Acts 20:17-32 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:25

And now behold ,.... This is not only a note of asseveration, but of attention, stirring up to observe what is here asserted: I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more ; the sense is, that none of them should ever see him again, none of the churches of Asia, or the members of them; among whom he had been some years preaching the Gospel, the things concerning the Messiah, his kingdom and glory, and the meetness of the saints for,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:26

Wherefore I take you to record this day ,.... This is a solemn appeal to the elders of the church at Ephesus, who knew his doctrine and manner of life for a considerable time among them: that I am pure from the blood of all men : or "of you all", as some copies, and the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read; which seems most natural, since they could only bear a testimony for him with respect to themselves, and the people at Ephesus, where he had so behaved both in the faithful... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:27

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. By which is meant, not the purposes and decrees of God, latent in his own breast, these the apostle could not declare; but his revealed will in the Gospel, concerning the salvation of men by Jesus Christ, even the whole of the Gospel, every truth and doctrine of it, necessary to salvation, and to the peace, joy, and comfort of the saints; together with all the ordinances of it, and everything that had any tendency to promote... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves ,.... Since the blood of men may be required of those, who are negligent or partial in their office, and shun to declare the whole counsel of God: this exhortation is given them not merely as men, to take care of their bodily health, the outward concerns of life, and provide for themselves and families; nor merely as Christians, but as ministers of the Gospel; that they would take heed to their gifts, to use and improve them, and not neglect them; to their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:29

For I know this ,.... By divine revelation: that after my departing ; either out of this world, or after his leaving them now, and proceeding on, his journey: shall grievous wolves enter in among you ; false teachers, comparable to wolves, for their craft and cunning, and for their greedy, covetous, and voracious dispositions; and who would be very grievous, troublesome, and even intolerable to them; these, he knew, would enter privily, at an unawares, into their churches, and set up... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:30

Also of your own selves shall men arise ,.... Not only false teachers from abroad should come and enter among them, but some would spring up out of their own communities, such as had been admitted members of them, and of whom they had hoped well; such were Hymenseus, Philetus, Alexander, Hertoogenes, and Phygellus; speaking perverse things ; concerning God, and Christ, and the Gospel; distorted things, wresting the Scriptures to their own destruction, and that of others; things that are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:31

Therefore watch ,.... Meaning both over themselves, and the flock; to prevent, if possible, false teachers entering in, and to nip the buds of heresy and schism, as soon as they appear, and to preserve themselves, and the church, from being carried away with the error of the wicked. And remember that by the space of three years ; reckoning from his first coming to Ephesus, unto this time, that he now called at Miletus; see Acts 18:19 and I ceased not to warn everyone night and day... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:32

And now brethren ,.... So the apostle calls the elders of the church at Ephesus; though they had not the same gifts, and were not in the same high office as he was, yet he puts himself upon a level with them, as if he and they were fellow elders, as Peter calls himself, 1 Peter 5:1 which is an instance of the apostle's humility and affection: I commend you to God ; to God the Father; to his grace, to supply all their need; to his wisdom, to direct them in all their affairs; and to his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:17

He sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the Church - These are called επισκοποι , bishops, Acts 20:28 . By the πρεσβυτεροι , presbyters or elders, here, we are to understand all that were in authority in the Church, whether they were επισκοποι , bishops or overseers, or seniors in years, knowledge, and experience. The πρεσβυτεροι , or elders, were probably the first order in the Church; an order which was not so properly constituted, but which rose out of the state of things.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:18

After what manner I have been with you - The Codex Bezae adds here, for three years, and even more, which reading might have been borrowed from Acts 20:31 , though the time assigned by it is too long. read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:28

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:29

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:31

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:18

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