--- title: "Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians" description: "Paul delivers a final, heartfelt warning and encouragement to church leaders, knowing he is headed toward an uncertain and dangerous future." image: "" book: "Acts" bookId: "ACT" testament: "new" startChapter: 20 startVerse: 17 endChapter: 20 endVerse: 38 coversChapters: [20] aiTitle: "A Final Goodbye: Paul’s Emotional Send-Off" aiDescription: "Paul delivers a final, heartfelt warning and encouragement to church leaders, knowing he is headed toward an uncertain and dangerous future." hasAiStory: true location: "Miletus" persons: ["God","Greeks","Jesus","Jews","Paul"] hashtags: ["faith","humility","repentance","stewardship","truth"] genre: "history" readingTime: 3 type: "adaptive" slug: "ACT/pauls-farewell-to-the-ephesians" canonicalId: "ACT.20.17-20.38" chronologicalOrder: 1685 relatedSlugs: ["2CO/the-collection-for-jerusalem","HEB/sacrifice-obedience-and-prayer","2TI/warning-of-difficulties-ahead","PRO/the-man-of-integrity","2CO/treasure-in-jars-of-clay","LUK/the-parable-of-the-guests","MAT/the-commissioning-of-the-twelve","EPH/pauls-greeting-to-the-ephesians-spiritual-blessings","1PE/suffering-for-righteousness-living-for-gods-glory-suffering-as-christians-instructions-to-elders","2CO/the-light-of-the-gospel","ACT/paul-visits-philip-the-evangelist","1CO/apostleship","1TI/instructions-concerning-false-teaching","1TI/instructions-concerning-the-church","HEB/the-practice-of-faith","1TH/christian-living-final-blessings-and-instructions","COL/introduction","COL/rules-for-holy-living","1CO/where-o-death-is-your-victory","ISA/the-wicked-and-the-servants","ACT/the-visit-to-lystra-and-derbe-strengthening-the-disciples","ACT/paul-before-agrippa","JER/a-plea-for-repentance","EPH/righteous-living","HEB/redemption-through-his-blood","1TH/pauls-ministry","TIT/pauls-greeting-to-titus-appointing-elders-on-crete-correcting-false-teachers","MAT/the-sheep-and-the-goats","PHP/warnings-against-false-examples","JER/parables-and-warning","EPH/spiritual-wisdom","COL/the-suffering-apostle","JUD/a-call-to-persevere-doxology","ISA/prepare-the-way-for-the-lord","ROM/grace-in-jew-and-gentile-relationship","1TH/timothys-visit-timothys-encouraging-report","EZK/a-prophecy-for-shepherds","1TI/instructions-concerning-different-groups","1PE/a-call-to-holiness-the-enduring-word","PHP/challenge-to-live-the-example","1CO/the-resurrection-of-christ","ISA/conclusion-of-judgments-and-hope","MAT/jesus-announces-the-kingdom-of-heaven","PSA/psalm-112-the-blessed-fear-of-the-lord","ROM/israel-in-the-future","2TI/pauls-greeting-to-timothy-faithfulness-under-persecution","JHN/jesus-prayer","ROM/walking-by-the-spirit","1JN/the-fourth-test-of-fellowship","1PE/a-greeting-from-peter-a-living-hope"] prevSlug: "ACT/from-troas-to-miletus" nextSlug: "ACT/the-journey-to-jerusalem" --- In a scene marked by deep emotion and solemn finality, [Paul](/persons/paul) has gathered the leaders from the local church for a closing conversation. Knowing that his path now leads directly into danger and likely imprisonment, he addressed them not as a distant authority, but as a friend who has spent years in their company. Paul reminded them of the life he lived while among them, emphasizing that his ministry was defined by humility and the hard work of teaching the truth, even when faced with aggressive opposition. He made it clear that his work was never about personal gain, but about sharing a message that he felt a divine obligation to deliver. The mood shifted as Paul shared a sobering revelation: this would be the last time they would see him. He warned the leaders that after he is gone, they must be vigilant. He specifically cautioned them that individuals—even from within their own ranks—would attempt to twist the truth to build their own followings, acting like wolves who do not care for the well-being of the community. In his parting words, Paul urged them to remember the core value of his ministry: that it is fundamentally better to give than to receive. He encouraged them to look out for the vulnerable and to lean on the message of grace to keep the community grounded. The meeting concluded with a raw display of grief. As Paul knelt to pray, the leaders openly wept, embracing him and saying their goodbyes. The sense of loss was palpable as they walked him to his ship, marking the end of a long, influential chapter in their lives. From Miletus, [Paul](/persons/paul) sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. I served the [Lord](/persons/god) with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the [Jews](/persons/jews). I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews and [Greeks](/persons/greeks) alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord [Jesus Christ](/persons/jesus). And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him. They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

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