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Selected Verse: Acts 20:29 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Ac 20:29 |
King James |
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you--Two classes of coming enemies are here announced, the one more external to themselves, the other bred in the bosom of their own community; both were to be teachers, but the one, "grievous wolves," not sparing, that is, making a prey of the flock; the other (Act 20:30), simply sectarian "perverters" of the truth, with the view of drawing a party after them. Perhaps the one pointed to that subtle poison of Oriental Gnosticism which we know to have very early infected the Asiatic churches; the other to such Judaizing tendencies as we know to have troubled nearly all the early churches. See the Epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Timothy, also those to the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 2:1-3:22). But watchfulness against all that tends to injure and corrupt the Church is the duty of its pastors in every age. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For I know this - By what he had seen in other places; by his knowledge of human nature, and of the dangers to which they were exposed; and by the guidance of inspiration.
After my departure - His presence had been the means of guarding the church, and preserving it from these dangers. Now that the founder and guide of the church was to be removed, they would be exposed to dissensions and dangers.
Grievous wolves - Heavy βαρεῖς bareis, strong, mighty, dangerous wolves - so strong that the feeble flock would not be able to resist them. The term "wolves" is used to denote "the enemies of the flock - false, and hypocritical, and dangerous teachers." Compare Mat 10:16.
Enter in among you - From abroad; doubtless referring particularly to the Jews, who might be expected to distract and divide them.
Not sparing the flock - Seeking to destroy the church. The Jews would regard it with special hostility, and would seek to destroy it in every way. Probably they would approach them with great professed friendship for them, and expressing a desire only to defend the laws of Moses. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
wolves
The two sources of the apostasy:
false teachers from without, (Co2 11:13-15); (Pe2 2:1-3);
ambitious leaders from within, (Jo3 1:9); (Jo3 1:10); (Rev 2:6); (Rev 2:15).
Also, (Ti1 1:20); (Jo1 2:19). |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Grievous (βαρεῖς)
Lit., heavy: violent, rapacious. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Grievous wolves - From without, namely, false apostles. They had, not yet broke in on the Church at Ephesus. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
After my departing - Referring, most likely, to his death; for few of these evils took place during his life.
Grievous wolves - Persons professing to be teachers; Judaizing Christians, who, instead of feeding the flock, would feed themselves, even to the oppression and ruin of the Church. |
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
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.
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
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.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.