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problems, will readily understand the apostle's imperative need for a few hours entirely free, even from the company
of those he loved so well.
Meeting the ship at Assos, the apostle continues his journey via Mitylene, Chios, Samos and Trogyllium to
Miletus. In the two verses that describe this journey (Acts 20:14,15) we find the characteristic variety of expression
that denotes that the record is a personal one. We read that they `came' to Mitylene; they `came opposite' Chios;
they `touched at' Samos; they `remained', for a while at Trogyllium; and at length `came' to Miletus. The apostle
had deliberately `sailed by' Ephesus, in order to save time, `for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at
Jerusalem the day of Pentecost'.
With this remark, the section before us reaches its conclusion. There is an intensity about these steps leading to
Jerusalem, and we begin to sense that a crisis is at hand - a crisis which prepared the way for the introduction of a
new dispensation, and which is therefore of intense interest to all who realize their association with the dispensation
of the Mystery.
The Prison Ministry Foreshadowed (Acts 20:17-38)
Elders and Overseers
An examination of a modern map will show that considerable changes have taken place on the coast at Miletus
since the days of the apostles. What in those days were islands off the coast are now gentle elevations on dry land,
while the river Meander near which Miletus stood, has brought down so much soil in its circuitous course that the
whole aspect of the place has completely changed. Miletus is placed by the sea in Ptolemy's geography, and is
stated to have had four havens, one of which could hold a fleet.
In Acts 20:16 we read that `Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in
Asia'. For some unrecorded reason, however, the ship was delayed and Paul seizes the opportunity to send to the
Church at Ephesus asking the elders to meet him at Miletus. Ephesus is some 40 miles away, so that the journey
was a possible one for any who were sufficiently zealous to make it. And so we find the little band at Miletus,
eagerly listening to the last message they would receive from the apostle, until the time came for him to write his
wonderful epistle to the Ephesians.
As we have a great deal of ground to cover, let us first avail ourselves of the help afforded by the structure.
Acts 20:17-38
G Acts 20:17-18.
CALL TO THE ELDERS. They come.
a I have kept nothing back.
H1 Acts 20:18-21.
b I have taught.
TEACHING.
Apostello, anaggello.
c And now I go bound.
I
Acts 20:22-25.
d Bonds await me.
GRACE.
e Finish my course.
e Testify gospel of grace.
c And now I know.
d See my face no more.
f
H2 Acts 20:26-31.
Record.
g Shunned not to declare.
WARNING.
h
Apostello,
Take heed.
i  Yourselves.
anaggello.
j  The flock.
h
Overseers.
j  The flock.