“Acts 20: Paul and the Ephesian Elders”

Friday, January 20, 2017

Paul spends more time in Macedonia/Greece as Chapter 20 begins.

In verse 4, we are introduced to those who were traveling with Paul on this third preaching journey. He was accompanied, at this time, by Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica. (By the way, Secundus probably is not a proper name as much as it informs us that he was a slave, or former slave, who was the “second” child born in his family. “Tertius” [Romans 16:22], who was Paul’s scribe in writing the book of Romans, was probably the third child born into his master’s group of slaves.) Gaius of Derbe and Timothy are also on the journey with Paul as are Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. Luke is also present, although he does not mention himself by name. (Did you remember that Luke wrote the book of Acts?) But he does include himself throughout the book with pronouns like “us” (verse 5) and “we” (verse 6).

As these spiritual soldiers move on, we find them next at Troas. The disciples come together on the first day of the week to remember their Savior’s death for their sins. Paul preaches to them and, as he prolongs his message, a young man named Eutychus falls asleep, falls from the third story window where he was seated and falls to his death. Paul brings him back to life and then continues his message until daybreak the next morning. (That’s quite a long sermon, don’t you think?)

Paul and his companions set out on a ship and sail to Miletus. From there, he calls for the elders of the church at Ephesus to come to him. The rest of the chapter contains his discussion with these elders, Paul’s only recorded sermon to believers. All the others were to convert sinners.

There are many lessons for churches, elders and preachers in this discourse of Paul’s. We should serve the Lord with humility. We must teach people privately and from house to house to repent. He tells us to be certain to declare “the whole counsel of God.” We must be on the alert for false teachers, inside and outside the church. We must rely on the word of God to build us up spiritually. He encourages us to help those who are weak.

They pray together, weep together and then the elders accompany Paul to the ship which will take him on to his next destination.

--Roger Hillis

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