Paul's Final Warning To The Ephesian Elders

When I last shared with you Paul’s farewell words to the Ephesian elders, he had express to these words in v.22-24: “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 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.”

Paul had given his life to Christ, and although the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that chains and tribulations awaited him, he wasn’t concerned about what dangers or even death might await him when he got to Jerusalem. He was driven to finish his race with joy and do the work of the ministry the Lord had given him.

Paul’s Reminder To The Ephesian Elders

Acts 20:25–27““And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”

Paul intended to go to Jerusalem to deliver the collection from the Gentiles to the poor saints in Jerusalem, and after that, he planned to head to Rome. In addition to that, the Holy Spirit had warned Paul that his arrest and possible death would happen to him, so he warns the Ephesian elders that they will see his face no more.

Paul then testifies to them that he was innocent of the blood of all men. This informs us that Paul didn’t hesitate to warn both Jews and Greeks to repent and proclaim the gospel of Christ while he was in Asia (Acts 19:10). Therefore, Paul could declare that he did what he was called to do, he warned sinners of God’s judgment, and he was innocent of the blood of all men (Acts 18:6).

Ezekiel 33:7–9“So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”

Can you say that you are innocent of the blood of those that God has called you to warn about his judgment and their need to believe the gospel? Dear loved ones, you have a responsibility to tell sinners about God’s judgment against sin and that the only hope for them to avoid God’s wrath is to repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. If you don’t, their blood will be on your hands.

Acts 20:27“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”

Paul didn’t avoid telling those in Asia the whole counsel of God. In other words, Paul taught God’s sovereignty of creation, the fall of man, His plan of redemption for salvation through faith in Christ, justification by faith alone apart from works, sanctification, repentance of sin and dying to self, living in obedience to God.

Far too many church leaders avoid declaring the whole counsel of God. Their only concern is to soft peddle their teaching to appease people’s fleshly desires, not giving a thought that they will be held accountable for not teaching the truth of God’s Word. 

Paul’s Final Warning to the Ephesian elders

Acts 20:28 “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.”

Paul’s first warning to the Ephesian elders who are called overseers needed to take heed to themselves. The word heed prosecho means to be in a state of alert, be concerned. These elders needed to be on alert and take concern of themselves because the devil seeks to attack leaders of the church more than others. The old saying that if you cut off the head of a snake, the body will die. And the devil sets out to attack the pastor with the intention to destroy the church body. Therefore, the pastors need to be in a state of alert, and be concerned about their spiritual life and discipline themselves from falling into sinful behavior that will disqualify them from ministry. Paul says this in 1 Corinthians 9:26–27“Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

Paul tells Timothy to also take heed to himself 1 Timothy 4:16 “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

In our text v.28-29 Paul also warns them to take heed to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, another term for elder or bishop, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

Paul wanted these Ephesian elders to know that the Holy Spirit had made them overseers, and they had an obligation to be on alert, be on guard to protect the flock, and to shepherd, to nurture and care for the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. In shepherding the church, the pastor must nurture the members by feeding them the word of God. As Jesus told Peter in John 21:15–17“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

If Pastors truly love Jesus, they will feed his sheep. Pastors are to shepherd God’s flock, not abuse them.

1 Peter 5:2–3“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;”

Unfortunately, there have been numerous of pastors who have failed to feed the sheep and have only fleeced the sheep because of dishonest gain, being dictators over them, and being poor examples to the flock.

God gave his own son, Jesus Christ, to purchase the church with his blood, and those whom the Holy Spirit has made to be overseers and shepherds over the flock must guard against false teachers who Paul calls savage wolves, and he knew that outsiders would come in his departure and would not spare the flock with their false teaching.

Paul also warns that these wolves will also rise from among the flock.

Acts 20:30“Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”

Jesus warned his disciples in Matthew 7:15 ““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

False teachers who are in churches will begin teaching things that sound good, then subtilty will begin to pervert and twist Scripture to draw away members to themselves.

Pastors must be on guard against anyone coming within the church teaching false doctrine.  Jude 3–4 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Jude 10–13“But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.”

 Jude 16 “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.”

Acts 20:31“Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.”

Paul calls on the elders to watch, be on guard, and remain faithful to the ministry. And he reminds them that for three years, he didn’t stop from warning everyone both night and day with tears because he knew what false teachers would do to the church once he had departed.

Many in the church have no idea the sorrow a pastor has over members of the church, how he constantly warns them about false teachings, and pleads with tears about turning from sin and living right before the Lord.

Paul's final words

Acts 20:32““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.”

Paul commends these Ephesian elders to God and to the Word of His Grace. He knew that God could sustain them through the course of their ministry. Paul also knew the importance of God’s Word that would enable them to be built up, give them spiritual growth, and give them an inheritance among those who are sanctified/who have been made holy by God.

Paul led by example

Acts 20:33–35“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 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.’ ””

Paul wanted the Ephesian elder to follow his example in ministry. He didn’t covet the silver or gold or fancy apparel that others had, which would lead to taking from the Ephesian church. No, Paul supported himself with his own hands as a tent maker and provided for his own necessities and for his companions who were with him. He did so not because he wasn’t deserving to receive anything from them, Paul wrote that elders should be paid a wage 1 Timothy 5:17–18“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Paul supported himself in the presence of the Ephesians to show in every way, by his labor, that they must support the weak who were among them, and to call to remembrance the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. The more you seek to help those in need, whether it is giving your time or your money, the more God will bless you to help them (Luke 6:38). You have to be watchful of pastors who are always trying to drain the pockets of their members for their own personal gains.

Paul prayer for the elders

Acts 20:36–38“And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 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.”

Paul had given his final warnings there was nothing more to say to them directly. So he directed his words to God and prayed for them all. This is what we need to do daily for one another, and that is to pray for one another. Paul’s final words to the elders caused them to weep to such a degree that they fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, filled with sorrow for the words that he spoke, knowing in their hearts that they would see his face no more.

What a touching scene of the shared love that Paul and the elders held for one another.