Acts 20:30
New International Version
Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

New Living Translation
Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.

English Standard Version
and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Berean Standard Bible
Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

Berean Literal Bible
and out from your own selves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.

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

New King James Version
Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

New American Standard Bible
and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them.

NASB 1995
and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

NASB 1977
and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Legacy Standard Bible
and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Amplified Bible
even from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse and distorted things, to draw away the disciples after themselves [as their followers].

Christian Standard Bible
Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them.

American Standard Version
and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Contemporary English Version
Some of your own people will tell lies to win over the Lord's followers.

English Revised Version
and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Some of your own men will come forward and say things that distort the truth. They will do this to lure disciples into following them.

Good News Translation
The time will come when some men from your own group will tell lies to lead the believers away after them.

International Standard Version
Indeed, some of your own men will arise and distort the truth in order to lure the disciples into following them.

Majority Standard Bible
Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

NET Bible
Even from among your own group men will arise, teaching perversions of the truth to draw the disciples away after them.

New Heart English Bible
Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Also from your own selves will men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Weymouth New Testament
and that from among your own selves men will rise up who will seek with their perverse talk to draw away the disciples after them.

World English Bible
Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and there will arise men of your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Berean Literal Bible
and out from your own selves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.

Young's Literal Translation
and of your own selves there shall arise men, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And of yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to tear away disciples after them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things in order to entice disciples after them.

New American Bible
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them.

New Revised Standard Version
Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Also from among yourselves, men shall arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And even some of you and your own men will arise, speaking perversions so as to turn the disciples to go after them.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and men will arise from among yourselves, speaking perverse things, that they may draw off disciples after them.

Godbey New Testament
and men from you yourselves will rise up, speaking perverse things, in order to lead away disciples after them.

Haweis New Testament
Yea, from among yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverting doctrines, to draw away disciples after them.

Mace New Testament
nay, among your own body some will start up to vent their intricate conceits, and draw a number of followers.

Weymouth New Testament
and that from among your own selves men will rise up who will seek with their perverse talk to draw away the disciples after them.

Worrell New Testament
and from among yourselves will men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Worsley New Testament
And from among yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Farewell to the Ephesians
29I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.…

Cross References
Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

1 John 2:18-19
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. / They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Galatians 1:6-9
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— / which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. / But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! ...

Jude 1:4
For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Romans 16:17-18
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Jeremiah 23:16
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

Ezekiel 13:1-3
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! / This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3
If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Micah 3:5
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

Isaiah 9:15-16
The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies. / For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.


Treasury of Scripture

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

of your.

Matthew 26:21-25
And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me…

1 Timothy 1:19,20
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: …

2 Timothy 2:17,18
And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; …

speaking.

Proverbs 19:1
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Proverbs 23:33
Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

Isaiah 59:3
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

to draw.

Acts 5:36,37
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought…

Acts 21:38
Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

Matthew 23:15
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

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Arise Disciples Distort Draw Order Perverse Rise Seek Selves Speaking Talk Teaching Truth Turning Wrong Yourselves
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Arise Disciples Distort Draw Order Perverse Rise Seek Selves Speaking Talk Teaching Truth Turning Wrong Yourselves
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.














Even from your own number
This phrase highlights the sobering reality that threats to the church can arise internally, not just externally. The Greek word for "number" (ἀφ' ὑμῶν αὐτῶν) suggests a close association, indicating that these individuals are part of the community. Historically, the early church faced challenges not only from outside persecution but also from within, as false teachings and divisions emerged. This serves as a warning to remain vigilant and discerning, understanding that spiritual integrity must be maintained even among familiar faces.

men will rise up
The phrase "will rise up" (ἀναστήσονται) implies an active and deliberate effort. It suggests that these individuals will assert themselves, seeking positions of influence. In the historical context of the early church, such individuals often sought to gain followers by promoting new or distorted teachings. This serves as a reminder of the importance of leadership grounded in truth and humility, as opposed to self-promotion and ambition.

and distort the truth
The Greek word for "distort" (διαστρέφοντες) means to twist or pervert. This indicates a deliberate manipulation of the truth, rather than a simple misunderstanding. In the scriptural context, truth is foundational to the Christian faith, as Jesus Himself is described as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The distortion of truth undermines the gospel and leads believers astray, highlighting the need for sound doctrine and teaching within the church.

to draw away disciples
The phrase "to draw away" (ἀποσπᾶν) conveys the idea of leading someone away from their original position or belief. This is a strategic and intentional effort to create division and establish a following. Historically, this reflects the challenges faced by the early church as various sects and heresies emerged, attempting to lure believers away from apostolic teaching. It underscores the importance of unity and fidelity to the core tenets of the faith.

after them
This phrase indicates the self-centered motivation behind the actions of these individuals. Their goal is not to glorify God or edify the church, but to gain personal followers. This reflects a departure from the servant leadership model exemplified by Christ and the apostles. In a broader scriptural context, it serves as a caution against the allure of personal power and influence, reminding believers to follow leaders who point them to Christ rather than themselves.

(30) Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things.--The Pastoral Epistles, 2 Peter and Jude, supply but too abundant evidence of the clearness of the Apostle's prevision. Hymenaeus and Alexander and Philetus, saying that the resurrection was past already (1Timothy 1:20; 2Timothy 2:17); evil men and seducers becoming worse and worse (2Timothy 3:13); resisting the faith, as Jannes and Jambres had resisted Moses (2Timothy 3:8); false prophets, bringing in damnable heresies and denying the Lord that bought them (2Peter 2:1); these were part of the rank aftergrowth of the apostolic age, of which St. Paul saw even now the germs. It adds to the pathos of this parting to think that men such as Hymenaeus and Philetus may have been actually present, listening to the Apostle's warnings, and warned by him in vain.

To draw away disciples after them.--Better, to draw away the disciples--those who had previously been disciples of Christ and His Apostles. This was at once the motive and the result of the work of the false teachers. The note of heresy was that it was essentially self-asserting and schismatical. . . .

Verse 30. - And from among for also of, A.V.; the disciples for disciples, A.V. From among your own selves; as opposed to the strangers from Judaea in the preceding verse. So 2 Timothy 4:3, "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (see, as instances, 2 Timothy 2:17, 18; 2 Timothy 4:14). Speaking perverse things. So 2 Timothy 4:4, "They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." To draw away the disciples, etc.; i.e. to induce Christians to leave the communion and doctrine of the Church, and join their heresy. The A.V., "to draw away disciples," is manifestly wrong; τοὺς μαθητὰς are Christ's disciples. For the general statement, see 2 Timothy 3:6, "They which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women;" and comp. Romans 16:17, 18, which, according to Renan, was addressed to the Ephesians. For the rise of false teachers in Asia, see 1 Timothy 1:3, 20; 1 Timothy 4:1-7; 1 Timothy 6:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:15; 1 John 2:26; 1 John 4:1, 3, 5; and through the whole Epistle; Revelation 2:1-7.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

your own
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

number,
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

men
ἄνδρες (andres)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.

will rise up
ἀναστήσονται (anastēsontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 450: To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up.

[and] distort
διεστραμμένα (diestrammena)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1294: To pervert, corrupt, oppose, distort. From dia and strepho; to distort, i.e. misinterpret, or corrupt.

[the truth]
λαλοῦντες (lalountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

to draw away
ἀποσπᾶν (apospan)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 645: From apo and spao; to drag forth, i.e. unsheathe, or relatively retire.

disciples
μαθητὰς (mathētas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

after
ὀπίσω (opisō)
Preposition
Strong's 3694: Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback.

them.
ἑαυτῶν (heautōn)
Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.


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