An elder exhibiting exemplary behavior.

[Acts 20:28-38]

I saw an internet article on Newsenjoy titled 'Elder Church Leadership, Let Elders Correct Themselves: A 'Well-Governing Elder' is Not a Ruler but One Who Looks After and Leads' (Internet). The article discusses 1 Timothy 5:17 – “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” Here, the phrase “rule well” in Greek is a compound word of 'pro' meaning 'before' and 'histemi' meaning 'to stand.' In other words, 'rule well' (proistemi) means 'to stand before,' specifically, to lead or take the lead. So, 'rule well' (proistemi) implies leading, guiding, excelling, caring for, and managing. Elders are inherently worthy of respect, but Paul is saying that elders who rule well, especially those who work hard in preaching and teaching, should be honored even more. In this context, 'honor' means value, evaluation, respect, honor, and recognition. In other words, it is a state of having earned a worthy value. Honor emerges from within. It is not merely an outward show. Therefore, elders should live a life that shows a model of earning honor, respect, and recognition from within. Honor is something that springs from within. Otherwise, it is not honor. Therefore, elders must live a life that exemplifies a model worth paying a sufficient price for the respect and recognition that emerges from within (Internet).

In today's passage, Acts 20:28-38, Paul, who served in Ephesus for three years, is leaving Ephesus. Before departing, he invites the elders of the Ephesian church and delivers a farewell sermon. In today's passage, Paul is urging the Ephesian elders to become elders who exhibit exemplary behavior, drawing from his own example. I would like to receive three lessons under the title “An elder exhibiting exemplary behavior” based on today's passage.

First, an elder exhibiting exemplary behavior exercises caution.

Look at Acts 20:28 - "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." Paul, in his farewell sermon, reminded the elders of the Ephesian church that the Holy Spirit had made them overseers to shepherd the church purchased with the blood of Jesus. He urged them to exercise caution for themselves and for the entire flock, meaning the believers in the Ephesian church. This counsel is a reminder to stay vigilant and guard against incorrect lifestyles or teachings, both for themselves and for the entire congregation (Yoo). Why did Paul emphasize this caution? The reason is stated in Acts 20:29-30 - "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them." He anticipated the arrival of false teachers, likened to "fierce wolves," who would not spare the flock, and even some from within the church who would distort the truth to lead disciples astray. Knowing this, Paul cautioned and exhorted the elders of the Ephesian church to be cautious and vigilant (Park). Imagine Paul, having ministered in Ephesus for three years, delivering a farewell sermon to the elders, knowing that false teachers would come after his departure to mislead the flock. What must have been Paul's heart as he left the beloved Ephesian church with this awareness? It brings to mind Deuteronomy 31:27, a passage I meditated on during morning prayer, where Moses speaks to the Israelites, anticipating their rebellion even after his death: "For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Behold, even today while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord. How much more after my death!" After leading the Israelites for 40 years, from Egypt through the wilderness to the promised land of Canaan, Moses, knowing that the Israelites would rebel against God and do evil in His sight before he died, one may wonder about Moses' state of mind.

In today's passage, Paul anticipated that false teachers would emerge in two directions within the Ephesian church: (1) Paul expected false teachers to enter the Ephesian church from outside. Look at verse 29: "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock." (2) Paul anticipated that there would be false teachers within the church. Look at verse 30: "And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them." Paul, in his farewell sermon to the Ephesian elders, called them and warned them that false teachers would come into the church from both outside and within. He cautioned them to be vigilant, as internal enemies could be more dangerous than external ones. At this moment, Paul was leaving Ephesus, and he knew that false teachers would infiltrate the church. He urged the elders to be watchful and to protect the flock from false teachings both inside and outside the church.

How can we apply this message to our church? It applies to teaching elders, pastors, and ruling elders. God has appointed elders to oversee the saints entrusted to us. Our responsibility is to guard the flock and ensure that they are not led astray. To do this, we must first be spiritually awake. If we are spiritually sluggish, the flock entrusted to us can become prey to false teachings. We must also guard our own hearts, ensuring that we do not fall into false doctrines and remain firmly rooted in sound doctrine. In other words, elders should have a strong doctrinal foundation. Therefore, they must have a firm understanding of sound doctrine, not only for themselves but also to guide the saints and protect them from false teachings or heresies. The qualifications of overseers in pastoral ministry should include personal, moral, spiritual, and doctrinal aspects. This way, they can effectively teach the Word and protect the saints from the dangers of false teachings (Yoo).

Second, an elder who sets an example follows God's Word firmly.

Look at Acts 20:31 - "Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears." As Paul left Ephesus, he was aware of the danger posed by false teachings that would arise in the future. In his caution and exhortation to the Ephesian elders, he urged them to remember and emulate his pastoral life, which he demonstrated during his three years with them ("remember" in verse 31). From this verse, we can observe three aspects of Paul's exemplary pastoral life:

Paul's ministry was characterized by alertness.

Paul was diligent in living a life awakened by God's Word, and in the same manner, he diligently awakened the Ephesian saints with God's Word. By doing so, he ensured that both he and the saints remained alert, guarding against being misled by false teachings. In other words, Paul's exemplary pastoral life was about being spiritually vigilant.

Paul's life was marked by diligence.

During his three years in Ephesus, he tirelessly admonished the Ephesian saints day and night. He was watchful and diligent in teaching the Ephesian saints with God's Word.

Paul's pastoral attitude was characterized by 'love.'

He admonished each person with tears during his three years in Ephesus. This reveals the heart of a caring overseer who loves the souls under his charge. While handling the Ephesian pastorate, Paul wanted the elders to adopt his exemplary pastoral life even after his departure. Therefore, he spoke to the Ephesian elders, wishing that they would continue to fulfill the responsibilities of overseers well: "And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (v. 32). Although Paul was leaving Ephesus, he knew that the Lord and His Word would be with the Ephesian saints. Hence, he entrusted the Ephesian elders to God and His Word. The Word is firstly the Word of the Lord's grace, secondly, the Word that can firmly establish us, and thirdly, the Word that grants us an inheritance (rest).

Therefore, we, the ministers and the elders must first stand firmly on God's Word. Likewise, all of you must stand firmly on the Word of God's grace. In order to do this …

We must diligently listen to God's Word.

Thus, our faith must grow. Look at Romans 10:17 - "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

We need to harmonize God's Word and faith.

By doing so, we can enter into rest (inheritance). Look at Hebrews 4:2-3 - "For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened ... For we who have believed enter that rest." To benefit from God's Word for you and me, we need to harmonize our current hearing of God's Word with faith. As Paul left Ephesus, he was more concerned about the elders of the church than the saints. The reason is that if leaders within the church, the elders, were led astray internally and started teaching heretical doctrines or teachings to the saints in Ephesus, it would be a significant issue (v. 30). Therefore, Paul entrusted the Ephesian elders to the Lord and His Word.

Our church ministers or elders must pay attention to 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. " We must become people who can rightly handle the word of truth. Such ministers should also become elders. In doing so, the church can stand firmly without being shaken by false teachings.

Third and last, an elder who sets an example helps the weak.

Look at Acts 20:35 - "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" While addressing the false teachers, the wolves that will infiltrate internally or externally into the Ephesian church, Paul says that they will not spare the flock, the saints of the Ephesian church (v. 29). In verse 35, he contrasts himself with those false teachers, stating that he, unlike them, has shown the Ephesian saints an example of a true shepherd who cares for them. So, how did Paul set an example for the Ephesian saints?

He did not covet greedily.

Look at verse 33: "I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel." Clearly, the false teachers who did not spare the flock (v. 29) were likely filled with selfish motives and greed. However, the true shepherd, Paul, had a heart of love and care for the Ephesian saints, so he confessed to the elders in Ephesus, “I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.”

Paul worked hard with his own hands.

Look at verse 34: "You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me." Perhaps the false teachers, consumed by covetousness, did not spare the Ephesian saints but were more inclined to busy themselves with a life of indulgence, neglecting the hard work that their hands could perform. In the Thessalonian church, there were individuals who behaved in such a way—engaging in idle activities rather than working (2 Thess. 3:11). Therefore, Paul advised, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (v. 10). It seems that such individuals existed, prompting Paul to work even harder day and night, not being a burden to anyone, and providing for his own needs (v. 8). Consequently, he was able to offer support to others and set an example for everyone to follow (v. 9). During his three years of ministry in the Ephesian church, Paul diligently worked with his own hands, not only providing for himself but also addressing the needs of his fellow laborers (Yoo).

Paul helped the weak.

As we have read in today's passage, Acts 20:35, Paul, during his three years in the Ephesian church, showed special concern for the weak, caring for and assisting them with the love of Christ. He lived a life of obedience to Jesus' words, remembering the saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Paul faithfully worked, earning money to help those in need. This was the life he lived, a life of giving. Paul understood it as his duty.

Whom do you and I have concern for? We should have more concern for the weak than for the strong and powerful. Just like Paul, we should help the weak. This is our duty. We must be cautious of greed and work hard not only for our own needs but also to help the needs of the weak. Therefore, our duty is to be like Jesus, helping the weak through our ministry of assistance.

After the Apostle Paul delivered his farewell sermon to the Ephesian elders, he knelt down and prayed with all of them (v. 36). In response, the elders, deeply distressed by Paul's words predicting that they would not see his face again, wept loudly. They embraced Paul, kissed him, and accompanied him to the ship (vㅍ. 37-38). The Ephesian elders were filled with sorrow at the realization that they would no longer see their beloved shepherd and minister, Paul, who had taught them God's word, helped them, and demonstrated the pattern of life for three years. Saying their goodbyes, they grieved, escorting Paul to the ship.

As they parted ways, the Ephesian elders were left with the responsibility of heeding Paul's admonitions, being cautious, standing firm in God's word, and continuing to help the weak, just as Paul had done. Today, God, through Paul's farewell sermon, offers similar words of exhortation to us. We are urged to exercise caution, be vigilant against false teachers and doctrines, and stand firmly on God's word. Remembering the saying, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’ we are called to live a life that helps the weak.

Wanting to become a teaching elder who shows a good example,

James Kim

(May we stand firmly on God's word and exercise caution)