Acts 20:30 kjv
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Acts 20:30 nkjv
Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Acts 20:30 niv
Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
Acts 20:30 esv
and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Acts 20:30 nlt
Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
Acts 20 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 20:30 | "and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." | Acts 20:30 (main verse) |
| Matt 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." | Warning against false teachers |
| Luke 17:1 | "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come!" | Source of stumbling blocks |
| 2 Cor 11:3 | "But I am afraid that somehow your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity and purity toward Christ." | Corruption of minds |
| Gal 1:6 | "I am astonished that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel—" | Turning to another gospel |
| 2 Tim 4:3 | "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions," | Endure sound teaching not |
| 2 Tim 4:4 | "and will turn their ears away from the truth, and turn aside to myths." | Turning to myths |
| 1 John 4:1 | "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." | Test the spirits |
| 2 Pet 2:1 | "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." | Secretly destructive heresies |
| 2 Pet 2:2 | "And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be reviled." | Following sensuality, reviling truth |
| 1 Tim 4:16 | "Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching. Persevere in them, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers." | Importance of self and teaching |
| Matt 24:4 | "And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray." | Not to be led astray |
| Matt 24:5 | "For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray." | False Christs |
| Matt 24:11 | "and many false prophets will arise and lead many astray." | Many false prophets arise |
| John 10:12 | "He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, and whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them." | Hireling leaves sheep |
| Phil 3:18 | "For many walk, of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ." | Enemies of the cross |
| Jude 1:4 | "For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." | Pervert grace |
| Rom 16:17 | "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." | Watch out for dividers |
| Heb 12:15 | "See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled." | Root of bitterness |
| Acts 20:29 | "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock," | Fierce wolves coming |
Acts 20 verses
Acts 20 30 Meaning
This verse warns believers about individuals who will arise from within the Christian community, speaking twisted truths to lead disciples away from genuine faith in Christ. It highlights the danger of false teachings that can corrupt the purity of the Gospel and divert followers.
Acts 20 30 Context
In Acts 20:30, the Apostle Paul is speaking to the elders of the church in Ephesus. He has just delivered a moving farewell message, recounting his ministry among them with faithfulness and tears. Paul knows that his departure will leave the flock vulnerable. He had previously warned them about false teachers who would come from both outside and, significantly, from within the church itself. This particular verse focuses on the internal threat. These individuals would distort the truth, seeking personal followers and leading genuine disciples astray from the apostolic teaching. This warning reflects Paul's deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the believers he had shepherded. The historical context is the expansion of Christianity and the immediate challenges of maintaining doctrinal purity in a diverse and growing movement.
Acts 20 30 Word Analysis
- "and from": Connects this warning to the preceding statement about external threats.
- "among yourselves": Greek: ex hymin (ἐξ ὑμῶν). This phrase is crucial, indicating that the danger would not only be from external enemies but also from people who are outwardly part of the believing community. This internal origin makes the threat particularly insidious.
- "will arise": Greek: anelepsontai (ἀναλήψονται). Future passive tense of analambano (ἀναλαμβάνω). This implies that these individuals will be raised up, possibly referring to their own initiatives or, from a divine perspective, permitted by God to test the church.
- "men": Greek: andres (ἄνδρες). A general term for people, not necessarily excluding women but emphasizing the individuals who would take leadership roles in promoting false teaching.
- "speaking": Greek: laleontes (λαλοῦντες). Present participle, indicating an ongoing action of speaking and teaching.
- "perverse things": Greek: diastrephomena (διαστρεφόμενα). Present passive participle of diastrepho (διαστρέφω). This means to distort, twist, or pervert. It signifies that their teaching would not be outright lies but rather a warping of the truth, making it dangerous and misleading. The truth would be so subtly twisted that it could deceive even earnest believers.
- "to draw away": Greek: apospan (ἀποσπᾶν). Infinitive of purpose. This means to tear away, pull aside, or detach. It emphasizes the intent of these false teachers to separate disciples from their commitment to Christ and the true teaching.
- "the disciples": Greek: tois mathētais (τοῖς μαθηταῖς). Refers to the genuine followers of Christ. The aim of the perverters is to lead these disciples into error.
- "after themselves": Greek: opisō autōn (ὀπίσω αὐτῶν). Literally "behind them" or "following them." This highlights that their ultimate goal is to gain followers for themselves, not for Christ. They seek personal allegiance, not divine glory. This is a common characteristic of false teachers throughout scripture – they are often driven by ego, pride, and a desire for power or prestige.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "from among yourselves will arise men": This speaks to the subtle and internal nature of spiritual danger, emphasizing that the most significant threats can often come from within the community of faith itself, not just from external opposition.
- "speaking perverse things": This phrase captures the essence of heretical teaching – it's not always outright denial but a subtle distortion or twisting of God's word, making truth unrecognizable or leading to wrong conclusions.
- "to draw away the disciples after themselves": This identifies the ultimate motive and outcome of false teaching: not a broader spiritual revival, but the subversion of sincere believers into personal cults or following destructive ideologies.
Acts 20 30 Bonus Section
The warning in Acts 20:30 echoes throughout Scripture. Jesus Himself warned about false Christs and false prophets in Matthew 24. Peter and Jude also provide extensive teachings on the nature and danger of false teachers who would infiltrate the church from within, perverting grace and denying Christ. The persistent theme is the need for continuous reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment, unwavering adherence to biblical truth, and personal spiritual integrity to recognize and resist such distortions. It is a call for the undershepherds of Christ's flock to be watchful and protective.
Acts 20 30 Commentary
This verse serves as a vital caution to all generations of the Church. It reminds us that sound doctrine and spiritual discernment are not optional but essential. False teachers are often characterized by their subtle manipulation of truth and their self-serving agendas, seeking to draw followers away from Christ and into their own circles of influence. The church must remain vigilant, grounded in the unadulterated Word of God and tested by the fruit of the Spirit, to resist such insidious influences. The ultimate aim is to safeguard the flock and ensure they continue to follow Christ, not human leaders who distort His message.