Lesson Forty: Farewell to Ephesian Elders

Supplementary Materials

The Structure of Paul's Farewell Address

Paul's Example: How He Ministered (20:18-21, 31, 33-35) Characteristic Description Consistent "At all seasons" — not just when convenient or when being watched Humble "Serving the Lord with all humility of mind" Emotional "With many tears" — deeply caring for people Persevering "Temptations... by the lying in wait of the Jews" — despite opposition Thorough "Kept back nothing that was profitable" — complete gospel Public and Private "Publickly, and from house to house" Impartial "Both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks" Vigilant "By the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears" Selfless "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel"

Characteristic Description Hardworking "These hands have ministered unto my necessities" — supported himself Generous "Support the weak... more blessed to give than to receive"

Elders, Overseers, and Shepherds (20:17, 28) This passage uses three terms for the same group of men, showing these are different functions of one office: Term Greek Emphasis Elders (v. 17) presbyteros Maturity and dignity — experienced, respected men Overseers (v. 28) episkopos Responsibility and authority — superintendents, watching over Shepherds (v. 28) poimainō (verb) Care and feeding — "to shepherd" or "to pastor" the flock

Key observations:

• Paul called the "elders" (v. 17) and told them the Holy Spirit made them "overseers" (v. 28) — same men
• There were multiple elders in one congregation ("elders of the church" — plural)
• The Holy Spirit appoints elders — not merely human selection
• Their work is to "feed" (shepherd) the church — teaching, protecting, guiding

The Charge to Elders (20:28-31) "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Command Explanation "Take heed unto yourselves" Guard your own spiritual life first; you cannot lead where you do not go "And to all the flock" Every member matters — not just the prominent or agreeable; "all" the flock "Over the which the Holy Divine appointment — eldership is not merely human Ghost hath made you promotion; accountability to God overseers" "To feed the church of God" Primary task is teaching, nourishing, guiding — the word "feed" is poimainō (to shepherd) "Which he hath purchased The church is infinitely precious — bought with the blood of with his own blood" God's own Son; handle with utmost care!

Warning: Wolves Are Coming (20:29-30) "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Danger from Outside (v. 29) Danger from Inside (v. 30) "Grievous wolves shall enter in" "Of your own selves shall men arise"

Danger from Outside (v. 29) Danger from Inside (v. 30) False teachers coming from outside False teachers arising from within — even from among elders! "Not sparing the flock" — destructive "Speaking perverse things" — twisting truth Wolves attack sheep "To draw away disciples after them" — building personal following

Fulfillment: Paul's warning proved true. Within a generation, Jesus warned the Ephesian church they had "left thy first love" (Rev. 2:4). False teachers did arise, as seen in 1 & 2 Timothy and the letters of John.

"More Blessed to Give Than to Receive" (20:35) "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." This saying of Jesus is not recorded in the Gospels — it is one of the "agrapha" (unwritten sayings). It shows that:

• The Gospels don't contain everything Jesus said (cf. John 21:25)
• Oral tradition preserved authentic sayings of Jesus
• This saying summarizes Jesus' teaching about generosity (cf. Luke 6:38; Acts 2:44-45)
• Paul practiced what he preached — he gave rather than received

The Emotional Farewell (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 words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship." The scene is deeply moving:

• "Kneeled down" — posture of earnest prayer; reverence before God
• "Wept sore" — literally "considerable weeping broke out"; grown men sobbing
• "Fell on Paul's neck" — embracing him tightly
• "Kissed him" — the holy kiss of fellowship and affection (cf. Rom. 16:16)
• "See his face no more" — the cause of their deepest grief; they loved Paul
• "Accompanied him unto the ship" — they couldn't let go; walked with him to the very last moment

Key Cross-References

Lessons from Acts 20:17-38 1. Elders/overseers/pastors describe one office with different functions — maturity, oversight, feeding. 2. Elders must guard themselves first, then the flock entrusted to them. 3. The church is precious — purchased with the blood of Christ. 4. False teachers come from both outside and inside the church. 5. God's Word is able to build up and give inheritance — it is our resource. 6. Leaders should model generosity and selflessness — "more blessed to give than to receive."