And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
the elders.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Acts 11:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Paul sent to Ephesus
Ephesus was a major city in the Roman Empire, known for its temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a center of commerce and religion, and Paul had spent a significant amount of time there during his missionary journeys, establishing a strong Christian community. By sending for the elders, Paul demonstrates his ongoing concern and responsibility for the churches he helped to establish. This action reflects the apostolic practice of maintaining oversight and providing guidance to the early Christian communities.
for the elders of the church
The term "elders" refers to the leaders of the Christian community in Ephesus. In the early church, elders were responsible for teaching, shepherding, and overseeing the spiritual well-being of the congregation. This role is consistent with the Jewish tradition of elders serving as leaders and decision-makers within the community. The calling of the elders highlights the importance of leadership and accountability within the church. It also underscores the early church's structure, which included a plurality of elders rather than a single leader, ensuring a balanced and collective leadership approach. This meeting is significant as it provides Paul an opportunity to impart final instructions and warnings, emphasizing the continuity of his ministry and the importance of vigilance against false teachings.
– Luke notes in Acts 20:15 that Paul’s team “arrived at Miletus,” a coastal city about 30 miles south of Ephesus.
– By remaining in Miletus, Paul avoids the crowds that once stirred a riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41) yet stays close enough to reach the believers there.
– Just as Jesus sometimes withdrew to quiet places to focus on key relationships (Mark 6:31-32), Paul chooses a setting that favors focused ministry without distraction.
– The verb highlights Paul’s initiative as an apostle, much like when he “sent for” Timothy and Silas from Berea (Acts 17:14-15).
– His leadership is deliberate; he knows “the Holy Spirit testifies… that imprisonment and afflictions await” (Acts 20:23), yet he presses on.
– Titus 1:5 shows this same pattern—Paul delegates and directs for the good of the churches.
– Ephesus had been Paul’s base for nearly three years (Acts 19:1-10). He loves these believers deeply (Acts 20:31).
– By summoning the elders rather than returning himself, Paul both saves time on his journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:16) and spares the church another public stir.
– The short distance means they can come quickly, illustrating the closeness and responsiveness between shepherd and flock.
– Elders (also called overseers, Acts 20:28) are the God-appointed shepherds of the congregation. Paul had earlier “appointed elders in every church” (Acts 14:23).
– Their calling involves teaching sound doctrine (1 Timothy 3:2) and guarding against wolves (Acts 20:29).
– By gathering them, Paul models accountability and mentorship—traits echoed in 1 Peter 5:1-3, where elders are urged to shepherd willingly and exemplify Christlike humility.
– The phrase grounds leadership in a particular local body. These elders serve one identifiable assembly, not a vague spiritual audience.
– Scripture views each church as Christ’s tangible expression in its locale (1 Corinthians 12:27). The Ephesian church later receives Jesus’ personal message in Revelation 2:1-7, underscoring its ongoing significance.
– Paul’s concern reminds us that faithful leadership is inseparable from a defined, accountable community.
Acts 20:17 records a single sentence, yet each phrase reveals Paul’s strategic heart: from a quiet harbor, he purposefully summons trusted elders of a dearly loved church to equip them for the challenges ahead. The verse underscores intentional leadership, close pastoral relationships, and the vital role of local church elders in guarding and guiding God’s people.
(17) And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.--We find, from Acts 20:28, that they were known also as episcopi ("bishops," or "overseers"), the two names being interchangeable at this period, and the Apostle standing in relation to those who bore them as the later Bishop did to the elders under him. (See Notes on Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5-6; 1Peter 5:1-2.) The many presbyters represented probably, each of them, a distinct church or congregation. Most, if not all, of these must have been ordained by the Apostle himself. He had found them loyal, faithful, singularly receptive of the truth (Acts 20:20; Ephesians 3:4). He was passing, as he thought, to far-off regions, never to revisit them, and he was naturally anxious to give them parting words of counsel and of warning. . . . Verse 17. - Called to him for called, A.V. The R.V. gives the force of the middle voice μετεκαλέσατο. The elders of the Church; viz. of Ephesus. These are manifestly the same as are called ἐπισκόπους in ver. 28, "overseers," or bishops. The distinctive names and functions of Church officers were not yet fixed; and the apostles themselves, aided by degrees by such as Timothy and Titus, were what we now call bishops, exercising oversight over the elders themselves as well as over the whole flock (see 1 Timothy 3:1). The diocesan episcopate came in gradually as the apostles died off, and the necessity for a regular episcopate arose (see Acts 6:1-6; Acts 14:23, etc.).