Ephesus


The first of the seven churches to receive a letter from John, Ephesus was the most important city in the Roman province of Asia on the West coast of Asia Minor. The city was located at the mouth of the Cayster River between the mountains and the sea. The harbor underwent extensive clearing during different periods of its history. Silting has left the modern city a little less than 10 miles from the sea.

The harbor of Ephesus was an export center at the end of an important land route through Asia Minor.16 Much wealth and trade came to Ephesus through its harbor, which was a main terminus of the sea-route from Italy and Greece.

On his way to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey, Paul opted not to use the port of Ephesus, sailing instead to Miletus:
A magnificent road ran through Ephesus to its harbor. It was 25 to 30 feet wide and lined with columns on both sides. The main part of the city contained a theater, a stadium, a library, the agora, baths, and paved streets. Its famous temple, named one of the seven wonders of the world, was originally built for the worship of the Anatolian fertility goddess. It was later identified with the Latin Diana and the Greek Artemis, “whom all Asia and the world worshipped.” (Acts 19:27) Coins bearing the inscription Diana Ephesia validate Luke’s claim.

Paul made a short visit to Ephesus on his second missionary journey, where he left Aquila and Priscilla to continue the work (Acts 18:18-21). On his third missionary journey, Paul stayed over two years in Ephesus, making it the center of his missionary activities in Asia (Acts 19:8, 10).

In Luke’s account, the great temple is called the Temple of Artemis (RSV) or Temple of Diana (KJ). It contained the image of a goddess that legend said fell from heaven. Paul taught in the marketplace, in the synagogue, or in the lecture hall of Tyrannus, not within the confines of the pagan temple of Artemis that was a little over a mile to the northeast.

Paul’s companions were dragged into the theater during a protest of the Christian missionary work going on in Ephesus. The mob was incited by local silversmiths who were beginning to feel the impact of Christianity on their livelihoods: Paul, who wanted to follow his companions into the theater, was prevented from doing so by some of the disciples: “some of the Asiarchs also, who were friends of his, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater” (Acts 19:30- 31). Asiarchs were political figures who held positions of wealth and power. Strabo wrote that Ephesus “is as well peopled as any other city in Asia by people of means; and always some of its men hold the chief places in the province, being called Asiarchs”. Inscriptions attest to Asiarchs in more than 40 cities throughout Asia. Ephesian inscriptions attest to more than 100 Asiarchs in that city alone.

For two hours the people in the theater cried with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” showing their great devotion to the pagan goddess, or to the riches that came from the business of making “silver shrines of Artemis,” which “brought no little business to the craftsmen” (Acts 19:24). The temple of Artemis was the largest building in the Greek world.

After the mob dragged Paul’s companions into the theater of Ephesus, the “town clerk” quieted the crowd and said:
The town clerk’s argument was: “If we have the truth, and we know that we do, why worry about Paul’s teachings. He has shown respect for our beliefs and our goddess.” The town clerk’s persuasive reasoning reminds one of Gamaliel’s defense of Peter and the Apostles before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem:
Ephesus was one of the centers of emperor worship in provincial Asia.21 The first temple of the imperial cult was probably constructed in the reign of Claudius; it was followed by the building of two more, so that Ephesus qualified three times for the title “temple-warden.” The town clerk used this title for the temple of Artemis when he quieted the crowd in the theater: “Who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper [temple-warden] of the great Artemis” (Acts 19:35).

An inscription from the time of Paul or a little later mentions a man named M. Antonius Hermeias, who it calls a “silversmith” and “Temple-warden.” Thus, it has been suggested that Demetrius, “a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis,” may have held one of these positions (Acts 19:24)

Bible Study (Ephesus)

Rev. 2:1-7. “The Church in Ephesus is praised for her steadfastness against false teachers and heathen persecutors, but called upon to repent of the coldness of her love”
Acts 18:19-21. Paul visited Ephesus on his second missionary journey.
Acts 18:24-19:1. Apollos taught in Ephesus.
Acts 19-20; 20:31. Paul spent more than two years in Ephesus on his third missionary journey.
Eph. 1:17; 2:8; 3:19; 4:32; 5:2; 6:10. Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Ephesus, in which he discussed the “spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of [God],” salvation by grace through faith, and the “love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.” He also exhorted the people to “be kind to one another,” to walk in love, “as Christ loved us,” and to put on the “whole armour of God.”
2. Tim. 1:16-18; 4:19. Paul praised the kindness of Onesiphorus, a Christian from Ephesus who was loyal to him and to the Church.
2 Tim. 4:14-15. Paul wrote Timothy that he was opposed by “Alexander the coppersmith” while preaching the gospel in Ephesus.
1 Tim. 1:3. Timothy stayed in Ephesus when Paul left for Macedonia. Timothy was probably in Ephesus when he received Paul’s letter.



Library of Ephesus


Acts 18:19-28
19: And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20: When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21: But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
22: And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
23: And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
24: And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25: This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26: And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
27: And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
28: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Acts 19:1-20
   1: And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2: He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3: And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4: Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5: When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6: And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7: And all the men were about twelve.
8: And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9: But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
10: And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
11: And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
13: Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14: And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15: And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16: And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17: And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18: And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
19: Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20: So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Acts 20:16-38
16: For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17: And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18: And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19: Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21: Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22: And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24: But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25: And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26: 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.
28: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29: For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30: Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31: Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32: And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33: I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34: Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35: I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36: And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37: And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
38: Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

Revelation 2:1-7
1: Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2: I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6: But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.