An unexpected blessing

After an unforeseen incident, an unexpected blessing comes. “But Paul went down and fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, “Do not be troubled, for he is still alive.” (1) Paul likely felt some sense of responsibility for Eutychus’s death. He, along with the others, immediately went downstairs. Paul bent over Eutychus and embraced him. This scene is reminiscent of the prophets in the Old Testament. (2) Let us look at examples from the Old Testament. (a) 1 Kings 17:21-22 (Elijah and the widow’s son in Zarephath): Elijah stretched himself out over the dead child and prayed, “Lord, my God, please, let this boy’s life return to him.” (b) 2 Kings 4:32-35 (Elisha and the son of the Shunammite woman): Elisha went up and lay on the child. He placed his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands, and he bent down on him. (3) In Troas, the risen Lord Jesus performed a miracle through Paul. (a) Paul said, “Do not be troubled, for he is still alive.” (b) “Make ye no ado; for his life is in him” (ASV). (c) This miracle further strengthened the credibility of Paul’s teaching (as proof of his apostleship). (d) Peter performed a similar miracle (in Acts 9:36-42, raised Tabitha from the dead).
“When Paul had gone back up and had broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while until daybreak, and then left.” The gathering resumed. (a) “Had broken the bread” refers to the observance of the Communion. (b) “And eaten” indicates that they had a meal, likely a late-night snack. (c) Paul continued speaking until daybreak, driven by the thought that this might be his final opportunity. The people’s attitude toward listening to Paul’s teaching was also corrected. (d) After the gathering, Paul immediately departed. “The people took the boy away alive, and were greatly comforted.” (1) Eutychus was able to return home safely. (a) ASV renders it as “And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted. (b) Through Paul’s teaching and actions, the believers in Troas were greatly comforted. This event is an example of how God turns everything into good. God intervenes in our lives also. If we walk in His will, His protection is promised to us.