Paul’s extensive third missionary journey throughout Macedonia and Achaia is covered in six, short verses before his return to Troas in Asia Minor. Formerly, he had hoped to reach Jerusalem sooner (see 19:21), but now he hoped to arrive there for Pentecost (see 20:16).

Paul stayed in Troas seven days despite his plans because he felt the need to meet with the believers. He wanted to break bread with them as the Lord had commanded, which they customarily did on the first day of week (7; Lk 22:19).

Initially, he intended to leave the next day, which compelled him to give a longer sermon: “he kept on talking until midnight” (7b). Seated in a window, a young man named Eutychus sank into a deep sleep, fell to the ground from the third story, and was picked up dead. Paul’s sense of urgency to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom that gives eternal life greatly contrasted with the young man’s disinterest in spiritual matters. Granted, the situation was not favorable to the young man—long hours, warmth, and poor air circulation—yet what happened to him still serves as a warning against “sleepy saints.” And God was gracious to him that he was brought back to life by Paul.
Application: Father, help me spiritually stay alert and vigilant (cf. 1 Peter 5:8).
One Word: “Watch and pray”