Acts 20 17

Acts 20:17 kjv

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Acts 20:17 nkjv

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

Acts 20:17 niv

From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.

Acts 20:17 esv

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

Acts 20:17 nlt

But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 17 Meaning

Acts 20:17 describes a crucial logistical and pastoral action by the Apostle Paul. While on his journey towards Jerusalem, and having decided to bypass a direct visit to Ephesus due to time constraints, Paul nonetheless halted his journey at Miletus, a significant port city. From Miletus, he dispatched messengers to the thriving church in Ephesus, specifically summoning its "elders" – the appointed, local spiritual leaders – to meet with him. This action underscores Paul's profound pastoral concern for the Ephesian congregation and his intention to impart vital final instructions to those entrusted with its spiritual oversight before his impending departure and foreseen difficulties.

Acts 20 17 Context

Acts chapter 20 portrays a poignant phase of Paul's third missionary journey, as he urgently travels to Jerusalem aiming to arrive by the Day of Pentecost. To expedite his journey, Paul made the strategic decision to bypass Ephesus (Acts 20:16), where he had invested over two years in fervent ministry, establishing a robust and significant Christian community (Acts 19). However, his profound pastoral affection and a compelling sense of foreboding about his future led him to make a stop at Miletus, a major port situated south of Ephesus. From this convenient location, he initiated the urgent summons to the "elders" of the Ephesian church. This particular action highlights the crucial spiritual responsibility Paul felt towards the Ephesian church's leadership, setting the stage for his impactful and heartfelt farewell discourse, in which he delivers critical warnings and charges for the continued welfare of the flock in his anticipated absence.

Acts 20 17 Word analysis

• "From Miletus" (Greek: ἀπὸ τῆς Μιλήτου, apo tēs Milētou): Miletus was an ancient Ionian Greek city on the west coast of Asia Minor. Its strategic location as a major port made it a convenient meeting point, allowing Paul to conserve time on his journey while still meeting with the crucial leadership from Ephesus without visiting the city directly.
• "Paul sent" (Greek: μεταπεμπσάμενος Παῦλος, metapempsamenos Paulos): The Greek word "metapempsamenos" is a participle meaning "having sent for" or "summoned." This action signifies Paul's initiative and authority in calling for the leaders. It was not a casual invitation but a purposeful and important summons, underscoring the gravity of the meeting he wished to convene.
• "to Ephesus" (Greek: εἰς Ἔφεσον, eis Epheson): Ephesus was one of the largest and most influential cities in the Roman province of Asia. It was a center of Roman administration, commerce, and notably, pagan worship, especially dedicated to Artemis (Diana). Paul's prior extended ministry there (Acts 19) had cultivated a significant Christian presence, making its leadership vital.
• "and called for" (Greek: μετεκαλέσατο, metekalesato): This verb reinforces the idea of summoning or inviting someone to come to one's presence. Its usage here, in conjunction with "sent," emphasizes the deliberate and earnest nature of Paul's request. He desired their physical presence for a direct and personal communication of paramount importance.
• "the elders" (Greek: τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους, tous presbyterous): From presbyteros, literally meaning "older ones," but contextually referring to recognized, appointed leaders within the early Christian church. These "elders" were synonymous with "overseers" (episkopoi) and "shepherds" (poimenes) as evidenced in Acts 20:28. Their existence in Ephesus highlights the established and mature structure of the church, a result of Paul's effective apostolic church-planting ministry which involved delegating spiritual authority to local, qualified individuals. These individuals held the responsibility of shepherding and governing the congregation.
• "of the church" (Greek: τῆς ἐκκλησίας, tēs ekklēsias): The Greek term ekklesia denotes an assembly or congregation of "the called-out ones." It signifies the body of believers in Ephesus. The "elders of the church" thus refers to the leaders who specifically had oversight and spiritual responsibility for this particular community of Christ-followers.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "From Miletus, Paul sent...to Ephesus": This phrase succinctly conveys Paul's strategic movement and his pastoral foresight. Instead of incurring delays by revisiting Ephesus directly, he utilized Miletus as a practical staging ground, prioritizing his broader mission while not neglecting the spiritual health of a key church. It underscores the practical challenges and solutions in early apostolic journeys.
• "...called for the elders of the church.": This particular wording is profoundly significant. It showcases the mature organizational structure of the Ephesian church, indicating the successful establishment of indigenous, local leadership. Paul’s direct summons to these "elders" demonstrates his recognition of their authority and indispensable role in guiding the congregation. It signifies that the Ephesian church had moved beyond its infancy, developing responsible governance, and Paul intended to entrust the flock to their ongoing care.

Acts 20 17 Bonus section

• Example of Delegated Authority: This passage vividly illustrates Paul’s principle of establishing local, indigenous leadership rather than attempting to exert perpetual control himself. He empowered and entrusted others with significant spiritual authority, a model for healthy church planting and maturity.
• Precedent for Collegial Leadership: The mention of "the elders" (plural) suggests a collegial or pluralistic leadership structure within the Ephesian church, rather than a single individual holding all authority. This sets an early biblical precedent for churches being led by a plurality of elders.
• The Miletus-Ephesus Link: The act of sending to Ephesus from Miletus (approximately 30 miles distant) signifies the urgency and importance of Paul’s communication. It implies that these elders travelled to him, underscoring their commitment and reverence for Paul’s apostolic authority.
• Transition in Apostolic Ministry: This summons and subsequent discourse mark a significant transition point in Paul's ministry—moving from direct oversight and foundational planting to equipping and commissioning established local leaders to shepherd the church in his impending absence and against future challenges.

Acts 20 17 Commentary

Acts 20:17 inaugurates one of the most personal, powerful, and instructive discourses of the Apostle Paul, commonly known as his Miletus Farewell Address. Unable to revisit Ephesus due to his commitment to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, Paul chose to summon the spiritual leadership of this prominent church to him at Miletus. This act underscores Paul’s deep pastoral heart and his unwavering commitment to the churches he planted. The fact that he called for "elders" indicates that the Ephesian church was a mature congregation, having developed a recognized and functional leadership structure comprised of local individuals. Paul's direct engagement with these leaders, rather than sending a mere message to the general congregation, reveals his understanding of their crucial role as overseers, shepherds, and guardians of the truth. He recognized them as the ongoing stewards of God's flock, upon whom the future spiritual integrity and perseverance of the Ephesian church depended. This meeting served as an apostolic transfer of spiritual responsibility, where Paul delivered a profound charge for their future ministry amidst foreseen challenges, a testament to his desire for the church's health beyond his direct influence.