Acts 20:29
“For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”
What does Acts 20:29 mean?
Paul is warning the church leaders at Ephesus that false teachers and divisive people will try to infiltrate and harm the community after he's gone. He's not being dramatic with the "wolves" language—he's describing leaders with selfish motives who prioritize their own gain over the spiritual health of those they're meant to shepherd. This kind of warning was necessary because early churches faced real dangers from people who twisted the gospel for money or power or their own twisted ideology. Paul's point is both urgent and compassionate: pay attention to who's influencing your faith community, and watch out for anyone whose actions show they care more about themselves than about the people they claim to serve.