Pastor's Sermon Notes: Paul’s Farewell Sermon to the Ephesian Elders, Part 1 (Acts 20:13-31)

Paul’s Farewell Sermon to the Ephesian Elders, Part 1

Acts 20:13-31

¹³ And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. ¹⁴ And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. ¹⁵ And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. ¹⁶ For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. ¹⁷ And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. ¹⁸ And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, ¹⁹ Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: ²⁰ And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, ²¹ Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ²² And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: ²³ Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. ²⁴ But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. ²⁵ And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. ²⁶ Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. ²⁷ For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. ²⁸ Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. ²⁹ For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. ³¹ Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Introduction:

We have reminded often concerning the transitional nature of the historical narrative encountered in the book of Acts. This is the foundational period in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ. Some aspects of the contents of this book must be discerned as not having direct application to the subsequent periods of the Church. This episode is not one of them. Just as in the book of Revelation when observation was made that the Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in chapters two and three are the most directly applicable portions of the New Testament to us today, even so does Paul’s final sermon at Miletus to the Ephesian Elders in Acts 20 stand as one of the portions of this book that we should consider as having direct application to us today without qualification.

Outline:

I. The Journey - from Troas to Miletus (20:13-17)

II. The Sermon, Part 1 (20:18-31)

Transition:  Now begins Paul’s conclusion of what has been referred to as his third missionary journey, which will terminate in Jerusalem and usher in the end of the book with Paul in Rome.

I. The Journey - from Troas to Miletus (20:13-17)

¹³ And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. ¹⁴ And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. ¹⁵ And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. ¹⁶ For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. ¹⁷ And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

The most significant aspect of this voyage is where Paul did not go.

1. The Separate Teams Reunited at Mitylene (20:13-14)

2. The Journey from Mitylene to Miletus (20:15)

3. The Reason for Bypassing Ephesus (20:16)

4. The Call for the Elders at Miletus (20:17)

1. The Separate Teams Reunited at Mitylene (20:13-14)

¹³ And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. ¹⁴ And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

2. The Journey from Mitylene to Miletus (20:15)

And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

3. The Reason for Bypassing Ephesus (20:16)

For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

This must have been very hard for Paul to do, but verse 22 explains why he resisted the temptation. He had already invested a lot of time in Ephesus, and now had other priorities that precluded any more delay than he already had due to the attempted ambush by the Jews in Greece.  The content of the sermon to follow makes clear that he could leave with a clear conscience, and with the church there in the capable hands of trained and trusted elders.

4. The Call for the Elders at Miletus (20:17)

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.[1]

This is a very significant event, perhaps more so than many readers of Acts realize. One point that must be insisted on is that he did not call for the apostles, nor the apostles and elders. Here is the Great Apostle handing off the baton of ministry, and the responsibility for the well-being of the church to the elders. The only record of a mix of apostles and elders in a church in Acts was at Jerusalem in chapter 15 (verses 2, 4, 6, 22, and 23), and the reference to the subsequent delivery in 16:4. There are no accounts of any ordaining of apostles in every church coordinate with that of the ordination of “elders in every church” (14:23). And in 11:30, and 21:18 it is only the elders who are mentioned. It must be made clear, maintained and insisted on in the face of wide spread false teaching that the apostolic office was: 1) historically unique to the first century, and to this foundation period of the Church, and 2) personally unique being held only by the immediate associates and successors of Jesus Christ Himself.

With that in mind this event must be viewed as a historical “hinge” moment in the history of the Church. The Apostle to the Gentiles is leaving, never to return. He has fulfilled his mission. It is now for the elders then, and in all subsequent centuries to carry on, and fulfill theirs by building on the foundation Paul laid.

II. The Sermon, Part 1 (20:18-31)

1. The Introduction - The Summary of Paul’s Ministry in Asia (20:18-21)

2. The Testimony - The Essence of Paul’s Ministry (20:22-24)

3. The Record - The Fulfillment of Paul’s Ministry (20:25-27)

4. The Warning - The Legacy of Paul’s Ministry (20:28-31)

1. The Introduction - The Summary of Paul’s Ministry in Asia (20:18-21)

 ¹⁸ And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, ¹⁹ Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: ²⁰ And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, ²¹ Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

1) Paul’s Personal Example (20:18-19)

2) Paul’s Profitable Preaching (20:20-21)

1) Paul’s Personal Example (20:18-19)

¹⁸ And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, ¹⁹ Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

(1) When - from the first day…at all seasons

(2) How - humbly, tearfully, in the face of opposition

            tears - also verse 31, and weeping in verse 37

            This entire episode is loaded with emotion.

2) Paul’s Profitable Preaching (20:20-21)

²⁰ And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, ²¹ Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1) What - in a general and negative sense concerning his intent

(2) Where - publicly and privately

(3) Who - Jews and Gentiles

(4) What - in a specific sense concerning the content

Woven throughout this sermon are the following characterizations of the content of Paul’s ministry:

repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (20:21)

the gospel of the grace of God (20:24)

the kingdom of God (20:25)

all the counsel of God (20:27)

the word of his grace (20:32)

These characterizations all refer to the same thing viewed from different aspects in various contexts which contain bases for why that description is used at that point.

Keep this in mind as we continue through the rest of this sermon.

2. The Testimony - The Essence of Paul’s Ministry (20:22-24)

 ²² And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: ²³ Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. ²⁴ But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

The predominant theme here is bondage.

1) Bound in the spirit into the Face of Uncertainty (20:22)

2) Taught by the Spirit of Bondage to Come (20:23)

3) Perseverance to the Finish Line beyond Trials and Death (20:24)

1) Bound in the spirit into the Face of Uncertainty (20:22)

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there

lower case “s” in “spirit” - KJV, HCSB

upper case “S” in “Spirit” - NASB, ESV, NIV, NLT

2) Taught by the Spirit of Bondage to Come (20:23)

Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.[2]

3) Perseverance to the Finish Line beyond Trials and Death (20:24)

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

3. The Record - The Fulfillment of Paul’s Ministry (20:25-27)

 ²⁵ And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. ²⁶ Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. ²⁷ For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

There is a very personal tone to these words, as elsewhere throughout this sermon.

1) Preaching the Kingdom of God (20:25)

2) Pure from the Blood of All Men (20:26)

3) Proclaiming the Counsel of God (20:27)

1) Preaching the Kingdom of God (20:25)

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

            Compare 20:21

2) Pure from the Blood of All Men (20:26)

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

3) Proclaiming the Counsel of God (20:27)

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

counsel (KJV, ESV) - “purpose” (NASB), “plan” (HCSB), “will” (NIV)

Compare 20:21

4. The Warning - The Legacy of Paul’s Ministry (20:28-31)

 ²⁸ Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. ²⁹ For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. ³¹ Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Notice should be taken in these verses of the sermon of the temporal movement from past history throught the present to the future.

1) The Primary Charge - Paul’s Present Stipulations: Feed the Church of God (20:28)

2) The Prophetic Basis for the Warnings - Paul’s Future Vision:

3) The Personal Reminder - Paul’s Historical Example: Vigilance is Called For Always (20:31)

1) The Primary Charge - Paul’s Present Stipulations: Feed the Church of God (20:28)

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

            There is a repeated emphasis here on the church as the flock.

purchased - “obtained”[3]

This final affirmation must be considered by defining what is meant by the church of God in light of what follows in the next two verses, and especially in verse 30.

2) The Prophetic Basis for the Warnings - Paul’s Future Vision:

(1) Wolves will Come from Without (20:29)

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

            grievous - “savage” (NASB, HCSB, NIV), “fierce” (ESV), “vicious” (NLT)

            What does this mean for the sheep? In other words, what is the basis for this          characterization of the “wolves” as grievous?

(2) False Shepherds will Divide from Within (20:30)

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

                        perverse (KJV, NASB) - “twisted” (ESV), “deviant” (HCSB),

                        “distort” (NIV, NLT)

                        What makes the teaching of these “sheep stealers” perverse?

3) The Personal Reminder - Paul’s Historical Example: Vigilance is Called For Always (20:31)

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Conclusion:

Complete outline:

I. The Journey - from Troas to Miletus (20:13-17)

1. The Separate Teams Reunited at Mitylene (20:13-14)

2. The Journey from Mitylene to Miletus (20:15)

3. The Reason for Bypassing Ephesus (20:16)

4. The Call for the Elders at Miletus (20:17)

II. The Sermon, Part 1 (20:18-31)

1. The Introduction - The Summary of Paul’s Ministry in Asia (20:18-21)

1) Paul’s Personal Example (20:18-19)

2) Paul’s Profitable Preaching (20:20-21)

2. The Testimony - The Essence of Paul’s Ministry (20:22-24)

1) Bound in the spirit into the Face of Uncertainty (20:22)

2) Taught by the Spirit of Bondage to Come (20:23)

3) Perseverance to the Finish Line beyond Trials and Death (20:24)

3. The Record - The Fulfillment of Paul’s Ministry (20:25-27)

1) Preaching the Kingdom of God (20:25)

2) Pure from the Blood of All Men (20:26)

3) Proclaiming the Counsel of God (20:27)

4. The Warning - The Legacy of Paul’s Ministry (20:28-31)

1) The Primary Charge - Paul’s Present Stipulations: Feed the Church of God (20:28)

2) The Prophetic Basis for the Warnings - Paul’s Future Vision:

(1) Wolves will Come from Without (20:29)

(2) False Shepherds will Divide from Within (20:30)

3) The Personal Reminder - Paul’s Historical Example: Vigilance is Called For Always (20:31)

[Sermon preached 14 DEC 2014 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Sources cited in Notes:

G. K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011), pp. 820-823, s.v. “Elders and Eschatological Tribulation.”

Jonathan Gibson, “The Glorious, Indivisible, Trinitarian Work of God in Christ: Definite Atonement in Paul’s Theology of Salvation,” in From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological,and Pastoral Perspective, eds. David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013), pp. 331-373.

Jim Hamilton, God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment: A Biblical Theology (Wheaton: Crossway, 2010), pg. 437.

John Owen, “The True Nature of A Gospel Church and its Government,” (1689), in The Works of John Owen, ed. William H. Goold, 16 vols. (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1976 reprint of 1850-1853 Johnstone & Hunter ed.), 16:45, 74-96.

Thomas F. Torrance, Atonement: The Person and Work of Christ, ed. Robert T. Walker (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2009), pg. 49, note 72, and pg. 176.

Resources on Acts:

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.

Paul Barnett, The Birth of Christianity: The First Twenty Years, After Jesus, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005).

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007).

                                                  

F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).

Dennis E. Johnson, The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1997).

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, in The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Vol. 5 in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, gen. ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012).

W. C. van Unnik, “The ‘Book of Acts’ the Confirmation of the Gospel,” in Novum Testamentum 4:1 (OCT 1960), pp. 26-59; reprinted in The Composition of Luke’s Gospel: Selected Studies from Novum Testamentum, compiled by David E. Orton, Vol. 1 of Brill’s Readers in Biblical Studies (Leiden: Brill, 1999), pp. 184-218.

William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010).

Resources on Paul:

Kenneth E. Bailey, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians  (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011).

F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977).

D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), pp. 496-501.

W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson, The Life, Times and Travels of St. Paul, 2 vols. in 1, unabridged American ed. (New York: E. B. Treat U Co., 1869); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=Bn1CAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Adolf Deissmann, Paul: A Study in Social and Religious History, 2nd ed., trans. William E. Wilson (New York: Harper Torchbooks, n.d.).

F. W. Farrar, The Life and Work of St. Paul (New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., 1889); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=RB2KeCSM6KsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Bruce N. Fisk, “Paul: Life and Letters”, in The Face of New Testament Studies: A Survey of Recent Research, ed. Scot McKnight and Grant R. Osborne (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004), pp. 283-325.

Richard B.Gaffin, Jr., "Acts and Paul", 46 lectures (MP3 format), WTS Resources Media Center on Westminster Theological Seminary at http://wts.edu/resources/media.html?paramType=audio&filterTopic=5&filterSpeaker=10&filterYear=2005 [accessed 20 MAR 2013].

Frank J. Goodwin, A Harmony of the Life of the St. Paul According to the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline Epistles (New York: American Tract Society, 1895); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=YgpEAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Richard N. Longenecker, The Ministry And Message Of Paul (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971).

Richard N. Longenecker, Paul, Apostle Of Liberty (New York: Harper & Row, 1964).

Richard N. Longenecker, ed., The Road From Damascus : The Impact Of Paul's Conversion On His Life, Thought, And Ministry (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).

Richard N. Longenecker, Studies In Paul, Exegetical And Theological (Sheffield : Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2004).

J. Gresham Machen, The Origin of Paul's Religion: The James Sprunt Lectures Delivered at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1925).

Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1955).

John Pollock, The Apostle: A Life of Paul, 3rd ed. (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1969, 2012); also published as The Man Who Shook the World (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1972; originally The Apostle: A Life of Paul, New York: Doubleday, 1969).

Stanley E. Porter, Paul in Acts, in Library of Pauline Studies, gen. ed. Stanley E. Porter (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1999; 2001 reprint of The Paul of Acts: Essays in Literary Criticism, Rhetoric and Theology, in Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 115, by Mohr Siebeck, Tubingen).

W. M. Ramsay, The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influence on his Life and Thought (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son; London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1908); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=JryEbmKool0C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, Pauline and Other Studies in Early Christian History (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1906); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=-1ZJAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, 10th ed. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1907); on Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/ramsay/paul_roman.html [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, The Teaching of Paul in terms of The Present Day: The Deems Lectures in New York University (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914); on Internet Archive at http://ia600404.us.archive.org/2/items/teachingofpaulin00rams/teachingofpaulin00rams.pdf [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

A. T. Robertson, Epochs in the Life of Paul: A Study of Development in Paul's Character (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1974).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Paul The Missionary: Realities, Strategies And Methods (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008).

Udo Schnelle, Apostle Paul: His Life and Theology, trans. M. Eugene Boring (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003; trans. from Paulus: Leben und Denken, Berlin: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co., n.d.).

Thomas R. Schreiner, Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2001).

James Stalker, The Life of St. Paul, (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1885; rev. ed. 2010 by Kessinger Publishing from 1912 ed.); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=vT0HAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 7 FEB 2013].

James Ironside Still, St. Paul on Trial (London: Student Christian Movement, 1923).

---

End Notes:

[1] On this see John Owen, “The True Nature of A Gospel Church and its Government,” (1689), in The Works of John Owen, ed. William H. Goold, 16 vols. (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1976 reprint of 1850-1853 Johnstone & Hunter ed.), 16:45, 74-96; and G. K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011), pp. 820-823, s.v. “Elders and Eschatological Tribulation.”

[2] On this see Jim Hamilton, God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment: A Biblical Theology (Wheaton: Crossway, 2010), pg. 437.

[3] On this see Thomas F. Torrance, Atonement: The Person and Work of Christ, ed. Robert T. Walker (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2009), pg. 49, note 72, and pg. 176; and Jonathan Gibson, “The Glorious, Indivisible, Trinitarian Work of God in Christ: Definite Atonement in Paul’s Theology of Salvation,” in From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonement in Historical, Biblical, Theological,and Pastoral Perspective, eds. David Gibson and Jonathan Gibson (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013), pp. 331-373.