Acts 21:1-15

🔶 I. The Journey of Obedience (vv. 1–6)

“After we tore ourselves away from them…” (v. 1)

🗝 Key Idea: Obedience often requires separation from what is comfortable and familiar, as we pursue God’s leading into the unknown.

🧱 Exposition:

The phrase “we tore ourselves away” (v. 1) shows deep emotional cost. Paul and the Ephesian elders (Acts 20) had built deep bonds. Obedience to the Spirit required painful goodbyes.

Paul’s travel route (via Cos, Rhodes, Patara, Tyre) reflects purposeful movement—not aimless wandering. This shows intentional obedience, step by step.

In Tyre (v. 4), they stay with the disciples for seven days. These believers “through the Spirit… told Paul not to go to Jerusalem.” This is not a contradiction of God’s will, but a prophetic preparation—similar to Jesus' own journey to Jerusalem with warnings along the way (Luke 9:51, Luke 18:31–33).

🪜 Application:

True obedience to Christ includes cost: emotionally, relationally, sometimes geographically.

The Christian life isn’t static. God leads His people into new seasons. Paul didn’t cling to comfort—he clung to calling.

Like Abraham, Paul obeyed God “not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

🙋 Questions for Reflection:

Are you willing to follow God even if it leads you away from what’s comfortable?

Do you trust God's leading more than your sense of security?

🔶 II. The Warnings of the Spirit (vv. 7–12)

“Agabus came down from Judea. He took Paul’s belt…” (vv. 10–11)

🗝 Key Idea: God's Spirit often prepares us for suffering, not to prevent it, but to strengthen our resolve to endure it in faith.

🧱 Exposition:

In verse 8, Paul stays with Philip the Evangelist—reminding us that the mission of God connects believers across time and ministries (Philip, Paul, and later Agabus).

Agabus (v. 10) enacts a prophetic sign (cf. Old Testament prophets like Ezekiel or Jeremiah) by binding himself with Paul’s belt. The prophecy is clear: “In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt…”

Notice: The prophecy doesn’t say not to go—it foretells what will happen. This is crucial. The Spirit is warning Paul, not prohibiting him.

The community’s response in v. 12—“they pleaded with him not to go”—reflects their love, but they misunderstand the purpose of the warning. Their concern is relational, not missional.

🪜 Application:

God does not hide hardship from His people. He prepares us in advance (John 16:1–4).

There’s a difference between fearful avoidance and Spirit-led obedience.

Sometimes, godly people around us will misunderstand our calling—especially when it involves risk or suffering.

🙋 Questions for Reflection:

Do I interpret difficulty as a sign that I should stop—or as a confirmation that I need faith?

How do I respond when God's Spirit leads others in ways that seem dangerous or uncomfortable?

🔶 III. The Resolve of the Disciple (vv. 13–15)

“I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (v. 13)

🗝 Key Idea: The heart of a disciple is not determined by outcomes, but by obedience—no matter the cost.

🧱 Exposition:

Paul’s response in v. 13 is powerful and personal: “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?” He is not cold or emotionless—he feels the weight of their love.

But then Paul states his conviction: “I am ready…” He knows the cost, and he’s not just willing—he’s resolved.

The reference to “the name of the Lord Jesus” echoes Acts 5:41, where the apostles rejoiced to suffer for the Name. Paul is living that out.

In v. 14, his companions finally surrender: “Since he would not be persuaded, we said no more except, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’” This echoes Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42).

🪜 Application:

Following Christ means dying to our own plans, preferences, and protections.

A mature disciple says: “I’m not chasing safety—I’m chasing faithfulness.”

There’s deep peace in surrender. His companions stopped striving and accepted God's will.

🙋 Questions for Reflection:

What am I “ready” for? Comfort or sacrifice? Applause or faithfulness?

Can I say, in my heart and with my life: “Let the Lord’s will be done”?

🙌 Conclusion & Gospel Emphasis

Paul’s journey mirrors Christ’s. Jesus resolutely set His face toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), knowing the cross awaited Him. Paul follows in those same footsteps—not to earn salvation, but because he has already been saved by grace.

This passage invites us to:

Trust God's guidance, even when the destination is hard.

Love the Body of Christ deeply—but obey God above all.

Be willing to suffer for the Name, because He suffered for us.

💬 Final Challenge

What if our lives were so surrendered to Jesus that we could look hardship in the face and say: “I am ready—not just to be bound—but to die for the name of the Lord Jesus”?

That’s the heart of a true disciple.