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Acts 20:30  (King James Version)
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<< Acts 20:29   Acts 20:31 >>


Acts 20:28-31

Around AD 56, the apostle Paul prophesied that upon his departure, false teachers would infiltrate the Ephesian fellowship to lead them astray, and men from among the congregation would also rise up to corrupt the divinely established doctrinal truths (see also Ephesians 5:6-7). Although the Ephesians deserved praise for their dedication to Christ (Ephesians 1:15), Paul feared they would neglect their duty to love one another.

Soon after his exit, his dire prediction came true. Disputes arose, leading to division. Many drifted away, and the loving fellowship of earlier years began to wane (I Timothy 1:18-20; 4:1-3). Paul ordered Timothy to remain in Ephesus to combat these very problems (I Timothy 1:3-7), emphasizing that it was necessary to promote “love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,” from which many in the early church had strayed (Galatians 1:6-7).

Martin G. Collins
First Love (Part One)



Acts 20:28-31

Paul's address here to the Ephesian elders probably took place in the springtime of AD 56. He prophecies to them of apostasy and corrupt leadership that Peter, Jude, and John would later write about as it was happening.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Jude



Acts 20:28-31

Paul understood; he knew the history of the truth of God. He had the Old Testament, and so he knew that people could not hold on to the truth for very long. He knew that, in the days of Moses, a false religion was working. He could see that, if it happened back then, it would happen in his day too. The mystery of lawlessness was already at work (II Thessalonians 2:7; Galatians 1:6-7). Acts 20 was a little bit later than the early part of AD 50, when the books of Galatians and II Thessalonians were written, but the first seal—the first horseman—was already unleashed upon the world (Revelation 6:2; Matthew 24:3-5).

John W. Ritenbaugh
A Place of Safety? (Part 4)



Acts 20:29-30

Paul specifically says these apostates will rise up from among the ministry. In verse 29, he says that "savage wolves will come in among you," and in verse 30, that "among yourselves men will rise up." They will be people in leadership positions or those who are considered to be pillars in the church and highly respected. Thus, they are in an advantageous position, from their point of view, to do the most damage.SS

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Jude



Acts 20:28-32

Regarding God's work changing its emphasis according to need and God's will, Acts 20:28-32 is especially interesting. Predicting that conditions would not always remain the same, Paul warns that significant events would trouble the church after his death. He felt it was critical that they pay special attention to feeding the flock through the Word of God, and in doing so the people would build spiritual strength. Clearly, God's focus, the church's focus, shifts occasionally to meet the spiritual needs of the church and His will.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Preparing the Bride



Acts 20:30

The false teachers Paul foresees will do the damage with their tongues. They will manipulate the brethren with cunning sermons and with seemingly logical arguments, but their motivation is to get for themselves. Jude says they "speak great swelling words" (Jude 1:16). They are full of bombast, and they sound quite appealing, but one must look beyond their eloquence and notice what they are really saying.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Jude



Acts 20:30

The false ministers do their evil deeds to gain a following. Their motivation is to gain, to get for themselves. Specifically, Paul says, they want a following. They want people to follow them, to love them, and to do the things they do and say to do. They also want other things like power, influence, money, prestige, wine, women, and song. They are very happy for other people to join them in this. One word describes their motivation: "self-seeking." They are seeking for themselves.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Jude




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Acts 20:30:

Matthew 13:24-30
Acts 20:28-32

 

<< Acts 20:29   Acts 20:31 >>



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