Paul’s Last Journey to Jerusalem
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The dangers that would assail the church at Ephesus were revealed
to the apostle. “I know this,” he said, “that after my departing shall
grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your
own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away
disciples after them.” Paul trembled for the church as, looking into the
future, he saw the attacks which she must suffer from both external
and internal foes. With solemn earnestness he bade his brethren guard
vigilantly their sacred trusts. For an example he pointed them to his
own unwearied labors among them: “Therefore watch, and remember,
that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night
and day with tears.
“And now, brethren,” he continued, “I commend you to God, and
to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you
an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted
no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” Some of the Ephesian brethren
were wealthy, but Paul had never sought personal benefit from them. It
was no part of his message to call attention to his own wants. “These
hands,” he declared, “have ministered unto my necessities, and to them
that were with me.” Amidst his arduous labors and extensive journeys
for the cause of Christ, he was able, not only to supply his own wants,
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but to spare something for the support of his fellow laborers and the
relief of the worthy poor. This he accomplished only by unremitting
diligence and the closest economy. Well might he point to his own
example as he said, “I have showed you all things, how that so laboring
ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
“And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with
them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed
him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they
should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the
ship.”
From Miletus the travelers sailed in “a straight course unto Coos,
and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara,” on
the southwest shore of Asia Minor, where, “finding a ship sailing over
unto Phoenicia,” they “went aboard, and set forth.” At Tyre, where
the ship was unloaded, they found a few disciples, with whom they
were permitted to tarry seven days. Through the Holy Spirit these
disciples were warned of the perils awaiting Paul at Jerusalem, and