Exhorting the Ephesian Elders

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 20:17-38

 

Acts 20:36-38

And when he had said these things, he knelt and prayed with them all. ³⁷ Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, ³⁸ sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

(NKJV)

 

The Apostle Paul calls the elders of the Church together to give them a word of exhortation. Paul is leaving for Jerusalem, where he anticipates having many trials. His exhortation tells of the work Paul has been able to accomplish for the Lord, encouraging them to continue the work, but then he drops a bombshell, telling them they will not see him again. Sorrow will occur in everyone’s life, but it is how we handle it that is important.

 

While in Miletus, Paul asked the elders of the church in Ephesus to come to him (Acts 20:17). When they arrived, Paul exhorts them, telling them how he lived among them and served with all humility, many tears, and trials coming at the hands of the Jews plotting against him (Acts 20:18-19). Paul kept nothing back from them, teaching publicly and from house to house to both Jews and Greeks about repentance towards God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:20-21). The Holy Spirit now binds Paul to go to Jerusalem without knowing what will happen there, only that the Holy Spirit has testified that chains and tribulations await him (Acts 20:22-23). Chains and tribulations do not move Paul, who desires to finish his race, or ministry he has received from the Lord, with joy, testifying of the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).

 

Paul then drops a bombshell on them, telling them they will not see him again (Acts 20:25). Paul then declares that he is innocent of the blood of all men and has not shunned in declaring the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27). Paul then exhorts them to take heed of the flock entrusted to them by God, to shepherd the church of God which Jesus purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Paul then warns them that after he leaves, savage wolves will come in who do not spare the flock (Acts 20:29). There will also be those among them who will speak perverse things to draw people into following them, and then reminding them how he had warned them of this during his three years in Ephesus (Acts 20:30-31).

 

Paul then commends the Ephesian elders to God and the word of His grace which builds up and provides an inheritance among all who are sanctified (Acts 20:32). While in Ephesus, Paul coveted no one’s silver, gold, or apparel, providing for the needs of himself and those with him through his labors (Acts 20:33-34). By ministering in this manner, Paul showed them the importance of supporting the weak, remembering the words of the Lord who said it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

 

After speaking to them, Paul knelt and prayed with them all (Acts 20:36). All the elders wept freely, falling on Paul’s neck and kissing him (Acts 20:37). The cause of their great sorrow was Paul telling them they would not see him any longer; then they took Paul to the ship (Acts 20:38).

 

Paul calls the elders of the church in Ephesus together for a final word with them before departing for Jerusalem. His exhortation contains sorrow as he tells them they will not see him again. Paul has ministered in Ephesus through his teaching of truth (Acts 20:27) and his example of not doing it for personal gain (Acts 20:33-34). Paul will go to Jerusalem, where he will be arrested (Acts 21:26-36) and, after appealing to Caesar, go to Rome (Acts 28:16). Paul will be martyred in Rome for his faith but will also have the opportunity to minister to Caesar, something he wanted to do (Acts 19:21), but not as a prisoner. God may call us to minister somewhere, but we do not know how it will happen.

 

When there is a commitment to declare truth in the Church, there will be times of exhortation and feeling encouraged, but there will also be times of sorrow. Sorrow over the death of a fellow disciple, or when someone moves from the church to pursue a new calling from the Lord. In the persecuted church, Sorrow abounds as word spreads of another disciple being martyred for his or her faith. For those dying either through natural causes or through martyrdom for their faith, it is the comfort of knowing we will be reunited with them when Jesus takes us to heaven, through death or rapture (2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:17); for those moving on to a calling from the Lord elsewhere, we can rejoice that the message of the gospel proclaimed in our church is spreading elsewhere. While we sorrow over these losses, the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

 

I want to invite anyone reading this who is not a disciple of Christ to pray with me now and know they will have eternal life with God.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Just as the name of Jesus is not some magical word, this prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.