Paul at Ephesus

MEMORY VERSE: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” —Matthew 6:24

ACTS 19:23-28, 35-39

THE love of material security is a powerful influence in the lives of the vast majority of mankind. We have an illustration of this in one of Paul’s experiences in Ephesus. The people in this city of Asia Minor were nearly all worshipers of the goddess Diana, an image of whom, they believed, had fallen down from Jupiter in heaven. “Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen.”—Acts 19:24

Others besides Demetrius were in the shrine-making business, and he called these together and explained what seemed to him to be a threat to their livelihood. Already in Ephesus large quantities of books on magic had been publicly burned by those who had turned from the worship of Diana to the worship of the true and living God, and Demetrius reasoned that if the ministry of Paul and his companions was permitted to continue, the sale of their silver shrines of Diana would be greatly diminished. This would mean that many craftsmen would become unemployed.

Demetrius claimed that the temple of Diana, which was very sacred to her worshipers, would soon be despised and destroyed by the followers of Paul. Both these viewpoints were based on fear, and it is doubtful that the Gospel would have turned enough of the Ephesians from the worship of Diana to make any measurable difference in the sale of shrines. And certainly the followers of the Master would not desecrate and destroy the great temple of Diana.

But even though the charges were false, the silversmiths of Ephesus believed them and were “full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” The word “Great,” as used in this expression, is believed to be one of the titles ascribed to Diana. Evidently this acclamation honoring Diana was repeated by the silversmiths throughout the city, for we read that “the whole city was filled with confusion.”

Seemingly the people of the city, other than the silversmiths, were not given much information as to what the excitement was about. The cry, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians,” was evidently sufficient to indicate that their precious goddess was in trouble, and something would have to be done about it. In their confusion they seized upon several of Paul’s traveling companions and “rushed with one accord into the theatre.”

Paul, not wishing to desert his brethren in this emergency, attempted to follow them into the theatre, but the other disciples would not permit him to do so. Others—“certain of the chief of Asia”—who were friends of Paul, also urged him not to go into the theatre and expose himself to danger. In the theatre confusion reigned, “and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.” (Acts 19:29-32) The Jews in the crowd attempted to put Alexander forward to quiet the mob, but when the people saw that he was a Jew they continued to shout, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.”—Acts 19:33,34

The town clerk finally was able to settle the people. He reminded them that essentially all the people of the city were worshipers of Diana and of the image which had fallen down from Jupiter. If what they believed concerning Diana was really true, then they had nothing to fear. “Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against,” he said, “ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.” He affirmed that Paul and his companions were “neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.”—vss. 36,37

The town clerk did not mention specifically what the charges were against Paul and his friends, but said that if Demetrius and the craftsmen who had started the trouble would state their charges at the proper place, “the law is open,” and determination would be made “in a lawful assembly.” Here was a wise man. He knew, as is so apparent throughout the world today, that nothing can be properly settled by mob violence. He said further, “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.”—vs. 40

Our memory verse, while stating a very important truth concerning our relationship to God and our loyalty to him, is only remotely applicable to the remainder of the lesson. The silversmiths of Ephesus were concerned only with their fear that the new religion being introduced by Paul and his companions would affect their livelihood.

As disciples of Christ we need to be on the alert that mammon does not become an object of worship, in the sense that we cherish it in our hearts and become slaves to it, instead of to the Lord. We cannot successfully serve two masters.

QUESTIONS

Who was Diana?

What caused the silversmiths of Ephesus to stir up a riot against Paul and his friends?

How was this riot brought to an end?

Why can a Christian not serve God and mammon?

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