Paul: Returns to Ephesus
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The Apostle Paul's return to Ephesus marks a significant phase in his missionary journeys, as recorded in the New Testament. Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia, was a hub of commerce and culture, known for its grand temple of Artemis. Paul's ministry in Ephesus is detailed primarily in the Book of Acts and his epistles, reflecting both the challenges and triumphs of early Christian evangelism.

Background and Context

Paul first visited Ephesus briefly during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:19-21). He left Priscilla and Aquila there, promising to return if God willed. His initial visit laid the groundwork for a more extended ministry. Ephesus was a city steeped in pagan worship and magic, presenting both a fertile ground for the Gospel and significant opposition.

Paul's Return to Ephesus

Paul returned to Ephesus on his third missionary journey, as recorded in Acts 19. His arrival marked the beginning of a fruitful and tumultuous period of ministry. Paul found some disciples who had received only the baptism of John. He explained to them the full message of the Gospel, and they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. "And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied" (Acts 19:6).

Ministry and Miracles

Paul's ministry in Ephesus lasted about three years, during which he taught in the synagogue and later in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This period was marked by extraordinary miracles. "God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them" (Acts 19:11-12). These miracles affirmed the power of the Gospel and drew many to the faith.

Confrontation with Pagan Practices

Ephesus was a center for magical arts and idolatry, and Paul's preaching directly challenged these practices. Many who practiced magic brought their books and burned them publicly, demonstrating their conversion and rejection of former ways. "In this way the word of the Lord spread and prevailed with power" (Acts 19:20).

The Riot in Ephesus

Paul's success in Ephesus also led to significant opposition, particularly from those whose livelihoods were threatened by the decline in idol worship. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, incited a riot against Paul and his companions. The uproar highlighted the tension between the burgeoning Christian movement and established pagan traditions. The city clerk eventually calmed the crowd, emphasizing the legal avenues available for grievances (Acts 19:23-41).

Paul's Departure

After the riot, Paul decided to leave Ephesus, sensing that his work there was complete. He continued his journey through Macedonia and Greece, strengthening the churches and encouraging the believers. His time in Ephesus, however, left a lasting impact, as evidenced by his later correspondence with the Ephesian church and his deep affection for its members.

Legacy

Paul's ministry in Ephesus was pivotal in the spread of Christianity in Asia Minor. The church in Ephesus became a significant center for early Christianity, and Paul's epistle to the Ephesians reflects his theological depth and pastoral care. His experiences in Ephesus underscore the transformative power of the Gospel and the inevitable conflict with worldly systems opposed to God's truth.
Nave's Topical Index
Acts 19:12
So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Fight with Wild Beasts at Ephesus
... The scene in the theatre, to which Luke returns in verse ... speech disclaiming for the
Jews settled in Ephesus any connection with the obnoxious Paul. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the fight with wild beasts.htm

The Acts of the Apostles
... of Lycaonia, and that "great Artemis" was the cry used at Ephesus in invoking the ...
third imprisonment and escape, death of Herod in AD44, Paul returns from his ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter vii the acts of.htm

The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
... and Greece at the close of his stay at Ephesus, and from ... St. Paul concludes this
section with a short appeal to the ... He then returns to the situation of ii.13. ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xi the second epistle.htm

The Epistles of Paul.
... impossible to explain how the reading "in Ephesus" should have ... defrauded him (verse
18), but now returns to him ... where the gospel was preached by Paul, who had ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxx the epistles of.htm

The Beginning of the New Testament
... died for Christ, for when Christ returns, as He ... Paul's Epistles"that is, his
letters"were written in ... The converts in Corinth, Galatia, or Ephesus, were in ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter x the beginning of.htm

Acts xix. 21, 23
... was the result that was taking place""that not alone at Ephesus, but almost ... (v.30.)
Paul then wished to ... (So from both these scenes) each returns home: from ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlii acts xix 21.htm

Chronological Tables to Accompany the History and Life of ...
... ii.12. Paul of Constantinople strangled. ... Murder of George of Alexandria. Athanasius
returns Feb.22, but goes into 4th exile in October. ... Council of Ephesus. ...
/.../chronological tables to accompany the.htm

Marks of Having Received the Holy Ghost
... Paul found at Ephesus, had received the Holy Ghost by ... No sooner was Paul converted,
but "behold he prayeth ... repents him of his fault, and returns with double ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/marks of having received the.htm

The Ecclesiastical History of Scholasticus
... On the Death of George, Athanasius returns to Alexandria ... Chapter XVII.--Miracle
performed by Paul Bishop of ... Chapter XXXIV.--Synod at Ephesus against Nestorius. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/scholasticus/the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/

Acts XIV
... and not an elder from the Church in Ephesus, who came ... So long as it stands recorded
that Paul and Barnabas ... He who returns from a hard-fought field bearing good ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiv.htm

Resources
Is the New Perspective on Paul biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Did Paul ever meet Jesus in person? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Paul: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Paul

Paul Escapes to Derbe, where he Preaches the Gospel, and Returns to Lystra

Paul is Bitten by a Viper and Miraculously Unharmed

Paul is Brought Before the Sanhedrin; his Defense

Paul is Confined in Herod's Judgment Hall in Caesarea

Paul is Confined in the Fortress

Paul is Delayed in Melita for Three Months

Paul is Encouraged by a Vision from God, Promising Him That he Will Give Testimony in Rome

Paul is Escorted to Caesarea by a Military Guard

Paul is Immersed

Paul is Persecuted

Paul is Persecuted by Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and is Stoned

Paul is Persecuted by the Jews

Paul is Received by the Brethren Gladly

Paul is Released by the Civil Authorities on the Grounds of his Being a Roman Citizen

Paul is Returned to the Fortress

Paul is Taken to Rome in the Custody of Julius, a Centurion, and a Detachment of Soldiers

Paul is Welcomed at the Household of Lydia

Paul: A Roman Citizen

Paul: A Zealous Pharisee

Paul: Also Called Saul

Paul: Appeals to be Heard by Caesar

Paul: Born in the City of Tarsus

Paul: Called to be an Apostle

Paul: Caught up to the Third Heaven

Paul: Chooses Silas As his Companion

Paul: Contends With Elymas (Bar-Jesus) the Sorcerer

Paul: Contends With the Judaizers Against Their Circumcision "Theology"

Paul: Conveys the Contributions of the Christians in Antioch to the Christians in Jerusalem

Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) With Greeks

Paul: Declares he Was Going Bound in Spirit to Jerusalem

Paul: Departs for Caesarea

Paul: Educated at Jerusalem in the School of Gamaliel

Paul: Enters the Temple Courtyard

Paul: Escapes by Being Let Down from the Wall in a Basket; Goes to Jerusalem

Paul: Escapes to Berea by Night

Paul: from the Tribe of Benjamin,

Paul: Goes Through Phrygia and Galatia

Paul: Goes to Caesarea

Paul: Goes to Troas, where he Has a Vision of a Man Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia

Paul: Has "A Thorn in the Flesh"

Paul: Has Barnabas As his Companion

Paul: He Declares to the Apostles at Jerusalem the Miracles and Wonders God had Performed Among the Gentiles by Them

Paul: Heals an Immobile Man

Paul: Heals the Ruler's Father and Others

Paul: His Defense

Paul: His Examination Before Herod Agrippa Ii

Paul: His Independence of Character

Paul: His Message Received Gladly by the Gentiles

Paul: His Resolute Determination to Go to Jerusalem Despite Repeated Warnings

Paul: His Trial Before Governor Felix

Paul: His Trial Before Governor Festus

Paul: His Vision and Conversion

Paul: Jewish Leaders Conspire Against his Life

Paul: John (Mark), a Companion of, Departs for Jerusalem

Paul: Kind Treatment by the Inhabitants of the Island

Paul: Lives in his own Rented House for Two Years, Preaching and Teaching

Paul: Makes his Second Tour of the Congregations

Paul: Meets some Brethren Who Accompany Him to Rome from Appii Forum

Paul: Persecuted and Expelled

Paul: Persecuted by Jews, Drawn Before the Deputy, Charged With Wicked Lewdness

Paul: Persecuted by the Jews Who Come from Thessalonica

Paul: Persecuted, Beaten, and Cast Into Prison With Silas

Paul: Persecutes the Christians; Present At, and Gives Consent To, the Stoning of Stephen

Paul: Persecutions Endured By

Paul: Persecutions of

Paul: Personal Appearance of

Paul: Preaches at Paphos

Paul: Preaches at Salamis

Paul: Preaches in Damascus for the First Time

Paul: Predicts Misfortune to the Ship; his Counsel not Heeded, and the Voyage Resumes

Paul: Proceeds to Macedonia After Strengthening the Congregations in That Region

Paul: Reasons in the Synagogue Every Sabbath

Paul: Rebukes the Exorcists

Paul: Received by the Disciples in Jerusalem

Paul: Refers the Question of Circumcision to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem

Paul: Remains in Custody for Two Years

Paul: Reproves the Soothsayer

Paul: Returns to Antioch, Accompanied by Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, With Letters to the Gentiles

Paul: Returns to Ephesus

Paul: Returns With the Apostle John to Antioch (Of Syria)

Paul: Re-Visits Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and Antioch, in Syria, where he Lived

Paul: Sends for the Elders of the Congregation of Ephesus

Paul: Sends Timothy and Erastus Into Macedonia, But he Himself Remains in Asia for a Period of Time

Paul: Sent to Damascus With Letters for the Arrest and Return to Jerusalem of Christians

Paul: Sent to the Gentiles

Paul: Sergius Paulus, Governor of the Country, is a Convert of

Paul: Sickness of, in Asia

Paul: Summons the Local Jewish Leadership

Paul: Supports Himself

Paul: Teaches at Antioch (In Syria) for One Year

Paul: The People Attempt to Worship Him

Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm

Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta)

Paul: The Spread of the Gospel Through his Preaching Interferes With the Makers of Idols

Paul: This Plan is Thwarted by his Nephew

Paul: Transferred to a Ship of Alexandria

Paul: Visits Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica; Preaches in the Synagogue

Paul: Visits Antioch (In Pisidia), and Preaches in the Synagogue

Paul: Visits Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium

Paul: Visits Coos, Rhodes, and Patara; Boards a Ship Bound for Tyre

Paul: Visits Corinth

Paul: Visits Ephesus, where he Leaves Aquila and Priscilla

Paul: Visits Iconium, and Preaches to the Jews and Non-Jews

Paul: Visits Lystra; Circumcises Timothy

Paul: Visits Much of the Island of Cyprus

Paul: Visits Perga in Pamphylia

Paul: Visits Samothracia and Neapolis

Paul: Visits Seleucia

Paul: Visits Troas

Paul: Waits at Tyre for Seven Days

Sarcasm: Paul

Select Readings: Paul and Silas in Prison

Select Readings: Paul in Front of Agrippa

Select Readings: Paul in Front of Governor Felix

Select Readings: Paul on Mars' Hill

Related Terms

Paul's (34 Occurrences)

Aristarchus (6 Occurrences)

Antonius

Aquila (7 Occurrences)

Apollos (11 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Claudius (3 Occurrences)

Citizenship (4 Occurrences)

Silas (22 Occurrences)

Corinth (13 Occurrences)

Athens (5 Occurrences)

Commanding (79 Occurrences)

Beroea (4 Occurrences)

Barsabbas (2 Occurrences)

Commander (111 Occurrences)

Citizen (9 Occurrences)

Chios (1 Occurrence)

Barnabas (33 Occurrences)

Apostolic (2 Occurrences)

Alexander (5 Occurrences)

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)

Ananias (11 Occurrences)

Almost (27 Occurrences)

Centurion (22 Occurrences)

Stayed (169 Occurrences)

Persuaded (40 Occurrences)

Bonds (46 Occurrences)

Berea (4 Occurrences)

Companions (58 Occurrences)

Considerable (17 Occurrences)

Chiliarch (17 Occurrences)

Apol'los (10 Occurrences)

Andronicus (1 Occurrence)

Agrippa (12 Occurrences)

Sergius (1 Occurrence)

Sailing (23 Occurrences)

Crete (7 Occurrences)

Sail (32 Occurrences)

Achaia (11 Occurrences)

Allowed (64 Occurrences)

Visit (97 Occurrences)

Voyage (5 Occurrences)

Appeal (30 Occurrences)

Paphos (2 Occurrences)

Arrived (129 Occurrences)

Areopagus (3 Occurrences)

Sanhedrim (20 Occurrences)

Adoption (5 Occurrences)

Barracks (6 Occurrences)

Castle (26 Occurrences)

Cloak (73 Occurrences)

Custody (27 Occurrences)

Aretas (1 Occurrence)

Attack (221 Occurrences)

Assos (2 Occurrences)

Sosipater (1 Occurrence)

Stephanas (3 Occurrences)

Sosthenes (2 Occurrences)

Syntyche (1 Occurrence)

Secundus (1 Occurrence)

Sailed (28 Occurrences)

Agape

Cesarea (17 Occurrences)

Colossians (1 Occurrence)

Cilicia (8 Occurrences)

Adam (29 Occurrences)

Shipwreck (3 Occurrences)

Company (287 Occurrences)

Continued (148 Occurrences)

Antioch (21 Occurrences)

Council (51 Occurrences)

Caesarea (20 Occurrences)

Sacraments

Statement (88 Occurrences)

Vision (106 Occurrences)

Stoics (1 Occurrence)

Soldiers (83 Occurrences)

Charity (29 Occurrences)

Paul: Returns to Antioch, Accompanied by Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, With Letters to the Gentiles
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