25 Feb 2024
The above passage reflects the ‘heart’ of Apostle Paul as he spoke to the elder-overseers of the church of Ephesus as they came to meet him at the port of Miletus to send him off. Paul knew that in a short while, he had to leave these dear ones at Ephesus, and somehow, he had an inkling that his departure from them would be permanent and they would see each other no more.
Paul had spent more than three years in Ephesus preaching, teaching, admonishing, caring. Knowing that he might not see them again, Paul knew that his words must provide help and challenge to those who must both grow in the faith and live in a hostile world.
Paul also knew that after his departure, ‘fierce wolves would come to ravage the flock (Acts 20:21). He admonished the elders to tend the Christian community committed to their care. He also warned them that some of the coming false teachers and other disruptive influences would arise even from their midst.
Then Paul revealed how he had prioritised his ministry among them: “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable…teaching you…”(vs20). Later, he clarified this, “I didn ot shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God (vs27).
Paul knew also, as expressed in his letter to the Ephesian church, that they were ‘not contending against flesh and blood but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of the present darkness, and against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places (Eph. 6:12).
Believers in such circumstances needed, not ‘sound bites’ of the gospel, but the whole thing – the whole counsel of God. Paul’s hope and confidence were that they would be able to live consistent Christian lives founded on the totality of God’s revelation, and having done all, to stand. He commended the Ephesian elders to the grace of God and the Word of God.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians gives hints of what he must have covered, with reference to the ‘whole counsel of God’:
It begins with reference to God’s determination and choice ‘before the foundation of the world’ (1:4). Human persons are ‘dead’ in trespasses and sin (2:1), but God’s grace and salvation through faith was revealed and made available through Jesus Christ (Notice the similarity disclosed by Zechariah in his prophecy in Luke 1). It is to result in good works (service to God in holiness and righteousness, by Zechariah), which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (2:8-10). Paul also insists that the barrier between Jews and Gentiles has been broken down (2:11-3:13). He calls his readers to know and love Christ, admonishes them ‘to lead a life worthy’ of their calling from God (Eph.4:1). He gives them specific instruction for so doing and for maintaining the relationships within the Christian community. He calls for Christians of all social, economic, and other levels to ‘Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (5:21). All believers must be watchful and prepared because they live in a hostile environment and are engaged in a spiritual battle (6:10-18). Paul also spoke of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit and the future promised inheritance (1:14). Hence the whole counsel of God covers the person and work of God from eternity past into eternity future, from before creation to beyond the end of life, the world, and history as we now know them (see the comprehensive coverage that Paul has covered in the ‘whole counsel of God’). In the light of the spiritual warfare, the false teachings and false brethren, the whole counsel of God is required – it means that we need to know the whole story revealed in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and also the ‘happenings’ in between. We cannot afford to neglect this if we desire to stand in the end for Christ.