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Family Bible Study
Welcome to Ephesus, Part 2
Welcome to Ephesus is more than just a study about the book of the Bible we know as Ephesians. We will explore the city today and during the time of Paul. We will see how their culture existed including the worship of their gods, and how impactful this would have been to those who became Christ followers. We do this to better understand the message of the Bible and how we are to apply it today.
Locations & Times
Deatsville Baptist Church
184 Church St, Deatsville, AL 36022, USA
Monday 6:30 PM
Last week we learned:
- Ephesus is a very old city, ca 1100
- It used to be a sea port town with about 250,000 in population
- Primary god of city was Artemis
- City was prosperous and even a neokoros
- Paul, Apollos, and many others preached there
- Ephesus is a very old city, ca 1100
- It used to be a sea port town with about 250,000 in population
- Primary god of city was Artemis
- City was prosperous and even a neokoros
- Paul, Apollos, and many others preached there
This week we will learn:
- Ephesus was serious about the worship and money of Temple of Artemis
- Paul was stirring up a lot of conflict
- Many people were becoming leaders and spreading the gospel
- Ephesus was serious about the worship and money of Temple of Artemis
- Paul was stirring up a lot of conflict
- Many people were becoming leaders and spreading the gospel
Acts 19
11 And God was performing ⌊extraordinary⌋ miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or work aprons ⌊that had touched his skin⌋ were carried away to those who were sick, and their* diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.* 13 But some itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches!” 14 (Now seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.) 15 But the evil spirit answered and* said to them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with, but who are you?” 16 And the man ⌊who had the evil spirit⌋ leaped on them, subdued all of them, and* prevailed against them, so that they ran away from that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was exalted. 18 And many of those who had believed came, confessing and disclosing their practices, 19 and many of those who practiced magic brought together their* books and* burned them* up in the sight of everyone. And they counted up their value and found it was ⌊fifty thousand silver coins⌋. 20 In this way the word of the Lord was growing in power and was prevailing.
A Major Riot in Ephesus
21 Now when these things were completed, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, it is necessary for me to see Rome also.” 22 So after* sending two of those who were assisting him, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed some time in Asia.
23 Now there happened at that time no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For someone ⌊named⌋ Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver replicas of the temple of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen. 25 ⌊These⌋ he gathered together, and the workers occupied with such things, and* said, “Men, you know that from this business ⌊we get our prosperity⌋, 26 and you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this man Paul has persuaded and* turned away a large crowd by* saying that the gods made by hands are not gods. 27 So not only is there a danger this line of business of ours will come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as nothing—and she is about to be brought down even from her grandeur, she whom the whole of Asia and the entire world worship!”
28 And when they* heard this* and became full of rage, they began to shout,* saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 And the city was filled with the tumult, and with one purpose they rushed into the theater, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were traveling companions of Paul. 30 But when* Paul wanted to enter into the popular assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs who were his friends sent word* to him and* were urging him* not to risk himself by going into the theater. 32 So some were shouting one thing* and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know ⌊why⌋ they had assembled. 33 And some of the crowd advised Alexander, when* the Jews put him forward. But Alexander, motioning with his* hand, was wanting to defend himself to the popular assembly. 34 But when they* recognized that he was a Jew, they were shouting with one voice from all of them for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 And when* the city secretary had quieted the crowd, he said, “Ephesian men, for who is there among men who does not know the Ephesian city is honorary temple keeper of the great Artemis and of her* image fallen from heaven? 36 Therefore because* these things are undeniable, it is necessary that you be quiet and do nothing rash! 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against anyone, the court days are observed and there are proconsuls—let them bring charges against one another! 39 But if you desire anything further, it will be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused of rioting concerning today, since there* is no cause in relation to which we will be able to give an account concerning this disorderly gathering!” And when he* had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Paul Travels Through Macedonia and Greece
20 Now after the turmoil had ceased, Paul summoned* the disciples, and after* encouraging them,* he said farewell and* departed to travel to Macedonia. 2 And after he* had gone through those regions and encouraged them ⌊at length⌋, he came to Greece 3 and stayed* three months. Because* a plot was made against him by the Jews as he* was about to set sail for Syria, he came to a decision to return through Macedonia. 4 And Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, and Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, and Gaius from Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia, were accompanying him. 5 And these had gone on ahead and* were waiting for us in Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread and came to them at Troas within five days, where we stayed seven days.
vs 7-16 account of boy falling from window
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
17 And from Miletus he sent word* to Ephesus and* summoned the elders of the church. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them, “You know from the first day on which I set foot in Asia how I was the whole time with you—19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, and with the trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews—20 how I did not shrink from proclaiming to you anything that would be profitable, and from teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks with respect to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Ac 18:18–20:12). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
11 And God was performing ⌊extraordinary⌋ miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or work aprons ⌊that had touched his skin⌋ were carried away to those who were sick, and their* diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.* 13 But some itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches!” 14 (Now seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.) 15 But the evil spirit answered and* said to them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with, but who are you?” 16 And the man ⌊who had the evil spirit⌋ leaped on them, subdued all of them, and* prevailed against them, so that they ran away from that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was exalted. 18 And many of those who had believed came, confessing and disclosing their practices, 19 and many of those who practiced magic brought together their* books and* burned them* up in the sight of everyone. And they counted up their value and found it was ⌊fifty thousand silver coins⌋. 20 In this way the word of the Lord was growing in power and was prevailing.
A Major Riot in Ephesus
21 Now when these things were completed, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, it is necessary for me to see Rome also.” 22 So after* sending two of those who were assisting him, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed some time in Asia.
23 Now there happened at that time no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For someone ⌊named⌋ Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver replicas of the temple of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen. 25 ⌊These⌋ he gathered together, and the workers occupied with such things, and* said, “Men, you know that from this business ⌊we get our prosperity⌋, 26 and you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this man Paul has persuaded and* turned away a large crowd by* saying that the gods made by hands are not gods. 27 So not only is there a danger this line of business of ours will come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as nothing—and she is about to be brought down even from her grandeur, she whom the whole of Asia and the entire world worship!”
28 And when they* heard this* and became full of rage, they began to shout,* saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 And the city was filled with the tumult, and with one purpose they rushed into the theater, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were traveling companions of Paul. 30 But when* Paul wanted to enter into the popular assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs who were his friends sent word* to him and* were urging him* not to risk himself by going into the theater. 32 So some were shouting one thing* and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know ⌊why⌋ they had assembled. 33 And some of the crowd advised Alexander, when* the Jews put him forward. But Alexander, motioning with his* hand, was wanting to defend himself to the popular assembly. 34 But when they* recognized that he was a Jew, they were shouting with one voice from all of them for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 And when* the city secretary had quieted the crowd, he said, “Ephesian men, for who is there among men who does not know the Ephesian city is honorary temple keeper of the great Artemis and of her* image fallen from heaven? 36 Therefore because* these things are undeniable, it is necessary that you be quiet and do nothing rash! 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against anyone, the court days are observed and there are proconsuls—let them bring charges against one another! 39 But if you desire anything further, it will be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused of rioting concerning today, since there* is no cause in relation to which we will be able to give an account concerning this disorderly gathering!” And when he* had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Paul Travels Through Macedonia and Greece
20 Now after the turmoil had ceased, Paul summoned* the disciples, and after* encouraging them,* he said farewell and* departed to travel to Macedonia. 2 And after he* had gone through those regions and encouraged them ⌊at length⌋, he came to Greece 3 and stayed* three months. Because* a plot was made against him by the Jews as he* was about to set sail for Syria, he came to a decision to return through Macedonia. 4 And Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, and Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, and Gaius from Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia, were accompanying him. 5 And these had gone on ahead and* were waiting for us in Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread and came to them at Troas within five days, where we stayed seven days.
vs 7-16 account of boy falling from window
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
17 And from Miletus he sent word* to Ephesus and* summoned the elders of the church. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them, “You know from the first day on which I set foot in Asia how I was the whole time with you—19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, and with the trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews—20 how I did not shrink from proclaiming to you anything that would be profitable, and from teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks with respect to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Ac 18:18–20:12). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
What did we learn about life in Ephesus considering this?
- people were gathering in homes
- persecution of the faith was significant considering the other gods who were being spoken against
- if the gods are nothing more than idols made by the hands of man, then how was the Satan using that against the will of God?
- how might this be linked to the powers of darkness?
- people were gathering in homes
- persecution of the faith was significant considering the other gods who were being spoken against
- if the gods are nothing more than idols made by the hands of man, then how was the Satan using that against the will of God?
- how might this be linked to the powers of darkness?
Ephesians
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Look at the word apostle. What does that actually mean?
apostle n. — an envoy of Jesus Christ commissioned directly by Him or by other apostles; normally someone who has been taught directly by Jesus and who is invested with the authority to speak on His behalf.
Look at Matt 10:2
Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, 3 Philip, and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot—the one who also betrayed him.
What does he mean saints in Ephesus? Who are the saints and what does that imply?
What do you think happens in the thought process of God our Father to a person who is Jewish at this time? Who do think of allowing this, and what might their religious culture shed light on here?
What is grace, and how is it different from peace?
grace n. — goodwill freely disseminated (by God); especially to the benefit of the recipient regardless of the benefit accrued to the disseminator.
peace n. — harmonious relations and freedom from disputes; especially during the absence of war.
Paul grants them grace and peace from God and Jesus. What does that tell you about the belief Paul held regarding the way the presence of God was operating?
Under whose authority does Paul great them from?
What does this tell us about the being of God and Jesus (together, separate, one but the same)?
How does this make you think about who the Elohim are and how we have aligned our prayers, praise, and general placement as we think about God's presence?
Do any other people who are a part of the spiritual realm now deserve our prayers?
apostle n. — an envoy of Jesus Christ commissioned directly by Him or by other apostles; normally someone who has been taught directly by Jesus and who is invested with the authority to speak on His behalf.
Look at Matt 10:2
Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, 3 Philip, and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot—the one who also betrayed him.
What does he mean saints in Ephesus? Who are the saints and what does that imply?
What do you think happens in the thought process of God our Father to a person who is Jewish at this time? Who do think of allowing this, and what might their religious culture shed light on here?
What is grace, and how is it different from peace?
grace n. — goodwill freely disseminated (by God); especially to the benefit of the recipient regardless of the benefit accrued to the disseminator.
peace n. — harmonious relations and freedom from disputes; especially during the absence of war.
Paul grants them grace and peace from God and Jesus. What does that tell you about the belief Paul held regarding the way the presence of God was operating?
Under whose authority does Paul great them from?
What does this tell us about the being of God and Jesus (together, separate, one but the same)?
How does this make you think about who the Elohim are and how we have aligned our prayers, praise, and general placement as we think about God's presence?
Do any other people who are a part of the spiritual realm now deserve our prayers?
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
the 1st "Blessed" here is like saying praiseworthy.
The 2nd is:
to bless (favor) v. — to invoke (or enact) divine favor, often implying a positive disposition or kind actions toward the recipient.
The 3rd is:
blessing (present) n. — a present given as a sign of gracious kindness to promote the livelihood of the recipient; especially with a giver characterized by joyful generosity.
Considering this 3rd blessing as a gift, what is it that God did to bless us?
the 1st "Blessed" here is like saying praiseworthy.
The 2nd is:
to bless (favor) v. — to invoke (or enact) divine favor, often implying a positive disposition or kind actions toward the recipient.
The 3rd is:
blessing (present) n. — a present given as a sign of gracious kindness to promote the livelihood of the recipient; especially with a giver characterized by joyful generosity.
Considering this 3rd blessing as a gift, what is it that God did to bless us?
4 just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,
The question I must then ask myself is "You mean before the world was ever spoken into existence, God already knew who we were, what we would do, and what it would require of God and Jesus?"
This then leads me to the next question of "Why would they do this then?"
We are allowed to see this answer in the created we love. Perhaps it is children. Have we not found ourselves looking at our own children and considering the abundance in love we have for them, and then when one of them comes up to you, with no prompting, and says "Hey dad, I love you!" does that not just seem like the world is in proper order?
God is not some far off being, we are the image of the divine. Within us we feel, sense, experience the same as the Father. Ours is different though, not holy like God, but none the less an image of His holiness. Yet he allows us in our sinfulness to find commonality with himself. He in some way allows us to
The question I must then ask myself is "You mean before the world was ever spoken into existence, God already knew who we were, what we would do, and what it would require of God and Jesus?"
This then leads me to the next question of "Why would they do this then?"
We are allowed to see this answer in the created we love. Perhaps it is children. Have we not found ourselves looking at our own children and considering the abundance in love we have for them, and then when one of them comes up to you, with no prompting, and says "Hey dad, I love you!" does that not just seem like the world is in proper order?
God is not some far off being, we are the image of the divine. Within us we feel, sense, experience the same as the Father. Ours is different though, not holy like God, but none the less an image of His holiness. Yet he allows us in our sinfulness to find commonality with himself. He in some way allows us to
Almost all Bible verses are taken from:
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Eph 1:1–2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Eph 1:1–2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.