Acts 20:28-32

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

28 l Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all m the flock, in which n the Holy Spirit has made you o overseers, p to care for q the church of God, 1 which he r obtained s with his own blood. 2 29 I r know that after my departure t fierce wolves will come in among you, u not sparing the flock; 30 and v from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore w be alert, remembering that x for three years I did not cease night or day y to admonish everyone z with tears. 32 And now a I commend you to God and to b the word of his grace, which is able to c build you up and to give you d the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

  1. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:16
    Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 20:29
    I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
    Ephesians 4:11
    And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers.
    Luke 12:32
    Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 13:2
    While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
    1 Corinthians 12:8 - 11
    For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit.
  4. Cross References
    Philippians 1:1
    Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
    1 Timothy 3:2
    Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.
    Titus 1:7
    For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain.
    Acts 20:17
    Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.
  5. Cross References
    John 21:16
    He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep.
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:2
    To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
    1 Corinthians 10:32
    Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God.
    1 Corinthians 11:16
    If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.
    1 Corinthians 15:9
    For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
  7. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:1
    But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
  8. Cross References
    Hebrews 9:12
    He entered once for all into the holy places, n...
    Hebrews 9:14
    How much more will the blood of Christ, who thr...
    Ephesians 1:7
    In him we have redemption through his blood, th...
    1 John 1:7
    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the li...
    1 Peter 1:18 - 19
    Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ...
    Revelation 5:9
    And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are y...
  9. Cross References
    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.
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 7:15
    Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
  11. Cross References
    John 10:12
    He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
    Colossians 2:8
    See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
  12. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:19
    For there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
    2 Corinthians 11:13
    For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
    1 Timothy 1:19 - 20
    Holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith.
    1 John 2:18 - 19
    Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
  13. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:17
    Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
    Matthew 24:42
    Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 19:8
    And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
    Acts 19:10
    This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
    Acts 24:17
    Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.
  15. Cross References
    Colossians 1:28
    Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
  16. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:17
    Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
    Acts 20:19
    Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews.
  17. Cross References
    Acts 14:23
    And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 14:3
    So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
    Acts 20:24
    But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
  19. Cross References
    Colossians 2:7
    Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
  20. Cross References
    Acts 26:18
    To open their eyes, so that they may turn from ...
    Ephesians 1:14
    Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until w...
    Ephesians 1:18
    Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, tha...
    Ephesians 5:5
    For you may be sure of this, that everyone who ...
    Colossians 1:12
    Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified ...
    Colossians 3:24
    Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the...
    Hebrews 9:15
    Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant,...
    1 Peter 1:4
    To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefil...
    Matthew 25:34
    Then the King will say to those on his right, '...
    Romans 8:17
    And if children, then heirs - heirs of God and ...
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.