20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
20:20
how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
During Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, he held nothing back that might be helpful to them. He especially taught them publicly and even from house to house.
20:21
testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
During the apostle’s stay in Ephesus and Asia, he reached Jews and Gentiles. He did not withhold his clear message of repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. It is important to note that the words “repentance” and “faith” are joined in Greek, implying two aspects of trust in Christ (the definite article governs both words). To place one’s faith in Christ is the same as to turn from a former belief, i.e., repent.
PRINCIPLE:
The responsibility of pastors is to teach their followers the entire counsel of God, holding nothing back.
APPLICATION:
To equip the saints for the work of ministry, they need to be taught (Eph 4:12). Christians who are trained faithfully in God’s Word are highly motivated to live out their convictions (2 Co 4:13). Paul did not keep back anything that “was helpful” for their growth in Christ (2 Ti 3:16-17). He publicly and privately taught the Word of God (2 Tim 4:2). A pastor should never withhold truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be (Ps 40:9-10; 2 Tim 2:15).
