Deeper Reflection
With full integrity, the Apostle Paul described his ministry to the Ephesian Christians as one of “serving the Lord with all humility” (v.19a). Paul was confident that the church elders could testify that this was his consistent conduct throughout the two years that he spent with them (vv.17-18; cf. Acts 19:1, 8-10). Paul had put the interests of the Ephesians and the other residents of Asia before his own interests. Boldly and persistently, he proclaimed the Gospel to the locals and visiting businesspeople in public places and private homes (vv.20-21). Consequently, many Jews and Greeks heard the Word of the Lord. It was hard work requiring much humility. Paul experienced considerable heartache, sacrifice and personal suffering as a result of serious opposition: “with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plot of the Jews” (v.19b). Paul was imitating the Lord’s example of self-emptying humility (Phil 2:5-8). In Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, he exhorts the Christians to “do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil 2:3-4).The Apostle Peter, too, understood humility in Christian service from Christ’s example of suffering for the sake of His people (1 Pet 5:1). Peter urged church elders to shepherd the people of God in a worthy manner – serve willingly, eagerly and humbly as examples to church members (1 Pet 5:2-3). All the believers were to relate humbly with one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet 5:5).