Act 20:7 | NETfull | STEP | On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul began to speak to the people, and because he intended to leave the next day, he extended his message until midnight.

Acts 20:7

7 On the first day ^{▼▼ On the first day. This is the first mention of a Sunday gathering (1 Cor 16:2).} of the week, when we met ^{▼▼ Or “assembled.”} to break bread, Paul began to speak ^{▼▼ The verb διαλέγομαι (dialegomai) is frequently used of Paul addressing Jews in the synagogue. As G. Schrenk (TDNT 2:94–95) points out, “What is at issue is the address which any qualified member of a synagogue might give.” Other examples of this may be found in the NT in Matt 4:23 and Mark 1:21. In the context of a Christian gathering, it is preferable to translate διελέγετο (dielegeto) simply as “speak” here. The imperfect verb διελέγετο has been translated as an ingressive imperfect.} to the people, and because he intended ^{▼▼ BDAG 628 s.v. μέλλω 1.c.γ has “denoting an intended action: intend, propose, have in mind…Ac 17:31; 20:3, 7, 13ab; 23:15; 26:2; 27:30.”} to leave the next day, he extended ^{▼▼ Or “prolonged.”} his message until midnight.