Acts 20:27
New International Version
For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

New Living Translation
for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.

English Standard Version
for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Berean Standard Bible
For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.

Berean Literal Bible
For I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you⁺ the whole counsel of God.

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

New King James Version
For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

New American Standard Bible
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

NASB 1995
“For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

NASB 1977
“For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

Legacy Standard Bible
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

Amplified Bible
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan of God.

Berean Annotated Bible
For I did not shrink back from declaring to you⁺ the whole will of God {Theou}.

Christian Standard Bible
because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God.

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

Contemporary English Version
I have told you everything God wants you to know.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I didn't avoid telling you the whole plan of God.

Good News Translation
For I have not held back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God.

International Standard Version
because I never shrank from telling you the whole plan of God.

NET Bible
For I did not hold back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God.

New Heart English Bible
for I did not hold back from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
For I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God.

Weymouth New Testament
For I have not shrunk from declaring to you God's whole truth.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.

World English Bible
for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for I did not keep back from declaring to you all the counsel of God.

Berean Literal Bible
For I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you⁺ the whole counsel of God.

Young's Literal Translation
for I did not keep back from declaring to you all the counsel of God.

Smith's Literal Translation
For I concealed not to announce to you all the counsel of God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I have not turned aside in the least from announcing every counsel of God to you.

New American Bible
for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God.

New Revised Standard Version
for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For I have never shunned to declare to you, all the will of God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“For I have not declined to show you the whole will of God.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Godbey New Testament
for I did not shrink to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Haweis New Testament
For I have concealed nothing, so as not repeatedly to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Mace New Testament
for I have acquainted you with the whole dispensation of God without reserve.

Weymouth New Testament
For I have not shrunk from declaring to you God's whole truth.

Worrell New Testament
for I shrank not from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Worsley New Testament
For I have not failed to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Paul's Farewell to the Ephesians
26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God. 28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.…

Cross References
For I did not shrink back

Hebrews 10:38
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
from declaring to you

1 Thessalonians 2:2
As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.

Colossians 1:28
We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
the whole will of God.

Colossians 1:9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Ephesians 1:9
And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ
Acts 20:20
I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,

Ezekiel 3:17-19
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. / If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. / But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.

Ezekiel 33:7-9
As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me. / If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to dissuade him from his way, then that wicked man will die in his iniquity, yet I will hold you accountable for his blood. / But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life.

1 Corinthians 2:1-2
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. / For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

1 Corinthians 9:16-17
Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! / If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.

2 Corinthians 4:2
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

Colossians 1:25-28
I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, / the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. / To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. …

Jeremiah 26:2
“This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the house of the LORD and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all the cities of Judah who come to worship there. Do not omit a word.

Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

I have.

Acts 20:20,35
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, …

Acts 26:22,23
Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: …

2 Corinthians 4:2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

all.

Acts 2:23
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Psalm 32:11
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Isaiah 46:10,11
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: …

Jump to Previous
Announcing Counsel Declare Declaring God's Hesitated Kept Proclaim Purpose Shrank Shrink Shrunk Shunned Truth Whole
Jump to Next
Announcing Counsel Declare Declaring God's Hesitated Kept Proclaim Purpose Shrank Shrink Shrunk Shunned Truth Whole
Acts 20
1. Paul goes to Macedonia, and thence to Troas.
7. He celebrates the Lord's supper, and preaches.
9. Eutychus having fallen down dead is raised to life.
13. Paul continues his travels;
17. and at Miletum he calls the elders together, tells them what shall befall to himself,
28. commits God's flock to them,
29. warns them of false teachers,
32. commends them to God,
36. prays with them, and departs.












For I did not shrink back
Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders, emphasizing his boldness and commitment in ministry. The phrase "did not shrink back" suggests courage and perseverance, reflecting Paul's dedication despite opposition and hardship. This echoes his earlier experiences, such as in Acts 14:19-20, where he was stoned and left for dead but continued his mission. It also aligns with the exhortation in Hebrews 10:39, encouraging believers not to shrink back in faith.

from declaring to you
Paul's role as an apostle was to proclaim the message of the Gospel. The term "declaring" indicates a public and authoritative announcement, akin to a herald. This reflects the apostolic duty to communicate God's message clearly and without reservation, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:16, where Paul states, "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"

the whole will of God
This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of Paul's teaching. He did not selectively present parts of God's message but delivered the full counsel, including both comforting and challenging truths. This aligns with the biblical mandate to teach "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:20), ensuring that believers are fully equipped. The "will of God" encompasses His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, moral directives, and eschatological promises, as seen throughout Scripture, including Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 1:9-10.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The speaker of this verse, Paul is addressing the Ephesian elders. He is a central figure in the New Testament, known for his missionary journeys and epistles.

2. Ephesian Elders
Leaders of the church in Ephesus, whom Paul is addressing in this farewell speech. Ephesus was a major city in Asia Minor, known for its significant Christian community.

3. Miletus
The location where Paul delivers this speech. It is a coastal city near Ephesus, where Paul called the Ephesian elders to meet him.

4. The Whole Will of God
Refers to the complete message of God's plan and purpose, which Paul has faithfully communicated.

5. Paul's Missionary Journey
This event is part of Paul's third missionary journey, during which he revisits churches to strengthen and encourage them.
Teaching Points
Faithful Proclamation
As believers, we are called to faithfully proclaim the entirety of God's message, not just the parts that are comfortable or popular.

Courage in Ministry
Like Paul, we should not shrink back from sharing the Gospel, even when it is challenging or met with opposition.

Comprehensive Understanding
It is important to seek a comprehensive understanding of God's will through diligent study of Scripture and prayer.

Responsibility of Leaders
Church leaders have a responsibility to teach the full counsel of God, ensuring that their congregations are well-equipped in their faith.

Personal Accountability
Each believer should examine their own life to ensure they are living in accordance with the whole will of God, not selectively following His commands.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Acts 20:27?

2. How can we declare "the whole will of God" in our daily lives?

3. What does Acts 20:27 teach about the importance of sharing God's truth?

4. How does Acts 20:27 connect to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20?

5. In what ways can church leaders ensure they teach "the whole will of God"?

6. How can believers discern and embrace "the whole will of God" personally?

7. What does Acts 20:27 mean by "the whole will of God"?

8. How does Acts 20:27 challenge our understanding of divine revelation?

9. Why is it important to declare "the whole will of God" according to Acts 20:27?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 20?

What Does Acts 20:27 Mean
For

- This opening word reaches back to the previous verse, where Paul says, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26).

- “For” shows causation: Paul’s innocence before God and people rests on what he is about to affirm. Compare Ezekiel 33:7-9, where the watchman avoids guilt by faithfully warning others.

- It reminds us that obedience in teaching is not optional—our accountability to God derives from His command, as seen again in James 3:1.


I did not shrink back

- Paul refused to dodge, dilute, or soften the message. Acts 20:20 echoes this: “I did not shrink back from proclaiming anything that was profitable.”

- Courage in ministry is a hallmark of fidelity. Consider