Now in Miletus, Paul summoned the elders of Ephesus to quickly make the 30-mile trip down to Miletus so that he can give them final words of encouragement. When they arrived, Paul first spoke to these men about things they knew, calling them as witnesses of the manner of his life and conduct that he displayed before them for the 3 years he lived among the Ephesian believers.
Paul reminded these pastors that he had served the Lord “with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews” (Acts 20:19). Despite his afflictions, Paul did not quiet his message, but he rather boldly declared to the people of Asia a message that was spiritually profitable. Whether in the public sector or the private sphere, Paul’s message was consistently the same, as he preached the gospel message of repentance toward God and of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to everyone: Jews and Greeks!
With these men reminded of Paul’s faithful ministry that he had lived before them, Paul now informed these men of the divine necessity of him going to Jerusalem, knowing through confirmation of the Holy Spirit that imprisonment and afflictions awaited him. But whatever trials and tribulations faced him there, Paul was not hesitant to go. His chief ambition was to finish his course and the ministry he had personally received from Jesus. Whatever valuation Paul placed on his life, it was subservient to his overarching desire to continue testifying to the gospel of the grace of God (cf. Acts 20:24).
Paul then somberly informed these fellow ministry partners that they would not see him again, but he felt vindicated before God that he had not failed to proclaim the whole counsel of God during his time with them, and that he had no blood guilt on his hands because he had declared God’s message to all. No regrets! This model that he had laid before them was now theirs to imitate in faithful service to God.
Why does Paul ask these men to remember past events they likely remembered well? Were Paul’s tears associated with his humility or with his trials? What did Paul mean when he says he’s constrained by the Spirit? How can he say he doesn’t know but also does know what will happen to him in Jerusalem? Is there anything unique about this address by Paul? You can find the answers to these questions (and more!) by listening to this teaching on Acts 20:17-27 by clicking on the following link: The Faithful Pastor’s Charge to Fledgling Pastors: Part 1
