Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Spirit doesn't just "appoint" leaders; He places them within the flock like overseers, emphasizing their direct appointment from God for spiritual guardianship. This highlights that the church isn't just a community, but a precious possession "obtained" or "acquired" with immense personal cost – Christ's own blood.
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Paul's ministry in Ephesus concludes, he gathers the church elders for a final farewell, delivering a powerful charge to them. He emphasizes that their authority comes directly from the Holy Spirit, not from human appointment, and that their primary responsibility is to faithfully shepherd the flock—the very church Christ purchased with His own life. This solemn charge occurs as Paul prepares to leave them, knowing he will not see them again, which adds immense weight to his words about their sacred duty.
Who truly commissions those who lead the church? It's not just human appointment, but a divine appointment rooted in the Spirit's power.
Paul addresses the elders at Ephesus, emphasizing that their leadership isn't a mere human endeavor. He declares, 'the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.' This highlights that the true call and authority to lead God's people come directly from the Holy Spirit. This wasn't just about having the right skills or gaining a position; it was about being divinely appointed. The Spirit equips, empowers, and sets apart individuals for the sacred task of caring for the church. This divine ordination underscores the profound responsibility and sacredness of ministry.
The church isn't just any community; it's a possession of immense value. What makes it so precious in God's eyes?
The verse powerfully declares that the church is 'the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.' This phrase speaks volumes about the immeasurable value of every believer and the church as a whole. Jesus, in His divine nature, paid the ultimate price – His own blood – for our redemption. This wasn't a small transaction; it was the acquisition of a 'purchased possession' (Ephesians 1:14). This means believers are not their own, but belong to Christ, bought at an incredible cost. Understanding this profound truth should shape how leaders care for the flock and how individuals value their place within it.
Ask a follow-up
Before tending to the sheep, there's a critical first step. What is it, and why is it so important?
Paul's instruction begins with a crucial command: 'Pay careful attention to yourselves.' This isn't an afterthought; it's the foundational element before addressing the 'flock.' Leaders must first tend to their own spiritual well-being. This involves maintaining their own faith, understanding sound doctrine, practicing genuine godliness, and consistently following Christ. Only then can they effectively and authentically care for others. Neglecting oneself leads to an inability to truly nourish and protect the church. It’s a reminder that authentic leadership flows from a well-tended inner life, ensuring that the care given to the flock is genuine and deeply rooted in personal faith.
Understand the original words
poimnion · Greek Noun
A common biblical metaphor for the community of believers who belong to God, requiring protection, nourishment, and guidance under the care of appointed leaders.
pneuma hagion · Greek Noun phrase
The third person of the Trinity, the divine agent who empowers, directs, and dwells within the church, and who sovereignly appoints leaders.
episkopos · Greek Noun
Leaders appointed to watch over, guard, and exercise stewardship within the church; they are tasked with the spiritual well-being of the congregation.
ekklēsia · Greek Noun
The assembly of believers; the body of Christ established by God through the sacrifice of Jesus, which is His possession.
This instruction from Paul to the Ephesian elders at Miletus is a pivotal moment, as he entrusts the ongoing care of the church to their leadership, emphasizing the Spirit's role in their appointment and the immense value of the church, bought by Christ's blood.
c. AD 53-56— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
Paul spends a significant amount of time in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor, ministering and establishing the church. This period is crucial for the development of the Ephesian church and its leadership.
c. AD 56
Paul Sends for Ephesian Elders
While on his third missionary journey, Paul is on his way to Jerusalem and stops at Miletus. He sends for the elders of the church in Ephesus to meet him there for a final charge.
c. AD 56
Paul's Farewell Address
At Miletus, Paul delivers a heartfelt farewell address to the Ephesian elders, sharing his ministry's hardships, his unwavering commitment to the gospel, and urging them to faithfully shepherd the flock.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Later, Paul writes his Epistle to the Ephesians from his Roman imprisonment, further elaborating on the nature of the church, its unity, and the spiritual warfare it faces.
This passage uses the same imagery of 'shepherding' the 'flock' and 'exercising oversight,' directly paralleling the command given to the elders in Acts 20:28 to 'feed' and 'oversee' the church.
Hebrews 9:14It speaks of Christ's blood as something that purifies the conscience and is offered 'through the eternal Spirit,' echoing the profound value and divine agency behind the church's redemption mentioned in Acts 20:28.
Titus 2:14This verse states that Christ 'gave himself for us to redeem us' and make us a 'people of his own,' underscoring the concept of Christ obtaining the church for Himself with His own blood as described in Acts 20:28.
1 Corinthians 6:20It declares that believers have been 'bought with a price,' directly connecting to the idea in Acts 20:28 that the church was purchased by Christ's blood, highlighting its immense value.
John 10:11Jesus identifies Himself as the 'good shepherd' who lays down his life for the sheep, providing the ultimate example and foundation for the leaders' responsibility to care for the flock, as commanded in Acts 20:28.
ellicottActs 20:28: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
(28) Over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers. —Better, in which the Holy Ghost set you as watchers. The word used is the same as that commonly translated bishops, but, as used here in connection with the idea of the flock, it requires a word less technically ecclesiastical. It will be…
wesleyActs 20:28: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
20:28 Take heed therefore - I now devolve my care upon you; first to yourselves; then to the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers - For no man, or number of men upon earth, can constitute an overseer, bishop, or any other Christian minister. To do this is the peculiar work of the…
The Holy Spirit doesn't just "appoint" leaders; He places them within the flock like overseers, emphasizing their direct appointment from God for spiritual guardianship. This highlights that the church isn't just a community, but a precious possession "obtained" or "acquired" with immense personal cost – Christ's own blood.
As Paul's ministry in Ephesus concludes, he gathers the church elders for a final farewell, delivering a powerful charge to them. He emphasizes that their authority comes directly from the Holy Spirit, not from human appointment, and that their primary responsibility is to faithfully shepherd the flock—the very church Christ purchased with His own life. This solemn charge occurs as Paul prepares to leave them, knowing he will not see them again, which adds immense weight to his words about their sacred duty.
As Paul's ministry in Ephesus concludes, he gathers the church elders for a final farewell, delivering a powerful charge to them. He emphasizes that their authority comes directly from the Holy Spirit, not from human appointment, and that their primary responsibility is to faithfully shepherd the flock—the very church Christ purchased with His own life. This solemn charge occurs as Paul prepares to leave them, knowing he will not see them again, which adds immense weight to his words about their sacred duty.
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." — The Holy Spirit doesn't just "appoint" leaders; He places them within the flock like overseers, emphasizing their direct appointment from God for spiritual guardianship. This highlights that the ch…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026