Acts 20 28

Acts 20:28 kjv

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.

Acts 20:28 nkjv

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Acts 20:28 niv

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Acts 20:28 esv

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Acts 20:28 nlt

"So guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock ? his church, purchased with his own blood ? over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 28 Meaning

Acts 20:28 is a solemn exhortation from the Apostle Paul to the Ephesian elders, urging them to diligently watch over their own spiritual state and the entire flock entrusted to them. It underscores that their appointment as overseers is by the Holy Spirit. The verse also profoundly reveals the church's immeasurable worth, stating that it belongs to God and was purchased at the ultimate cost—through the shedding of His own blood, a clear reference to the atoning sacrifice of Christ, demonstrating His divine nature.

Acts 20 28 Context

Acts 20:28 is part of Paul's emotionally charged farewell speech to the elders of the church in Ephesus, whom he had summoned to meet him in Miletus. Paul is nearing the end of his third missionary journey and feels compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, fully aware that persecution and imprisonment await him. This makes his address to the elders profoundly significant—it is his last direct counsel and charge to these vital church leaders. He has just reminded them of his faithful and selfless ministry among them (Acts 20:18-27), emphasizing his perseverance in proclaiming "the whole counsel of God." Following verse 28, Paul warns them explicitly about internal and external dangers—"savage wolves" (false teachers) entering to devour the flock and even from their own ranks, "men will arise, speaking twisted things" (Acts 20:29-30). This backdrop highlights the urgency and weight of his admonition for diligent spiritual oversight and protection of the church. The historical context reflects the nascent Christian communities striving to maintain doctrinal purity and proper leadership in the face of various heresies and pagan influences.

Acts 20 28 Word analysis

• Pay careful attention to yourselves (Gk. Prosechete heautois):
  • Prosechete: Imperative verb from prosechō, meaning to give heed to, attend to, be watchful, or be on guard. It denotes an earnest and continuous vigilance.
  • Heautois: "To yourselves." This emphasizes that leaders must first inspect their own spiritual walk, doctrine, and conduct before tending to others. Personal integrity and purity are foundational for effective ministry, preventing hypocrisy and setting an example.
• and to all the flock (Gk. kai panti tō poimniō):
  • Panti: "All." Highlights the comprehensive scope of their responsibility – no one member of the community is to be overlooked or neglected.
  • Poimniō: "Flock." This common biblical metaphor describes God's people as sheep, dependent and vulnerable, implying that leaders are shepherds.
• in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (Gk. en hō humas to Pneuma to Hagion etheto episkopous):
  • Humas...etheto: "Has made you" or "has appointed you." From tithēmi, indicating divine initiative and sovereign placement, not mere human election or ambition. Their authority originates from God Himself through the Spirit.
  • To Pneuma to Hagion: "The Holy Spirit." The Third Person of the Trinity is actively involved in the establishment and governance of the church, empowering and guiding its leaders.
  • Episkopous: "Overseers," "bishops," or "superintendents." In the early church, this term was often used interchangeably with "elders" (presbyteroi) as seen in Paul's addressing the Ephesian elders who are called overseers here. It denotes a spiritual leadership role focused on guarding, guiding, and stewarding.
• to care for the church of God (Gk. poimainein tēn ekklēsian tou Theou):
  • Poimainein: "To care for," "to shepherd," "to feed." More than just overseeing, this implies actively nourishing, guiding, protecting, and restoring, much like a shepherd caring for his sheep.
  • Tēn ekklēsian tou Theou: "The church of God."
    • Ekklēsian: "Church," from ekkaléō ("to call out"). It refers to the assembly of believers, those "called out" from the world to belong to God.
    • Tou Theou: "Of God." Emphasizes that the church is God's possession, established by Him and existing for His purposes. This underlines its sacred nature and intrinsic value. This phrase is critically important due to the subsequent part of the verse.
• which he obtained with his own blood. (Gk. hēn periepoiēsatophiou tou idiou haimatos):
  • Periepoiēsato: "He obtained" or "He purchased for Himself" or "He acquired." A strong verb implying that a high price was paid to gain possession.
  • Idiou: "His own." This pronoun emphasizes uniqueness and belonging. The "blood" is specifically "His own blood."
  • Tou idiou haimatos: "His own blood." This refers directly to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The immense cost paid highlights the church's incalculable value to God. The phrase links the subject "he" (referring to "God" previously mentioned in "church of God") directly to the shedding of blood. This profoundly attributes a redemptive, self-sacrificing act (shedding blood) to God Himself, a strong affirmation of Christ's divinity as part of the Triune God, specifically His deity as the One whose blood was shed. The Greek construction "tou idiou haimatos" could be interpreted as "the blood of his own" implying "his own Son" if a noun like "Son" is implicitly understood or supplied, but the most direct reading in light of "church of God" leads to the conclusion that "God" himself is the subject who shed "His own blood" in the person of Jesus Christ.

Acts 20 28 Bonus section

The specific textual reading of "church of God" (ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ) versus the less attested "church of the Lord" (ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ Κυρίου) in some manuscripts is crucial. Scholarly consensus strongly supports "church of God" as the original reading, as found in the most reliable ancient manuscripts (e.g., Vaticanus, Sinaiticus). This choice dramatically strengthens the theological implication that the "God" who obtained the church "with His own blood" is referring to Jesus Christ, unequivocally affirming His full deity. If it read "the Lord's blood," it could merely refer to Jesus as Lord, but "God's own blood" is a stunning statement, indicating that God Himself, through Christ's incarnation and sacrifice, literally shed blood for His people. This verse thus stands as a significant biblical pillar for the deity of Christ and the substitutionary atonement. The usage of idios (own) also potentially echoes the "only begotten Son" theme (John 3:16), suggesting the "own blood of His own Son" while maintaining the direct link to "God."

Acts 20 28 Commentary

Acts 20:28 is a foundational text for Christian leadership, highlighting both the divine source of authority and the profound nature of the church. Paul's command to the Ephesian elders to "pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock" is a dual imperative. Leaders must maintain personal spiritual vigilance—guarding their hearts, minds, and doctrine—because personal holiness undergirds effective ministry. Failing to tend to one's own spiritual condition compromises the ability to effectively care for others. This self-oversight precedes and enables diligent care for "all the flock," signifying the shepherd's comprehensive responsibility for every member, emphasizing their inherent value.

The divine appointment of leaders ("the Holy Spirit has made you overseers") removes any human pride or self-seeking, establishing their role as a sacred trust from God. These "overseers" (episkopoi), interchangeable with "elders" (presbyteroi) in the New Testament, are not mere administrators but actively "shepherd" (poimainein) the people. This shepherding involves feeding with the Word, protecting from spiritual dangers, guiding, and nurturing the faith of the congregation.

The climax of the verse underscores the supreme value of the church: "the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." This single phrase is weighty with theological significance. The church is explicitly "God's" possession, meaning it is not merely a human organization but a divine institution belonging uniquely to Him. This ownership was secured through the highest possible price—the "blood" of God Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. This declaration profoundly asserts the deity of Christ, identifying Him as God, who, in His divine nature yet human flesh, made the ultimate sacrifice for redemption. The church, therefore, is sacred, redeemed at an infinite cost, demanding the utmost care, vigilance, and love from those called to shepherd it.

Practical examples of this vigilance include: a leader first examining their prayer life and motives before teaching; ensuring all congregants, from new believers to long-standing members, receive spiritual nourishment; zealously protecting the church's doctrine from internal error and external heresy; and prioritizing pastoral care out of a profound understanding of the church's divine value.