Acts 19:24
It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business to the craftsmen.
It began with a silversmith named Demetrius
The phrase introduces us to Demetrius, a key figure in the narrative. The name "Demetrius" is of Greek origin, meaning "belonging to Demeter," the Greek goddess of the harvest. This name reflects the Hellenistic culture prevalent in Ephesus, a city known for its devotion to various deities. As a silversmith, Demetrius was skilled in crafting items from silver, a precious metal often associated with wealth and status. His profession indicates a level of affluence and influence within the community, as silversmiths were integral to the economy, especially in a city like Ephesus, renowned for its religious and commercial activities.

who made silver shrines of Artemis
The creation of "silver shrines of Artemis" highlights the religious and economic significance of the goddess Artemis in Ephesus. Artemis, known as Diana in Roman mythology, was the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and fertility. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, attracting pilgrims and tourists from across the region. These silver shrines were likely small replicas of the temple or the goddess, serving as souvenirs or objects of worship. The production of such items underscores the deep-rooted pagan practices in Ephesus and the challenge faced by early Christians in spreading the Gospel amidst such idolatry.

bringing in a great deal of business to the craftsmen
This phrase emphasizes the economic impact of the religious practices centered around Artemis. The "great deal of business" suggests that the crafting of these shrines was a lucrative trade, supporting not only Demetrius but also a network of craftsmen. This economic dependency on idolatry presents a backdrop for the conflict that arises later in the chapter, as the spread of Christianity threatens the livelihood of those involved in this trade. The craftsmen's reliance on the production of idolatrous items highlights the pervasive nature of pagan worship in Ephesus and the societal challenges faced by the early church in promoting a monotheistic faith that rejected such practices.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Demetrius
A silversmith in Ephesus who crafted silver shrines of the goddess Artemis. He played a significant role in inciting a riot against Paul and his companions due to the threat Christianity posed to his trade.

2. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor, known for its grand temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a center of commerce and pagan worship.

3. Artemis
A Greek goddess worshipped in Ephesus, associated with fertility and the hunt. Her temple was a significant religious and economic hub.

4. Craftsmen
A group of artisans in Ephesus who profited from making religious artifacts, particularly those related to the worship of Artemis.

5. Paul
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Paul’s missionary work in Ephesus led to the decline in idol worship, which threatened the livelihood of Demetrius and the craftsmen.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can also be anything that takes precedence over God in our lives. We must examine our hearts for modern-day idols.

Economic Impact of Faith
True faith can have significant economic implications, challenging industries and practices that are contrary to God’s will. Believers should be prepared for opposition when their faith impacts societal norms.

Courage in Witnessing
Paul’s ministry in Ephesus shows the importance of courage and perseverance in sharing the Gospel, even when it disrupts the status quo.

Community Influence
The collective actions of believers can influence entire communities, as seen in the decline of idol worship in Ephesus. Christians are called to be salt and light in their communities.

Spiritual Warfare
The events in Ephesus remind us of the spiritual battle between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness. Prayer and discernment are essential in this battle.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Demetrius and the craftsmen challenge us to identify and remove idols in our own lives?

2. In what ways can our faith impact the economic and social structures around us, and how should we respond to any resulting opposition?

3. How can we draw courage from Paul’s example to witness boldly in environments that are hostile to the Gospel?

4. What are some modern-day equivalents of the silver shrines of Artemis, and how can Christians address these in their communities?

5. How does understanding the spiritual battle in Ephesus help us in our own spiritual warfare today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:3-4
The commandment against idolatry highlights the conflict between the worship of Artemis and the teachings of Christianity.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6
Discusses the reality of idols and the supremacy of God, providing a theological backdrop to the events in Ephesus.

1 Timothy 6:10
The love of money as a root of evil connects to Demetrius's motivation for opposing Paul.

Revelation 2:1-7
The letter to the church in Ephesus, which later struggled with maintaining its first love, possibly reflecting the ongoing spiritual battle in the city.
The Spirit of Rebellion Against the GospelE. Johnson Acts 19:21-41
The Supreme ConflictW. Clarkson Acts 19:21-41
A Popular RiotR.A. Redford Acts 19:23-41
A Typical Exhibition of Human NatureP.C. Barker Acts 19:23-41
Self-Interest Opposing ChristianityR. Tuck Acts 19:24-29
A Good Town ClerkS. S. TimesActs 19:24-41
CovetousnessA. Mitchell, D. D.Acts 19:24-41
Defence of Vested InterestsH. C. Trumbull, D. D.Acts 19:24-41
DemetriusS. S. TimesActs 19:24-41
MobsS. S. TimesActs 19:24-41
Paul and DemetriusJ. Parker, D. D.Acts 19:24-41
Paul and DemetriusH. W. Beecher.Acts 19:24-41
Paul At EphesusR. F. Horton, M. A.Acts 19:24-41
Pocket or PrincipleH. R. Haweis, M. A.Acts 19:24-41
Self Interest in OpinionR. Venning.Acts 19:24-41
Self-Interested IdolatryJ. L. Nye.Acts 19:24-41
The Power of Obscure MenG. S. Robinson, D. D.Acts 19:24-41
The Spirit of SeditionActs 19:24-41
The Temple of DianaT. De Witt Talmage.Acts 19:24-41
The Triumphs of the GospelD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 19:24-41
The Uproar At EphesusA. F. Schauffler.Acts 19:24-41
The Uproar At EphesusSermons by the Monday ClubActs 19:24-41
The Uproar in EphesusJ. Dick, A. M.Acts 19:24-41
The Worship of DianaDean Plumptre.Acts 19:24-41
People
Alexander, Apollos, Aristarchus, Demetrius, Diana, Ephesians, Erastus, Gaius, John, Jupiter, Macedonians, Paul, Sceva, Timotheus, Timothy, Tyrannus
Places
Achaia, Asia, Corinth, Ephesus, Jerusalem, Macedonia, Rome
Topics
Artemis, Ar'temis, Artificers, Artisans, Boxes, Bringing, Business, Craftsmen, Demetrius, Deme'trius, Diana, Employ, Gain, Images, Making, Mechanics, Miniature, Named, Profit, Sanctuaries, Shrines, Silver, Silver-beater, Silversmith, Silver-smith, Silver-worker, Temples, Worker, Workmen
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 19:24

     4363   silver
     5516   sculpture
     5531   skill
     7442   shrine
     8770   idolatry, in NT

Acts 19:23-26

     5273   creativity

Acts 19:23-27

     8744   faithlessness, as disobedience

Acts 19:23-28

     2426   gospel, responses

Acts 19:23-29

     8483   spiritual warfare, causes

Acts 19:23-40

     5919   popularity

Acts 19:23-41

     4345   metalworkers
     5936   riots

Acts 19:24-27

     8787   opposition, to God

Acts 19:24-28

     8747   false gods

Library
Would-Be Exorcists
'...Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?' --ACTS xix. 15. These exorcists had no personal union with Jesus. To them He was only 'Jesus whom Paul preached.' They spoke His name tentatively, as an experiment, and imitatively. To command 'in the name of Jesus' was an appeal to Jesus to glorify His name and exert His power, and so when the speaker had no real faith in the name or the power, there was no answer, because there was really no appeal. I. The only power which can cast out the evil
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Two Fruitful Years
'And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples. 2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Fight with Wild Beasts at Ephesus
'After these things were ended, 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. 22. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. 23. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Whitsunday.
Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? It appears, by what follows these words, that the question here related especially to those gifts of the Holy Ghost which were given, in the first age of the church, as a sign of God's power, and a witness that the work of the gospel was from God. Yet although this be so, and therefore the words, in this particular sense, cannot to any good purpose be asked now; yet there is another sense, and that not a lower but a far higher one, in which we
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

On the Study of the Evidences of Christianity.
THE investigation of that important and extensive subject which includes what have been usually designated as The Evidences of Revelation,' has prescriptively occupied a considerable space in the field of theological literature, especially as cultivated in England. There is scarcely one, perhaps, of our more eminent divines who has not in a greater or less degree distinguished himself in this department, and scarcely an aspirant for theological distinction who has not thought it one of the surest
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31
On this third journey he was already planning to go to Rome (Acts 19:21) and wrote an epistle to the Romans announcing his coming (Rom. 1:7, 15). +The Chief City+, in which Paul spent most of his time (Acts 19:1, 8, 10), between two and three years upon this journey, was Ephesus in Asia Minor. This city situated midway between the extreme points of his former missionary journeys was a place where Ephesus has been thus described: "It had been one of the early Greek colonies, later the capital
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Pastoral Epistles.
Comp. § 33, pp. 327-329. Contents. The three Pastoral Epistles, two to Timothy and one to Titus, form a group by themselves, and represent the last stage of the apostle's life and labors, with his parting counsels to his beloved disciples and fellow-workers. They show us the transition of the apostolic church from primitive simplicity to a more definite system of doctrine and form of government. This is just what we might expect from the probable time of their composition after the first Roman
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Whether Baptism May be Reiterated?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism may be reiterated. For Baptism was instituted, seemingly, in order to wash away sins. But sins are reiterated. Therefore much more should Baptism be reiterated: because Christ's mercy surpasses man's guilt. Objection 2: Further, John the Baptist received special commendation from Christ, Who said of him (Mat. 11:11): "There hath not risen among them that are born of women, a greater than John the Baptist." But those whom John had baptized were baptized again, according
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Pastor in Parish (ii. ).
Work on in hope; the plough, the sickle wield; Thy Master is the harvest's Master too; He gives the golden seed, He owns the field, And does Himself what His true servants do. I take up again the all-important subject of Pastoral Visitation, for the same sort of informal and fragmentary treatment as that attempted in the last chapter, and with the same feeling that the subject is practically inexhaustible. LET THE VISITOR BE A TEACHER, WATCHING FOR OPPORTUNITIES. One object which the visitor will
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Christ's Exaltation
'Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, &c.' Phil 2:2. We have before spoken of Christ's humiliation; we shall now speak of his exaltation. Before you saw the Sun of Righteousness in the eclipse; now you shall see it coming out of the eclipse, and shining in its full glory. Wherefore God has highly exalted him;' super exaltavit, Ambrose. Above all exaltation.' Q-28: WHEREIN CONSISTS CHRIST'S EXALTATION? A: In his rising from the dead, his ascending into
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Old Faiths and the New
SECOND GROUP OF EPISTLES GALATIANS. FIRST AND SECOND CORINTHIANS. ROMANS. PROBLEMS OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY The new faith in Christ made large claims for itself. It marked an advance upon Judaism and maintained that in Christ was fulfilled all the promises made by the prophets of the coming of the Jewish Messiah. It radically antagonized the heathen religions. It had a double task to win men out of Judaism and heathenism. Only by a careful study of these great doctrinal Epistles, and the
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Supremacy of Christ
THIRD GROUP OF EPISTLES COLOSSIANS. PHILEMON. EPHESIANS. PHILIPPIANS. THE QUESTION AT ISSUE +The Supremacy of Christ.+--These Epistles mark a new stage in the writings of Paul. The great question discussed in the second group of Epistles was in regard to the terms of salvation. The question now at issue (in Colossians, Ephesians, Philippian+The Reason for the Raising of this Question+ was the development of certain false religious beliefs among which were, "asceticism, the worship of angels,
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
(LUKE I. 17.) "Oh, may I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In minds made better by their presence: live In pulses stirred to generosity; In deeds of daring rectitude; in scorn For miserable aims that end with self; In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge man's search To vaster issues." The Old Covenant and the New--Elijah and the Baptist--A Parallel--The Servant inferior to the Lord--The Baptism of the Holy Ghost--The
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Baptism unto Repentance
(MARK I. 4.) "The last and greatest herald of heaven's King, Girt with rough skins, hies to the desert wild; Among that savage brood the woods doth bring, Which he more harmless found than man, and mild. "His food was locusts and what there doth spring, With honey that from virgin hives distill'd, Parch'd body, hollow eyes, some uncouth thing Made him appear, long since from earth exiled." W. DRUMMOND, of Hawthornden. Repentance: its Nature--Repentance: how Produced--Repentance: its Evidences--Repentance:
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Elucidation.
The argument (p. 673, note 6,) is conclusive, but not clear. The disciples of John must have been baptized by him, (Luke vii. 29-30) and "all the people," must have included those whom Jesus called. But, this was not Christ's baptism: See Acts xix. 2, 5. Compare note 8, p. 673. And see the American Editor's "Apollos."
Tertullian—On Baptism

Whether those who had Been Baptized with John's Baptism had to be Baptized with the Baptism of Christ?
Objection 1: It would seem that those who had been baptized with John's baptism had not to be baptized with the baptism of Christ. For John was not less than the apostles, since of him is it written (Mat. 11:11): "There hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist." But those who were baptized by the apostles were not baptized again, but only received the imposition of hands; for it is written (Acts 8:16,17) that some were "only baptized" by Philip "in the name
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Wicked Can Work Miracles?
Objection 1: It would seem that the wicked cannot work miracles. For miracles are wrought through prayer, as stated above (A[1], ad 1). Now the prayer of a sinner is not granted, according to Jn. 9:31, "We know that God doth not hear sinners," and Prov. 28:9, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination." Therefore it would seem that the wicked cannot work miracles. Objection 2: Further, miracles are ascribed to faith, according to Mat. 17:19, "If you have
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

How Long Between?
It is often asked what time must elapse between the regenerating by the Spirit and the filling with the Spirit? for be it remembered the Filling is as real and distinct and definite a blessing as the regenerating. Many people know the moment of their new birth; they were conscious of the change; so also many know when they were "filled with the Holy Ghost;" it was a blessed, bright, conscious experience, and it is as impossible to argue them out of the one experience as out of the other. On the other
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
1. OLD TESTAMENT. 2. NEW TESTAMENT. 3. THE CHURCH; CHRISTENDOM; KINGDOM. II. THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH. 1. IN PROPHECY AND PROMISE. 2. HISTORICALLY FOUNDED. III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH. Conditions of Entrance; Characteristics. 1. REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM. 2. FAITH IN THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST. 3. REGENERATION. 4. PUBLIC CONFESSION OF CHRIST--BAPTISM. 5. ADHERENCE TO THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE. 6. CHARACTERISTICS. IV. FIGURES UNDER WHICH THE CHURCH IS PRESENTED. 1. THE BODY OF CHRIST. 2. THE TEMPLE OF
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace.
"In this rejoice not, that the Spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your Names are written in Heaven." Abundant notice of Christ's coming preceded that interesting' event. "To him gave all the prophets witness." Neither was his entrance here unattended. It was announced by an angelic choir; by a miraculous star; and by a band of eastern magi. The manger which contained him, was particularly pointed out to the shepherds, and his person designated by inspired Simon and Anna. Again,
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Preventive against Backsliding.
It is most instructive to note how exceedingly anxious the early Christians were, that, as soon as a man was converted, he should be "filled with the Holy Ghost." They knew no reason why weary wastes of disappointing years should stretch between Bethel and Peniel, between the Cross and Pentecost. They knew it was not God's will that forty years of wilderness wanderings should lie between Egypt and the Promised Land (Deut. i. 2). When Peter and John came to the Samaritans, and found that they were
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

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