Verse 29 is a warning and a prophecy combined. Jesus would warn
about this same thing.
Matthew 7:15 ¶ Beware of
false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves.
Paul will have something to say of this in Romans.
Romans 16:17 ¶ Now I
beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to
the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord
Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive
the hearts of the simple.
And Peter and Jude will warn…
2Peter 2:1 But there were
false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers
among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord
that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Jude 1:4 For there are
certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness,
and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice from verse 30 some of Paul’s words to Timothy.
1Timothy 1:18 ¶ This charge
I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before
on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which
some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck;
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and
Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to
blaspheme.
2Timothy 2:14 ¶ Of these
things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive
not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more
ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat
as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying
that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
2Timothy 4:3 For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the
truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
And John also gave warnings.
1John 2:18 ¶ Little
children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,
even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of
us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but
they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Paul stresses his own faithfulness to the gospel in this passage
and how he took nothing from them but supported himself.
Acts 18:2 And found a
certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife
Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:)
and came unto them. 3 And because he was
of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation
they were tentmakers.
And his declarations of his own standards and admonitions
regarding laboring.
1Corinthians 9:6 Or I only
and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own
charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who
feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the
law the same also? 9 For it is written
in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth
out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this
is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that
thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is
it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over
you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer
all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about
holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar
are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so
hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the
gospel. 15 ¶ But I have used none of
these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done
unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my
glorying void.
2Thessalonians 3:10 For
even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work,
neither should he eat.
See his urging these Christians to support, as he has done with
his own hands as he has supported those workers with him, the infirm, weak of
body and, perhaps, by extrapolation the poor among them who were truly poor as
opposed to citizens of semi-socialist democracies today. These poor were more
like what you would find in Africa, Asia, and South America today where the
social safety net is either non-existent or weak to say the least. There is no
Medicare in these places as there was none then, no Medicaid, or Social
Security, or unemployment benefits, and if your family couldn’t help you if a
sickness kept you from supporting yourself or circumstances were hard then you
were likely to starve to death or die from an opportunistic disease that took
advantage of your weakened condition.
Acts 20:36 ¶ And when he
had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s
neck, and kissed him, 38 Sorrowing most
of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And
they accompanied him unto the ship.
This is truly a sad parting for the elders of the Ephesian church,
and an ominous one.
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