The early church · Acts 20
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
Hurrying to reach Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost, Paul sails past Ephesus without stopping. From Miletus, he sends for the elders of the church at Ephesus. He reminds them how he served the Lord with all humility and with tears, and kept back nothing that was profitable to them. Bound in the spirit, he is going to Jerusalem, where the Holy Spirit warns him that chains and afflictions await him. He knows they will see his face no more. He urges them: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock.” Savage wolves will come in among them after he leaves. He commits them to God and recalls the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Then he kneels down and prays with them. They all weep, fall on his neck, and walk with him to the ship.
What happens
- In a hurry to reach Jerusalem for Pentecost, Paul sails past Ephesus Acts 20:15–16
- From Miletus, he calls for the elders of the church at Ephesus Acts 20:17
- “So that I might finish my course with joy” Acts 20:22–24
- “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock” Acts 20:28–29
- “It is more blessed to give than to receive” Acts 20:35
- They kneel and pray; everyone weeps and walks with him to the ship Acts 20:36–38
Who is in this story
The lesson
To serve God is to watch over the church he purchased with his own blood, to proclaim his whole counsel, and to give without counting the cost, following the example of the Lord Jesus. Paul presses on toward Jerusalem without holding back: his own life means nothing to him, if only he can finish his course with joy.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Quick quiz on this story
In which city does Paul call for the elders of the church at Ephesus?
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus without stopping; so it is from Miletus that he sends for the elders of the church. Acts 20:16–17
According to Paul, who will come in among the Ephesian elders after he leaves?
Paul declares, “I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20:29
Which saying of the Lord Jesus does Paul recall to the elders?
Paul urges them to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
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