17From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
Jerusalem or BUST
before Pentecost
I am sure by now you are noticing that Luke (the writer of Acts) is including the word "we" in the description of the events that were happening to Paul. This is a first hand account of what was happening on the missionary journey.
It was thought that Paul was carrying gifts from sister churchs back to Jerusalem in a timely manner for the church was experiencing difficult times. Also he had already missed the Feast of the Passover and was striving to celebrate in Jerusalem on Pentecost giving thanks to God for all His provision. see Romans 15:25-26; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 8:9
v.17 Paul knew better than to go back to Ephesus, so he sent for the church leaders to meet him in Miletus, where he shared the things God had laid on his heart, in all humility with tears.
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