Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians
From Miletus Paul calls for the Ephesian elders and reminds them how he lived among them from the first day in Asia, serving the Lord with humility, tears, and trial. He says he never shrank from what was helpful, whether teaching publicly or from house to house, and testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus.
F17rom Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. 19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews. 20I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house, 21testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul says he is going to Jerusalem bound by the Spirit without knowing what will happen there, except that the Holy Spirit warns him in town after town that chains and afflictions await. Even so, he values finishing his course and his ministry of testifying to God's grace above preserving his own life.
22And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. 24But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus — the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Paul tells the elders they will not see his face again and declares himself innocent of the blood of all because he proclaimed to them the whole will of God. He charges them to keep watch over themselves and the flock bought with God's own blood, warning that savage wolves and distorted teachers will arise from outside and within, just as he had warned them night and day with tears.
25Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again. 26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. 29I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Paul commends them to God and to the word of grace, which can build them up and give them their inheritance among the sanctified. He reminds them that he coveted no one's wealth, worked with his own hands for himself and his companions, and showed them that helping the weak belongs with remembering the Lord Jesus's word that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
32And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. 35In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
After speaking, Paul kneels and prays with them all. The elders weep openly, embrace and kiss him, grieving most over his word that they will never see his face again, and then accompany him to the ship.
36When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him. 38They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.