20:34

Paul wanted to show that he did not desire to be paid for his ministry, so he reminded them here that he worked to pay for his own needs while he was with them. Some languages need to indicate that kind of connection with a word or phrase. For example:

⌊On the contrary,⌋ you yourselves know…
-or-

⌊Indeed⌋ you yourselves know…

these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions: Paul probably referred to his work as a tentmaker here. By making tents he earned money. He used that money to buy the things that he and the others with him needed. Other ways to translate this clause are:

these hands of mine have worked to supply the needs of me and those who were with me
-or-
I have worked with these hands of mine to provide everything that my companions and I have needed (Good News Translation)
-or-
I worked to support myself and those who were with me (God’s Word)
-or-
I have worked to earn enough money to meet my needs and those of my companions

these hands of mine: This phrase refers to Paul working hard with his hands. In some languages it is more natural to translate it differently. For example:

I
-or-
I, with my own hands,

have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions: This phrase refers to buying food, paying rent for rooms to stay in, and other daily needs. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

earned money so that I and my companions could pay for things we needed ⌊to live⌋
-or-
worked so that I and my companions had money for our expenses

Some languages will have to list the kinds of needs. For example:

have earned money to pay for food, rooms/lodging/shelter, and whatever else my companions and I needed

my companions: This phrase in Greek is literally “the (people) being with me.” This group probably included Timothy and Erastus (Acts 19:22). There may have been other people who were Paul’s companions. They were his companions because they traveled with him as partners in preaching about Jesus. Other ways to translate this word are:

those who were with me (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
my coworkers

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