13 But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for so he had arranged it, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there, we arrived the following day opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos; and the day following we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them,
“You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not make my life of any account nor dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
25 “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 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 purpose of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be watchful, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each 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 have been sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to those who were with me. 35 In everything I showed you that by laboring in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that 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 they began to weep aloud and falling on Paul’s neck, they were kissing him, 38 being in agony especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship. Acts 20: 13-38 LSB
Acts 20: 13-38
Vs. 13-17 But we, going ahead to the ship - This is Luke, also the writer of the gospel bearing his name. He doesn't really talk much about himself, but is a very precise narrator, a physician and companion of Paul.
Jack Arnold comments that "What we have in Acts 20:13-38 is a record of the first pastors' conference ever held. At this conference, the Apostle Paul gathered the elders (pastors) of the Church of Ephesus together and gave them final instructions as to how to lead the Christians in Ephesus in his absence from them. This is a very important passage for elders and it should be mastered by all Christians so as to have an effective functioning local church. Also, what Paul says about his own ministry is to be applied directly to men who are elders of a local church." (Acts 20:13-27 The First Pastors' Conference)
John MacArthur - Why Paul chose to walk to Assos is not stated. It is most likely that it gave him more time to instruct the disciples from Troas who accompanied him. Paul’s selfless love for the church is notably clear. He was available to minister for an entire night and through a twenty-mile walk the next morning. No sacrifice was too great for the apostle to make for the building up of the saints. He was tirelessly available to his beloved people. - Precept Austin
4To Titus, my true child in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.… Titus 1: 4-6
1As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.… 1 Peter 5: 1-3
Vs. 18-19 With all humility, and with tears, and with trials - It's not an American mantra, and people watch men and women before they enter the arena, not hoping to see how humbly they respond, but to hear them talk trash about and to each other. Paul held an office above kings and emperors, as he was working for the Eternal Being, bringing the words of the Creator, the story of redemption everywhere he went, yet the man who the Holy Spirit used to heal others could not heal himself. The tears were not for him. He wept like Jeremiah, for his people, for those he ministered to, and he worked as a tent maker at times, went to prison at other times, was beaten and falsely accused. It is for the love of the sheep, the church of Christ, for them he cries, for the gospel he suffers.
11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers. 12And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God— not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God. 13For we do not write you anything that is beyond your ability to read and understand. And I hope that you will understand us completely,… 2 Corinthians 1: 11-13
…3I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be saddened by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy. 4For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you. 5Now if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me but all of you—to some degree, not to overstate it.… 2 Corinthians 2: 3-5
…16Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness. 17But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive. 18Say to the king and to the queen mother: “Take a lowly seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.”… Jeremiah 13: 16-18
John Wesley observed that “neither the Romans nor the Greeks had a word for humility.” The very concept was so foreign and abhorrent to their way of thinking that they had no term to describe it. When, during the first several centuries of Christianity, pagan writers borrowed the term tapeinophrosune, they always used it derogatorily—frequently of Christians—because to them humility was a pitiable weakness! - PA
Vs. 20-21 How I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable - No one can accuse him of withholding anything, he gave them the whole counsel of God. Some say, "God is Love', but they won't say, 'God is Holy and Just, that He is angry at sinners." Paul, of all people, is aware of what it is like to speak to a culture that applauds sin, to tell those same people that they must repent of the same, and that Jesus Christ is the only Way. Everyone thinks they are good by their own standard, and here is this man to interrupt all that for them, to turn the world upside down. Many Jews took comfort in their genetic tie to Abraham, and also in their outward practice of the law, what men thought of them. The Greeks were a law unto themselves, and their own laws allowed what God has damned, but what they themselves have loved. Paul doesn't shrink back from the inevitable consequences of his message.
…10My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. 11God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation each day. 12If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow.… Psalm 7: 10-12
17For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.…
…20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,… Romans 1: 17-22
…7As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me. 8If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to dissuade him from his way, then that wicked man will die in his iniquity, yet I will hold you accountable for his blood. 9But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life.… Ezekiel 33: 7-9
1At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: 2“This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the house of the LORD and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all the cities of Judah who come to worship there. Do not omit a word. 3Perhaps they will listen and turn—each from his evil way of life—so that I may relent of the disaster I am planning to bring upon them because of the evil of their deeds.… Jeremiah 26: 1-3
…30Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. 31Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? 32For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!… Ezekiel 18: 30-32
Vs. 22-24 Saying that chains and afflictions await me - Usually a heads up helps you avoid the problem, take another route, don't go to Jerusalem. It is like Christ Whose face was set like a flint, always walking a step closer to the cross, always living in it's shadow. The Holy Spirit is not taunting Paul, and Paul is not going to run, but he is sparring like a boxer before the real match, he is being prepared for battle not avoidance.
49I have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division.… Luke 12: 49-51
…25Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. 26Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. 27No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.… 1 Corinthians 9: 25-27
…2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this. 4Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.… 1 Thessalonians 3: 2-4
Vs. 25-27 I am innocent of the blood of all - This comes up again, and how useless the Scripture would be to just read and not study, to study for the sake of knowledge or argument but not apply. How can one be innocent? Do you read, study and hold yourself up to God's standard? When the time comes to stand up for the truth that you have learned, will you speak up? Do you love people enough to tell them what they don't want to hear, or do you need them to like you too much for that? If you don't read the Word of God, then it is doubtful that He is your love, your Lord. If you live like the world, try to blend in with the world, look like the world, how can you claim innocence? If prayer is my last resort then I have to reevaluate my claim of being in the faith. This dust is blowing away, the candle is almost out, and what of this pile of wax is going to stand against eternity, what does your life say about the infinite? We are filled with sentiments about any number of things that amount to nothing, but when your "friends" look at you, will they have grounds to accuse you, or will they have to admit, he is innocent of our blood, he spoke the whole counsel of God to us, leaving nothing out?
1Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation. 2For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. 3Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.… Romans 10: 1-3
21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality. 22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.… 1 Timothy 5: 21-23
Vs. 28-30 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock - I have seen both men and women that fit this description everywhere I have been. Christ warns, His disciples warn, but sadly many don't take this part of shepherding seriously, sometimes the wolf is posing as the shepherd. Whenever people start playing down God's standard in order to sound more compassionate or inclusive, when they leave out God's judgment and only speak of His love and mercy, when they play down sin, then we must wonder, what was His mercy ever for? What necessitated the cross? If you are comfortable with ignoring those with the obvious signs of a wolf, those that openly hold to bad doctrine, then how will you ever deal with those of sound doctrine that wish to draw men to themselves? Paul is the epitome of a dad. He wants to protect them, wants them to understand, wants them to grow though and know what to look for themselves, to be prepared, they're coming.
…11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. 13The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.… John 10: 11-13
…2She heeded no voice; she accepted no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she has not drawn near to her God. 3Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning. 4Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.… Zephaniah 3: 2-4
1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. 3In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.… 2 Peter 2: 1-3
After my departure - Notice this is a time phrase. Query it (5W/H'S). Why here? What is the significance? Who is involved?, etc. There is an old saying that "When the cat's away, the mice will play!" Paul was a good shepherd, for a good shepherd makes it his job to know each of his sheep, even by name! He would quickly spot a wolf in sheep's clothing! The savage wolves had to bide their time and wait for Paul to leave before they began their devouring of the flock.
THOUGHT- Dear shepherd, do you know your sheep? Dear overseer, have you been appointed over a portion of a large flock and if so do you know them? As one of my old medical school professors used to say regarding life and death issues of the body "You can't not know!" How much more should we with a shepherding role heed that exhortation, for the life and death issues involve not the temporal state of the physical body, but the eternal state of the soul!
Savage wolves - Paul had referred to the church as a flock of sheep and the elders as shepherds and now extends the metaphorical description to label false teachers as wolves. Not just wolves (This term of comparison refers to a large predatory, crafty, greedy, rapacious, ravenous animal - that truth alone would have been bad enough!) but Paul adds that these wolves will be savage (Greek = barus - violent, fierce, cruel, vicious, ferocious). Webster says that savage describes those lacking the restraints normal to civilized human beings and implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people, so that these individuals are filled with rage, lust, or other violent passions and demonstrate fury or malignity in looks or actions! Paul is painting a strong word picture! The question is - is the church hearing what the Spirit is saying through the apostle Paul? (cp Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 36, 13, 22 = Seven Times!)
Among you - Guzik comments that...It is often easier for pastors to deal with the wolves that come from the outside - obviously false teachings and goofy winds of doctrine. But it is very difficult to deal with those who rise up from among yourselves, because you don't want to believe that they are in fact speaking perverse things and trying to draw away the disciples after themselves. But Paul insisted that such people were real, and that pastors would have to deal with them! (Acts 20 Commentary Notes)
A W Pink comments on the metaphor of wolves...What a solemn but suggestive and revealing word is that. The wolf, like the fox, is tricky and treacherous, subtle and sly, hence the words “cunning craftiness” in connection with the purveyors of error who “lie in wait to deceive” of Ephesians 4:14. They scruple not to employ the most dishonorable tactics and resort to tricks which honest men of the world would scorn to use. The wolf is cruel and merciless: so are these deceivers of souls. They prate about love, but they are full of hatred toward those who expose them. They are greedy, having voracious appetites, and false prophets are men of insatiable ambition, hungry for applause, avaricious. Jeremiah 23:32, speaks of their “lightness” or irreverence, and Zephaniah 3:4, also says, “their prophets are light and treacherous.” So far from being sober and solemn they are frivolous and frothy: it cannot be otherwise, for the fear of God is not upon them. (From An exposition of the Sermon on the Mount) - PA
Vs. 31-32 And now I commend you to God - To place with or entrust to. Prayer is so important for a parent, not the good wishes of other people, the cultural norms, but the giving over to God of what you can't control or contain.
Vs. 33-35 I have coveted no one's silver or gold - Now he runs through the example that he set before them. He has told them of the worthiness of those good shepherds to receive a double honor, while at the same time he has worked for his own pay. I have had a pastor tell me that his were "healing hands, not meant for labor", when I offered him some work when he needed money. He preached a lot about giving because he was always eager to receive. This is a clear sign of a wolf, they are greedy. They believe in "fake it till you make it, dress for success, clothes make a man, prosperity is a sign of a good ministry."
Matthew Henry reminds us that...
Covetousness is commonly a master-sin and has the command of other lusts.... Covetousness is spiritual idolatry; it is the giving of that love and regard to worldly wealth which are due to God only....He is much happier that is always content, though he has ever so little, than he that is always coveting, though he has ever so much...Poor people are as much in danger from an inordinate desire towards the wealth of the world as rich people from an inordinate delight in it. - PA
Vs. 36-38 And they began to weep aloud - This is sorrow from the deepest bond, the letting go of a child, the departure of a true friend, knowing that they are few and sometimes far between. He won't be back. We have a friend that sticks closer than a brother, go to Him. He will never leave you or forsake you.
…40Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the boy and said, “Go, take it back to the city.” 41When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together — though David wept more. 42And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be a witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine forever.’ ” Then David got up and departed, and Jonathan went back into the city.… 1 Samuel 20: 40-42
…16‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’ 17For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘ He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” Revelation 7: 16-17
