23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover 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. 27 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.”
Paul faced another mob in Acts 19-27. Demetrius, a local silversmith, stirred up a group of artisans who made cult images of the goddess Artemis, whose enormous temple was near Ephesus.
19:23
And about that time
About the time that Paul laid out his future missionary plans, a problem arose at Ephesus.
there arose a great commotion about the Way.
Many in Ephesus began to oppose “the Way,” the Christian movement in Ephesus and Asia.
19:24
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.
Demetrius was a wealthy silversmith, making money by producing silver shrines of Diana, the many-breasted goddess of the Ephesians.
19:25
He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said:
Demetrius gathered fellow workers of his guild to oppose “the Way.”
“Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
The silversmith reminded the tradesmen that they received their livelihood by making silver images of Artemis.
19:26
Moreover 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.
Demetrius warned the artisans of manufactured idols that the Christian movement throughout Asia would affect their business. Christians do not worship idols.
19:27
So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute,
Demetrius anticipated that, if the Christian movement continued to grow, it would endanger the business of making idols of Artemis.
but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
The silversmith also warned that the honor of Artemis throughout the Roman world would be put in disrepute.
PRINCIPLE:
Faithful preaching of the gospel will always cause a stir in society.
APPLICATION:
Paul declared the whole council of God with utter dedication (Acts 20:27, 31). His faithful preaching caused him untold problems but eternal benefit. Bold preaching of and sharing of the gospel will produce results.
