Acts 20:28-32 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

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 20:28

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:30

Also of your own selves, etc. - From out of your own assembly shall men arise, speaking perverse things, teaching for truth what is erroneous in itself, and perversive of the genuine doctrine of Christ crucified. To draw away disciples - To make schisms or rents in the Church, in order to get a party to themselves. See, here, the cause of divisions in the Church: The superintendents lose the life of God, neglect the souls of the people, become greedy of gain, and, by secular... 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

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 20:28

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:30

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