Alone

There are times to be alone (vv 13-16)

Scripture

Acts 20:13–16 NASB95

But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for so he had arranged it, intending himself to go by land. And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. Sailing from there, we arrived the following day opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos; and the day following we came to Miletus. 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 in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

Farewell Speech

Common in Jewish literature.

Most commonly when one expects to die, not necessarily in other Mediterranean cultures.

Paul circumvents Ephesus and then waits for the elders to come.

It’s possible that Paul didn’t have the time to obey the cultural hospitality rules. His obligations would have been to visit his friends.

There are ancient letters of the near east that show people’s offense when they found that friends travelled within thirty miles of their homes.

Paul may not have been welcome in Ephesus after the riot.

It might be better that he lay low.

Church elders, episcopoi, overseers, likely of local churches or possible multiple churches. They were pastors, shepherds.

Shepherd was a frequent metaphor and leaders and kings in middle east literature of previous and current times. They are the people who are responsible. The implication of the title is a servant leader.