It was at Mile'tus that he sent to
Ephesus asking the elders of the church to come to him. When they arrived, he
said to them: "You are well aware of how I lived among you all this time,
from the first day I set foot in Asia. Serving the Lord with all humility has
meant tears and trials which have befallen me from the schemes of the Jews. You
know I did not shrink from declaring anything to you that was profitable. I taught
you in public and from house to house, and testified both to Jews and Greeks
about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, behold, I am
going to Jerusalem, under the Spirit's constraint, not knowing what is to
happen to me there. Except I do know that the Holy Spirit tells to me that in
every city imprisonment and affliction await for me. I do not consider my life
of value or as precious to myself, and am only set upon accomplishing my course
and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of
the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that all of you among whom I have
worked preaching the kingdom are to see my face no more. Therefore I tell you
solemnly that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink
from declaring the whole counsel of God to you. Take heed 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 the blood of his own Son. I know that when
I have left fierce wolves will come among you, and they won't spare the flock;
even from among your own company men will arise who will speak perverse things,
drawing disciples away after them. Therefore be alert, and remember that for
three years I did not cease to admonish every one with tears night or day. Now
I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up,
giving you the same inheritance which is for all those who are sanctified. I
coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You well know that that these hands
ministered to my needs, and for those who were with me. In all things I have
shown you that one's toil must be to help the weak, remembering how the Lord
Jesus spoke 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" And having spoken
thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they all wept and embraced
Paul and kissed him, sorrowful because of the word he had spoken, that they
should see his face no more. They then took him to the ship.
In a Nutshell
Paul says farewell to the church of Ephesus.
Questions
Why should this particular address be preserved in Luke's story?
Having come to Miletus, Paul sent word back up the coast to the church at Ephesus. Could the elders of the church come and meet with him before he left for Jerusalem? This they did.
Luke's account of Paul's farewell address is a very important historical document, telling us how Paul viewed himself and his ministry. It tells us Paul's love for the church at Ephesus. We hear his view of the present position and future prospects for that church that began with his lectures in Tyrannus Hall. The way of obedience is never easy. This address tells us what Paul thought about his immediate future. What was he going to face in the weeks and months ahead? He did not know what was going to happen to him but he accepted the possibility that his freedom would be severely restricted. Paul even indicated that he was willing to die for the gospel. This task was his calling, given to him by God.
It is worthwhile re-reading this address. The collection of money for the poor has always been integral to the gospel's proclamation. We hear Paul's concern for justice, his promotion of a life-style which is generous at base, overflowing with thanks to God in the service of all our neighbours. Paul's "executive summary" of his "Ephesus project" encouraged believers then, and now, to resist self-service, to grow wise about tendencies in our own conduct that can divide Christ's flock. Jesus has generously kept the lives of His disciples open to God's grace.