Acts 20:17 (KJV)

What does Acts 20:17 mean?

Acts 20:17 describes how Paul, while staying in the city of Miletus, sent a message to Ephesus to summon the elders of the church there. Paul wanted to meet with these church leaders, so he called them to come to him rather than traveling to Ephesus himself.

Paul is the speaker in this verse, and he is on his way to Jerusalem, stopping in Miletus, a coastal city near Ephesus. Instead of going into Ephesus, he asks the elders (the recognized leaders) of the Christian community in Ephesus to come to him. This sets up the important conversation that follows in the next verses, where Paul gives them guidance and encouragement.

The Greek behind Acts 20:17

• ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia, "church"): This word refers to the assembly or gathering of believers, not a building. Here, it highlights that Paul is addressing the recognized community of Christians in Ephesus.
• πρεσβυτέρους (presbyterous, "elders"): This term means older men or leaders, often understood as those with spiritual oversight in the early church. Paul’s choice to call the elders shows he is addressing those with responsibility and influence in the community.

Why Acts 20:17 matters

• Acts 20:17 clarifies that Paul saw the leadership of the local church as a group of elders, not just a single leader, which gives insight into early church structure.
• The verse shows Paul’s care and intentionality in guiding the church, even when he could not be physically present in every city.
• This meeting sets the stage for one of Paul’s most personal and heartfelt speeches, which follows in the passage and is directed specifically to these church leaders.