When the Elders Came - Acts 20:18

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church”, and in chapter twenty and verse eighteen of the book of Acts Luke shared what happened when the elders, “were come to him” where we read:

And when they were come to him, he said unto them, You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

The verse begins, “And when they were come to him, he said unto them, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when they were come to him” which means “and at the time and moment the elders from the church in Ephesus arose and appeared to Paul”, “he said unto them” or “Paul uttered, declared and proclaimed to the elders the following words”. Luke shared how “Paul” began to speak to the “elders in Ephesus” when they came to him.

The verse continues, “... You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,” Luke added the words, “you know” which means “you, elders of the church in Ephesus, are acquainted with and understand”, “from the first day that I came into Asia” or “apart and separate from the principal and initial sunrise to sunset that I, Paul, arose, appeared and entered into Asia whose name means orient and referred to proconsular Asia embracing Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia, and Caria, corresponding closely to Turkey today”, “after what manner” which means “how and in what way” “I have been with you” or “I, Paul, have existed alongside you, elders of the church in Ephesus” “at all seasons” which means “in each, every, the whole and everyone of the spaces of time whether long or short”. Luke shared how “Paul” referred not only to the “first time” he entered “Asia”, but also that he had been with the “elders” in the church in Ephesus many times both long and short.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” began to share his final words with the elders in the church in Ephesus. “Paul” was very instrumental in this church not only knowing the salvation of God through His Son Jesus Christ, but also teaching them doctrines and principles within the Kingdom of God. God desires to reach every person with His “good news”, and when a person believes and trusts in His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who read “Paul's” words carefully examine what he has to say and yield themselves to Jesus so they may live with God forever and ever.

Next time Luke shares how Paul continues to share how he was, “serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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