Paul wanted to get to Jerusalem before Pentecost, so he called for the elders of the church at Ephesus to meet him at Miletus. He reminded them of the struggles he faced while in Asia. He had served the Lord with a humble attitude, even being moved to tears at times and surviving more than one Jewish plot against his life. Yet, he had faithfully declared the truth to them publicly, in the synagogue and the school of Tyrannus and teaching in one house, then another. His preaching extended to Jews as well as to Greeks regarding the need for repentance and faith.
The apostle told them he was compelled to go on to Jerusalem, despite knowing he would be arrested and trials would follow. Paul’s greatest concern was not for his safety but with completing the special ministry Jesus had given him, preaching the kingdom. He never expected to see the faces of those elders again. He called them to faithfully witness the content of his preaching at Ephesus. He had preached the whole truth, thus relieving himself of any responsibility for those who might have remained in sin.
He charged them to watch out for their own spiritual wellbeing, as well as watching out for every sheep in God’s flock at Ephesus. This was specifically because they had been given oversight, or made bishops, over the flock purchased with Jesus’ blood. False teachers, even from within the eldership, would draw away disciples, thus watchfulness was imperative. Paul urged the elders to remember his own watchful service of three years, during which he warned them day and night, even with crying.
Paul recommended that they trust God and His Word, which would help them grow stronger and inherit eternal life. He reminded them that he worked with his own hands to support himself and did not covet anyone’s money. He urged them to labor to support themselves and help the weak, while reminding them that Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” After kneeling with them in prayer, Paul tearfully departed (Acts 20:13-38).
[Editor’s Note: Like the apostle Paul, every Christian today ought to make the Gospel come alive in his or her life, as well as be willing to provide an answer regarding true Christianity to all who will hear (Acts 8:4; 1 Peter 3:15). As the apostle charged the Ephesian elders, contemporary Christians need to watch out for each other, too (James 5:19-20; Galatians 6:1-2). We are not homesteaders on God’s green earth, but we Christians are pilgrims on the march to a city whose builder and maker is God. Let’s make the journey together and take as many along with us as we possibly can. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
