Thematic Bible: Paul visits and preaches in


Thematic Bible



And they came down to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself, entering into the synagogue, reasoned with the Jews. And, though they asked him to remain a longer time with them, he consented not; but, taking leave of them, and saying, "I will return to you again, God willing," he sailed from Ephesus;

For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. And, having sent from Miletus to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the assembly. And, when they came to him, he said to them, "Ye yourselves know from the first day on which I came into Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time; read more.
serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and with trials which befell me in the plottings of the Jews; how I shrank not from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and from teaching you publicly, and from house to house, fully testifying, both to Jews and Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus. And, now, behold, I, bound by the Spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there; except that the Holy Spirit testifieth to me in every city, saying that bonds and tribulations await me. But I make not my soul of any value as dear to myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify the Gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom, will see my face no more. Wherefore, I testify to you this day, that I am clean from the blood of all men; for I shrank not from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit appointed you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that, after my departure, grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among yourselves will men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Wherefore, watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not to admonish every one with tears. "And now I commend 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 the sanctified. I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or apparel. Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I showed you that, thus laboring, ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." And, having said these things, bowing his knees, he prayed with them all. And great weeping arose from all; and, falling upon Paul's neck, they kept kissing him; being distressed especially on account of the word which he had spoken, that they were to see his face no more. And they were escorting him to the ship.