Paul’s Voyage And Farewell To the Elders At Ephesus; Acts 20:13 – 38 Part 3

Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57

It was a fearful responsibility which rested on the shoulders of these men, to watch as shepherds for the flock, and realize that only by fidelity like that of Paul, could they be free from the blood of them all. In leaving them to this work, he directs their thoughts to the only power sufficient to strengthen them to perform it, by commending them to God and to his Word, assuring them that the Word was able to build them up, and give them inheritance among the sanctified. This is another among many proofs which we have seen of the confidence of the apostles in the sufficiency and power of the word of God.8
Paul told them that he did not covet any of their riches or possessions. And from these circumstances they would be able to discover the grievous wolves, and the perverters; for these had nothing but their own interests in mind; whereas the genuine disciples of Christ neither coveted nor had worldly possessions. It was neither "sin nor discredit" for the apostle to work to maintain himself, when the circumstances of the Church were such that it could not support him. Still many eminent ministers of God are obliged to support themselves and their families, at least in part, in the same way, while indefatigably testifying the Gospel of the grace of God. Whatever it may be to the people, it is no cause of reproach to the minister, to be obliged thus to employ himself.1

The closing admonition has reference to relief of the needy, and to the discharge of their duty, even if it were necessary for them to struggle hard to make their own bread and meat, remembering that it is more blessed to give than to receive. In this, also, he could appeal to his own example, saying, "You yourselves know that these hands," holding them out to them, "have ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me" (Acts 20:34). Thus he warns and admonishes these elders, in a speech of inimitable pathos, which is recorded by Luke that it might bear the same lesson to elders of Churches everywhere, teaching that no less than apostolic zeal and self-sacrifice are expected of them.8

After the parting sermon that Paul preached to the elders of Ephesus, which was very affecting, we have the parting prayer and tears, which were yet more affecting; we can scarcely read the account given of them, and meditate upon them with dry eyes.