These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
- Magnifying Christ …
- Preaching Jesus…
- Paul went into the Synagogue in Ephesus and REASONED about the Kingdom of God…
- When they rejected the message because of HARD hearts – he departed…
- And went to the SCHOOL of Tyrannus – and REASONED with the gentiles for TWO years…
- God did UNUSUAL miracles through Paul – even his sweaty rags could cast out demons…
- Because when the POWER of God is working – it is NOT hard work – Matthew 11:28-30
- Knowing Jesus…
- Seven sons of a Jewish chief priest [Sceva] – called themselves EXORCISTS…
- They would try and cast out demons in the name of Jesus – whom Paul preaches…
- But the demon answered – Jesus I KNOW – Paul I am familiar with – but who are you…
- Then the man jumped on the SEVEN – overpowered them – so they fled NAKED and WOUNDED…
- This became KNOWN through the city – and the name of Jesus was MAGNIFIED…
- Many who believed CONFESSED their sins to God – and told others what God had done in them…
- Even taking their BUSYBODY books – and burning them publicly…
- So that the Word of the Lord – GREW greatly and PREVAILED!
- 1st – The Plan… vs. 21-22
- 1st – To Rome… vs. 21
- The desire…
- When these things were accomplished Paul purposed in the Spirit.
- When he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia to go to Jerusalem saying:
- After I have been there I must also see Rome!
- AFTER the revival in Ephesus [Jesus magnified]
- Paul was DETERMINED [τίθημι] in his SPIRIT…
- On passing through Macedonia [Philippi] and Achaia [Corinth]
- And after ministering to those churches – he MUST [δεῖ] go to ROME [Ῥώμη]!
- The desire was NOT from Paul – it was from God – Acts 23:11
- But Paul would NOT end up in ROME the way he planned – he would be arrested…
- He would spend TWO years in captivity – and be sent to Rome as a prisoner!
- When God gives us His WILL – it does NOT mean that it will happen right away…
- And it RARELY happens in the way that we would expect…
- It always happens in a way that keeps us looking to and dependent on Him!
- Better Plan…
- Paul went to Rome the way God wanted – as a prisoner who appealed to Caesar…
- Therefore he was able to share the Gospel with the most powerful ruler on earth…
- If Paul had following his plans – he would have NEVER gotten to see the KING!
- We will NOT always understand the methods of God – or His timing…
- But in the end His way always works out better than our very best plans!
- 2nd – The Problem… vs. 22
- Corinth…
- [Paul] sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him – Timothy and Erastus!
- Timothy and Erastus likely crossing over to Philippi [Macedonia]
- Then Timothy continued onto Corinth [Achaia] – I Corinthians 4:17
- Erastus was from Corinth [the city treasurer] – Romans 16:23
- Paul heard sent them – because rumors were the church in Corinth was NOT doing well…
- He wrote the book of I Corinthians while in Ephesus to correct them – I Corinthians 16:8
- Paul saw the believers in Corinth as his children in the faith – II Corinthians 12:14
- He was NOT upset that church was struggling – he was worried for them…
- He sent Timothy to remind the church of what he had taught them!
- When we get our focus off of Jesus – when we get caught up in sin…
- God is NOT upset with us – He is concerned for us – He knows that sin will destroy our lives…
- He might be strong on us – rebuke us – but only because He loves us!
- Ephesus…
- Paul wanted to go to ROME – and the church in CORINTH was in trouble…
- Yet in spite of ALL that – Paul did NOT want to leave EPHESUS!
- I Corinthians 16:8-9 – “I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost – for there is a wide open door for a great work here – and many people are responding. But there are many who oppose me.” [NLT]
- Pentecost came at the end of May – the same time as the festival of Dianna [Artemis]
- Much like festivals today – that are dedicated to certain patron saints…
- Ephesus had a great FESTIVAL dedicated to Artemis the Greek goddess of the city…
- And with the festival came great multitudes of people to preach Jesus to!
- Paul had a lot to do – but nothing was more important than sharing Jesus…
- It is easy for us to get so caught up in the business of our lives – we forget…
- There is nothing more important than telling people about salvation!
- Preaching Jesus…
- 2nd – Starting a riot… vs. 23-34
- 1st – Easy money… vs. 23-27
- Silversmiths… vs. 23-24
- About that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
- A certain man named Demetrius – a silversmith.
- Who made silver shrines of Diana brought no small profit to the craftsmen!
- About that same TIME – there was a HUGE [not small] problem about the WAY [church]
- Demetrius was a silversmith who made SHRINES [ναός] of the goddess Dianna…
- With thousands of people coming to Ephesus for the festival…
- Everyone wanted a souvenir – so he sold LOTS of little idols…
- His business was VERY successful – it was EASY money!
- Not about idols… vs. 25-27
- [Demetrius] called them together with the workers of similar occupation and said:
- Men – you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
- You see and hear that not only at Ephesus but throughout almost all Asia.
- This Paul has persuaded and turned away many people.
- Saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
- So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute.
- But also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised.
- And her magnificence destroyed – whom all Asia and the world worship!
- Demetrius called a meeting of all the IDOL makers…
- They had a real problem – Paul teaching people about Jesus…
- Paul had convinced a LOT of people [all of Asia] – idols were NOT gods…
- The IDOL makers were in danger of going out of business…
- The great goddess Dianna of Ephesus might be completely forgotten…
- Not that he was really concerned about the worship of the Dianna…
- His motivation he was afraid of LOSING all his business!
- II Peter 2:3 – “In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money.” [NLT]
- CLEVER lies [πλαστός] – to carefully mold like an artist works with clay or stone…
- Corrupt men – carefully craft their WORDS [λόγος] to EXPLOIT us…
- Get ahold [ἐμπορεύομαι] – where we get the word EMPORIUM [market]
- They use their WORDS to try and make us into their own personal MARKET!
- Churches are meant to be a place where people come to LEARN about the Lord…
- Instead in many people are taught about a God who only WANTS their MONEY…
- Giving people the idea that Jesus is just another SCAM – a MARKET…
- God does not want or need our MONEY – He is the creator of Heaven and Earth…
- His church should be a place of PRAYER – where men can come to KNOW God!
- John 2:16 – “Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”
- 2nd – Getting Angry… vs. 28
- Now when they heard this they were full of wrath and cried out saying:
- Great is Diana of the Ephesians!
- With their livelihood in danger – the silversmiths got ANGRY [θυμός]
- They began to chant over and over [imperfect] – Great is Dianna of the Ephesians…
- They were NOT stating a fact – they were offering a prayer to their god!
- Matthew 6:7 – “When you pray do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.”
- People are taught to recite prayers [the Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary]
- But God does NOT want us repeating our prayers!
- While it is OK to ask for the same thing more than once [Garden of Gethsemane] – Matthew 26:44
- We must be careful NOT to make prayer a ritual rather than a conversation…
- When we simply repeat ourselves out of habit – that is NOT talking with God!
- 3rd – Stirring the crowd… vs. 29-31
- Riot… vs. 29
- So the whole city was filled with confusion and rushed into the theater with one accord.
- Having seized Gaius and Aristarchus – Macedonians – Pauls travel companions!
- The whole city was UNITED [ὁμοθυμαδόν] in CONFUSION [σύγχυσις]
- Everyone wanted to know what was going on – so they RAN into the theatre…
- The theatre is HUGE – it can hold over FIFTY thousand people – and it was FILLED…
- The silver smiths seized [συναρπάζω] GAIUS and ARISTARCHUS…
- GAIUS – a believer from CORINTH – I Corinthians 1:14
- ARISTARCHUS – a believer from THESSALONICA – Acts 20:4
- Traveling companions of Paul whom they intended to JUDGE!
- Let me in… vs. 30-31
- Paul wanted to go in to the people – the disciples would not allow him.
- Some of the officials of Asia who were his friends sent to him.
- Pleading that he would not venture into the theater!
- This was an audience of THOUSANDS – Paul wanted to go in and PREACH…
- He might also have been concerned about the lives of his companions…
- What was least important to Paul was his own life and safety…
- The DISCIPLES [μαθητής] would NOT allow him – though he kept trying [imperfect]
- But then LEADERS of Asia [Ἀσιάρχης] who were friends [φίλος]
- Send word [imperfect] PLEADING [παρακαλέω] with him NOT to go in…
- They knew if Paul went into the theatre – the crowd would KILL him…
- Even though his motive was right – BETTER to live and preach another day!
- It is important to surround ourselves with Godly friends…
- Because a lot of times we get into trouble because we RUSH into a decision…
- If we would simply be patient – and ask for advice – we would make WISE choices!
- Proverbs 15:22 – “Plans go wrong for lack of advice. Many counselors bring success.”
- 4th – Confusion… vs. 32
- Some therefore cried one thing and some another for the assembly was confused.
- And most of them did not know why they had come together!
- The IDOL makers KNEW why they were there…
- They saw the Gospel as a threat to their WEALTH – and they got the crowd to join in…
- But that crowd could NOT see [εἴδω] what the IDOL makers had done…
- Their CHURCH [ἐκκλησία] was confused – they were all just SHOUTING different things…
- Most did NOT [pluperfect] have any idea why they had come together!
- We often do what others do – without really even knowing why…
- It is always a wise question to ask – who am I following…
- If the people we are copying are NOT living their lives for Jesus…
- Then we do NOT want to end up where they are going!
- Matthew 7:13 – “Broad is the way that leads to destruction and there are many who go in by It.”
- 5th – Not helping… vs. 33-34
- They drew Alexander out of the multitude – the Jews putting him forward.
- And Alexander motioned with his hand and wanted to make his defense to the people.
- But when they found out that he was a Jew all with one voice cried out for about two hours:
- Great is Diana of the Ephesians!
- The Jews of the city chose a man names ALEXANDER…
- This may be the same ALEXANDER Paul warned Timothy about – II Timothy 4:14
- A coppersmith who likely worked with the idol makers of Ephesus…
- ALEXANDER motioned [imperfect] with his hands to make a DEFENSE [ἀπολογέομαι]
- He was NOT there to help – rather to make sure they knew the Jews were NOT with Paul…
- But when they found [ἐπιγινώσκω] he was a JEW – they ALL [πᾶς] shouted for TWO hours!
- The world we live in is confused – they do NOT even know why they are here…
- They do NOT care who they attack – they are just FOLLOWING the crowd…
- This helps us in relating to the world – there is NO reason to be upset with them…
- Instead we should have compassion on a LOST and DYING world!
- 1st – Easy money… vs. 23-27
- 3rd – Sentence of Death… vs. 35-41
- 1st – Temple of Dianna… vs. 35-41
- Everyone knows… vs. 35
- When the city clerk had quieted the crowd he said:
- Men of Ephesus what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians.
- Is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana – of the image which fell down from Zeus?
- The SCRIBE [γραμματεύς] of Ephesus quieted the confused crowd by saying…
- Everyone KNEW [γινώσκω] Ephesus was the keeper of the TEMPLE [νεωκόρος] of Diana…
- Where the image [perhaps a rock] was kept that FELL from heaven [διοπετής]!
- The temple of Dianna was one of the SEVEN wonders of the ancient world…
- Supported by 127 massive columns that we around TWENTY meters high…
- Dianna was the daughter of Zeus – whose image fell from the sky to Ephesus…
- Possibly a meteor [with bumps all over it] – that they made the temple for…
- She was the goddess of fertility [many breast] and the main deity the city worshiped…
- The idols are still sold [souvenirs] in the ruins of the city of Ephesus today!
- Wrong church… vs. 36-41
- Therefore – since these things cannot be denied you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.
- You have brought these men who are neither robbers nor blasphemers of your goddess.
- Therefore – if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone.
- The courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
- But if you have any other inquiry to make it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.
- For we are in danger of being called in question for todays uproar.
- There being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.
- And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly!
- The SCRIBE went on to say – SINCE this could NOT be denied [Ephesus is for Artemis]
- There was NO reason for this RIOT in the theatre…
- They had grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus – who had NOT committed any crime…
- IF [indicative] Demetrius had a CASE against them – they should go to the COURT…
- And IF [indicative] they had ANY other issues – it would be dealt with LEGALLY [ἔννομος]
- Because the whole city was in danger of being JUDGED by Rome for their RIOT…
- When the SCRIBE finished – he sent the CHURCH [ἐκκλησία] home!
- The word [ἐκκλησία] – 115 in NT – is almost always translated as CHURCH…
- The ONLY exception is here in this passage [three times]
- Where it describes the ASSEMBLY of those in the world – but note the CONTRAST…
- They are CONFUSED – do NOT know why they are there – and in DANGER of being JUDGED!
- There are TWO kinds of CHURCHES [gatherings]
- Those who are LOST in this world – who are in DANGER of the JUDGMENT of God…
- And Those who have been CALLED [καλέω] out [ἐκ] of this world – and are FORGIVEN…
- Rather than being CONFUSED – better to chose to KNOW Jesus!
- 2nd – The Victory…
- Jesus wins…
- It would seem that Dianna won the VICTORY for the hearts of the people in Ephesus…
- But within just a few years – most Ephesians had converted to Christianity!
- By the early FIFTH century the temple of Diana had fallen into ruin…
- The only thing that still exists today is ONE solitary column – broken at the top…
- Paul did not have to do anything to the cult and temple of Dianna…
- The Gospel was more than enough to destroy the false worship temple there!
- We might tend to think NOTHING we do will ever reach a SINFUL world…
- But the Gospel has the power to BREAK up even the hardest ground…
- And when the Word meets a hard hear – it becomes a sledgehammer!
- Jeremiah 23:29 – “My word… like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.”
- Dependent on Jesus…
- Yet this was one of the most difficult moments in the ministry of Paul…
- NOT just difficult – Paul called this experience the sentence of DEATH…
- But God had a purpose in the trial – He was teaching Paul to depend on Him!
- II Corinthians 1:8-10 – “We do not want you to be ignorant brethren of our trouble which came to us in Ephesus… we had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead!”
- When hard times come – our FIRST reaction is to look to depend on us…
- But God will make things IMPOSSIBLE – beyond our ability…
- So that we would learn NOT to trust in ourselves – but instead trust in God!
- 1st – Temple of Dianna… vs. 35-41