Introduction
Acts 20:17–38: After leaving Ephesus, Paul had traveled to Macedonia and Greece and continued his missionary journey throughout Asia Minor (see yesterday’s reading, Acts 20:1–16). Now he arrives in Miletus and sends word to the elders in Ephesus to meet him. Ephesus was about a day’s journey north of Miletus. Paul bids farewell to the elders of Ephesus and encourages and blesses them, and then he departs for Jerusalem.
Today’s Key Verse: Acts 20:32 GNT
[Paul said:] “And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people.”
Read
17 From Miletus Paul sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him. 18 When they arrived, he said to them, “You know how I spent the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. 19 With all humility and many tears I did my work as the Lord’s servant during the hard times that came to me because of the plots of some Jews. 20 You know that I did not hold back anything that would be of help to you as I preached and taught in public and in your homes. 21 To Jews and Gentiles alike I gave solemn warning that they should turn from their sins to God and believe in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, in obedience to the Holy Spirit I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit has warned me that prison and troubles wait for me. 24 But I reckon my own life to be worth nothing to me; I only want to complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the Good News about the grace of God.
25 “I have gone about among all of you, preaching the Kingdom of God. And now I know that none of you will ever see me again. 26 So I solemnly declare to you this very day: if any of you should be lost, I am not responsible. 27 For I have not held back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God. 28 So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God,[a] which he made his own through the blood of his Son.[b] 29 I know that after I leave, fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30 The time will come when some men from your own group will tell lies to lead the believers away after them. 31 Watch, then, and remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught every one of you for three years.
32 “And now I commend you to the care of God and to the message of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people. 33 I have not wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that I have worked with these hands of mine to provide everything that my companions and I have needed. 35 I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’”
36 When Paul finished, he knelt down with them and prayed. 37 They were all crying as they hugged him and kissed him good-bye. 38 They were especially sad because he had said that they would never see him again. And so they went with him to the ship.
Reflect
How would you summarize Paul’s message to the elders of Ephesus? What does he emphasize in verse 28? What warning does he give in verses 29–31? How is Paul’s message applicable to church leaders today?
Pray
Holy God, your servant Paul taught us, by example, the importance of sharing the good news of your love and salvation. Strengthen me for service so that I, in turn, may build up others and extend your blessings. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Acts 21:1–16: Paul is warned not to go to Jerusalem.
