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.

G | 17-18. CALL TO THE ELDERS.

They come.

H1 | 18-21. TEACHING. Apostello, anaggello. |

a | I have kept back nothing.

b | I have taught.

I | 22-25. GRACE. |

c | And now I go bound.

d | Bonds await me.

e | Finish my course.

e | Testify gospel of grace.

c | And now I know.

d | See my face no more.

H2 | 26-31. WARNING. Apostello, anaggello. |

f | Record.

g | Shunned not to declare.

h | Take heed.

i | Yourselves.

j | The flock.

h | Overseers.

j | The flock.

i | Your own selves.

f | Remember.

g | Ceased not to warn.

I | 32. GRACE. |

c | And now I commend.

e | Word of His grace.

H3 | 33-35. PRACTICING. |

a | I have not coveted.

b | I have showed.

G | 36-38. LEAVE-TAKING TO THE ELDERS.

They accompany him.

It will be observed that the subject-matter falls into three main groups. The section

labeled H1, H2 and H3 are in the nature of a personal defence, linking together, as

the Apostle so often did, his teaching and his manner of life. The sections labeled  "I"

are concerned with the Apostle's ministry of grace, with its hint of prison, and his

commending of his hearers to the grace of God.