College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Acts 20:16-38
IN MILETUS. Acts 20:16-38.
a.
Past Ephesus to Miletus. Acts 20:16-17.
For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.
Acts 20:16-17 Before arriving in Miletus there are two points to be considered.
1.
King James version states that they tarried at Trogyllium but the American Revised leaves this place outwhy so? The answer is found in the fact that the most ancient manuscripts omit this phrase; it exists in tradition of Asia Minor.
2.
Paul sailed right past the port of Ephesus as he wished not to stop there. He knew that if he did he would be detained by his many friends and he did not wish to be so. He wanted to arrive in Jerusalem by Pentecost to allow a ready distribution of the bounty he had collected.
Upon arriving at Miletus and finding that there would be time to speak to the Ephesian elders while here, he forthwith sent a letter to them that they would hasten over the thirty miles that separated them and meet him here at Miletus.
800.
Why does King James Version state that they tarried at Trogyllium?
801.
Why not stop at Ephesus?
802.
How far from Miletus to Ephesus?
b.
Paul's past ministry, as exemplified at Ephesus. Acts 20:18-21; Acts 20:26.
And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time,
serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;
how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here is a brief outline of his address:
(The New Century Bible by J. Vernon Bartlet.)
1.
Paul's past ministry, as exemplified at Ephesus. Acts 20:18-21 and Acts 20:26.
2.
His attitude to his own future. Acts 20:22-24.
3.
And also ultimate as touching his hearers. Acts 20:25.
4.
Conditions at Ephesus in the near future. Acts 20:23-30.
5.
The self-sacrificing spirit of this example. Acts 20:31-35.
Under (1) of this outline we give the fine paraphrase of these verses by Cunningham Geikie. (N.T. series, Vol. III, p. 367-369) 1. Paul's past ministry, as exemplified at Ephesus. Acts 20:18-21 and Acts 20:26.
803.
From memory give three of the points in Paul's address to the Ephesian elders.
Acts 20:18. You personally know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, the life I lived among you always, through over three years, Acts 20:19. serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears over backsliders, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews: Acts 20:20. you know how I did not shrink from telling you anything that was for your good, and how I taught you both publicly, in your assembly, and privately, from house to house, Acts 20:21. testifying to Jews and Greeks alike, their need of repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:26. Therefore, since my farewell demands my reckoning with myself as to the past, I boldly witness to you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
804.
What was the attitude of the apostle while laboring in Ephesus?
805.
What was the theme that Paul preached to both Jews and Greeks in Ephesus?
806.
How was Paul made free from the blood of all men?
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
2.
His attitude to his own future. Acts 20:22-24.
Acts 20:22. And now, behold, I go (by an inner impulse I cannot resist) to Jerusalem, not knowing what specially will befall me there: Acts 20:23. beyond the fact that the Holy Ghost testifies to me in every city I visit, that bonds and afflictions await me in it, Acts 20:24. But I do not hold my life of any account, as dear to myself, so that I may finish the course assigned me by God; no clinging to life hindering me: and, with my course, the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the good news of the grace of God to man.
807.
Why was Paul so determined to Jerusalem?
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
3.
And also ultimate as touching his hearers. Acts 20:25.
Acts 20:25. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.
I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
4.
Conditions at Ephesus in the near future. Acts 20:28-30.
Acts 20:28. As, therefore, I am thus guiltless in this matter, it is for you, who have taken my place, to take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Ghost has made you bishops, or overseers, to feed the church of God, which He purchased for His own, with His own blood. Acts 20:29. For I know that after my departing, last year, wolvespitiless evil-working teachersnow that I am no longer there to keep them off, will come in among you from without, not sparing the flock; Acts 20:30. and that, from among yourselves, men will rise, speaking perverted words, to draw away the disciples from the truth, to follow themselves.
808.
What was the relationship of these men to the church of the Lord? Their work?
Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.
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 them that are sanctified.
I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
5.
The self-sacrificing spirit of his example. Acts 20:31-35.
Acts 20:31. Therefore be watchful, remembering that for three whole years, I never ceased to admonish everyone, night and day with tears, to keep the faith. Acts 20:32. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of His gracethe truth I taught you, which must be the guide of your whole life, and is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance you crave, in the kingdom of the Messiah, among all them who are sanctified. Acts 20:33. I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel, Acts 20:34. Indeed, ye yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those of them that were with me. Acts 20:35. In all things I have shown you by my example, that (laboring as I did, you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
809.
What characterized the admonishment of the apostle?
810.
What was to be the source of their inheritance and the guide of their whole life?
c.
The tender farewell. Acts 20:36-38.
And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,
sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more, And they brought him on his way unto the ship.
Acts 20:36-38 The feeling in the message just delivered led naturally to a prayer meeting. Paul had done all he could do for these brethren. He now commits them to God for His leading and working. The posture here assumed by Paul was to kneel. What does it mean? Simply that it is a good posture in prayernothing more,
There was a real love between Paul and the elders of Ephesus; there were tears and for many of them, genuine grief at the parting: most of all because of the foreboding words of Paul that they would see his face no more. He had told them of the promised bonds that awaited him in Jerusalem and then to say that he would never return broke their hearts.
But the work of Christ must go on in spite of broken hearts, separation, grief or any other of the changing experiences of life. And so it was that the elders followed the apostle and the others right down to the water's edge and bade them a very tender farewell.
811.
How do we know that Paul made tents in Ephesus?
812.
What saying of Jesus is given here by Paul that is not recorded in the gospels?
813.
Why kneel in prayer?
814.
What caused the greatest grief to the Ephesian elders?