Acts 20 31

Acts 20:31 kjv

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Acts 20:31 nkjv

Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

Acts 20:31 niv

So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Acts 20:31 esv

Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

Acts 20:31 nlt

Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you ? my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 31 Meaning

In Acts 20:31, Paul concludes his farewell exhortation to the Ephesian elders by presenting his own relentless, personalized, and emotionally charged three-year ministry as a paradigm for their future pastoral diligence. He urges them to "be watchful" for the predicted dangers of false teaching, drawing a direct link between his past exemplary effort and their present call to safeguard the flock. The verse underscores the gravity of spiritual oversight and the personal investment required to combat error within the church.

Acts 20 31 Context

Acts 20:31 forms a pivotal conclusion to Paul's final address to the Ephesian elders at Miletus. In the preceding verses (Acts 20:18-27), Paul had reviewed his exemplary ministry among them, emphasizing his humility, resilience through trials, and unwavering commitment to proclaiming the whole counsel of God. He then transitioned to a somber warning, predicting that "fierce wolves" (false teachers) would invade the flock after his departure and "men speaking twisted things" would rise from within their own ranks, drawing away disciples (Acts 20:29-30). This sets the stage for verse 31, where Paul not only calls them to "be watchful" but grounds this imperative in the sacrificial and devoted example of his own three-year ministry in Ephesus. The historical context is a farewell, a transfer of pastoral responsibility, marked by urgency due to foreseen spiritual dangers that threatened the purity and unity of the burgeoning Christian community in a key Hellenistic city known for its diverse religious beliefs, including emperor worship and the pervasive cult of Artemis. Paul is reminding them of the personal, relentless fight he waged to build the church, setting a benchmark for their continued guardianship.

Acts 20 31 Word analysis

• Therefore (διὸ - dio): This Greek conjunction signals a direct consequence or conclusion. It links the command to "be watchful" directly to the preceding warnings about grievous wolves and perverse men (Acts 20:29-30). The impending danger necessitates their vigilance.
• be watchful (γρηγορεῖτε - grēgoreite): This is an imperative verb, a direct command for continuous action, meaning "to be alert," "to stay awake," or "to keep watch." It implies spiritual and mental vigilance, readiness for action against the described threats. This contrasts with spiritual complacency.
• remembering (μνημονεύοντες - mnēmoneuontes): A present participle, indicating a concurrent or continuous act. Their watchfulness is to be accompanied by, and informed by, the memory of Paul's consistent example. This act of remembering serves as both encouragement and a standard.
• that for three years (ὅτι ἐνιαυτοὺς τρεῖς - hoti eniautos treis): The "three years" signifies the extended and significant duration of Paul's primary ministry in Ephesus, as highlighted in Acts 19 (which states "two years," suggesting this longer period likely includes an initial phase or a rounding up for emphasis on continuous, comprehensive ministry). It underscores the longevity and depth of his commitment.
• I did not cease (οὐκ ἐπαυσάμην - ouk epausamēn): An aorist verb with a negative, expressing an unwavering, unceasing effort. Paul never stopped his work. This emphasizes the continuous and dedicated nature of his ministry, offering no break from the urgent task.
• night or day (νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας - nyktos kai hēmeras): A merism (a rhetorical device using a pair of contrasting words to refer to a whole), indicating constant, tireless effort without interruption. It highlights the full scope of his persistent labor and commitment beyond typical working hours.
• to admonish (νουθετῶν - nouthetōn): A present participle meaning "to warn," "to instruct," "to correct," or "to put into the mind." The term (from νοῦς 'mind' + τιθέναι 'to place') implies a gentle but firm persuasion to encourage right conduct, often involving a warning against wrong behavior or false ideas. It's not just teaching (διδάσκειν - didaskein) facts, but shaping character and correcting error.
• everyone (ἕκαστον - hekaston): This pronoun emphasizes Paul's individual, personalized pastoral care. His admonition was not general but directed to each member, signifying deep personal investment in their spiritual well-being. This implies relational and tailored guidance.
• with tears (μετὰ δακρύων - meta dakryōn): This phrase profoundly conveys Paul's deep emotional earnestness, compassion, and anguish regarding the spiritual dangers. His ministry was not dispassionate; his tears reflect the gravity of the issues and his sincere love and burden for the church. It suggests the pain of the truth, the seriousness of apostasy, and the cost of true spiritual leadership.

Acts 20 31 Bonus section

The intense commitment Paul describes, particularly "night or day" and "with tears," paints a picture of sacrificial, burdensome ministry that contrasts sharply with superficial or self-serving leadership. This wasn't merely intellectual discourse but an all-consuming devotion reflecting a true "father's heart" for the church. Paul's tears underscore that true spiritual leadership involves not only sound doctrine but also a deep emotional investment and willingness to suffer with and for the flock. His admonition was effective because it flowed from genuine care, not mere obligation. This verse highlights the demanding nature of Christian discipleship, both for those who lead and for those who follow—a call to constant alertness in a world actively seeking to undermine faith.

Acts 20 31 Commentary

Acts 20:31 encapsulates Paul's passion for the Church and provides a timeless blueprint for spiritual leadership. His command "be watchful" arises directly from the dire predictions of internal and external threats, demanding proactive vigilance from the Ephesian elders. Paul doesn't just issue an order; he anchors it in the powerful, living example of his own three-year ministry in Ephesus. This was not a passive or distant leadership, but an all-encompassing, relentless devotion, "night and day."

The distinct act of "admonishing" implies more than mere instruction; it speaks to the necessary corrective, guiding, and warning function of ministry. It's a proactive measure against deviation, vital for confronting the "twisted things" that men might speak. Paul's commitment extended to "everyone," demonstrating a personalized, individual care, ensuring no member was overlooked in their spiritual growth and protection. Crucially, this labor was performed "with tears." This emotive detail highlights the deep love, burden, and earnestness with which Paul undertook his ministry. His tears signify not weakness, but profound empathy, the weight of the gospel's truth, and the spiritual danger threatening the flock. This intensity of devotion serves as a profound challenge for all who shepherd God's people: ministry is a diligent, personal, and heartfelt endeavor to protect and guide souls against the ever-present threat of spiritual error.