Ephesus
“Possibly 'desirable' or 'permission' (from a legend about Hercules and the Amazons)”
Summary
The capital of the Roman province of Asia and a major scene of Paul's missionary work, famous for its temple of Diana and later addressed as one of the seven churches in Revelation.
☩The City
Ephesus was an illustrious city on the western coast of Asia Minor, near the mouth of the Cayster River. With an excellent harbor and strategic location at the entrance of a valley reaching into the interior, it was the most accessible city in Asia both by land and sea. The population in Paul's time was approximately a third of a million. The climate was exceptionally fine, though prone to fever in summer. The city stood on the slopes of two hills, commanding a beautiful view of the fertile valley below.
☩Temple of Diana
The great temple of Diana (Artemis) was the tutelary sanctuary of the city, making Ephesus the 'temple keeper' (neokoros) of the goddess. This structure, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, was raised on immense foundations due to the swampy ground. Its magnificence was proverbial throughout the civilized world. A large industry in portable silver shrines of Diana employed many craftsmen, whose livelihood was threatened by the spread of Christianity.
☩Paul's Ministry
Paul made brief contact with Ephesus on his second journey, leaving Priscilla and Aquila there. On his third journey, he spent over two years in the city, reasoning in the synagogue and then in the school of Tyrannus, so that 'all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord.' God performed extraordinary miracles through Paul, and many who practiced magic arts burned their books publicly. The silversmith Demetrius stirred up a riot that filled the great theater (capable of holding 25,000 people) with crowds shouting for two hours.
☩Church at Ephesus
Timothy was later stationed at Ephesus to combat false teaching. The church at Ephesus is the first of the seven churches addressed in Revelation. Though commended for patient labor and doctrinal discernment, she is reproved for having 'left her first love.' Tradition holds that the apostle John spent his later years in Ephesus, superintending the churches of Asia.
Related Verses19 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ephesus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ephesus," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Ephesus," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Ephesus," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).