Timely Instructions for Believers of the 1st and 21 Centuries
March 20
Acts 20:27-38
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28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
"the church of God" “God” is found in the ancient Greek manuscripts P74, A, C, D, and E, while “Lord” is found in MSS א and B. Paul uses the phrase “church of God” often, but never the phrase “church of the Lord.” The context supports “the church of the Lord” because the next phrase, “with His own blood,” which surely refers to Christ. However, this is just the kind of editorial scribal change that one would expect (see Bruce M. Metzger, A Textual Commentary, pp. 480-482). Therefore the UBS4 Greek text retains “God,” but gives it a “C” rating. “Lord” would be the most unusual and difficult reading. (Utley)
"He purchased with His own blood" This reflects the OT concept of sacrificial substitution (cf. Leviticus 1-7; Isaiah 53; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 5:12-21; 2 Cor. 3:21). This emphasis is surprisingly not mentioned much in the kerygma of Acts (see James D. G. Dunn, Unity and Diversity in the NT, pp. 17-18). It is also possibly a strong reference to Jesus’ deity (i.e., “church of God”). Paul often uses phrases which point to this truth (cf. Rom. 9:5; Col. 2:9; Titus 2:13). (Utley)
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
As in our Lord’s parable of the good shepherd, so hear the true pastors of the flock are contrasted with false teachers, described as wolves because of the havoc they cause. (Bruce, 393)
"savage wolves will come in among you" This is a metaphor based on the previously used metaphors of “flock” and “shepherd.” This accentuates the problem of the false teachers, both from without (Acts 20:29) and within (Acts 20:30). They both came in sheep’s clothing (cf. Matt. 7:15-23; Luke 10:3; John 10:12, also in interbiblical apocalyptic literature, I Enoch 89:10-27; IV Ezra 5:18). Believers must test those who claim to speak for God (cf. 1 John 4:1). Test them by their faithfulness to the gospel, both in word and deed (cf. Acts 20:18-24; Matthew 7; Rom. 16:17-18). (Utley)
31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
"be on the alert" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE (cf. Mark 13:35), which is parallel to Acts 20:28, “Be on guard for yourselves” (PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE). God’s leaders and God’s church must be on constant watch for false teachers—not those who disregard our personal preferences, but those who disregard the gospel and its lifestyle implications. (Utley)
"for three years" This refers to Paul’s stay in Ephesus. This time indication includes all of Paul’s activity in the area. He stayed longer with these believers than with any other city, church, or area. They knew the gospel. Now they must protect it and spread it! (Utley)
Reference to his “tears” shows that Paul’s ministry was not just intellectual but also emotional; he became emotionally involved in it (cf. John 11:35). Specifically he delivered his admonitions feeling the pain that they caused his hearers. The Book of Acts does not generally picture Paul as weeping over the people to whom he ministered or over ministry situations. Rather, it portrays him as equal to any occasion. We only see this human side of his ministry from Paul’s own comments here and in his epistles. (Constable)
In Tim. 1: 15 mention is made of a general revolt against Paul and his teaching throughout the province of Asia; and in the apocalyptic letter the church of Ephesus is reproach for having abandoned the love it had at first. (Happily, Ignatius’s letter to the same church a decade or two later shows that it paid heed to the admonition and recovered its love in full measure.) (Bruce, 393)
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
"commend you to God" This means “entrust to” (cf. Acts 14:23). We are responsible to God for the gospel we have been entrusted with (cf. 1 Tim. 1:18). We are responsible to pass it on to others who will pass it on (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2). (Utley)
Paul concluded his address with a blessing. Since he was no longer going to be able to build up these men, he committed (or commended) them to God, who would do it, and to the Scriptures (“the word of His grace”), God’s tool in this process. God’s “grace” is the source of all spiritual growth, and of the ultimate “inheritance” these elders would one day enjoy because they were believing “saints” (cf. 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Phil. 1:6; Col. 3:24). (Constable)
33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
"silver or gold or clothes" These were items of wealth. Paul is defending his actions and motives. In the NT greed and sexual exhortation are often hallmarks of false teachers (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10-17). (Utley)
"ministered to my own needs" Paul refused to take help from the churches he currently served because of the constant accusation by the false teachers concerning his motives. Paul supported himself (cf. 1 Cor. 4:12; 9:3-7; 2 Cor. 11:7-12; 12:13; 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:6-13). Also Paul, being a trained rabbi, would have personal qualms about accepting money for teaching. However, he asserts that ministers of the gospel should be paid (cf. 1 Cor. 9:3-18; 1 Tim. 5:17-18). (Utley)
There is an excellent brief history of the first century Mediterranean world by James S. Jeffers, The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era. It mentions that Paul alludes to working with his own hands to provide his physical needs in all three missionary journeys (cf. p. 28).
First journey, 1 Cor. 4:12; 9:6; 1 Thess. 2:9
Second journey, Acts 18:3
Third journey, Acts 19:11-12; 20:34; 2 Cor. 12:14 (Utley)
Notice that the believers’ hard labor is not for personal gain or luxury, but for the sake of others in need in Christ’s name (cf. 2 Cor. 9:8-11). Paul’s quote from Jesus is not found in any of the Gospels. Therefore, it must be an oral tradition. (Utley)
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
Paul concluded his address with a blessing. Since he was no longer going to be able to build up these men, he committed (or commended) them to God, who would do it, and to the Scriptures (“the word of His grace”), God’s tool in this process. God’s “grace” is the source of all spiritual growth, and of the ultimate “inheritance” these elders would one day enjoy because they were believing “saints” (cf. 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Phil. 1:6; Col. 3:24) [See Neil, p. 215; Lenski, p. 857]. (Constable)
"knelt down" This was not the usual posture of prayer from Paul’s Jewish background. This was possibly a special commitment ritual (cf. Acts 20:32; 21:5). (Utley)
37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
"embraced Paul" The NKJV is more literal, “fell on Paul’s neck.” Thank God for church leaders who come to help us! (Utley)
"These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
“Perhaps he regarded Caesarea as his temptation and Gethsemane. If so, the congregation, catching the thought, echoed the garden prayer of Christ: The will of the Lord be done …”[Blaiklock, p. 168]. (Constable)
Christians have developed a respect for Paul—that is second only to reverence for Jesus Christ—over approximately 20 centuries of church history. However, when Luke wrote Acts, Paul was a very controversial figure in the church. Luke seems to have gone out of his way to put Paul in the best possible light, so that his original readers would accept and appreciate his ministry. (Constable)
God’s will man’s will. ?? cf., 21:4
“21:13 It is hard to balance this prophetic action with Paul’s sense that going to Jerusalem was God’s will (cf. v. 4).” (Utley)
"The will of the Lord be done" This is a PRESENT MIDDLE IMPERATIVE, used in the sense of a prayer. God did have a plan and purpose for Paul’s life. Paul felt he knew God’s will even in the face of specific and recurring prophecy about the problems which lay ahead. Paul must have felt that these prophecies were for his spiritual and mental preparation and not a prohibition. (Utley)
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Barclay, William. William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible [NT]. “Acts 20,” https://bibleportal.com/commentary/chapter/william-barclay/acts/20.
Bruce, F. F. The Book of Acts: The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Ed. Gordon D. Fee, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmanns Publishing Company, 1988.
Constable, Thomas. "Notes on Acts.” 2021 ed., https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/acts.pdf.
Scripture quotations [unless otherwise noted] are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Utley, Bob. “Acts 20” and “Acts 21.” Bible.org, from the Series: “Luke the Historian: Acts,” Bible Lessons International, 2012, https://bible.org/seriespage/acts-20 and https://bible.org/seriespage/acts-21.