Acts 20:30

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

American Standard Version (1901)

and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Bible in Basic English

And from among yourselves will come men who will give wrong teaching, turning away the disciples after them.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Free Bible Version

From among your own group men will rise up perverting what is right and good so they can lead believers to follow them.

Geneva Bible 1599

Moreouer of your owne selues shall men arise speaking peruerse thinges, to drawe disciples after them.

King James (Authorized) Version

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Translation for Translators

Even in your own group of believers there will be some who will deceive other believers by teaching them messages that are false. They will teach those messages so that some people will believe them and will become their followers.

Unlocked Literal Bible

I know that from even among you some men shall come and distort the truth in order to draw away the disciples after them.

Noah Webster Bible

Also from your own selves will men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

World English Bible

Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Young's Literal Translation

and of your own selves there shall arise men, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Context

Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians

²⁹I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.³⁰Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.³¹Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Sermons

Visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers Upon the Children

H.J. Vine

Concluding Remarks

George Cutting

Summary

In Acts 20:30, Paul warns the Ephesian elders about the rise of false teachers who would distort the truth and lead believers astray. This verse serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and discerning in the face of deceptive teachings that can undermine the faith of believers. Paul's exhortation emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine and the need to guard against spiritual deception within the church. It highlights the ongoing battle between truth and falsehood, urging believers to stay rooted in the Word of God to avoid being swayed by false teachings.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Also of your own selves, etc. - From out of your own assembly shall men arise, speaking perverse things, teaching for truth what is erroneous in itself, and perversive of the genuine doctrine of Christ crucified. To draw away disciples - To make schisms or rents in the Church, in order to get a party to themselves. See, here, the cause of divisions in the Church: 1. The superintendents lose the life of God, neglect the souls of the people, become greedy of gain, and, by secular extortions, oppress the people. 2. The members of the Church, thus neglected, oppressed, and irritated, get their minds alienated from their rapacious pastors. 3. Men of sinister views take advantage of this state of distraction, foment discord, preach up the necessity of division, and thus the people become separated from the great body, and associate with those who profess to care for their souls, and who disclaim all secular views. In this state of distraction, it is a high proof of God's love to his heritage, if one be found who, possessing the true apostolic doctrine and spirit, rises up to call men back to the primitive truth, and restore the primitive discipline. How soon the grievous wolves and perverse teachers arose in the Churches of Asia Minor, the first chapters of the Apocalypse inform us. The Nicolaitans had nearly ruined the Church of Ephesus, Rev 1:2, Rev 1:6. The same sect, with other false teachers, infested the Church of Pergamos, and preached there the doctrine of Balaam, Rev 2:14, Rev 2:15. A false prophetess seduced the Church of Thyatira, Rev 2:20. All these Churches were in Asia Minor, and probably bishops or ministers from each were present at this convocation.

John Gill Bible Commentary

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. This the apostle says, not merely in vindication of himself, and his character, from all charge or suspicion of avarice; but chiefly for the instruction of these elders, and all others of the same office, not to indulge the sin of covetousness, which is very disagreeable, and ought not to be in a minister of the word; and it may be observed, that many things which the apostle says before of himself to those elders, is said not to commend himself, nor so much in his own vindication, as for their imitation; compare with this Num 16:15 and to point out the character of false teachers that would come in, or spring up among them, who would make merchandise of them. Beza's ancient copy, and others, read, "the silver, &c. of none of you"; and so the Ethiopic version. and to point out the character of false teachers that would come in, or spring up among them, who would make merchandise of them. Beza's ancient copy, and others, read, "the silver, &c. of none of you"; and so the Ethiopic version. Acts 20:34 act 20:34 act 20:34 act 20:34Yea, you yourselves know,.... So far was the apostle from desiring to have other men's money, or to wear their apparel, or to eat their bread, that he could appeal to these elders for the truth of it, they having been eyewitnesses of it: that these hands have ministered unto my necessities; meaning, that he had wrought with his hands, which he then held up, or stretched out, at tent making, along with Aquila and Priscilla, at Ephesus, as he had done before at Corinth, Act 18:2 and therewith supplied himself with necessaries for food and clothing; for though he had a power, as a minister of the Gospel, to forbear working, and to insist upon a maintenance from the churches, yet in some cases, and in some places, he chose rather to forego that, lest he should either any ways hinder the progress of the Gospel at the first preaching of it, or be burdensome to the churches, or give the false teachers any handle against him; and he not only supported himself in this way, but assisted others also: and to them that were with me; as Luke, Timothy, and others; see Act 20:4.