א, B, and C, which the Rev. Ver.has tried to give in English, arose after the words, of which he suggests the loss, had fallen away from some very early exemplar. The literal English of Dr Field's suggestion would be "Neither make I account of anything, nor think my life dear unto myself."

so that I might finish my course with joy Better, "may accomplish." The figure of the Christian life as a race is common enough in St Paul's language (cp. Acts 13:35). The Apostle signifies by his words that the race will last as long as life lasts, and that he must not faint in the middle, whatever suffering may be in store. The "joy" would arise from the sense of duty done, or, at all events, striven to be done.

and the ministry, which I have received, &c. Better to omit the "have" with Rev. Ver.The Apostle refers to the commission which he received at his conversion. The work and the sufferings are both foretold to Ananias from the first (Acts 9:15-16), and St Paul speaks of this ministry or service by the same word (1 Timothy 1:12), "I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service."

to testify … God To bear witness to men of the good news that God is willing to be gracious. In the context of the passage just quoted (1 Timothy 1:14) St Paul shews how fit a person he was to bear such testimony. He had been a blasphemer, a persecutor and injurious, but had obtained mercy … and the graceof our Lord Jesus Christ abounded exceedingly.