- Theme
- Paul testifies to his unwavering commitment to proclaim the whole counsel of God, entrusting the elders to the preaching and teaching of the word that builds up and secures the inheritance for the sanctified.
- Paul meets with the church, knowing he would soon be leaving them, and wishing to deliver some final words from the Lord to them.
- Paul first preaches a message to the church, and they gather together to partake of the Lord's supper, which we can know from the usage here of the term "break bread", and some context clues:
- Eutychus, the young man who falls out of the window, would not have had to sit in a window had there not been a large multitude of saints gathered.
- So, following the sense of the instructions of 1 Corinthians 11, the church was gathered together to break bread and partake of the Lord's Supper.
- We also can notice that the Lord's Supper was served in an evening service, notably extending past midnight, but the Supper was not served until the preaching of the word had completed.
- Paul then summons the elders of Ephesus to him, and recounts the foundation and focus of his mission to them, affirming that he has held nothing back, proclaiming "the whole counsel of God".
- He warns of those who would not follow his example, of fierce wolves who will arise even from within, distorting the truth to draw away disciples.
- So, he charges the elders to give ear to what he has taught them, and to cling to the word of God.
- He pairs this warning with an example of what positive traits to look for in a teacher of the Word, reminding them that he "coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel", condemning many false ministries, not only of his day, but also of those we see today.
- Paul's farewell address to the church and to the elders models an unwavering commitment to the full counsel of God, entrusting the church to faithfully preach and teach His Word, building up the church, guarding against deception, and securing our eternal inheritance among the sanctified.