Daily Thoughts from Acts: Exemplary Leadership (Acts 20:17–38)

[17] Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. [18] And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, [19] serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; [20] how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, [21] testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. [22] And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, [23] except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. [24] But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. [25] And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. [26] Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, [27] for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. [28] Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. [29] I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; [30] and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. [31] Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. [32] And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. [33] I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. [34] You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. [35] In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

[36] And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. [37] And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, [38] being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. (Acts 20:17–38,ESV)

Before Paul sets sail for Jerusalem he meets with the elders (plural) of the church (singular) of Ephesus (there was only one church in Ephesus made up of many congregations and one body of elders).  These elders are called “overseers” by Paul in his address to them, whose responsibility is to “shepherd” or pastor (ESV translates “care”) the church.  Elder, overseer and pastor all refer to the same office (see also 1 Peter 5:1-3).  Paul’s main goal is to strengthen the elders’ commitment to pastoring this church faithfully against all foes and the model he gives them to follow is his own.

1. Paul served with humility, not lording it over those to whom he ministered.
2. Paul served with his whole heart, with everything on the line, emotionally invested
3. Paul served despite the trials and persecutions
4. Paul served everyone without distinction
5. Paul served by teaching the whole word of God
6. Paul served with integrity, especially in regard to taking money, often working a job to provide his necessities and the necessities of his team
7. Paul served with hard work
8. Paul served with generosity toward the weak and poor

Paul quotes the Lord Jesus as saying “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” but this saying of Jesus is not found in any of our Gospels, indicating that there were sayings and teachings of Jesus remembered and circulating among his followers that were not included in the Gospels.

The love of the Ephesian church for Paul is evident in their tearful farewell.  Paul did not think he would ever see them again because the Holy Spirit had been making clear to him that imprisonment and affliction awaited him in Jerusalem.  Paul did not account his life of any value or as precious to himself.  But everyone else did.  What a leader!