Acts 20:24
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.
Cross-references
In Acts 20:21, Paul describes his testimony of repentance and faith, specifying the content of the gospel he is committed to in Acts 20:24.
In Acts 26:18, Paul's purpose is to open eyes and turn people to God — the gospel of grace he testifies to.
In Acts 9:15, Jesus calls Paul a chosen instrument to carry His name — this is the commission Paul refers to in his ministry.
In Acts 14:3, God bore witness to the word of his grace with signs, directly echoing the gospel of grace Paul testifies to in Acts 20:24.
Acts 21:13 shows Paul's consistent resolve to die for Jesus, echoing his declaration here not to count his life precious.
In Acts 22:21, Paul recounts Jesus sending him to the Gentiles — the specific mission he is now finishing.
In Acts 26:17, Jesus tells Paul He is sending him to the Gentiles — the origin of his ministry and message.
Acts 26:16 records Jesus' commission to Paul, the very ministry he received and speaks of in 20:24.
Acts 21:19 shows Paul reporting his ministry's results, fulfilling the course he spoke of in 20:24.
In Titus 1:3, Paul is entrusted with preaching by God's command, matching the stewardship of the gospel of grace in Acts 20:24.
In 2 Cor 4:16-18, Paul explains why he does not lose heart: eternal glory outweighs temporary affliction — the same perspective as Acts 20:24's disregard for his life.
In 2 Cor 4:9, Paul continues the pattern of suffering without being destroyed, reflecting Acts 20:24's prioritization of the gospel over personal safety.
In 2 Cor 4:8, Paul describes being afflicted but not crushed — a specific outworking of the mindset in Acts 20:24 of not valuing life above the ministry.
In 2 Cor 4:1, Paul echoes the same resolve: having received this ministry, he does not lose heart — parallel to Acts 20:24's determination to finish his course.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul uses the same race metaphor — running to obtain the prize, disciplining the body to finish well.
In 1 Corinthians 9:17, Paul describes his stewardship of the gospel, echoing the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus in Acts 20:24.
Titus 2:11 says the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation, directly echoing Paul's gospel of grace.
In Eph 3:13, Paul urges not to lose heart over his sufferings — reflecting Acts 20:24's own refusal to value his life above his calling.
In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Paul near death declares he has finished the race — the fulfillment of his resolve here in Acts.
In 2 Timothy 3:11, Paul recalls the very persecutions he endured in those cities — the same trials he considered worthless compared to finishing his course.
In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul echoes this same confidence: he suffers but trusts God to guard his deposit — the gospel he was entrusted to preach.
In 1 Thess 3:3, Paul says believers are destined for affliction — Acts 20:24 exemplifies that readiness to endure for the gospel.
In 1 Thess 2:2, Paul boldly proclaimed the gospel despite suffering at Philippi — a specific instance of the mindset in Acts 20:24 of not counting his life precious.
In Philippians 3:13-15, Paul again speaks of pressing toward the goal — the same determination to finish the race.
In Philippians 2:17, Paul sees his life as a drink offering poured out for the faith of others — same sacrificial attitude.
In Philippians 1:20-23, Paul says to die is gain and he desires to depart — the same valuing of Christ above his own life.
Romans 11:6 states that if it is by grace, it cannot be by works, reinforcing the exclusive nature of grace Paul preaches.
Ephesians 2:4-10 expounds salvation by grace through faith, not works, detailing the gospel of grace Paul testifies to.
Ephesians 1:6 praises God's glorious grace with which He blessed us, the same grace central to Paul's ministry.
In Galatians 1:1, Paul asserts his apostleship comes from Christ, paralleling the divine origin of the ministry he received in Acts 20:24.
In 2 Cor 12:10, Paul is content with hardships for Christ — the same posture of self-sacrifice seen in Acts 20:24's readiness to lose his life for the ministry.
In 2 Cor 7:4, Paul describes overflowing joy in affliction — consistent with Acts 20:24's willingness to sacrifice his life for the gospel.
In 2 Cor 6:4-10, Paul lists the paradoxes of his ministry — enduring hardship with joy — matching Acts 20:24's commitment to finish his course regardless of cost.
In 2 Timothy 4:17, Paul describes the Lord strengthening him to fully proclaim the message — the same mission he prioritized over his life.
Romans 8:35-39 affirms that nothing, not even persecution, can separate from Christ's love — the foundation for Paul's fearless commitment.
In Revelation 12:11, the same willingness to die for testimony appears — believers conquer by not loving their lives even to death.
In Hebrews 12:1-3, the image of running the race with endurance, looking to Jesus, mirrors Paul's determination to finish his course.
In John 17:4, Jesus says He accomplished the work given Him — Paul's desire to finish his ministry mirrors Christ's completed mission.
Romans 3:24-26 explains that this grace justifies us through redemption in Christ, revealing the content of Paul's gospel.
Romans 4:4 contrasts grace with works, showing that grace is a gift, not wages, echoing Paul's gospel message.
Romans 5:20 emphasizes that where sin increased, grace abounded more, showing the superabundance of grace in Paul's gospel.
Romans 5:21 declares that grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life, highlighting the reign of grace in the gospel.
Titus 3:4-7 explains that God saved us by His mercy and grace, not by works, aligning with Paul's message.
2 Timothy 4:7 uses the same 'finished the race' metaphor, showing Paul looking back after completing his course.
In Matthew 10:28, Jesus teaches not to fear those who kill the body, which underlies Paul's willingness to sacrifice his life for the gospel.
Philippians 3:8 states Paul counts all as loss for Christ — a near-identical sentiment to not counting his life precious in Acts 20:24.
Philippians 2:30 describes Epaphroditus risking his life for Christ's work — a direct example of the same sacrificial commitment Paul expresses in Acts 20:24.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 shows Paul shared not only the gospel but his own life — the same self-giving attitude as in Acts 20:24.
In Matthew 16:25, Jesus says losing life for him finds it, which Paul exemplifies by devaluing his life for the ministry.
In Mark 8:35, Jesus ties losing life to the gospel, exactly matching Paul's risk for the gospel testimony.
In Luke 9:24, Jesus says losing life for him saves it, which Paul lives out by not valuing his life.
In Luke 12:4-5, Jesus instructs not to fear physical death, underpinning Paul's disregard for his life for the gospel.
Galatians 6:14 shows Paul boasting only in the cross, mirroring his disregard for his life in Acts 20:24 to fulfill his gospel ministry.
Luke 14:26 echoes the same principle: a disciple must hate his own life to follow Christ — Paul's exact posture here.
Romans 15:16 describes Paul's priestly service of the gospel to Gentiles, exactly the ministry he is finishing in 20:24.
John 12:25 directly states that hating one's life in this world preserves it eternally — Paul lives this out.
In Daniel 3:18, the three men declare they will not serve false gods even if not delivered — mirrors Paul's resolve to testify regardless of personal cost.
2 Timothy 1:7 explains Paul's source of fearlessness — God's spirit of power, love, and self-control — which enables him to not count his life valuable.
In Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah volunteers 'Here am I! Send me' — parallels Paul's willingness to be sent and complete his God-given ministry.
Revelation 2:10 promises a crown of life for those faithful unto death — Paul's willingness to not value his life echoes this call to costly faithfulness.
In Psalm 112:7, the righteous are unafraid of bad news, trusting God — reflecting Paul's fearlessness in the face of hardship for his mission.
In Daniel 6:10, Daniel risks death to continue praying, paralleling Paul's resolve to finish his ministry regardless of life's value.
John 16:4 shows Jesus preparing disciples for persecution — Paul's readiness to suffer fulfills that warning.
1 Corinthians 9:15 shows Paul would rather die than lose his boast, matching his life-counting-nothing attitude in 20:24.
In 1 John 3:16, believers are called to lay down their lives for others, echoing Paul's willingness to sacrifice his life.
Hebrews 11:25 describes Moses choosing mistreatment with God's people over fleeting pleasures — mirroring Paul's prioritization of ministry above personal comfort.
In Hebrews 10:34, believers joyfully accept loss of property, knowing they have a better possession — echoing Paul's willingness to lose his life for the gospel.
In 1 Corinthians 9:18, Paul's reward is to preach the gospel free of charge, aligning with his selfless dedication to finish his course in Acts 20:24.
In Colossians 1:24, Paul rejoices in sufferings for the church — the same sacrificial devotion to ministry.
In 2 Corinthians 5:8, Paul expresses his willingness to leave the body to be with the Lord — same disregard for earthly life.
2 Corinthians 4:12 says death works in Paul for life in others, consistent with his sacrifice in 20:24.
Romans 14:8 states we live and die for the Lord, paralleling Paul's willingness to sacrifice his life in 20:24.
Romans 8:18 considers present sufferings not worth comparing to glory, mirroring Paul's disregard for his life in 20:24.
Romans 1:1 describes Paul's calling as an apostle set apart for the gospel, echoing his ministry in 20:24.
John 13:37 has Peter vowing to lay down his life for Jesus — a similar declaration but with different follow-through.
Luke 22:33 shows Peter's boastful claim to die with Jesus — a contrast with Paul's sober, tested willingness to lay down his life.
In Matthew 13:46, the merchant sells all for the pearl, mirroring Paul's counting his life as nothing for the gospel.
In Psalm 119:157, despite many persecutors, the psalmist does not swerve from God's testimonies — parallels Paul's unwavering commitment amidst adversaries.
In Psalm 119:51, the psalmist is derided but does not turn from God's law — similar to Paul's perseverance under opposition to his testimony.