Act 20:29-31 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 29. For I know this . By what he had seen in other places; by his knowledge of human nature, and of the dangers to which they were exposed; and by the guidance of inspiration. After my departing . His presence had been the means of guarding the church, and preserving it from these dangers. Now that the founder and guide of the church was to be removed, they would be exposed to dissensions and dangers. Grievous wolves . Heavy, βαρεις, strong, mighty, dangerous wolves--so strong that the feeble flock would not be able to resist them. The term wolves is used to denote the enemies of the flock--false, and hypocritical, and dangerous teachers. Compare ; . Enter in among you . From abroad; doubtless referring particularly to the Jews, who might be expected to distract and divide them. Not sparing the flock . Seeking to destroy the church. The Jews would regard it with peculiar hostility, and would seek to destroy it in every way. Probably they would approach them with great professed friendship for them, and expressing a desire only to defend the laws of Moses. (b) "Grievous wolves" (c) "sparing the flock"

Acts 20:29-31

Verse 29. For I know this. By what he had seen in other places; by his knowledge of human nature, and of the dangers to which they were exposed; and by the guidance of inspiration.

After my departing. His presence had been the means of guarding the church, and preserving it from these dangers. Now that the founder and guide of the church was to be removed, they would be exposed to dissensions and dangers.

Grievous wolves. Heavy, βαρεις, strong, mighty, dangerous wolves--so strong that the feeble flock would not be able to resist them. The term wolves is used to denote the enemies of the flock--false, and hypocritical, and dangerous teachers. Compare Mt 10:16; Acts 7:15.

Enter in among you. From abroad; doubtless referring particularly to the Jews, who might be expected to distract and divide them.

Not sparing the flock. Seeking to destroy the church. The Jews would regard it with peculiar hostility, and would seek to destroy it in every way. Probably they would approach them with great professed friendship for them, and expressing a desire only to defend the laws of Moses.

(b) "Grievous wolves" Mt 7:15, 2Pet 2:1 (c) "sparing the flock" Jer 13:20, 23:1, Eze 34:2,3, Zech 11:17 Verse 30. Also of your own selves. From your own church; from those who profess to be Christians.

Speaking perverse things. Crooked, perverted, distracting doctrines, διεστραμμενα. Acts 13:10. They would proclaim doctrines tending to distract and divide the church. The most dangerous enemies which the church has had, have been nurtured in its own bosom, and have consisted of those who have perverted the true. doctrines of the gospel. Among the Ephesians, as among the Corinthians, 1Cor 1:11-13, there might be parties formed; there might be men influenced by ambition, like Diotrephes, 3Jn 1:9, or like Phygellus or Hermogenes, 2Ti 1:15, or like Hymeneus and Alexander, 1Timm 1:20. Men under the influence of ambition, or from the love of power or popularity, form parties in the church, produce divisions and distractions, and greatly retard its internal prosperity, and mar its peace. The church of Christ would have little to fear from external enemies if it nurtured no foes in its own bosom; and all the power of persecutors is not so much to be dreaded as the counsels and plans, the parties, strifes, heart-burnings, and contentions which are produced by those who have power, among the professed friends of Christ.

(d) "of you own selves" 1Jn 2:19, Jude 1:4 Verse 31. Therefore watch. Mt 24:42. In view of the dangers which beset yourselves, Acts 20:28, the danger from men not connected with the church, Acts 20:29, and the danger that shall arise from the lovers of power among yourselves, Acts 20:30, be on your guard. Observe the approach of danger, and set yourselves against it.

Remember. Recall my counsels and admonitions in reference to these dangers.

By the space of three years. In Acts 19:10, we are told that Paul spent two years in the school of Tyrannus. In Acts 19:8, it is said that he was teaching in the synagogue at Ephesus three months. In addition to this it is not improbable that he spent some months more in Ephesus in instructing the church in other places. Perhaps, however, by the phrase three years, he meant to use merely a round number, denoting about three years; or, in accordance with the Jewish customs, part of each of the three years-- one whole year, and a considerable portion of the two others. Mt 12:40.

I ceased not. I continued to do it.

To warn. To admonish; to place before the mind, νουθετων; setting the danger and duty of each individual before him.

Every one. He had thus set them an example of what he had enjoined, Acts 20:28. He had admonished each individual, whatever was his rank or standing. It is well when a minister can refer to his own example as an illustration of what he meant by his precepts.

Night and day. Continually; by every opportunity.

With tears. Expressive of his deep feeling and his deep interest in their welfare. Acts 20:19.

(e) "watch" 2Ti 4:5 (*) "warn" "admonish" (f) "every one" Col 1:28