The Book of Acts

Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders

“...when we landed at Miletus, (Paul) sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.” (Acts 20:17 NLT)

            Although Paul missed being in Jerusalem for Passover, he was hurrying to try to be there for the Festival of Pentecost. There is little doubt that Paul wished not to stop at Ephesus at this time. You will recall that a riot broke out in Ephesus regarding that which Paul was preaching. This may well be the reason Paul chose to bypass Ephesus while sailing south. Instead, in the town of Miletus, where Paul and his associates had decided to go ashore, he called for the elders of the Ephesian church to meet him there. Miletus was roughly 30 miles due south of Ephesus. As a sign of the respect and love the elders had for the Apostle, they came without hesitation.

                  It was then that Paul spoke to them with a sense of inevitability. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Paul at an earlier time that his future would involve imprisonment, pain, and suffering. It was for this reason that he told the elders that it was likely his last time seeing them. This brought great sorrow to the hearts of the elders. 

                  Paul was a very remarkable man. He was called by God to preach the gospel and told the elders at this time that, “my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus...the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” (Would to God* that we would all feel that way regarding our own lives.) The apostle exhorted the church leaders to watch out for those who would distort the truth. He also stated that perhaps even some present in the party that met with him may turn away from God and propagate falsehoods regarding the true gospel.

                  Paul made a point of saying that he never took money, for we know from scripture he was a tent maker by trade.  He applied that trade to provide for his needs and the needs of those travelling with him. This was so he wasn’t a financial burden to those he was preaching to. The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is free.

                  When Paul was done speaking the elders came close and shed tears of sadness at the realization that this would more than likely be the last time they would see him. They hugged him and Paul prayed for them all. When this meeting was complete, the elders escorted the apostle down to the ship.

                  For the record, Paul’s trek to Jerusalem was a little over 700 miles from Miletus, which was located in what is now modern day Turkey. This trip was done by boat thru the eastern portion of the Mediterranean Sea. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Rich Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

* “Would to God” is used to express a strong wish.