Paul Spends a Few Days in Troas (Acts 20:1–12)
After the uproar in Ephesus, Paul departed for Macedonia (Acts 20:1). As he traveled through the region, he encouraged the disciples along the way (Acts 20:2). While preparing to sail to Syria, the Jews in Greece plotted against him (Acts 20:3). In response, Paul altered his plans, and his companions went on ahead to Troas (Acts 20:4–5). Paul and Luke later joined them in Troas (Acts 20:6).
On the first day of the week, Paul spoke to the disciples and continued his message until midnight (Acts 20:7). There were many lamps in the upper room where they had gathered (Acts 20:8). During the meeting, a young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in a window, fell into a deep sleep and fell from the third story. He was taken up dead, but Paul went down, embraced him, and said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” After returning upstairs, Paul continued talking until daybreak, and they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted (Acts 20:9–12).
Paul’s Warning to the Elders (Pastors) in Ephesus (Acts 20:13–38)
From Troas, Paul and his companions sailed to Miletus, passing through Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Trogyllium (Acts 20:13–15). Paul chose not to stop in Ephesus, for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, by the Day of Pentecost (Acts 20:16). However, from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church (Acts 20:17).
When they had come to him, Paul reminded them of his ministry among them. He served the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials that came upon him through the plots of the Jews (Acts 20:19). He did not hold back anything that was helpful but proclaimed it to them and taught both publicly and from house to house (Acts 20:20). He testified to both Jews and Greeks concerning repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).
Paul declared that he was bound in spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that would happen to him there (Acts 20:22). He testified that the Holy Spirit had made known in every city that chains and tribulations awaited him (Acts 20:23). Nevertheless, Paul was unmoved by these warnings, for he did not count his life as dear to himself, so that he might finish his course with joy and fulfill the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). He further stated that none of those present would see his face again, among whom he had gone preaching the kingdom of God (Acts 20:25).
In his final exhortation, Paul affirmed that he was innocent of the blood of all men, for he had not shunned to declare to them the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26–27). He urged the elders to take heed to themselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit had made them overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). This indicates that the roles of elder, overseer (bishop), and shepherd (pastor) are unified.
Paul warned them that savage wolves would come in among them, not sparing the flock, and that even from among themselves, men would rise up, speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves (Acts 20:29–30). The Ephesian elders did take this warning seriously. In Revelation 2:1–7, we see that they tested those who claimed to be apostles and found them false (Revelation 2:2), and they labored and endured for the name of Christ without becoming weary (Revelation 2:3). However, they were rebuked for having left their first love—that is, love for the brethren (Revelation 2:4). Paul’s warning of wolves refers to false prophets (Matthew 7:15), and the presence of false teachers remains a reality today (2 Peter 2:1; Jude 12–13; 1 Timothy 6:4).
Paul exhorted them to watch and remember that for three years he did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears (Acts 20:31). He then commended them to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build them up and give them an inheritance among all those who are sanctified (Acts 20:32).
Paul reminded them of his personal example: he did not covet anyone’s silver, gold, or apparel (Acts 20:33). Instead, he labored with his own hands to provide for his needs and those with him (Acts 20:34). He instructed that pastors ought to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
When he had finished speaking, Paul knelt down and prayed with them all. The elders wept freely, fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words he spoke, that they would see his face no more. Then they accompanied him to the ship (Acts 20:36–38).
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