Acts 20:18-38 Paul's valedictory address to the Ephesian elders

Acts 20:18-38 The Ephesian elders meet Paul in Miletus. Paul's words to them are recorded in some detail, suggesting that either Paul had written out his talking points, or else Luke was an eyewitness and took notes.

•   First, Paul talks about what he had told them, diligently telling them everything and holding back nothing, in any and every venue available (vss 18-21).

•   Second, Paul talks about his determination to go to Jerusalem, no matter what the cost or outcome, in order to complete what The Lord had called him to. (vss. 22-24).

•   Third, Paul repeats his diligence in declaring and teaching, adding now the warning that he would no longer be around to do this, and the burden would now be theirs. (vss 25-28)

•   Fourth, he warns of those who will come to create division and lead people astray,  false prophets as Jesus called them in Matthew 7:15-23. (Acts 20:29-30) 

•   Fifth, he implores them to counter these schismatics and sectarians by relentless, sound teaching (vss 31-32).

•   Sixth, he defends his own ministry, based on hard word and not being a financial burden or seeking anything from anyone, but rather working to be able to be generous to the poor. (vss 33-35).

They concluded this meeting with a season of prayer and fellowship, and Paul headed to the ship. (vss 36-38).

          As a valedictory address to the Ephesian elders, Paul included here all of the key themes of Christianity: faith in Christ; repentance; being led by the Holy Spirit; sacrificial love; faithfulness in obedience to God; redemption through the blood of Christ; the grace of God to sanctify believers; and the practice of personal holiness, as seen through generosity to the poor. All of these themes occur in various places in his letters, most of which were written after this point. (Estimated to be around AD 55.) Paul knew prophetically that he was headed for heavy seas and that the result would be that he would not be returning to Ephesus, or for that matter, to Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, or Achaia. He was prepared to make his life count to the uttermost, regardless of the personal cost, as he had demonstrated during his three previous missionary trips.