Acts 20
Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
Overview
Paul travels through Macedonia and Greece, raises Eutychus from death, and delivers a moving farewell to the Ephesian elders at Miletus. His words model pastoral care and faithful ministry.
Introduction
Acts 20 presents Paul in travel and tender farewell. The raising of Eutychus demonstrates Christ's power over death, while Paul's address to the Ephesian elders stands as one of Scripture's most moving passages on faithful ministry.
Through Macedonia and Greece (verses 1-6)
After the Ephesian riot, Paul traveled through Macedonia encouraging believers, then spent three months in Greece. When a plot arose against him, he returned through Macedonia rather than sailing directly to Syria. A team of seven traveling companions joined him.
Eutychus Raised (verses 7-12)
At Troas, Paul spoke until midnight on the first day of the week. A young man named Eutychus, sitting in a window, fell asleep and fell three stories to his death. Paul went down, embraced him, and said, "Don't be alarmed. He's alive!" Paul continued talking until daylight, and the people took Eutychus home alive, greatly comforted.
- Lord's Day Gathering: The church met on the first day of the week
- Death Reversed: Christ's power extends over death itself
- Undeterred Preaching: Even after this interruption, Paul continued teaching
Farewell at Miletus (verses 13-38)
Hurrying toward Jerusalem for Pentecost, Paul summoned the Ephesian elders to Miletus. His address is deeply personal and profoundly instructive:
- Humble Service: "I served the Lord with great humility and with tears"
- Complete Message: "I have not hesitated to proclaim... the whole will of God"
- Self-Supporting: "These hands of mine have supplied my own needs"
- Warning of Wolves: "Savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock"
- Giving over Receiving: "It is more blessed to give than to receive"
Paul knelt and prayed with them. They wept, embracing him, grieved most that they would never see his face again. They accompanied him to the ship.
Key Takeaways
- Faithful to the End: Paul modeled perseverance despite trials
- Guard the Flock: Leaders must watch over those entrusted to them
- Whole Counsel: Don't avoid difficult truths—teach everything God has revealed
- Generous Living: Giving is more blessed than receiving
Reflection Questions
- What would you want to say in a final address to those you've served and loved?
- Are you hearing and teaching the "whole will of God," or avoiding uncomfortable truths?
- How do you live out the principle that giving is more blessed than receiving?
Pause and Reflect
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
Take 5 minutes to consider this teaching of Jesus preserved only here. Where can you give—time, resources, attention, encouragement—today? The blessing flows not to those who grasp but to those who release. What can you give away this week?
This Bible study was written by Claude AI to help you engage with God's Word while our team prepares in-depth studies. We believe Scripture speaks for itself, and we hope this serves as a helpful starting point for your study.