for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul's bold declaration isn't just about teaching everything; it highlights that "all the counsel of God" encompasses not just the comforting parts, but the entirety of His revealed will, including challenging truths that might be unpopular. This implies he didn't shy away from presenting the difficult, yet essential, aspects of God's plan, even if it meant risking offense or losing favor.
for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders, whom he has summoned to Miletus because he cannot visit them in person. He's reminding them of his ministry among them, emphasizing his sincere intentions and the hardships he endured, and preparing them for future struggles as he heads to Jerusalem, where he anticipates imprisonment and suffering. He closes this heartfelt farewell by affirming that he faithfully proclaimed the complete message of God, leaving the elders responsible for how they receive it.
Paul is giving his final charge to the Ephesian elders. He's reminding them of his ministry and his integrity. What does it really mean to not 'shrink from' or 'shun' declaring God's counsel?
Paul uses a strong word here: he didn't "shrink" or "shun" anything. This wasn't about simply being honest; it was about actively resisting the temptation to hide or disguise truth.
Avoiding the Hidden Truths
Paul recognized that some truths of God aren't popular. They can be difficult to hear, confrontational, or challenge people's comfort zones. To "shun" these truths would mean:
Paul refused to do this. His commitment was to present the entire message of God, whether it was palatable or not.
When Paul says he declared 'the whole counsel of God,' what did that encompass? Was it just a few key points, or something much more comprehensive?
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The "whole counsel of God" refers to everything God has revealed about His will and purpose, particularly concerning salvation.
The Scope of God's Revelation
This wasn't just a select set of doctrines Paul preached. It included:
Paul's aim was to present the complete picture of God's redemptive plan, leaving nothing essential out.
Paul's bold declaration wasn't just about his own integrity; it carried a heavy weight of responsibility. What was at stake for him and for those he ministered to?
Paul's unwavering commitment to declare the whole counsel of God was directly linked to his accountability before God and the people he served. If he held back the truth, he would be complicit in their spiritual ruin.
The Shepherd's Responsibility
Understand the original words
hypostellomai · Greek Verb
The act of drawing back, shrinking away, or withholding due to fear or pressure. It implies a failure to speak truth boldly.
boulē · Greek Noun
The entire plan, purpose, or declared will of God for humanity, encompassing the full scope of His redemptive work and moral requirements.
Paul's declaration in Acts 20:27 isn't just a personal statement but a reflection of the immense pressure and spiritual warfare involved in faithfully communicating God's complete message in a world resistant to truth.
c. AD 52-55
Paul's Extended Ministry in Ephesus
Paul spent over two years in Ephesus, a major Roman city and center of trade and culture in Asia Minor, establishing a thriving church and powerfully impacting the region.
c. AD 57
Paul's Letter to the Corinthians
During his ministry in Ephesus, Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth. This letter addresses ongoing divisions and challenges within the Corinthian church, revealing the complexities of ministry and the need for clear, unwavering instruction.
c. AD 57
Paul's Letter to the Romans
Though not written from Ephesus, Paul's comprehensive theological letter to the Romans reveals his deep understanding and commitment to explaining the 'whole counsel of God,' laying out the foundational doctrines of salvation.
c. AD 57— this verse
Paul's Departure from Ephesus
After his lengthy stay, Paul decides to leave Ephesus. He summons the elders to Miletus, knowing he will not see them again, to deliver a final, heartfelt charge.
c. AD 57
Paul's Farewell Charge to the Ephesian Elders
In his poignant farewell at Miletus, Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of his faithful ministry among them, emphasizing that he has not withheld any part of God's truth, a testament to his integrity and dedication.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Paul is imprisoned in Rome, where he continues to minister and write letters, including those to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, demonstrating his enduring commitment to God's word despite suffering.
This passage highlights the prophet's responsibility to warn the wicked, making him accountable if he fails to do so, mirroring Paul's assertion in Acts 20:27 of declaring God's 'whole counsel'.
Jeremiah 1:17God commissions Jeremiah to speak His words without fear, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness in delivering the divine message, which resonates with Paul's commitment to not 'shun' declaring God's counsel.
1 Corinthians 2:2Paul explicitly states his intention to preach Christ and Him crucified, revealing the core message he considered essential and would not hold back, aligning with the 'whole counsel of God' he mentioned in Acts.
2 Timothy 4:2Paul instructs Timothy to 'preach the word' and be ready 'in season and out of season,' urging steadfastness in proclaiming the entirety of God's message, echoing the sentiment of his own ministry in Acts 20.
Deuteronomy 4:2This Old Testament command instructs Israel not to add to or subtract from God's commands, reinforcing the concept of faithfully delivering the complete message without alteration, much like Paul's claim in Acts 20:27.
barnesActs 20:27: "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God."
For - This verse contains a reason for what had been said in the previous verse. It shows why Paul regarded himself as innocent if they should be lost. I have not shunned - I have not kept back; I have not been deterred by fear, by the desire of popularity, by the fact that the doctrines of the gospel are unpalatable to people, from declaring them fully. The proper meaning of the word translated here, "I have not s…
wesleyActs 20:27: "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God."
20:27 For I have not shunned - Otherwise if any had perished, their blood would have been on his head.
Paul's bold declaration isn't just about teaching everything; it highlights that "all the counsel of God" encompasses not just the comforting parts, but the entirety of His revealed will, including challenging truths that might be unpopular. This implies he didn't shy away from presenting the difficult, yet essential, aspects of God's plan, even if it meant risking offense or losing favor.
Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders, whom he has summoned to Miletus because he cannot visit them in person. He's reminding them of his ministry among them, emphasizing his sincere intentions and the hardships he endured, and preparing them for future struggles as he heads to Jerusalem, where he anticipates imprisonment and suffering. He closes this heartfelt farewell by affirming that he faithfully proclaimed the complete message of God, leaving the elders responsible for how they receive it.
Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders, whom he has summoned to Miletus because he cannot visit them in person. He's reminding them of his ministry among them, emphasizing his sincere intentions and the hardships he endured, and preparing them for future struggles as he heads to Jerusalem, where he anticipates imprisonment and suffering. He closes this heartfelt farewell by affirming that he faithfully proclaimed the complete message of God, leaving the elders responsible for how they receive it.
"for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." — Paul's bold declaration isn't just about teaching everything; it highlights that "all the counsel of God" encompasses not just the comforting parts, but the entirety of His revealed will, including c…
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Last reviewed October 2026