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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
20:17-35 Paul Addresses the Ephesian Elders at Miletus. Paul's Miletus address is the sole example in Acts of a major speech to Christians. Of all Paul's speeches in Acts, it has the most in common with his letters, which were addressed to Christians. Paul held out his own ministry as an example for the Ephesian elders (vv. 18-21), spoke of his future prospects (vv. 22-27), warned of coming heresies (vv. 28-31), and encouraged a proper attitude toward material goods (vv. 32-35).
20:17 The four harbors of Miletus have long since filled up with sediment from the Meander River. Excavations at Miletus have revealed the substantial theater, an odeion (a small covered theater), an agora, and the Delphinium (dedicated to Apollo). One excavated building at Miletus is considered by some to be a synagogue. The Ephesian church leaders are called elders (Gk. presbyteroi) and are in v. 28 addressed as "overseers" (Gk. episkopoi, sometimes translated "bishops") who are to "care for" (or "shepherd") "the flock" (the role of pastors). This overlap of terminology indicates that "elders," "overseers," and "pastors" likely refer to the same office.
20:22-23 Constrained (Gk. deō, "to bind, tie, constrain") indicates that the Holy Spirit was giving Paul an exceptionally strong sense of compulsion that he had to go quickly and directly to Jerusalem, even though he knew that imprisonment and afflictions awaited him there. Paul must have reflected on the similarities between his present journey to Jerusalem and Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem where he was to die (Matt. 16:21; 20:18; Mark 10:32-33; Luke 9:51, 53; 18:31-33), and wondered if he also would end his life there (see Acts 20:24). the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city. Such testimony probably came to Paul through both Christian prophets (cf. 21:11) and direct revelation from the Holy Spirit.
20:24 Paul often expressed his willingness to suffer for Christ (2 Cor. 4:7-12; 6:4-10; 12:9-10; Phil. 1:20-21; 2:17; 3:8; Col. 1:24). In 2 Tim. 4:7 he used the same expression of finishing his course (or "race," Gk. dromos).
20:26-27 For Paul's claim to be innocent of their blood, see Ezek. 33:1-6 and note on Acts 18:6. Paul is saying that he is not accountable before God for any future doctrinal or moral error that might come to the Ephesian church, for (giving the reason why he is not culpable) he did not shrink from declaring any part of the teaching of the Word of God. The whole counsel of God refers to the entirety of God's redemptive plan unfolded in Scripture. Even though some parts of God's Word were unpopular or difficult, Paul did not omit any of them in his preaching. In refusing to pass over teachings that might have offended some, Paul gave a courageous example that is a model for all who would teach God's Word after him.
20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves. Spiritual leaders need first of all to guard their own spiritual and moral purity. the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. The last part of this phrase refers to the blood of Christ poured out in his atoning death on the cross (cf. Rom. 3:25; 5:9; Eph. 1:7; etc.). The reference to God in the first part of this phrase ("the church of God") most likely is a reference to Christ as the head of the church and as "God the Son," the second person of the Trinity. Alternatively, if God the Father is in view in the phrase "the church of God," then "his own blood" is a reference to the blood of God's "own," that is, of "God's own Son" (which would be a legitimate alternative reading of the Greek). (See also ESV footnote indicating that some Greek manuscripts read "the church of the Lord" rather than "the church of God.")
20:29-30 Paul showed remarkable insight into the future situation of the Ephesian church (probably through a revelation from the Holy Spirit). The letters of Paul to Timothy, who served Ephesus later, attest to the presence of false teachers who were ravaging the church for their own gain and who had indeed come from within the church, in fact, from among the elders themselves (from among your own selves). (See 1 Tim. 1:19-20; 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 1:15; 2:17-18; 3:1-9.)
20:31-32 Three years included the "" and the "" in Ephesus that Luke had mentioned earlier (see 19:8, 10). Paul again challenged the elders to follow the example of his ministry with them () and offered a benediction dedicating their service to the power and leadership of God. He particularly emphasized that the word of God was to be central in their ministries, for the word is able to build . . . up believers; it teaches the gospel of salvation by grace so that the final inheritance (end-time salvation) is received by those who belong to God. sanctified. That is, made holy in heart and life by the Holy Spirit.
20:35 the words of the Lord Jesus. This saying from Jesus is not recorded in the Gospels--a reminder that Jesus did many things that are not recorded in Scripture (see John 21:25). This saying was no doubt passed on to Paul by those who heard Jesus teach. give. On Christian generosity, see 2 Cor. 8:9-15.
