Acts 20:25-38
Shepherds must guard the flock through faithful teaching, vigilance against error, and sacrificial example.
25 “Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more.
26 Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,
27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
28 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
32 Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 I coveted no one’s silver, gold, or clothing.
34 You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.
35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37 They all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
38 sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Shepherds must guard the flock through faithful teaching, vigilance against error, and sacrificial example.
To conclude Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders with solemn warning, doctrinal charge, and tender exhortation.
This section completes Paul’s farewell address at Miletus. It moves from autobiographical defense to pastoral charge and prophetic warning. The tone is solemn and affectionate, anticipating suffering and separation.
This address occurs at Miletus during Paul’s final journey toward Jerusalem. He anticipates imprisonment and possibly death. The Ephesian church had grown significantly during his multi-year ministry. The warning of wolves anticipates doctrinal challenges in Asia Minor.
Paul’s Farewell Charge to Shepherd the Church of God
Acts 20 shows that faithful ministry proclaims the whole counsel of God, testifies to the gospel of grace, shepherds the blood-bought church, and remains vigilant against dangers from without and within.