Paul’s Final Farewell to the Ephesian Elders — Acts 20:25-38 Daily Word

Paul gathers the Ephesian elders for a final farewell, emphasizing their responsibility to proclaim God’s full counsel, shepherd the flock faithfully, and guard against false teachers and spiritual dangers ahead. As Paul departs from Ephesus, he calls the elders of the church together to leave them with his final words, knowing he will never see their faces again. He emphasizes the responsibility of a leader by urging them to proclaim the whole will of God and to care for the flock. Along with a warning to remain vigilant against false teachers and looming dangers, he expresses his hope that the example of devotion he has demonstrated through his own life will serve as their guiding standard.

Paul’s Final Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

[Scripture]

Acts 20:25-38 (ESV)

[25] And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. [26] Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, [27] for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. [28] Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. [29] I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; [30] and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. [31] Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. [32] And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. [33] I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. [34] You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. [35] In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” [36] And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. [37] And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, [38] being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. (Acts 20:25-38, ESV)

[Daily Word]

Paul’s Final Charge to the Elders of the Ephesian Church

What Paul did during his time in Ephesus was to proclaim the kingdom of God to the elders. Yet in verse 25 today, he speaks as though his proclamation of the Word to the Ephesian church is the last time he will do so. This is a classic farewell-discourse form, suggesting that the speaker anticipates his imminent death.¹See Saengsam, Acts commentary This is because he could not know for certain what kind of suffering awaited him in Jerusalem, and above all, because in verse 23 the Holy Spirit had told him that chains and afflictions were waiting for him.

What is clear, however, is that in verse 26 Paul declares himself innocent of the blood of all people. This statement makes plain that he bears no guilt for whatever tribulation may arise in the church after his departure, because he had proclaimed the whole counsel of God to the Ephesians without reservation. Concerning the will of God, Luke 24:46–48 says: [46] and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:46-48, ESV)

Two Things That Matter Most in the Life of Faith

There are two things that matter above all else in the life of faith. The first is that we must receive all of the proclaimed Word of God. Paul declared the whole Word of God to the Ephesian church without holding anything back, and the members of that church received the entirety of God’s Word. In the same way, we must not listen only to the parts of Scripture we find comfortable, but receive and believe all of God’s Word without addition or subtraction. No matter what resistance we may feel within ourselves, it is only when we fully receive God’s Word that genuine faith is formed, and it is through that faith that we come to salvation.

Second, we must not distort the word of God (v. 28). Paul was concerned that after his departure, false teachers would come into the church. Savage wolves will not spare God’s flock, and they will spread distorted words in order to draw disciples after themselves. Therefore, the elders who guard the church must remain vigilant against false teaching.

A Life That Holds Fast to the Word of God

Paul urges the elders in particular to remember how for three years, night and day, he did not cease to admonish each one of them with tears. He then implores them to continue proclaiming God’s word and to keep declaring the message of the Lord’s grace. For the word of God is able to build them up, and in God’s word there is wisdom that leads to salvation. [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 3:15, ESV)

Therefore, when we continually remember God’s word, hold fast to it to the very end, and walk in obedience, we are able not only to live honorable lives as children of light, but also to carry out the good works that are pleasing to God (2 Tim 3:17). May today be a day in which we hold fast to the word of God, and let us pray together.

Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com