Acts 20 Commentary
Yesterday, we questioned the Apostle Paul’s wisdom. He wanted to venture out of safety into the Theater amid a fierce riot. We were right; there was no wisdom. It was all love – a love that couldn’t afford to have his own brothers suffer alone at the hands of Demetrius, the silversmith.
These brothers at Ephesus were dear to Paul. They shared the same trenches as soldiers of the Way. They worshipped together. They had, in Paul, a fearless leader who took the gospel far and wide in a hostile environment. We know how he took beatings on behalf of the team and did so willingly.
Suffering for the name of Jesus – that’s Paul’s job description. Acts 9 verse 16. We have seen it in action. It is suffering for Jesus; suffering for His body – the Body of Christ. The disciples have become one with this loving apostle. It is not a celebrated character of Paul! But ask the Ephesians!
This parting between the great apostle and the elders at Ephesus can never be easy!
It is from the apostle’s mouth that we hear these words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Exclusive content! Yet these words are so consistent with the teachings in the gospels that we naturally think we have come across them!
He worked hard in the vineyard of the LORD. He also worked hard in the physical vineyard. He sustained himself by hard work! You would guess his interactions with Aquila and Priscilla (both Tentmakers) weren’t all scriptures and hymns!
He showed them how they needed to support the weak through hard work. It would be a godly ambition to go out and work very hard to support others – the weak. You guess he wasn’t one to suffer fools. The lazy guys never ate – recalling his instruction to the church at Thessalonica, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat”.
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” Verse 28. Church leaders must first and foremost watch over themselves before they watch over God’s flock.
Paul’s major concern is for God’s flock – the bride that must be presented to the groom in good shape. More words are said and the elders cannot hold it anymore; they cry. They hear the Apostle Paul’s words for the last time. It is an emotional day.
Paul has said goodbye to the believers at Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem. He has been around these parts for a long time, often running from place to place while on duty. By this time, Paul is an institution with helpers and associates. But it appears this race is done as he faces imprisonment in Jerusalem. Of course, he has had plenty of them already! The Holy Spirit has, however, indicated to Paul that this imprisonment is the last. It initiates a series of ‘mock’ trials and a lengthy detention.
He will still communicate the “whole will of God” to the believers through his letters – The Ephesian elders will hear Paul again like we do today each time we open the pages of the holy script.
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