Closing words

“And now I entrust 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.” Paul entrusted the Ephesian elders to “God and the word of His grace.” (1) It is God who completes salvation. God will give all saints their inheritance in His kingdom. (2) The means used for the completion of salvation is God’s word. Faith in God is demonstrated through obedience to His word. “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.” In the closing part of his message, Paul once again sets an example through his own life: (1) Paul practiced self-supporting ministry. He did not burden others but worked to provide for his own needs. (2) As a result, he was able to help his coworkers and those who were weak. “…and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (1) Through his own example, Paul sought to teach the importance of laboring to help those who are weak. (2) The phrase, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” does not appear in the Gospels, but it summarizes Jesus’ teaching. Paul may be referencing an oral tradition of Jesus’ words.

Farewell prayer

“When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.” Kneeling for prayer was not the usual posture. It signifies the special nature of this moment. Other instances of kneeling in prayer include: (1) Luke 22:41 (Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane), (2) Acts 9:40 (Peter praying for the resurrection of Tabitha), and (c)Acts 21:5 (The parting prayer of the brothers of Tyre). “And they all began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again…” (1) The elders of Ephesus embraced Paul and kissed him repeatedly. They were deeply grieved by him saying that “they would not see his face again.” (2) The next chapter (Acts 21) records Paul’s journey to Jerusalem. Luke provides a detailed account to highlight the contrast between Gentile believers and the Jews in Jerusalem. The believers in the places Paul visits, like the elders in Ephesus, show him affection and love. However, the Jews in Jerusalem reject Paul. In this is the tragedy of the Jewish people. Let us meditate once more on the meaning of the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”