Paul’s Parting Words To The Ephesian Church

THE POWER OF PARTING WORDS

Paul Speaks Out On The Cost, Course And Source Of Service

Paul’s parting words to the elders of the Ephesian church are in Acts 20:17-38. In addition to being his last words to those church leaders “that would see his face no more,” (20:38 KJV ) the Holy Spirit also includes for us important instructions for successful service. Below are the verses of instruction followed by comments to encourage us.

“And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, ‘Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

“‘And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.’”– Acts 20:17-24

In Verse 18 Paul emphasized the importance of proper behavior when he referred to the “manner” in which he was with them “at all seasons.” He had followed the instruction of the Lord, which he quoted at the end of his comments to them: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35; Lk. 14:12). This same behavior was emphasized in his first letter to the Thessalonians, where he stated that he avoided “deceit ... uncleanness ... guile ... covetousness ... glory (1 Th. 2:3-6). I know personally of several cases where people from other religions became Christians after observing the godly behavior of Christians who lived among them.

Verse 19 tells us how Paul served “with all humility.” Pride ruins a ministry, and the worst kind of pride is that which results from knowledge without humbleness. Paul told Timothy that “the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men” (2 Tim. 2:24). Paul also shed “many tears” in prayer as he considered the seriousness of the work, the grave danger for the unsaved, the responsibility of those who serve, and the wiles of the enemy who wants to ensnare believers. He was also aware of the trials which happened to him “by the lying in wait (or plotting) of the Jews.” He was fully aware of the opposition, but that did not discourage him from continuing to serve.

Verse 20 shows that Paul had a goal before him: “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you.” He advised both Timothy and Titus to avoid useless arguments (2 Tim. 2:23; Ti. 3:9). The servant of the Lord must always ask the Lord to guide him to what is truly profitable, whether publicly or with individuals in private.

Verse 21 summarizes Paul’s message both to Jews and Gentiles. The most eloquent and lengthy discourse with an unbeliever, whether a nominal Christian or a person from another religion, is useless if it does not explain the listener’s need for repentance and faith. I have met some people who left their religion – because the Christian religion sounded more appealing – without ever actually becoming true Christians. It is important that the Christian worker lead others to true “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Otherwise the work will be incomplete and ineffective.

Verses 22-23 present Paul’s readiness to suffer for the sake of Christ, and not to waver in his determination in spite of the possible “bonds and afflictions” that awaited him.

Verse 24 uses slightly different words in the different versions of the Bible, but regardless of which one you use, three thoughts appear: the cost, the course, and the source of service. Let’s consider each in more detail.

Cost
Paul was aware of the fact that serving the Lord can be very costly. He did not enter into it without serious consideration. While he preached free salvation, he told Timothy to be a “partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (2 Tim. 1:8). In Acts 20:24 he declared that he did not consider his own life too “dear” to sacrifice in serving the Lord. In his second letter to the Corinthian church he mentioned some of the sufferings he had already encountered in his service to the Lord (2 Cor. 6:5; 11:25-29). In Acts 9:16 the Lord told Ananias this about Paul: “I will show him how great things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” And suffer he did! And so must “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus ... suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Paul counted the cost, and so must we, who serve today.

Course
Paul suffered the cost because there was a course before him that he was determined to finish, a ministry that he had to accomplish: “To testify of the gospel of the grace of God.” He had good news that was urgently needed in this dark world. This good news spoke of the grace of God – urgent news that must be proclaimed. At the time of the siege of Samaria in the Old Testament, four lepers realized this urgency when they said one to another, “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell” (2 Ki. 7:9). They did not let the darkness of the night hinder them. Nehemiah is another Old Testament example of one determined to finish his course. Many attempts were made to sway him, but he stayed focused. Likewise, we should be determined to finish our course. Paul was determined and he did finish. Writing to Timothy shortly before his death, the Holy Spirit allowed him to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).

Source
The secret of finishing our course and fulfilling our commission is in realizing that we have received it from the Lord Himself. It is not something we thought up, nor is it something others expect us to do. It is a ministry which we have received from the Lord. If one person tells another to do a certain job, he may or may not do it depending on the importance of that person and the job. But when one is commissioned by someone such as a president or a king, he is much more likely to do it. It is this realization that made Paul say that he must finish the course and accomplish the ministry, namely because he had received it from the Lord (Acts 20:24). At the end of his letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote, “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it” (Col. 4:17).

Thus we see that in Paul’s parting words in Acts 20:17-24, the Holy Spirit does four things. First, He instructs us concerning our attitude and manner of service. Second, He exhorts us to keep before us what is profitable, and to have a clear view of our message. Third, He prepares us for the possibility of opposition, and lets us know that there is a cost to pay while finishing the course. Finally, He directs us always to be aware of the source of our mission.

Closing Words
Having told the Ephesian elders these things, Paul commended them to God and to the word of His grace: “And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all” (Acts 20.36). And so should we always pray that our call to service would be carried out according to God’s will, by His power and for His glory.

By Anise Behnam