Acts 20:28

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, etc.] Since the blood of men may be required of those, who are negligent or partial in their office, and shun to declare the whole counsel of God: this exhortation is given them not merely as men, to take care of their bodily health, the outward concerns of life, and provide for themselves and families; nor merely as Christians, but as ministers of the Gospel; that they would take heed to their gifts, to use and improve them, and not neglect them; to their time, that they spend it aright, and not squander it away; and to their spirit, temper, and passions, that they are not governed by them; and to their lives and conversations, that they be exemplary to…”

“Take heed . . . unto yourselves--Compare Ti1 3:2-7; Ti1 4:16; Ti1 6:11. and to all the flock--Compare Heb 13:17. Observe here how the personal is put before the pastoral care. over . . . which the Holy Ghost hath made you--Compare Joh 20:22-23; Eph 4:8, Eph 4:11-12; Rev 3:1. (Act 14:23 shows that the apostle did not mean to exclude human ordination). overseers--or, as the same word is everywhere else rendered in our version, "bishops." The English Version has hardly dealt fair in this case with the sacred text, in rendering the word "overseers," whereas it ought here, as in all other places, to have been "bishops," in order that the fact of elders and bishops having been originally and…”

“Take heed, therefore - Attend to; be on your guard against the dangers which beset you, and seek to discharge your duty with fidelity. Unto yourselves - To your own piety, opinions, and mode of life. This is the first duty of a minister; for without this all his preaching will be vain. Compare Colossians 4:17; 1 Timothy 4:14. Ministers are beset with unique dangers and temptations, and against them they should be on their guard. In addition to the temptations which they have in common with other people, they are exposed to those special to their office - arising from flattery, and ambition, and despondency, and worldly-mindedness. And just in proportion to the importance of their office is…”

“Take heed therefore - I now devolve my care upon you; first to yourselves; then to the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers - For no man, or number of men upon earth, can constitute an overseer, bishop, or any other Christian minister. To do this is the peculiar work of the Holy Ghost: to feed the Church of God - That is, the believing, loving, holy children of God; which he hath purchased - How precious is it then in his sight! with his own blood - For it is the blood of the only begotten Son of God, Jo1 1:7. Acts 20:29”

“20:28 Paul refers to the church as God’s people and God’s flock (cp. 1 Pet 2:25; 5:2, 4). Elsewhere the church is called the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27; Eph 1:23; 4:12; Col 1:24); the bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2; Rev 19:7; see Eph 5:25-32); the temple of the living God (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16); a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession (1 Pet 2:9); and God’s field, God’s building (1 Cor 3:9). • Paul expected the leaders to feed and shepherd the church over which the Holy Spirit had appointed them as leaders (see 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-7; 1 Pet 5:1-4; cp. Acts 6:2-4).”

“Take: Ch2 19:6, Ch2 19:7; Mar 13:9; Luk 21:34; Co1 9:26, Co1 9:27; Col 4:17; Ti1 4:16; Heb 12:15 all: Act 20:29; Sol 1:7, Sol 1:8; Isa 40:11, Isa 63:11; Jer 13:17, Jer 13:20, Jer 31:10; Eze 34:31; Mic 7:14; Luk 12:32; Pe1 5:2, Pe1 5:3 over: Act 13:2, Act 14:23; Co1 12:8-11, Co1 12:28-31; Ti1 4:14 overseers: Phi 1:1; Ti1 3:2, Ti1 5:17; Tit 1:7; Heb 13:17; Pe1 2:25, Greek to feed: Psa 78:70-72; Pro 10:21; Isa 40:11; Jer 3:15; Eze 34:3; Mic 5:4, Mic 7:14; Zac 11:4; Mat 2:6 \*Gr: Joh 21:15-17; Pe1 5:2, Pe1 5:3 the church: Co1 1:2, Co1 10:32, Co1 11:22, Co1 15:9; Gal 1:13; Ti1 3:5, Ti1 3:15, Ti1 3:16 which he: Psa 74:2; Isa 53:10-12; Eph 1:7, Eph 1:14; Col 1:14; Heb 9:12-14; Pe1 1:18, Pe1 1:19,…”