God's Revelation and Demonic Opposition

Ephesus, where Paul had left Timothy, was a major city in Turkey. In Paul's day, it was the fourth-largest city in the Roman Empire. It gradually lost its importance as the harbour silted up, and it lost its connection to the Aegean Sea. What remained was partially ruined by an earthquake in 614 AD.

If you've never been there, put it on your wish list! But know that only one-tenth of the ancient city has been uncovered.

What has been excavated, though, is the massive temple to Artemis, regarded as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Romans identified Artemis with their goddess Diana, who was worshipped as a goddess of fertility. You can read about the riot that occurred when Paul went there with the gospel in Acts 19.

Ephesus was known also for the practice of magic to control the activity of demons.

It's into this context that Paul gives his instructions to Timothy. The letter would probably have been read to the whole church.

With echoes of the chant to Artemis in Acts 19:28, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians," Paul writes: "Great is the mystery of our religion" (literal translation of v 3:16). The NET translation reads: "our religion contains amazing revelation." In other words, the mystery, or secret, has been made known! It—he—is Jesus Christ! He came among us as a human being... and was taken up in glory.

The demons of Ephesus had led people astray. Timothy was to declare the glorious truth.

The church must not let itself be led astray by enemies of Christ (4:1-2) or sidetracked by matters that get the members of the church off track (4:3). Nor must it be deluded by liars who “have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth” (4:2 The Message).

Respond in Prayer

Lord, thank you for the ministers of the church. Help them to point out the things that are wrong and to teach the things that are right. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Lawson Murray

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).