Preach The Whole Counsel of God

A Sobering Call

As I journey through the Scriptures, Acts 20:20 and 27 stand out as sobering reminders, especially for those called to preach and teach God's Word. Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders weigh heavily on my heart. He declared, "I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable and teaching you publicly and from house to house" (Acts 20:20, NASB), and again, "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God" (Acts 20:27, NASB). These verses carry an immense responsibility for anyone who handles the Word of God: we are to hold nothing back.

Paul's example is clear—he wasn’t in ministry to please people or to avoid controversy. His goal was to faithfully proclaim the way of salvation. Albert Barnes explains it well when he says, "Paul did not visit for mere ceremony; for idle gossip, or chit-chat; or to converse on the news or politics of the day. His aim was to show the way of salvation." As a teacher of God’s Word, Paul wasn’t there to entertain, but to engage people with the living God through the Scriptures. This stands as a challenge to all who teach and preach: our calling is not to amuse, but to deliver the truth of God’s Word with clarity and conviction.

Paul’s declaration in Acts 20:27 is even more pointed: "I have not suppressed or concealed anything, through fear or favor." The Greek word used here, hupesteilamēn, means to withdraw or disguise any important truth out of fear or apprehension. In other words, Paul did not hold back any part of God’s message, no matter how difficult or controversial it might be. One commentator emphasized,"Ministers ought to declare all that counsel, because God commands it; because it is needful for the salvation of people; and because the message is not theirs, but God's, and they have no right to change, to disguise, or to withhold it."

This is a deeply sobering truth. It is a call to integrity and boldness, especially considering the audience Paul was addressing: not unbelievers, but the church. The stakes are high because the church of God has been "purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28, NASB). Paul warns that after his departure, *"savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29, NASB). This highlights the preciousness of God’s people and the reality that they are always a target for false teachers and spiritual predators. To cut corners with God’s Word is not just a failure of duty—it’s a betrayal of trust. The shepherds of God’s flock must protect the sheep with the truth of Scripture, not watered-down messages.

James gives us a sobering reminder of the weight this responsibility carries: "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment" (James 3:1, NASB). The role of a preacher or teacher is not to be taken lightly. To mislead or to hold back truth from God's people invites stricter judgment from God. That is why the fervent proclamation of the whole counsel of God is crucial. The church's well-being depends on it.

In a world where churches are growing less and less tolerant of biblical teaching, the need to preach God’s Word faithfully and fully is more urgent than ever. The temptation to soften or shrink back from difficult truths will always be present, but we are called to preach the Word in its entirety—for the good of the church, for the glory of God, and for the sake of our own souls. 

May we, like Paul, not shrink back from declaring the whole counsel of God. Amen.

Kenneth Beaton