Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 20:29
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
29. For I know this ] The oldest MSS. (and the Rev. Ver.) have only “ I know.”
that after my departing ] This noun is only used here, and most frequently in classical Greek signifies “arrival,” though not always. But as the person who departs from one place arrives at another, it is only a difference of the point of view. Here there can be no doubt of its meaning. It does not refer to the Apostle’s death, but his leaving Asia, with the thought that he should return no more.
shall grievous wolves flock ] The Apostle seems first to refer to false teachers who should come in from without. He must have been familiar with the dangers to which the Ephesian church was exposed, and we know from his Epistles how much harm was already inflicted on the Christian Church by the Judaizers and Gnostics. Even when writing to so undisturbed a church as that in Philippi, we find the Apostle giving warning against both kinds of error. And if we turn to those early parts of the Apocalypse in which the condition of the churches of Asia is described, we can read of a crop of errors the sowers of which St Paul may have had in his mind as he spake at Miletus. “Nicolaitans,” “those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan,” “those that hold the teaching of Balaam,” “the woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess,” all these could not have risen in a moment, but must have given indications of their existence long before they became so prominent as they were when St John wrote. He must have read the New Testament with little appreciation who speaks of the words here ascribed to St Paul as a “prophecy after the event” made by the writer of the Acts in the second century.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For I know this – By what he had seen in other places; by his knowledge of human nature, and of the dangers to which they were exposed; and by the guidance of inspiration.
After my departure – His presence had been the means of guarding the church, and preserving it from these dangers. Now that the founder and guide of the church was to be removed, they would be exposed to dissensions and dangers.
Grievous wolves – Heavy bareis, strong, mighty, dangerous wolves – so strong that the feeble flock would not be able to resist them. The term wolves is used to denote the enemies of the flock – false, and hypocritical, and dangerous teachers. Compare Mat 10:16.
Enter in among you – From abroad; doubtless referring particularly to the Jews, who might be expected to distract and divide them.
Not sparing the flock – Seeking to destroy the church. The Jews would regard it with special hostility, and would seek to destroy it in every way. Probably they would approach them with great professed friendship for them, and expressing a desire only to defend the laws of Moses.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 29. After my departing] Referring, most likely, to his death; for few of these evils took place during his life.
Grievous wolves] Persons professing to be teachers; Judaizing Christians, who, instead of feeding the flock, would feed themselves, even to the oppression and ruin of the Church.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
My departing; either out of this country, or out of this life.
Grievous wolves; so false teachers and persecutors are called, the one destroying the body, the other the soul. In this the metaphor is persisted in; the disciples of Christ being as sheep or lambs, their enemies are by our Saviour himself called wolves. Mat 7:15.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
29, 30. after my departing shallgrievous wolves enter in among youTwo classes of comingenemies are here announced, the one more external to themselves, theother bred in the bosom of their own community; both were to beteachers, but the one, “grievous wolves,” not sparing, thatis, making a prey of the flock; the other (Ac20:30), simply sectarian “perverters” of the truth,with the view of drawing a party after them. Perhaps the one pointedto that subtle poison of Oriental Gnosticism which we know to havevery early infected the Asiatic churches; the other to such Judaizingtendencies as we know to have troubled nearly all the early churches.See the Epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Timothy,also those to the seven churches of Asia (Re2:1-3:22). But watchfulness against all that tends toinjure and corrupt the Church is the duty of its pastors in everyage.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For I know this,…. By divine revelation:
that after my departing; either out of this world, or after his leaving them now, and proceeding on, his journey:
shall grievous wolves enter in among you; false teachers, comparable to wolves, for their craft and cunning, and for their greedy, covetous, and voracious dispositions; and who would be very grievous, troublesome, and even intolerable to them; these, he knew, would enter privily, at an unawares, into their churches, and set up themselves for preachers, without being called or sent:
not sparing the flock; fleecing it instead of feeding it, making merchandise of it, and like the Pharisees, under religious pretences, devour widows’ houses, and drain the purses of men; and having as little compassion upon their souls, poisoning them with their errors and heresies, subverting their faith, and bringing them into swift ruin and destruction, as much as would in them lie.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
After my departing ( ). Not his death, but his departure from them. From and usually meant arrival, but departure in Herodotus IX. 17, 76 as here.
Grievous wolves ( ). is heavy, rapacious, harsh. Jesus had already so described false teachers who would raven the fold (Joh 10:12). Whether Paul had in mind the Judaizers who had given him so much trouble in Antioch, Jerusalem, Galatia, Corinth or the Gnostics the shadow of whose coming he already foresaw is not perfectly clear. But it will not be many years before Epaphras will come to Rome from Colossae with news of the new peril there (Epistle to the Colossians). In writing to Timothy (1Ti 1:20) Paul will warn him against some who have already made shipwreck of their faith. In Re 2:2 John will represent Jesus as describing false apostles in Ephesus.
Not sparing the flock ( ). Litotes again as so often in Acts. Sparing the flock was not the fashion of wolves. Jesus sent the seventy as lambs in the midst of wolves (Lu 10:3). In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus had pictured the false prophets who would come as ravening wolves in sheep’s clothing (Mt 7:15).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Grievous [] . Lit., heavy : violent, rapacious.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “For I know this,” (ego oida) “I know,” (perceive or comprehend, because of the nature of man, the Word of God, and what I have observed in my mission ministry; I perceive this which I am to relate to you, based on the words of Jesus, my experience, and observation), Mat 7:15-18; Joh 15:20.
2) “That after my departing,” (hoti meta ten aphiksin mou) “That after the departure of me,” after I have gone from your fellowship and council this final time, Act 20:25; Act 20:38.
3) “Shall grievous wolves enter in among you, (eiseleusontai lukoi bareis eis humas) “Vicious, carnivorous wolves will come in under cover among you all,” will enter among you by cunning, clever deception. False teachers from without constitute the first source of danger to God’s flock as described 2Co 11:13-15; 2Pe 2:1-3.
4) Not sparing the flock, (me pheidomenoi tou poimnou) “Not sparing the flock,” of their blood letting hunger and greed, to satisfy their wolf-hunger or wolf-nature, for lamb flesh and sheep flesh, 2Pe 2:1-3; Jud 1:12; Jud 1:16-19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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29. For I know. Paul doth now exhort the Ephesians to watch diligently, by the necessity, which is a most sharp prick. For he saith that “grievous wolves are ready to invade the sheepfold.” This is a thing always incident to the Church to be hated of wolves. Wherefore, there is no time to sleep. But the more and the more hurtful those be who break in, the more watchful must the pastors be. For God doth sometimes release some part of trouble, that the flock may be fed quietly and peaceably; and as when the weather is fair and clear, the sheep are fed more safely in the fields, and there is more danger when the air is cloudy and dark; so the Church of God hath sometimes some fair weather granted to it. After that cometh a troublesome time, which is more fit for the subtilty − (436) of wolves. Therefore, Paul doth mean, that it standeth them upon to be more watchful than they have been hitherto, because greater dangers hang over their heads. But the question is, how Paul knew this? First, we need not doubt of this, but that his presence was of great force to drive away wolves; and no marvel, if the power of the Spirit, which shineth in the ministers of Christ, do bridle the wicked so that they dare not utter their poison; yea, if that heavenly light do drive away much darkness of Satan. Therefore, seeing that Paul did know that the malice of Satan was kept under for a time by his industry, he doth easily foretell what will happen after his departure, though it be likely he was certified by the Lord, through the spirit of prophecy, that others might be admonished by him, as we see it came to pass. Howsoever it be, so often as faithful pastors go away, let us learn that we must beware of wolves, whom they can hardly drive from the sheep-cots, though they watch most narrowly. −
(436) −
“
Insidiis,” the snares.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(29) After my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you.The figurative language followed naturally on the idea of the flock and of the shepherds who keep watch over it. It lies in the nature of the case that the wolf stands primarily for the open enemies of the flock, the persecutors of all ages. (Comp. Joh. 10:12.) The wolves, however, might come in sheeps clothing (Mat. 7:15), and so the false prophets, the usurpers of authority, and leaders of parties within the Church, are also included in the term. Here this latter class is distinctly pointed out in the following verse. We find traces of the fulfilment of the prediction in the turning away of 2Ti. 1:15; the fiery trial of 1Pe. 1:7; 1Pe. 4:12; the suffering as a Christian of 1Pe. 4:16.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
29. I know this He might know this by the inspired witness of the Holy Ghost, as in Act 20:23, or from his inferences from observed facts, as in Act 20:25.
Departing To Jerusalem. (See Rev 2:1-6.)
Wolves Not persecutors, but schismatics and heretics.
Not sparing the flock Ready to rend it for doctrinal or selfish reasons.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“I know that after my departing grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock, and from among your own selves will men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.”
He warns that the attacks will come from without and within. Wolves will find their way in from outside, deceitful, lying, thieving shepherds will be found inside. Neither will spare the flock. Men, themselves being deceived, will deceive others. He had already witnessed this himself in the troubles brought on the churches by the Judaisers.
For false prophets as wolves see Mat 7:15. For the opponents and antagonistic authorities as wolves see Mat 10:16; Luk 10:3. The consequences of men who have offered themselves as teachers of truth but have in fact simply led men astray are so obvious today that little needs to be said. And the sad thing is that they are often the nicest of men, for it is the art of the con man, even the unconscious con man, to be nice.
That this began at some stage to happen in the Ephesian church comes out in that later Paul left Timothy with them, and one of the reasons for his doing so was in order to deal with some who were seeking to lead others astray (1Ti 1:3-8; 1Ti 1:20; 1Ti 4:1-7 ; 1Ti 6:3-6; 1Ti 6:20-21). There would of course have been a number of different assemblies in the large Ephesian church. We must not necessarily see the whole church as affected. But it was clearly an important issue.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 20:29. Grievous wolves Some, thinking that the word properly alludes to the strength of these animals, would render it oppressive; but there seems no reason to depart from our version. Their eager and overbearing temper made them, no doubt, grievous to the Christian church, though destitute of the secular power. The apostle evidently makes a distinction between the wolves, who were to break in upon them from without, and the perverse teachers, who were to arise from among themselves. Both may be interpreted of seducers who call themselves Christians, as false prophets are called by Christ wolves in sheep’s clothing, Mat 7:15. For St. Paul would not have spoken of Heathen persecutors, as to arise after his departure, considering what extremities from persons of that kind he had himself suffered in Asia, 2Co 1:8-10. It seems probable therefore, that, by the grievous wolves, he means: judaizing false apostles, who, though they had before this time done a great deal ofmischief at Corinth and elsewhere, had not yet got any footing at Ephesus; and by the perverse men arising from among themselves, he may mean such as Phygellus and Hermogenes, and some others who revived the exploded doctrine of Hymenaeus and Alexander; as also those who afterwards introduced the Nicolaitan principles and practices, of which Christ so awefully complains as prevailing here, as well as in the neighbouring city of Pergamos. See Rev 6:14-15.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Act 20:29-30 . ] with similar emphasis, as in Act 20:25 : After my departure
I know it not only will enemies from without intrude among you (Ephesian Christians, as whose representatives the presbyters were present), who will be relentlessly destructive to the welfare of the church; but also within the church itself, out of the midst of you, will men with perverse doctrines arise.
That by the very common figure of ravenous ( vehementes , comp. , Xen. Ages. 11, 12) wolves (Mat 7:15 ; Luk 10:3 ; Joh 10:12 ) is not meant, as Grotius supposes, persecutio sub Nerone , but false teachers working perniciously , is rendered probable by the very parallelism of Act 20:30 , and still more certain by the relation of . to , according to which Paul represents his presence as that which has hitherto withheld the intrusion of the , a connection which, in the case of its being explained of political persecutors, would be devoid of truth.
is here not arrival (as almost constantly with Greek writers), but departure, going away , Dem. 58, pen.; Herod. vii. 58. Paul does not specially mean his death , but generally his removal ( discessionem , Vulgate), on which the false teachers necessarily depended for the assertion of their influence. Moreover, his prediction without doubt rests on the observations and experiences (comp. 1Co 16:9 ) which he had made during his long ministry in Ephesus and Asia. He must have known the existence of germs in which he saw the sad pledge of the truth of his warning; and we have no reason to doubt that the reality corresponded to this prediction. At the time of the composition of the Epistle to the Ephesians, the false teachers may not yet have been working in Ephesus itself, but in Colossae and its neighbourhood these they were Judaists of an Essene-Gnostic type had made themselves felt (see Introduction to Colossians , 2), and in Asia Minor generally the heretics of the First Epistle of John and probably also of that of Jude are to be sought, not to mention those of the Apocalypse and Pastoral Epistles. The indefinite and general expressions, in which the false teachers are here described, correspond to the character of prophetic foresight and prediction. According to Zeller, a later writer has by these sought to conceal his otherwise too glaring anachronism; whereas Baur finds the sectarian character, such as it existed at most toward the close of the first century, so definitely delineated, that he from this circumstance recognises a vaticinium post eventum ! Thus the same expression is for the one too indefinite, and for the other too definite ; but both arrive at the same result, which must be reached, let the Paul of the Book of Acts speak as he will.
. . .] to draw away, from the fellowship of true believers, after them. “Character falsi doctoris, ut velit ex se uno pendere discipulos,” Bengel. On ., comp. Act 5:37 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Ver. 29. Shall grievous wolves enter ] Or fat wolves; for in Greek comes of in Hebrew, which signifies fat, as some etymologists have observed; a fit epithet for seducers, which fat themselves with the blood of souls. Now it is well observed that heretical seducers are fitly compared to wolves in various respects. First, wolves are dull sighted by day, but quick sighted in the night; a so are pernicious seducers sharp witted for error, but dull to apprehend the truth of sound divinity. Secondly, as the wolf deals gently with the sheep at first, carrying it away unhurt upon his back till he have brought it to the place where he means to strangle it: even so deal seducers; they first draw their proselytes into lighter errors, and then into blasphemous and damnable heresies. And thus homo homini lupus est, one man becomes a wolf to another. Thirdly, as a wolf begets a wolf, so doth a deceiver a deceived. b Fourthly, as the wolf is said to strike a man dumb, if he spy the man before the man spy him; c so when seducers prevail, they strike men dumb in respect of savoury communication or Christian profession. Fifthly, as the wool of a wolf, if it be made into a garment, will prove but an odious garment, breeding vermin upon him that shall wear it, as Plutarch speaks; so the good which poor seduced souls think they receive by impostors, it will prove corruption in the end. Lastly, as wolves are of a ravenous disposition and insatiable, so seducers hunger after gain, Rom 16:18 , and thirst after blood of souls, as thoseMat 23:6Mat 23:6 .
a Lupus interdiu obtusius, nocte clarius videt. Gesner.
b Omne simile generat sibi simile. Plin. viii. 22.
c Lupi me videre priores. Virg.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
29. ] is here used in an unusual sense. An instance is found, Jos. Antt. iv. 8. 47, where Moses says, , which is somewhat analogous, but more easily explained. That in Herod. ix. 77 (init.) also seems analogous. In Demosth. de Pace, p. 58 (fin.), we have , which is most like the usage here. Perhaps, absolutely put, it must signify ‘ my death ;’ see the above passage of Josephus.
] not persecutors , but false teachers , from the words . , by which it appears that they were to come in among the flock , i.e. to be baptized Christians. In fact Act 20:30 is explanatory of the metaphoric meaning of Act 20:29 .
is only used by Paul, except 2Pe 2:4-5 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 20:29 . , see critical note. Baur and Zeller could only see in this assertion a vaticinium post eventum the heresiarchs are portrayed in the general expressions in vogue in the second century; so too Renan thinks that the writer gives us the ideas of a later date, although he does not carry us further than 75 80 A.D. But if we accept the early date of the Didach , that document is quite sufficient to show us that similar phraseology to that in the address before us was current in the Church at an earlier date than Baur and Zeller supposed. If St. Paul had been engaged all his life in struggling with false teachers, it would have been inconceivably short-sighted if he had thought that such dangers would cease after his departure, and still more inconceivable if with such presentiments he had neglected to warn the Church. The vagueness of the description of the heretical teachers is in itself a proof of genuineness, and a writer of a later date would have made it far less general, and more easily to be identified with some current error. It has been further objected by Zeller and Overbeck, and even by Wendt, that it is strange that with present opponents before him, 1Co 16:8-9 , St. Paul should speak only of the future; but whilst he had himself been present among them he had been their protector against their enemies, but now that he was about to withdraw from them nothing was more natural than that he should warn them against the subtle attacks which might be more easily made when his own careful superintendence was no more. : so men outside the fold the when of their entrance is not specified precisely, but the words were amply fufilled in the presence of the emissaries of the Judaisers, creeping in from the Jewish communities into the Churches of Asia, as they had slunk into the Churches of Galatia, cf. Hort, Judaistic Christianity , pp. 130 146, on the teaching of the Judaisers and its evil influence in the Pastoral Epistles. There is at all events no need to refer the words with Grotius to outward persecution, such as that of Nero. , i.e. , his departure from amongst them (not necessarily including his death), not arrival, although the latter meaning attaches to the word in classical Greek, so too 3Ma 7:18 ; Jos., Ant. , iv., 8, 47 (but see both Alford and Blass, in loco ). : continuing the imagery of Act 20:28 , cf. Mat 7:15 , Luk 10:3 , Joh 10:12 ; so in the O.T. of presumptuous and cruel rulers and judges, Eze 22:27 , Zep 3:3 . The similar kind of language used by Ignat., Philadelph. , ii., 1, 2; Justin Martyr, Apol. , i., 58; Iren., Adv. Hr. , i., Prf. 2, may well have been borrowed from this, not vice vers as Zeller maintained; but such imagery would no doubt be widely known from its employment in O. and N.T. alike. , cf. for the sense of the adjective, Hom., Il. , i., 89; Xen., Ages. , xi., 12; so too Diog. Laert., i., 72. .: litotes , cf. Joh 10:12 . The verb occurs six times in St. Paul’s Epistles, twice in Romans and four times in the Corinthian Epistles (only twice elsewhere in N.T. in 2 Pet.).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
For. The texts omit.
this. Omit.
departing. Greek. aphixis. Only here.
grievous = oppressive. Greek. barus. Elsewhere Act 25:7. Mat 23:4, Mat 23:23; 2Co 10:10. 1Jn 5:3.
in among = unto. Greek. eis. App-104.
sparing. Greek. pheidomai. Always translated “spare” save 2Co 12:6. No other word for “spare” save Luk 15:17. This verse is an instance of the Figure of speech Hypocatastasis (App-6), to call attention to the true character of Apostolical succession.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
29.] is here used in an unusual sense. An instance is found, Jos. Antt. iv. 8. 47, where Moses says, , which is somewhat analogous, but more easily explained. That in Herod. ix. 77 (init.) also seems analogous. In Demosth. de Pace, p. 58 (fin.), we have , which is most like the usage here. Perhaps, absolutely put, it must signify my death; see the above passage of Josephus.
] not persecutors, but false teachers, from the words . , by which it appears that they were to come in among the flock, i.e. to be baptized Christians. In fact Act 20:30 is explanatory of the metaphoric meaning of Act 20:29.
is only used by Paul, except 2Pe 2:4-5.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 20:29. , I) A sure and confident prediction.-, enter in) from elsewhere. In antithesis to, from among your own selves, Act 20:30. Concerning both kinds of pestilential evils among the Ephesians, see Rev 2:2; Rev 2:6.-, after) Immediately after the departure and death of the apostles, the Church lost a great part of its purity, as is evident from their (the apostles) predictions, warnings, and complaints. As to the Church of the Ephesians, see the Epp. to Tim. and the writings of John.- ) Hesychius says, , i.e. , , arrival, presence. Comp. Rom 16:19, Your obedience is come () unto all men; where see the note. Nor does signify departure. Zosimus, lib. v.: , i.e. after Honorius had set out from Ravenna to Bononia (not after his departure to Ravenna). Eusebius, lib. vi. Demonstr. Evang. last chapter: ( ) . Therefore the sense is, First Paul came: then afterwards shall come wolves. Comp. Joh 5:43.-, wolves) Allegorical.- , not sparing) A Meiosis, i.e. (not only) not spring, but) most baneful. It is the part of a pastor , to spare.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
wolves
The two sources of the apostasy: false teachers from without, 2Co 11:13-15; 2Pe 2:1-3 ambitious leaders from within,; 3Jn 1:9; 3Jn 1:10; Rev 2:6; Rev 2:15. Also,; 1Ti 1:20; 1Jn 2:19.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
wolves: Zep 3:3, Mat 7:15, Mat 10:16, Luk 10:3, Joh 10:12, 2Pe 2:1
not: Jer 13:20, Jer 23:1, Eze 34:2, Eze 34:3, Zec 11:17
Reciprocal: Gen 49:27 – at night Jos 24:31 – served 2Ch 24:17 – Now after Psa 100:3 – we are his Ecc 2:18 – I should Son 5:7 – watchmen Isa 56:11 – they are Jer 23:4 – I Jer 31:10 – and keep Eze 34:5 – and they became Dan 11:34 – cleave Mar 13:34 – and commanded Luk 6:49 – against Act 20:28 – all 1Co 4:8 – without Phi 1:24 – General 2Th 2:7 – doth Tit 1:10 – there 1Jo 2:18 – ye have 1Jo 2:26 – concerning 1Jo 4:1 – many
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Act 20:29. The warning of this verse refers to false teachers from the outside, who would creep into the congregation and corrupt the members.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 20:29. For I know this, that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Primum venit Paulus; deinde venient lupi (Bengel). Two distinct classes of teachers who should arise after his departure are alluded to by Paulthe grievous wolves who would come to Ephesus from other cities, and the speakers of perverse things who would arise from within.
It has been suggested with great probability that the apostle foresaw that his bitterest enemies would be the Judaizing teachers who came from a distance, and that they, who had injured him and his cause in past times, are hinted at here.
He seems to press home to them what he foresaw would surely come to pass, that after he had gone, other teachers of an entirely different character would come among them. The sad words of St. Paul in the last epistle of his life, some six years after these words were spoken, show how mournfully the prediction contained in these solemn warning words was verified: This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me (2Ti 1:15).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Act 20:29-30. For I know this As if he had said, Wonder not that I give you this charge in so strict a manner; for, besides the weighty reasons for it which I have already intimated, I know, that after my departure From the churches in these parts, or my removal out of this life, notwithstanding all I have done to preserve discipline and truth among you; grievous wolves shall enter in From without, that is, seducing teachers, who shall endeavour to make a prey of you, and, by introducing false and heretical doctrines, shall divide and scatter you, as wolves make a prey of, divide, and scatter the sheep. He seems to mean those Judaizing and false teachers, who, though they had before this time done much mischief at Corinth and elsewhere, had not yet got any footing at Ephesus; not sparing the flock Having no mercy on them, but, with voracious eagerness, and overbearing violence, making terrible havoc of Gods church, out of a mean and wicked regard to their own private and secular interests. Also of your own selves From within; shall men arise Proud and factious men; speaking perverse things Broaching false and pernicious tenets, which they will endeavour to establish by perverting the Scriptures; to draw away disciples after them From the purity of the gospel, and the unity of the body; or to make a party for themselves, that shall admire, be led by them, and contribute to their support and exaltation. By these, distinguished from those termed grievous wolves, in the foregoing verse, the apostle may mean such as Phygellus, Hermogenes, Hymeneus, and Philetus: as also those that afterward introduced the Nicolaitan principles and practices, of which Christ complains as prevailing here, (Rev 2:6,) as well as in the neighbouring city Pergamus, Rev 2:14-15.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
See notes on verse 28
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
HERESY PREDICTED
29. I know that after my departure grievous wolves will come in unto you, not sparing the flock;
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 29
Grievous wolves; cruel enemies, persecutors.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
20:29 {9} For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
(9) A prophecy of pastors that would immediately degenerate into wolves, against those who boast and brag only of a succession of persons.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Paul may have been certain where future trouble would come from because of his contacts with that church, by special revelation, or because of his general experience in ministry (cf. Mat 7:15; Joh 10:12). What he anticipated materialized (1Ti 1:6-7; 1Ti 1:19-20; 1Ti 4:1-7; 2Ti 1:15; 2Ti 2:17-18; 2Ti 3:1-9; Rev 2:1-7). Most churches face opposition from people outside and inside their fellowship.