Acts #50: Paul bids farewell to the Ephesian elders Acts 20:17-38
Paul is in a hurry to get back to Jerusalem. He cannot however sail past Ephesus and not make this effort to meet with the elders from the city. From Miletus, which was 30 0r 40 miles away overland, he summons them for this meeting. This simple fact underscores the importance of what he will say. There are things we should be ready to put ourselves out to hear and be instructed in.
The men he summons are elders. The word indicates:
- Ordinarily, they are older men. Age ought to be no barrier to being taught in the things of God.
- Specifically, they hold the chief governmental office in the NT church. Though an Apostle, Paul also held this office. Cp 1Pet 5:1. He addresses these words to those charged with ruling the church.
I THE EXAMPLE SET BY PAUL IN HIS OWN MINISTRY.
Cp v17-27, 33-35.
How important it is to be able to reference our own actions when urging others to serve God. Example lends credibility to our words! Paul’s instruction meant something because he had lived it before them. Cp James 1:22.
- Consistency, v18, 22. The entire period of his service of God among them was marked by adherence to the will of God.
- Humble determined service, v19. He never forgot he was the servant of God. Cp Gal 1:10. High opinions of ourselves leads to unfaithfulness in the work of God. He was ‘lowly’ in all his thinking. This humility caused him to submit to constant hardships that came as a consequence of his work. There was no thought of protest at his working conditions.
- A gospel teaching ministry, v20-21, 25, 27. Note the 4-fold description of his preaching.
Nothing that was profitable kept back. All scripture…is profitable...
Testifying repentance. He preached against sin, as an offence against God that had to be turned from, that only Christ could save men from.
Preaching the kingdom. This terminology is full of meaning. His view of Christ the King, his regard for the law of God that administers that kingdom; the rights and responsibilities of those in the kingdom.
All the counsel of God. The revealed will of God was communicated to them in its entirety. This can be a frightening aspect of duty but Paul had not drawn back in fear or cowardice.
He had been faithful in the discharge of these gospel duties so as to be able to make the statement of v26. Cp Ezek 3:18ff.
- Unwavering determination to finish the course, v22-24. Despite the trouble that the Spirit had taught him through long experience, lay ahead, he would go on.
- Self-sacrificing labour without covetous desire. Materialism is such an enemy of the servants of God. Paul was not motivated by material prosperity.