Acts 20:28-29 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 20:17-35

It should seem the ship Paul and his companions were embarked in for Jerusalem attended him on purpose, and staid or moved as he pleased; for when he came to Miletus, he went ashore, and tarried thee so long as to send for the elders of Ephesus to come to him thither; for if he had gone up to Ephesus, he could never have got away from them. These elders, or presbyters, some think, were those twelve who received the Holy Ghost by Paul's hands, Acts 19:6. But, besides these, it is probable that... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 20:17-38

20:17-38 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. When they were with him he said to them, "You yourselves know how, from the first day I came into Asia, I spent all the time, during which I was with you, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and amidst the trials that happened to me because of the machinations of the Jews. You know how I kept back nothing that was to your profit, how I did not fail to announce my tidings to you and to teach you... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:28

Made you overseers - Εθετο επισκοπους , Appointed you bishops; for so we translate the original word in most places where it occurs: but overseers, or inspectors, is much more proper, from επι , over, and σκεπτομαι , I look. The persons who examine into the spiritual state of the flock of God, and take care to lead them in and out, and to find them pasture, are termed episcopoi , or superintendents. The office of a bishop is from God; a true pastor only can fulfill this office: it is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:29

After my departing - Referring, most likely, to his death; for few of these evils took place during his life. Grievous wolves - Persons professing to be teachers; Judaizing Christians, who, instead of feeding the flock, would feed themselves, even to the oppression and ruin of the Church. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:28

Verse 28− 28.Take heed, therefore. He doth now apply his speech unto them, and by many reasons showeth that they must watch diligently, and that he is not so careful but because necessity doth so require. The first reason is, because they be bound to the flock over which they be set. The second, because they were called unto this function not by mortal man, but by the Holy Ghost. The third, because it is no small honor to govern the Church of God. The fourth, because the Lord did declare by an... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:29

Verse 29− 29.For I know. Paul doth now exhort the Ephesians to watch diligently, by the necessity, which is a most sharp prick. For he saith that “grievous wolves are ready to invade the sheepfold.” This is a thing always incident to the Church to be hated of wolves. Wherefore, there is no time to sleep. But the more and the more hurtful those be who break in, the more watchful must the pastors be. For God doth sometimes release some part of trouble, that the flock may be fed quietly and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:13-38

The charge. The previous section brought before us St. Paul's labors as a missionary and an evangelist. The present section sets him before us as the Christian bishop, delivering his solemn charge to the presbyters of the Church. The qualities brought out in the charge are a transparent integrity of character; a noble ingenuousness, which enables him to speak of himself without a particle of vanity; and a resoluteness of purpose to do what is right, which no persuasion could weaken and no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:17-35

Paul at Miletus: the review which gratifies. It has been truly said that our whole life is divisible into the past and the future. The present is a mere point which separates the two. And there is a certain time which must come, if it have not already arrived, when, instead of finding our satisfaction in looking forward to the earthly good which we are to partake of, we shall seek our comfort and our joy in looking back on the path we have trodden and the results we have achieved. Ill... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 20:17-35

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 20:17-38

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:28

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:29

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:28

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:29

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:13-38

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:17-35

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