Shepherd the Flock

Paul continues his farewell to the Ephesian elders by putting the leaders under the same watchfulness he expects from the whole church. They must first watch over themselves, because a person cannot care well for others while ignoring his or her own faithfulness. Then they must watch over all the flock, not merely the people who are easiest to lead or most visible in the gathering.

The elders did not appoint themselves as owners. The Holy Spirit made them overseers, and the people belong to God. Their authority is therefore a trust, not a possession. They are called to protect a people who were purchased at a great cost, which makes careless leadership especially serious.

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.

Paul warns that savage wolves will come among the flock and will not spare it. The danger is not only external opposition. Even from among the believers, people may arise who twist the truth in order to draw disciples after themselves. The test of leadership is not how many people a teacher gathers around a personality, but whether the flock is kept close to Christ and the truth.

Paul tells the elders to remember his example. For three years he warned everyone night and day with tears. He did not treat correction as a way to dominate people; his tears show that truth and love were not competing duties for him. He now commends them to God and to the word of his grace, which can build them up and give them an inheritance among God's people.

Paul also reminds them that he did not covet anyone's silver, gold, or clothing. His own hands supplied his needs and helped the weak. His work was not a demand that every leader follow the same occupation, but it showed that ministry must never become a scheme for personal enrichment. He closes with a saying of Jesus: it is more blessed to give than to receive. Then he kneels with them, and the farewell becomes deeply personal. They weep because they will not see his face again, not because the mission has failed, but because faithful service creates real bonds of love.