Meeting the elders of the church of Ephesus

17-27, Meeting the elders of the church of Ephesus: review and preview

In his meeting with the elders of the church of Ephesus, Paul reviews what he has done (17-21) and previews where he is going (22-27). His farewell message at Miletus is one of the longer recorded messages in Acts. It is directed to an exclusively Christian group, all officers from the church at Ephesus.

Verses 17-18a: Apparently to save time on his journey, while the ship is docked at Ephesus Paul has the elders of the church at Ephesus meet him in Miletus, rather than traveling to Ephesus himself. A trip to the city might result in an unintended lengthy sojourn.

The church at Ephesus has elders (who had oversight to feed the church) who were plural in number. See Plurality of Elders.

Verses 18b-21: Paul’s review of his service in Asia include:

• serving the Lord with all humility of mind
• [serving] with many tears
• [serving in] temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews
• I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you,
• [I] have taught you publickly
• [I have taught] from house to house
• testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks
• [testifying] repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sincere service proceeds from an humble mind (cf. Proverbs 3:34, 11:2; Matthew 23:12; Colossians 3:12; James 4:6; I Peter 5:5-6). On the other hand, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

Jews lying in wait for Paul can be noted on several occasions: in Damascus (Acts 9:22-25), in Greece (Acts 20:3), in Jerusalem (Acts 23:12-16, 30; 25:2-3). This reference appears to be to an otherwise unrecorded instance of plotting against him – that happened in Asia, and about which the Ephesian elders knew.

The heart of Paul’s message was the same for both Jews and Greeks, “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Repentance and faith two sides of the same coin, In the New Hampshire Baptist Confession of Faith, for example, they are called “inseparable graces.” For repentance and faith (belief) in salvation, see also Matthew 21:32; Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18, 19:4, 26:20-23; Romans 10:9-10; II Corinthians 5:20-6:2, 7:10; Hebrews 6:1; II Peter 3:9. Repentance toward God, proceeded by godly sorrow, is turning toward him, a turning in his direction, seeing God as right about our sin – and a Saviour of those who are wrong, sinners. This turning in the right direction brings one face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ, and embracing him in faith. Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ is one message testified to all, both Jews and Greeks.

Bock assesses Paul’s ministry in Ephesus with three characteristics: “faithfulness, direct preaching of all that is necessary, and testimony about Jesus to all people without distinction.”[1]

Verses 22-25: Paul’s preview of his future service in Jerusalem and beyond include:

• I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me
• the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me
• none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself
• that I might finish my course with joy,
• [that I might finish] the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus
• [the ministry] to testify the gospel of the grace of God
• I know that ye all…shall see my face no more

Paul feels impelled to go to Jerusalem, despite whatever future awaits him there. While the specific events may be unknown, the witness of the Spirit through other believers indicates he will experience imprisonment (“bonds”) and persecution (“afflictions”).[2] His desire to preach the gospel, to finish his course, to fulfill his God-given ministry, is dearer than life itself. The prospects, even up to and including death, do not dissuade him from his course of action. For “finish my course,” see also II Timothy 4:7. This course of action means Paul and the Ephesians elders will not meet again in this life.

Verses 26-27: Paul enlists these elders as witnesses of his service in Asia:

• I am pure from the blood of all men
• I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God

“I am pure from the blood of all men” speaks to responsibility. Paul fulfilled the responsibility placed on him by declaring to all the people, both Jews and Greeks, all the counsel of God. The watchman is responsible for blowing the trumpet. He is not responsible for the hearers’ failure to take heed to the warning. See Ezekiel 33:1-6.

The witness of the ministry of Paul will stand as an example to the elders of the church of Ephesus.

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[1] Bock, Acts, pp. 627-628.
[2] That the witness occurs “in every city” suggests the witness of the Spirit through other Christian believers as Paul travels. This does not preclude a direct witness of the Spirit to Paul. Nevertheless, “in every city” connects the witness with travel and people. A detailed example is given when Paul comes to Cæsarea. See Acts 21:8-11. The Holy Ghost does not give the message to prevent Paul from going to Jerusalem, but to prepare him and his friends for what will happen.