Chapter Text
Paul's Journey to Macedonia and Greece
And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation , he came into Greece,
3And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
4And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5These going before tarried for us at Troas.
6And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
Eutychus Raised
7And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
11When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
13And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
14And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
16For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there :
23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Summary
Paul travels through Macedonia and Greece, encouraging the believers. At Troas, during a lengthy evening message, a young man named Eutychus falls from a third-story window and is taken up dead. Paul embraces him and his life is restored. Sailing along the coast of Asia Minor, Paul calls the Ephesian elders to Miletus for a farewell address. He recounts his faithful ministry among them, warns of coming wolves, and commends them to God and the word of His grace.
Meaning
Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders is one of the most tender and instructive passages in Acts. His transparent account of his own ministry — serving with tears, holding nothing back, and coveting no man's possessions — establishes the standard for pastoral faithfulness.
His warning about wolves entering the flock reveals that the greatest threats to the church often come from within. The charge to shepherd the church of God, purchased with His own blood, elevates pastoral ministry to its highest dignity. Paul's willingness to face imprisonment and suffering for Christ's sake models the sacrificial love that true leadership demands.
Background
Paul's journey through Macedonia and Greece occupied several months, during which he likely wrote the epistle to the Romans. Troas was a major port city on the Aegean coast. The breaking of bread on the first day of the week reflects early Christian worship patterns. Miletus was a coastal city about thirty miles south of Ephesus. Paul's speech to the elders is the only recorded address to a Christian audience in Acts.
Chapter Outline
- vv. 1-6Paul Travels Through Macedonia and Greece
- vv. 7-12Eutychus Raised at Troas
- vv. 13-16The Voyage to Miletus
- vv. 17-21Paul Recalls His Ministry in Ephesus
- vv. 22-27Bound in the Spirit for Jerusalem
- vv. 28-31Warning Against Wolves and False Teachers
- vv. 32-38Farewell, Prayer, and Tearful Parting
Key Verses
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”— 20:24
Paul's declaration of single-minded devotion has become a touchstone for Christian perseverance, expressing willingness to suffer loss for the sake of gospel witness.
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”— 20:28
A foundational text for pastoral theology and ecclesiology, affirming both the Holy Spirit's role in appointing elders and the deity of Christ whose blood purchased the church.
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”— 20:35
The only saying of Jesus preserved outside the Gospels (an agraphon), this verse anchors Christian generosity and sacrificial service.
People & Places
People
- Paul — The apostle journeying toward Jerusalem, delivering his farewell address to the Ephesian elders.
- Sopater — A believer from Berea who accompanied Paul into Asia.
- Aristarchus — A Thessalonian companion and frequent traveling partner of Paul.
- Secundus — A Thessalonian disciple traveling with Paul's missionary party.
- Gaius — A disciple from Derbe among Paul's traveling companions.
- Timotheus — Timothy, Paul's beloved protégé and ministry partner.
- Tychicus — An Asian believer who would later carry Paul's epistles to the churches.
- Trophimus — An Ephesian Gentile Christian accompanying Paul to Jerusalem.
- Eutychus — The young man who fell from a third-story window during Paul's sermon and was restored to life.
Places
- Macedonia — Northern Greek region Paul revisited to strengthen the churches.
- Greece — Southern region (Achaia) where Paul stayed three months before the plot against him.
- Syria — Paul's intended sailing destination, rerouted because of a Jewish plot.
- Philippi — Macedonian city from which Paul sailed after the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
- Troas — Coastal city where Paul preached through the night and Eutychus was raised.
- Assos — Port city where Paul rejoined his companions after walking overland.
- Mitylene — Harbor on the island of Lesbos along the voyage.
- Chios — Aegean island passed on the route southward.
- Samos — Aegean island where the ship tarried briefly.
- Miletus — Port south of Ephesus where Paul summoned the Ephesian elders for his farewell.
- Ephesus — Major Asian city whose elders traveled to meet Paul at Miletus.
- Jerusalem — Paul's determined destination, where bonds and afflictions awaited him.
Prophecy & Fulfillment
Paul speaks prophetically under the witness of the Holy Ghost that bonds and afflictions await him in every city (v. 23), foreshadowing his arrest in Jerusalem and eventual imprisonment in Caesarea and Rome (Acts 21-28). He also prophesies that grievous wolves and false teachers will rise up within the Ephesian church itself (vv. 29-30), a warning echoed in his later pastoral epistles to Timothy. His declaration that the elders would see his face no more (v. 25) anticipates his final journey toward martyrdom.
Devotional
Paul's farewell at Miletus shows what a life poured out for Christ looks like: tears, humility, hands that worked to support others, and a heart that counted nothing dear compared to finishing the course.
Most of us will never face prison for our faith, but we all face the quieter question of what we truly treasure. Paul's freedom came from loosening his grip on his own life. He could say goodbye without bitterness because his identity was hidden in the ministry he had received, not the outcomes he controlled.
Where is Christ calling you to serve faithfully in the ordinary, and to trust Him with the rest?
Literary Style
Historical narrative shifting into one of the New Testament's most moving farewell speeches. The chapter blends travelogue (with the first-person 'we' sections indicating Luke's presence), a miracle account, and a deeply personal pastoral oration marked by emotional appeal, apostolic self-defense, and prophetic warning.