Skip to content
Acts / Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
Navigation
A A
The Ascension of Jesus Prayer in the Upper Room and the Choosing of Matthias Pentecost: The Coming of the Spirit Peter's Sermon and Three Thousand Converted The Early Christian Community Healing at the Beautiful Gate Peter's Address at Solomon's Colonnade The Apostles Before the Sanhedrin Believers Pray for Boldness The Believers Share Possessions Ananias and Sapphira Signs Performed by the Apostles Persecution of the Apostles and Their Witness The Appointment of the Seven Deacons Stephen's Wisdom and Opposition Stephen's Speech before the Sanhedrin The Stoning of Stephen and the Persecution of the Church Saul's Persecution Scatters the Church Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria Simon Magus and Peter's Rebuke Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch The Conversion of Saul Saul's Early Ministry and Acceptance by the Church Peter Heals Aeneas and Raises Tabitha Cornelius' Vision and the Call for Peter Peter's Vision and the Messengers from Cornelius Peter at Cornelius' House: Gentiles Receive the Spirit Peter Defends the Conversion of Gentiles The Church in Antioch and Famine Relief Herod Executes James; Peter Miraculously Freed Herod's Death and the Church's Continued Growth The First Missionary Sending Ministry in Cyprus and Elymas's Blinding Paul's Mission in Pisidian Antioch Paul and Barnabas in Iconium Healing in Lystra and Paul's Stoning Paul and Barnabas Strengthen the Churches The Jerusalem Council on Gentile Circumcision The Council's Letter and Peace with Antioch Paul and Barnabas Separate Timothy Joins Paul and Churches Are Strengthened The Call to Macedonia Lydia's Conversion at Philippi Paul and Silas Imprisoned and Released in Philippi Preaching in Thessalonica and Opposition Berea's Noble Reception and Paul's Departure Paul's Address at the Areopagus Paul's Ministry in Corinth and Conflict Paul Departs; Apollos Instructed by Priscilla and Aquila Paul's Ministry and the Ephesian Disciples The Ephesian Riot over Artemis Paul's Journeys Through Macedonia and Greece Eutychus Raised in Troas Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders Paul's Voyage to Jerusalem Paul's Arrival in Jerusalem and the Temple Ritual Paul Seized in the Temple Paul's Defense: His Conversion and Mission Paul's Arrest and the Council's Division The Plot to Kill Paul and the Soldier's Intervention Paul Escorted to Caesarea under Guard Paul's Defense before Governor Felix Paul Brought before Festus and the Jewish Charges King Agrippa Learns of Paul's Case Paul's Defense Before Agrippa Paul's Voyage to Rome Begins The Storm at Sea and God's Promise of Safety Shipwreck and Deliverance on Malta Paul on Malta: Healing and Hospitality Voyage to Rome and Arrival Paul in Rome: Preaching under House Arrest

Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Acts 20:13-38

20
Chapter 20
13 But we, having gone ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending from there to pick up Paul, for he had thus arranged it, intending himself to go by foot. 14 Then he met us at Assos. Having taken him on board, we came to Mytilene, 15 And from there, having set sail, on the next day we arrived opposite Chios; but on the other we put in to Samos, but on the following we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that it might not happen for him to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening, if it might be possible for him, to be in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. 17 But from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them, "You know, from the first day on which I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and tears and temptations, those that happened to me through the plots of the Jews 20 how I withheld nothing of the beneficial things from declaring to you and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me, city by city, saying that bonds and tribulations await me. 24 But I make no account of my soul precious to myself, so as to finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to solemnly testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that all of you will no longer see my face—you among whom I went about proclaiming the kingdom. 26 because I testify to you today that I am pure from the blood of all, 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit placed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he acquired through the blood of his own. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 and from you yourselves men will arise, speaking twisted things to drag away the disciples behind themselves. 31 Therefore watch, remembering that for three years night and day I did not cease with tears admonishing each one. 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 the sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my needs and to those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in all things that by working in this way it is necessary to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down with them all and prayed. 37 And there was much weeping by all, and falling on Paul's neck they kissed him, 38 grieving most at the word that he had said, that they would no longer be about to see his face. But they accompanied him to the ship.