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Acts | 1-8: | 9:1-19 | 9:20-31 | 9:32-43 | 10:1-23 | 10:24-48 | 11 | 12 | 13:1-12 | 13:13-41 | 13:42-52 | 14:1-18 | 14:19-28 | 15:1-21 | 15:22-41 | 16:1-15 | 16:16-40 | 17:1-15 | 17:16-34 |  18:1-17 | 18:18-28 | 19:1-20 | 19:21-41 | 20:1-16 | 20:17-38 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23:12-35 | 24 | More Coming Soon |

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These small group Bible studies of Acts 20:17-38 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application.  Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.

Acts 20:17-38 Verse by Verse Study – Paul Visits the Ephesian Elders

Outline

I. Paul visits Macedonia and Greece (1-6)
II. Eutychus is raised from the dead (7-16)
III. Paul visits with the Ephesian leaders (17-38)

III. Paul visits with the Ephesian leaders (17-38)

Discussion Questions

• How far was it from Miletus to Ephesus?
• Why did Paul remind them of his faithful service to them?
• What can we learn from him about faithful Christian ministry?
• When is it appropriate to tell people how much we have done for them?
• What did he mean that he was going to Jerusalem “constrained by the Spirit?”
• How did the Holy Spirit testify to him “in every city that imprisonment and affliction await me?
• How did Paul value his life?
• How could you evaluate whether your life is precious to yourself or not?
• What “course or ministry” do you need to finish? At what point could you say, “I have finished the ministry God gave me?”
• Could you truthfully say what Paul did in verses 24-27?
• What do you see about the role of elder?
• What does it mean to “pay careful attention to yourselves?” How important is it? How can you do it?
• What warning does he give them?
• How do you see the work of God in this passage?
• Why is the phrase “I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel” important for servants of God to keep in mind?
• What can you see about their relationship from the way they parted?

Cross-References

Matthew 20:26-27 – It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave.

2 Corinthians 4:5 – For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

2 Timothy 4:7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Peter 5:2-4 – Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Matthew 7:15 – Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Paul meets the Ephesian elders in Miletus –

Paul was on his way to return to Jerusalem. He had ministered in Ephesus for around three years. Clearly, he was very close to the Ephesian church and its leaders. Though he didn’t want to spend time detouring to Ephesus, he desired to see the elders there and encourage them one last time.

It was only a one-day journey between Miletus and Ephesus, a journey of around thirty-six miles (58 km) by sea or thirty miles (50 km) by land.

2. Paul recounts his ministry in Ephesus –

At first glance, you might think that Paul was tooting his own horn. However, it is clear that Paul was not in the ministry for himself. He didn’t get rich. He didn’t exploit his position for personal gain. In the end, he was martyred.

He said, “You yourselves know…” All the things he shared with them had been personally witnessed by them. He didn’t talk of his successes in other places, but rather limited his testimony to things they had witnessed.

Reflect – So why does he do this?

A. He defends the gospel before false teachers come –

Paul knows that false teachers are going to come into the flock. They will be dressed up like sheep, but will be ravenous wolves. False teachers sound good. Oftentimes, they are very eloquent. However, their lifestyle would be very different than Paul’s. While he did not use his influence for personal gain, they would.

Peter talks about the lifestyle of false teachers. They are filled with greed, pride, and immorality (2 Peter 2).

Paul pre-emptively showed them a different way, the way of servant leadership that Jesus taught.

His unselfish service, humility, financial integrity, personal relationships, and willingness to suffer all would be a stark contrast with the wolves that would come. By remembering what a true leader looks like, they would be protected from the false.

Paul shared his service to the Corinthians for the same purpose (2 Corinthians 10-12).

B. He modeled what Christian leadership is supposed to look like –

The New Testament church was young. They had the oral teachings of Jesus on servant leadership, but they also needed real-life examples whom they could witness and emulate. An object lesson is often more powerful than a theoretical lecture. Paul’s real-life example was a vivid testimony to them of how they should, in turn, serve the church.

Humility, diligence, servant leadership, and financial integrity were all leadership qualities they could follow. In essence, Paul was telling them to “Lead as I lead.”

Reflect – Which of his leadership qualities stands out to you?

Application – Which aspect of Paul’s example do you need to grow in?

C. A farewell testimony –

Paul was never going to see these beloved brothers again. Therefore, he gave a farewell testimony. Partly, it was likely for his own benefit. He could clear his chest as he reflected on his many years of service. But more than that, it was a reminder that, too, would one day reach the end of their ministry. His example reminded them of the importance of being dedicated and goal-oriented to the end.

3. I am going to Jerusalem constrained by the Spirit –

Acts 20:22-23 – I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

Throughout Paul’s ministry, we see that he was always sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. God had impressed upon Him the necessity to return to Jerusalem. As he went, he encountered many warnings and prophecies from believers that going to Jerusalem would result in imprisonment and suffering.

Yet he steeled his face and continued because God had called him to go there. In other situations in the book of Acts, Paul left multiple cities because of persecution. But this time, the Lord led him and he obeyed.

Jesus once did the same thing.

Luke 9:51 – When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

Reflect – What is the most difficult thing God has called you to do? Did you do it? How?

4. Finishing the ministry God called Paul to –

Acts 20:24 – But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

This is a beautiful statement and it embodies Paul’s ministry philosophy. On many occasions, he risked his life for the gospel. He chose not to get married. Much of the time, he supported himself so that he would not be a burden on the churches. Through all of this, he was laser-focused on the mission God gave to him.

That mission is stated here.

Acts 9:15 – But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

The Lord has prepared specific “good works” (Ephesians 2:10) for each of us to do. Every day, there are tasks awaiting us that are on God’s to-do list for us. Some of these tasks take a lifetime to finish. If we want to get to the end of our life and be able to say, “I have finished the race” (2 Timothy 4:7-8), then we have to start now.

One of Satan’s deadliest temptations is to tell us, “Sure, do good deeds and serve God. Start tomorrow.”

Application – Paul had a clear vision for his life that he faithfully worked on. Spend some time in prayer seeking God’s leading. Then write down a vision statement for your life. This can be refined and slightly adjusted over time, but it will be a great help in directing you. If you have a vision statement like this, it can also help you to know what things to say “yes” or “no” to.

5. You will not see my face again –

Paul declared to them that this would be the last time he would see them.

6. Paul declared the whole counsel of God –

Every preacher, teacher, and parent should take note of this verse. It is very easy to become focused on a particular doctrine, teaching, or angle. The whole counsel of God includes so many things: the gospel, creation, parenting, marriage, eschatology, sanctification, etc.

Perhaps God has called you to a specific niche, such as counseling couples or teaching on the evidence for a young earth. That is great. But do not forget to declare the full counsel of God. Believing in a young earth without trusting in Jesus as Savior is not useful. Becoming a dedicated father while rejecting the responsibility to love your wife is a failure.

God’s Word contains everything we need for life and godliness. We should first be students of the full counsel of God. Then we should pass on the complete package to others.

7. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock –

Acts 20:28 – 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.

Paul charged the elders to first watch out for themselves and then take care of the flock. It is an important reminder that a Christian leader must be vigilant in his own walk with the Lord. How many famous pastors or writers have had their ministries come crashing down in a lurid scandal? Sadly, it happens all too often. Those serving in the front lines as church elders have a big bullseye on their backs. Satan is targeting them.

But beyond being targeted by the enemy, serving God as a leader can bring about a number of temptations from within a person.

Here are a few examples.

• Pride – The “power” of leaders can go to their heads, and they begin enjoying the attention and authority instead of serving.
• Complacency – Leaders can become complacent with important spiritual disciplines of prayer and the Word. They can think that “this sin will never happen to me” and lower their guard.
• Sexual temptation – Leaders in the church are around all kinds of people, many of whom are vulnerable or susceptible to falling for a “powerful” man. It is paramount to set firm boundaries. One wise boundary is that a man should never be alone with a woman besides his wife. One person who practiced this principle is Billy Graham. His ministry was never disgraced in this manner and still continues.
• Discouragement or burnout – Leaders should always be giving. It can be tiring to bear the burden of the flock. It can be all too easy for leaders to want to appear as if they are spiritual giants and everything is going well. They need a place and space to recharge spiritually as well as to share with other peers about their struggles.

Elders should then pay careful attention to the flock. That is impossible to do without getting close to and developing relationships with the sheep. You have to know the flock in order to help them.

Jesus did this well.

John 10:27 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

8. Fierce wolves will come –

Paul doesn’t say that there “might” be false teachers. He says there will be. It is a guarantee. Jesus said the same thing (Matthew 7:15). So did Peter (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Throughout the Bible, we see that where God is working, Satan is also working. Satan is diametrically opposed to God and does not give up easily. One example we can see of this is in Matthew 5. Jesus sets foot off the boat to bring the good news to a new area. He is instantly greeted by a man possessed by a legion of demons. Jesus did not pre-announce that he was going there. Satan’s intelligence network knew it and he also sent this man there to oppose Jesus’ work and create a distraction.

What Paul warned the Ephesians about is still true today. Maybe more than ever, false teachers are spreading lies and misleading people all over the globe. The internet and modern media have made it even easier than before for them to gain an audience. As we go through this chapter, we will discuss some of the ways we can spot these false teachers. For now, it is important to recognize that they are there and to commit to equipping ourselves so that they cannot lead us astray.

Jesus warned that they would not declare themselves to be wolves, but would dress like sheep. False teachers do not go behind the pulpit on Sunday morning and say, “Hi. I am a messenger of Satan and I came to lie to you today.” They come deceitfully. That makes it very important to be alert.

They bring in their false teachings secretly.

• How do they do this? What methods to they use?
• How do they disguise their message so that they are not discovered?

Here are a few possible methods they use.

• They look like a Christian. They dress like Christians.
• They talk like a Christian. They often use a Bible (sometimes with a good translation and sometimes not). They often quote Scripture. However, they do not apply sound hermeneutics. They pick verses out of context and twist the meaning to suit their own purposes.
• They often pretend to be a godly believer for a period of time while they lull the flock into a false sense of security.
• They often start to spread their false teachings to the immature or more vulnerable, such as new believers or the sick or poor who are desperately searching for help.

Application – How can you protect yourselves from these false teachers?

9. I coveted no one’s silver or gold –

Paul set a sterling example of financial integrity. For much of his ministry, he was self-supported (Acts 20:34).

Reflect – Why did Paul support himself?

His humble lifestyle was a stark contrast with that of many false teachers, who are greedy (2 Peter 2:3). It is not only the teaching of false teachers that exposes them, but also their lifestyle.

While it is not wrong to own something nice or enjoy good gifts God provides, a life of luxury by a church leader is a red flag.

Reflect – Are you content with what God has given you? Consider what you think about, talk about, and purchase?

Jesus said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) Paul lived a frugal life so that he would not be a burden on others and could even help others financially. God calls us not to just focus on our financial situation, but to consider how to bless others.

Application – Consider how you can give more to others instead of how you can get more.

10. An emotional parting –

It was finally time for Paul to say farewell. Before he left, they prayed together. It must have been a beautiful and intense time they shared together in God’s presence. There was weeping and embraces.

The bond we share with other believers is often stronger than what we share with our own physical families. All believers can look forward to the fact that we will have eternity to spend together hanging out on the new earth after our work here is done.