13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down 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.
Commentary
Vs. 13-14 13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
Leaving Troas, the Apostle Paul now walks roughly twenty miles overland to Assos (an ancient trade city founded around 900 BC (Eerdmans) on the east coast of the Aegean Sea in what was then the Roman province of Mysia. Now Assos was infamous for being home to Aristotle for three years and was located well above the sea near a volcanic outcropping, thus it was naturally well fortified by it and because it was only accessible from the sea by ascending up a long narrow promontory of land which extended out into the sea and served as its harbor. Paul’s land journey there would’ve been certainly historic and somewhat precipitous as well. Nonetheless by journeying overland the Apostle Paul could arrive there much sooner than if he had taken the sea coast journey around the cape with the disciples. And so, it was when the disciples finally caught up with him at Assos, they took him on board and made their way to Mitylene (a port city on the island of Lesbos on the east coast of the Aegean Sea).
Vs. 15-16 15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.
Overnighting then in Mitylene, the Apostle Paul and his travel companions the next day came opposite Chios (an island south of Lesbos) harbored there before arriving at Samos (a small independent island which served as land mark for them) before arriving at Trogyllium, a city near the foot of Mount Mycale which was opposite Samos (Nelsons) and so there they overnighted before coming to Miletus the next day (a city on the western coast of Asia Minor which had been largely relegated to a secondary status to Ephesus), for the Apostle Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, in order to try to make Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Thus, sparing him from having to spend possibly weeks revisiting all the churches and brethren there. Nonetheless as we will see, the Apostle Paul when he arrived at Miletus could not just leave for Jerusalem until he had at least revisited with the elders of the churches and brethren there, giving them one finial heart felt exhortation which will turn out to be one of the most moving in all of the Scriptures.
Vs. 17-21 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, while stopped at the port city of Miletus (on west coast Asia Minor, roughly thirty miles from Ephesus), the Apostle Paul now calls of the Ephesian elders (i.e., leaders) of the churches there to come to him (vs. 17). Having then come to him, the Apostle Paul now gives what is his most poignant address to the churches that we have recorded for us (vs. 18-32). To begin Paul reminds them of how as an Apostle lived amongst them, serving the Lord with all humility, while enduring with many tears, all the trials that were brought upon him by the plotting of the Jews (vs. 18-19). Even so the Apostle Paul now tells them that he kept nothing back from the Word of God that would be helpful to them, but he proclaimed it to them publicly and from house to house wherever he taught and spoke (vs. 20), “testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Vs. 21 Now just as the Apostle Paul had the Jews always stalking him and his whereabouts, wanting to harm him or kill him, speaking evil of him continually and always trying to undermine all that he was doing and saying in the Lord, so you will also have your own “enemies” when you faithfully follow and declare the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Vs. 22-24 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. The Apostle Paul now tells that that he is bound in the spirit to go back to Jerusalem, the very place where they had first so violently rejected the Lord Jesus Christ by having Him Crucified and then later persecuting the early disciples and church there. And so, the Apostle Paul does not know what awaits him he arrives there, what the Jews will try to do to him there, all he knows is that, “the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.” Vs. 23 For the Lord Jesus Christ showed him these things, (Acts 9:15-16), and so this has been Paul’s manner of life as a Christian, even from the beginning, starting at Damascus. Nonetheless the Apostle Paul says, “But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Vs. 24 Paul’s focus then was not on those who opposed him and his preaching, Paul’s focus was on the Lord Jesus Christ and fulfilling the ministry and work given him to complete. Which you will do well if you also have the same outlook and focus, and let the Lord Jesus Christ deal with whatever opposition rises against you, so that you too can finish your race with joy! For our success as Christians is not measured by ease and comfort of life, (as those who love their lives and this present world measure theirs), rather it is only measured by, and most satisfying when we do and fulfill whatever it is that God has appointed us to do, and fulfill. And in this, preaching and teaching the Gospel is of paramount importance.
Vs. 25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.”
The Apostle Paul in telling the Ephesians to likewise faithfully declare and live out the Gospel of the grace of God, now foresees that his time here on earth was winding down, that the Ephesians among whom he had been faithfully preaching the Kingdom of God too would see his face no more. Now the Kingdom of God, is not the kingdom of men, and so this is not ushered in by politics, or by war, or armed insurrections, rather the Kingdom of God comes to you the moment you repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ through the Gospel, for then the Kingdom of God comes within you.
Vs. 26-27 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
The Apostle Paul now declares that in faithfully preaching the Kingdom of God to them and to all, that he is innocent of the blood of all men (which is a principal drawn from Ezekiel 33:1-11). Therefore, since the Apostle Paul has faithfully preached the Gospel to them all declaring to them the whole counsel of God, if anyone has rejected it, then their blood shall be upon their own heads when the Lord Jesus Christ sits on His Judgment Seat and Judges them. For they heard God’s offer of eternal redemption and salvation by faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ and yet they did not repent and believe in Him, and thus receive Him and obey Him as their Lord, Savior, and King, therefore their blood shall be upon their own heads.
Vs. 28 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
The Apostle Paul having washed his hands of those who do not believe, now turns to those who do, especially those whom the Holy Spirit has made overseers, who make up the church’s leadership, whom Christ Himself has appointed and equipped to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For it is to be through these men and their oversight that Christ’s people (God’s elect) are discipled, looked out and cared for. Therefore, since this is the calling which the Lord Jesus Christ has called all shepherds equipped by His Holy Spirit to serve Him in, the Apostle Paul now tells them to shepherd the church of God, as beloved by Christ and by God, which is not a “job” or “career”, rather it is a life time journey that carries with it some awesome responsibilities to the Lord Jesus Christ who purchased them with His own blood, who will both reward and repay each one according to what they have done. Therefore, be faithful and serve Him, as long as they will have you and Him, serve them!
Vs. 29 “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.”
Sadly the Apostle Paul in exhorting them to fulfill their leadership roles and duties to Christ, must now warn them not to be ignorant of the savage wolves who will come into the assembly and seek to devour the flock; that is seek to exploit them for their own gain; therefore every church leader and congregation must always be on guard against not only false apostles, prophets, and teachers, who claim to something when they are nothing, but also those predators who see in grace of God opportunities and weaknesses in our persons that they can exploit (vs. 29).
Vs. 30-31 “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”
Even from within the congregation, from those who were thought disciples, some will rise up and begin to speak perverse things; that is perversions of Scriptural truths, so as to draw away disciples after themselves. Therefore, the Apostle Paul says watch! And not just to the Ephesians, but to us all, to watch! Because as sinners in this world reach their fulness, and the time of the great apostasy is now at hand, you need to be unguard against those who are now justifying moral perversions and abominations, who have gone after all kinds of strange doctrines and teachings which you were never taught by God in His Word, so that you are not swept up with those who do not believe, who turn from the truth, and turn, or return to lies. For these will all receive strong delusion from God so that they will believe Satan’s lies when he manifests himself on earth, because they did not believe, nor obey the truth. Therefore, the Apostle Paul in foreseeing what was coming had great sadness in his heart, because for three years night and day he warned them, and yet he knew he could not prevent what would happen; that some will be deceived and fall away from the truth. Therefore, the responsibility for our faith in Christ rests with each one of us individually, to hold to the truth of God even when ones most beloved family members and friends don’t.
Vs. 32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
Therefore, the Apostle Paul commends us all to the Word of God’s grace, not to the doctrines and commandments of men, (who use the Scriptures to justify their legalistic and self-imposed ideals, as if having a right standing with God is found by keeping them), and certainly not the strange and perverse teachings of those who make captives of gullible people, but the Word of God’s grace, that does not need you to try to do spiritual things, or try to save yourself by your own good works, prayers, or deeds (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:4-5). “for the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17 Therefore we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ through the New Covenant, which was established by His Broken Body and shed Blood on Better Promises (Heb. 8:6).
Vs. 33-35 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
In closing out his heartfelt exhortation, the Apostle Paul now reminds them that he coveted no one’s silver or gold, (unlike the false preachers and teachers whose financial lusts are never satisfied, who make “friends” of the wealthy, and who continually peddle the Word of God for their own profit). Therefore, in contrast to them, the Apostle Paul when he was amongst them, worked with his own hands, to provide not only for himself, but also for those with him (vs. 33-34). Now this the Apostle Paul did so that he would be a Godly example to them, showing them in every way, by laboring like this, that we must support the weak, that is support those who cannot support themselves, not support those who refuse to work when their able to do so (2 Thess. 3:10). That said, those who preach the Gospel, are in general to live from the Gospel, for their persons and lives are to be dedicated to that work (1 Cor. 9:14). And so, in concluding, the Apostle Paul in showing himself to be charitable in all things, now reminds us all of the Lord Jesus Christ’s own Words, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Which is not an exhortation to give so that one may receive more, (as some deceivingly teach), but to give so that we may be more like Christ!
Vs. 36-38 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down 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.
So, moving then is this scene where the Apostle Paul having rendered his heart and deep concern for them all, now kneels down and prays with them. Their affections then for him are also as deeply felt and expressed, for when they had finished praying, they all freely wept and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him farewell, “sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more,” and so with his ship’s departure at hand, they accompanied him to the ship.
Scripture Quotations
New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.
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