What is the “Whole Counsel of God” – Acts 20:27

Some call this a farewell speech; I see it more as a dying death declaration. Either way, Paul was saying goodbye. Using proper hermeneutics, it’s essential to know & understand who Paul was addressing in this context. According to verse 17, he was addressing the elders and pastors of the church in Ephesus. Paul was a Mans Man, and this is a man exhorting men.

Paul said in Acts 20:26-27,

“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.”

Let’s zoom-in on verse 27,

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

With the help of my Lexicons. This “shunned” is the Greek word hupostellō.

It is a verb which means to withhold, cower, shrink, conceal (reserve), to make disappear, or withdraw from a position.

This “declare” is the Greek word anaggellō.

It is a verb, which means to announce (in detail), to rehearse, proclaim, teach, report, show, speak, or to tell with full force.

This “all” (or whole) is the Greek word pas.

It is an adjective, that means to include all forms of declension (he did not decline) and it “pertains to totality with focus on its individual components.”

This “counsel” is the Greek word boulē (boo-lay).

It is a noun feminine, which means to advise or advice (by implication) a purpose, or to counsel the will of God.

This word “God” is the Greek word Theos.

Which means the Godhead, the entire Trinity.

So, what does verse 27 mean?

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

It means Paul did not withhold, suppress, cower, or conceal (reserve) the whole truths of God, the Gospel, God’s Word, biblical issues, and/or doctrine.

He did not draw back, disappear, or withdraw from a position.

He did not shrink from implying fear.

He did not keep silent about important matters. Nor did he timidly hesitate.

He did not flinch in the face of adversity.

He did not hold back on controversies or truths that would offend.

He did not hold back from declaring all the necessary truths of the Scriptures that God decreed to him.

It means Paul preached both the goodness and severity of God. As well as God’s Holy hatred, just judgment, and wrath to the unregenerate. And that God’s love, grace, and mercy for His elect, triumphs over judgment.

Paul spoke clearly, intentionally, and directly using proper hermeneutics.

He boldly preached the Gospel for the elect, and wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed to offend the non-elect (whoever they might be).

He called man to repentance and faith in Christ alone.

He did not fear affliction, persecution, or martyrdom.

Though Paul was the author of the majority of letters in the New Testament. Paul was humble, and I believe knowing that he was replaceable and expendable.

He had preached to them the whole counsel of God. And because he preached the whole counsel of God, he was innocent of the blood of all men, his conscience was clear, he finished the course well.