Exposition of Acts 20:27 Whole Counsel of God
In Acts 20:27, Paul declares to the Ephesian elders, "For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God" (ASV) [1]. This statement comes as part of Paul's farewell address, where he reflects on his ministry among them and prepares them for future challenges.
The phrase "the whole counsel of God" (πᾶσαν τὴν βουλὴν τοῦ θεοῦ) refers to the entirety of God's revealed will concerning salvation and the Christian life [3, 5]. It is not about God's secret, unrevealed decrees, but rather the comprehensive message of the Gospel [5]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, explains that this includes "the entire scheme of salvation by Jesus Christ," all its truths and doctrines necessary for salvation, peace, and comfort, as well as its ordinances [5]. This "counsel" is seen as the product of divine wisdom and God's eternal purpose in Christ [5].
Paul's assertion emphasizes his faithfulness in delivering the complete message, without holding back any part due to fear or favor. This commitment is contrasted with shrinking from his duty, implying a full and unreserved proclamation of the divine message [1]. The "counsel of God" is also understood in other biblical contexts as divine instruction and wisdom, as seen in Proverbs, where "counsel" from God or Wisdom (personified as Christ) leads to wisdom in one's life [4, 6].
The broader context of Acts 20 shows Paul warning the elders about false teachers who would arise from within their own ranks and from outside, seeking to draw away disciples [2]. His declaration in verse 27 serves as a foundation for his subsequent exhortations, reminding them that he had equipped them fully with God's truth. This passage highlights the responsibility of ministers to faithfully preach the complete Gospel, ensuring that believers are well-grounded in all aspects of God's revealed will [3].
Sources
- Acts “Acts 20:27 (ASV) — For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Acts 20:31 cross-references: Ezekiel 3:17, Matthew 3:7, Matthew 13:25, Mark 13:34, Luke 21:36, Acts 19:8, Acts 19:10, Acts 20:7, Acts 20:11, Acts 20:19, Acts 24:17, 1 Corinthians 4:14, Colossians 1:28, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:8, 2 Timothy 4:5, Hebrews 13:17, Revelation 16:15”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 20:27: For I have not shunned to declare . . . all the counsel of God--God's way of salvation, and His kingdom of souls saved by His Son Jesus Christ. See Luk 7:30.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 1:25: But ye have set at nought all my counsel,.... The same with "the counsel of God", Act 20:27. The whole Gospel, and all the truths of it; the entire scheme of salvation by Jesus Christ, which is the produce of divine wisdom, and is according to the counsel of the divine will, and his eternal purpose in Christ Jesus; this the Jews set at nought, made no account of, but despised and rejected, as they did Christ, the author of it, Act 4:11; as also his ordinances, which go by the same name, because of the wisdom and will of God in them; particularly baptism, rejected by”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 20:25: For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. By which is meant, not the purposes and decrees of God, latent in his own breast, these the apostle could not declare; but his revealed will in the Gospel, concerning the salvation of men by Jesus Christ, even the whole of the Gospel, every truth and doctrine of it, necessary to salvation, and to the peace, joy, and comfort of the saints; together with all the ordinances of it, and everything that had any tendency to promote the glory of God, and the good of souls; see Luk 7:30 none of these things did ”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:20: Hear counsel, and receive instruction,.... Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end; in the latter end of life, at death; that then it may appear a man has been so wise as to be concerned for a future state, for the good of his soul in another world; by listening to the counsel and instruction of Christ, in his word; by lookin”