Paul Leaves Ephesus
TRANSLATION
(17) From Miletus Paul sent word to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church (to meet with him). (18) When they came, he said to them, “You know how I conducted myself the entire time I was with you. From the first day that I set foot in Asia, (19) I served the Lord with great humility and tears in the trials which befell me because of the plotting of the Jews. (20) I did not hesitate to preach anything that would be helpful to you and have taught you publicly and from house to house, (21) testifying to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (22) And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem not knowing what will happen to me there. (23) I only know that the Holy Spirit warns me in every city that imprisonment and hardships await me. (24) However, I do not consider my life worth preserving. I only want to finish the race and complete the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, namely, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.
(25) “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about proclaiming the kingdom, will ever 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 the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Shepherd the church of God which the Lord purchased with his own blood. (29) I know that, after my departure, savage wolves will sneak in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) From your own number will arise some who will distort the truth to entice believers to follow them. (31) Therefore, be on your guard! Remember that for three years I did not stop warning everyone night and day with tears. (32) I now commit you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (33) I never coveted anyone’s silver, gold, or apparel. (34) You yourselves know that by working with my hands I have supplied my own needs and the needs of those who were with me. (35) In everything I did, I set an example to show you that by working hard we can help the weak, fulfilling the words of the Lord Jesus who said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
(36) And when he finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. (37) They all wept as they embraced Paul and kissed him. (38) What grieved them most was Paul saying that they would not see his face again. Then they accompanied him to his ship.
OBSERVATIONS
In his farewell address to the elders of the Ephesian church, Paul emphasized several themes as he reviewed his ministry among them. To explain the phrase, “how I lived among you,” (vs. 18) he used terms like “serving the Lord” (vs. 19), “declaring,” “teaching,” and “testifying” (vss. 20 & 21). “Testify/testifying” occurred four times in his statement (vss. 21, 23, 24, & 26). The ministry of the “Holy Spirit” also received emphasis by repetition (vss. 22, 23, & 28) as did “flock” (vss. 28 & 29) and “see my/his face again” (vss. 25 & 38). The deep and loving relationship Paul had sustained for many months with the Ephesian believers was on full display in this emotional farewell.
OUTLINE
I. Paul affirmed the effectiveness of his ministry among the Ephesians. (18-21)
II. Paul declared his intention to go to Jerusalem despite the danger. (22-27)
III. Paul entrusted his ministry to these leaders with many warnings. (28-35)
IV. Paul took his leave from them with earnest prayer and many tears. (36-38)
IDEA STATEMENT
In his final meeting with the elders of the Ephesian church, Paul committed them to the grace of God with many warnings.
APPLICATION
The depth of emotion felt both by Paul and by those among whom he had ministered in Ephesus during his final moments with them before his departure testified to the power and effectiveness of his ministry. He had been like a father while among them nurturing, teaching, and establishing them in the ways of the Lord. His effective preparation for the moment when he would leave them on their own did not make his departure any easier. The Apostle strongly warned these leaders to be on their guard against “savage wolves” that would not “spare the flock.” What would enable them to protect the church against such an onslaught?
Paul gave them at least three encouraging answers to assure their troubled hearts. First, they needed to maintain an attitude of vigilance captured in their command, “be alert.” Then, they needed to focus on studying and proclaiming the word of God’s grace, namely the Scriptures. A church firmly grounded in God’s Word is a church prepared to face opposition. Finally, by trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit, those who had assumed leadership roles in the church would successfully resist the enemies that sought to ravage the flock.