| Geneva Study Bible {7} And now, behold, I go {e} bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: (7) He testifies that he goes to his imprisonment by the commandment of God. (e) He calls the guiding direction of the Holy Spirit, who forced him to take his journey to Jerusalem, the bond of the Sprit, whom he followed with all his heart. People's New Testament 20:22-24 I go bound in the spirit. Urged by a sense of duty, yet knowing from the premonitions of the Holy Spirit that bonds and afflictions awaited him at Jerusalem. Wesley's Notes 20:22 Bound by the Spirit - Strongly impelled by him. Scofield Reference Notes [1] spirit Cf. Acts 21:4. In Acts 20:22 Paul's own spirit See Scofield Note: "1Th 5:23" is meant; in Acts 21:4 the Holy Spirit. Paul's motive in going to Jerusalem seems to have been his great affection for the Jews Rom 9:1-5 and his hope that gifts of the Gentile churches, sent by him to the poor saints at Jerusalem Rom 15:25-28 would open the hearts of the law-bound Jewish believers to the "gospel of the grace of God" Acts 20:24. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 22, 23. And now, behold, I-"I" is emphatic here. bound in the spirit-compare Ac 19:21. This internal pressure, unattended with any knowledge of "what was to befall him there," was the result of that higher guidance which shaped all his movements. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 20:17-27 The elders knew that Paul was no designing, self-seeking man. Those who would in any office serve the Lord acceptably, and profitably to others, must do it with humility. He was a plain preacher, one that spoke his message so as to be understood. He was a powerful preacher; he preached the gospel as a testimony to them if they received it; but as a testimony against them if they rejected it. He was a profitable preacher; one that aimed to inform their judgments, and reform their hearts and lives. He was a painful preacher, very industrious in his work. He was a faithful preacher; he did not keep back reproofs when necessary, nor keep back the preaching of the cross. He was a truly Christian, evangelical preacher; he did not preach notions or doubtful matters; nor affairs of state or the civil government; but he preached faith and repentance. A better summary of these things, without which there is no salvation, cannot be given: even repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, with their fruits and effects. Without these no sinner can escape, and with these none will come short of eternal life. Let them not think that Paul left Asia for fear of persecution; he was in full expectation of trouble, yet resolved to go on, well assured that it was by Divine direction. Thanks be to God that we know not the things which shall befall us during the year, the week, the day which has begun. It is enough for the child of God to know that his strength shall be equal to his day. He knows not, he would not know, what the day before him shall bring forth. The powerful influences of the Holy Spirit bind the true Christian to his duty. Even when he expects persecution and affliction, the love of Christ constrains him to proceed. None of these things moved Paul from his work; they did not deprive him of his comfort. It is the business of our life to provide for a joyful death. Believing that this was the last time they should see him, he appeals concerning his integrity. He had preached to them the whole counsel of God. As he had preached to them the gospel purely, so he had preached it to them entire; he faithfully did his work, whether men would bear or forbear. | 
