Acts 20:31

Monday, 2 October 2023

“Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Acts 20:31

A little more literally, the words read, “Therefore, be awake, remembering that three years – night and day – I ceased not with tears, admonishing each one” (CG).

Paul warned the elders standing before him about savage wolves coming in among them, not sparing the flock. He also warned them that even among them men would rise up, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves. Based on this, he next says, “Therefore, be awake.”

It is a single word in the Greek, grégoreó. It is used in the synoptic gospels where Jesus admonished the disciples to stay alert. It literally means to stay awake, but it figuratively means to be alert or to watch. It is usually translated in the figurative sense: watch. With that, he next says, “remembering that three years – night and day – I ceased not with tears.”

The words “three years” come from the Greek noun trietia. It is a term only used here in the New Testament. It comes from treis (three) and etos (year). There is no suitable single word in English to translate it.

Paul’s use of the words “with tears” shows his immense passion for the Person of Christ, the truth of the gospel, and his love for the converts he discipled. He knew what would come about after he was gone, and he constantly warned what was coming, even to the point of tears. They were to constantly watch and be continuously remembering his admonitions. Further, the term “night and day” means that it was something that he never stopped telling them.

It cannot go unstated that Paul could not have said these words unless they were true. The people he is talking to are the same people that he had given the admonitions to in the past. He was literally brought to tears over the thought of his precious churches falling away from sound doctrine. Therefore, he was “admonishing each one.” 

Those in Ephesus could not say they weren’t fully warned of what was coming. They had been implored to hold fast to the truth, watching out for those who would do their best to misdirect them.

Life application: Jesus’ words to those in Ephesus in Revelation 2 show that they had paid heed to Paul’s warnings to some extent, but in so doing, they had actually lost their first love. Unfortunately, the importance of doctrine had become elevated to such a degree that Jesus had become a side issue in many ways. Doctrine is important, but only if it continuously points us to the reason for the doctrine, Jesus.

Jesus warned the disciples to watch on several occasions. Paul continued with this admonition to the churches he planted. Without watching, we are also going to fall. This is the case without any doubt.

No church is immune from temptation, division, or apostasy and, eventually, it seems that any and all follow this path. If you have a pastor who constantly tells you to read your Bible, do you pay heed? If your pastor tells you to pay heed to your doctrine, do you listen and stay focused on what is right?

These are right and proper to do, but while reading your Bible, don’t let it take the place of your love for the Lord. And while pursuing right doctrine, don’t let that head knowledge replace total love and devotion for Jesus. These things should complement each other so that we come to love Jesus more and more as the days go by.

Heavenly Father, learning doctrine can bring us a lot of joy as we grow in our knowledge of what is right and wrong concerning who You are and what it means to follow You. It is also great to debate doctrine with others to hone our own thoughts about these things. But, Lord God, may our doctrine be sound because of our love for You. May it never replace You in our hearts and minds. Amen.