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Act 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I
may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to
the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul is simply saying, “I am hard-headed!” Although he knows he will ultimately be thrown in
prison, he is stating he is willing to die for the gospel. This is noble but stupid. All of the things
Paul is saying he is willing to do are right and commendable, but if you are out of God’s will, you
can have all the right attitudes and still be wrong.

Paul is prepared to go to jail and suffer persecution yet still plans to preach the gospel. He will
go to jail, and he will be persecuted, but he will be unable to preach the gospel in Jerusalem.
Specifically, he will be unable to preach the gospel of grace. He will take a legalistic vow to
preach the gospel of grace. In essence, he will sin that grace may abound.

PAUL FULFILLS HIS RESPONSIBILITY

Act 20:25 "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the
kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

Act 20:26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

Paul is pure from their blood. He is free from responsibility. Their blood is now on their own
hands because Paul has done with them what God has commanded.

Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

For I have not shunned (hupostello: did not furl the sails, cower, shrink, conceal [verse 20]) to
declare (anaggello: announce or teach again and again) unto you all the counsel (boule: plan,
will, purpose) of God.

Paul’s responsibility is to teach the Word to these men. He is free from their blood
(responsibility for them); if they fail, they are responsible, not Paul. He has given them the
Word. They are now responsible for their own decisions and the consequences of those
decisions.

When a minister gives his people the Word of God and leaves nothing out, he is free from
responsibility over them. The pastor can walk away from the pulpit knowing he has delivered
all God has required him to share. When a minister finally leaves this earth and enters into
heaven, he can do so with the assurance that he has preached all the Word of God and Left
nothing out (Colossians 4:12).

Paul walks away from these ministers knowing he has given them everything God has told him
to share. Paul has a free conscience toward God and these ministers. When the congregation
opens their hearts to the teaching of the Word, this makes a pastor’s job even easier. Not only
is the pastor free from responsibility, so are the people (see 2 Corinthians 6:11-13).