Devine Scripture

Acts 20:27

What does Acts 20:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 20:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 20:27 means

Paul did not shrink from declaring the whole counsel of God. He taught the full range of God’s truth—comforts and warnings, doctrines and duties—without trimming hard edges. Selective teaching produces stunted disciples vulnerable to error; whole-counsel teaching produces mature, stable believers. This verse models the apostolic standard for pastors: comprehensive, balanced, God-centered instruction that equips the church for every season. The courage not to “shrink” assumes opposition and pressure. Faithful ministry stands firm, trusting that God’s truth, received in humility, gives life and guards the flock from destructive distortions.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For I have not kept back from you anything of the purpose of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for I did not keep back from declaring to you all the counsel of God.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I have not spread to declare unto you all, the counsel of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for I have not shrunk from announcing to you all the counsel ofGod.

Context

This explanation grounds Paul’s claim in verse 26 that he is innocent of blood. Having fully discharged his teaching duty, Paul will now charge the elders to shepherd well (verse 28) and to be vigilant against savage wolves and internal deceivers (verses 29–30). The move from his past faithfulness to their present responsibility is deliberate: as he did among them, so must they continue among the flock when he departs.

v.26Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

v.27This passage

v.28Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 2:23

    him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:

  • Acts 20:35

    In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

  • Acts 26:22

    Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come;

  • Acts 20:20

    how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,

  • 1 Corinthians 11:23

    For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;

  • Luke 7:30

    But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him.

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