Farewell at Miletus

After the uproar ceased, Paul encouraged the disciples and departed for Macedonia, then Greece, where he stayed three months. When a plot was formed against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus accompanied him.

At Troas, on the first day of the week, the disciples gathered to break bread, and Paul talked until midnight. There were many lights in the upper room. Eutychus, sitting in the window and weighed down with deep sleep, fell from the third floor and was taken up dead. Paul went down, embraced him, and said his life was in him. Paul broke bread, talked until daybreak, and departed. They brought the boy in alive and were greatly comforted.

Hurrying to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, Paul called the Ephesian elders to Miletus. He reminded them how he had served the Lord with humility, tears, and trials, holding back nothing profitable. He had testified to Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus. Bound by the Spirit, he was going to Jerusalem, not knowing what would happen, except that the Holy Spirit testified that bonds and afflictions awaited him. Yet he did not hold his life dear, that he might finish his race with joy and the ministry received from the Lord Jesus.

He charged them to take heed to themselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit made them overseers, to shepherd the assembly which God purchased with his own blood. After his departure, vicious wolves would enter, and some from among themselves would draw disciples away; so they must watch. He commended them to God and to the word of his grace. He had coveted no one's silver, gold, or clothing; his own hands had served his needs. He reminded them of the Lord Jesus' words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Then he knelt and prayed with them all, and they wept, sorrowing most that they would see his face no more.