Dear Friends,
Greetings in Christ!
When we left off in our last post, Paul had just sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, as he stayed behind in Ephesus. (As discussed in our last post, Paul may have went with them for a short trip to Philippi and then returned to Ephesus.) Paul’s teaching ministry was bearing much fruit as the gospel was going out into all Asia. (Acts 19:10) This is how the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 were formed: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (and also the church in Colossae).
As the capital of the Roman province of Asia, Ephesus was a strategic location for Paul’s ministry. Its massive harbor made it an economic powerhouse. The heavy traffic by land and by sea fostered the spread of the gospel.
Ephesus was also home to the Artemision (the temple of Artemis), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was four times larger than the Parthenon and overlooked the city of Ephesus. (See below.)
Layout of Ephesus (2nd Century)
For breathtaking photos of the ruins of Ephesus, see here. All that is left of the temple, Artemision, is one partial pillar. That is something to think about.
Artist rendition
Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Acts 19:23-41
23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
The KJV translators follow their usual practice here of using the name of the Roman counterpart to Artemis, Diana.
This idol was so famous and influential that one of Paul’s associates was named after it. In Titus 3:12 we find one Artemas (lit Gift of Artemis).
25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
One of the features of the Second Great Awakening in America was the massive transformation that took place in towns that were touched by the revivals. For one thing, the bars went out of business. That kind of transformation was taking place in Ephesus, and the people who made their livelihood from the temple were fit to be tied.
35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts 19:23-41
As Chapter 19 ends, we see the townclerk enter as the voice of reason, and cooler heads prevail. Despite the ancient backdrop, I think this part of Acts feels quite contemporary. The more things change, the more they stay the same. In recent history, we saw a similar mob mentality in the age of Covid. The idol was not Artemis, but Anthony Fauci. They were even selling devotional candles with his image on them. I believe one day, there will be another event like Covid, but today, the massive data centers they are building in America (some 5426) are the new temples. These data centers (along with those being built in other countries) are creating a massive amount of wealth, dwarfing the wealth of the silversmiths in our narrative. What the world is going to look like once these data centers are completed is anyone’s guess, but I believe it will be a very big change.
As the world changes and new temples come and go, will you be caught up in the hysteria like the Ephesians in Acts 19? Or will you trust in your Bible and be content with your faith, as Paul and his friends were?
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22
