A STUDY GUIDE ACTS 19:21-41
1. A Study Guide
a) A study guide of Acts of the Apostles. It is intended to be expository — to explain and bring out the meaning of the original text. You may use this for your personal bible study or even group bible study.
2. Acts 19:21-41
a) The verses describe Paul’s troubles in Ephesus with the followers of the goddess Diana, also known as Artemis.
#1) Acts 19:21-22
21 Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
i) Go to Jerusalem. Paul spent around three years in Ephesus, where "a wide door for effective service" had opened for him (1 Corinthians 16:8-8). He was by this time planning to travel again, and continue his third missionary journey. This journey was to end in Jerusalem, after which he was going to be taken to Rome as described in the last two chapters of Acts. However, before going to Jerusalem, he wished to go back to Macedonia and Achaia to do more work there. He sent men ahead to start that work while he concluded his work in Asia.
ii) Determined in spirit. Some think that the “spirit” mentioned is the Holy Spirit as distinct from Paul’s own. Later we will see that the Holy Spirit warned Paul about going to Jerusalem, and his brethren begged him not to go (Acts 21:10-14). Whilst the Holy Spirit did not forbid Paul to go to Jerusalem, neither did he determine that Paul should go. It was Paul’s own determination to go.
iii) Timothy and Erastus. Paul had several comrades in his ministry and on his journeys. They were not always with him, but sometimes they would remain behind to complete Paul’s work, or go ahead to prepare for it.
#2) Acts 19:23-27
23 About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; 25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.”
i) Artemis. This is the name of the goddess in the Greek, but in Latin (the Roman language) she is called Diana.
ii) Demetrius stirs up trouble. This Demetrius had not openly opposed Paul in the three years Paul spent preaching in Ephesus. Suddenly, as Paul was winding up his work in Ephesus and ready to leave, Demetrius decided to stir up the people to riot. The things of which Demetrius accused Paul were largely true, but his method of taking action against Paul was illegal.
#3) Acts 19:28-31
28 When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.
i) Asiarchs. These were important and probably wealthy citizens of Asia who were, or had been, on a board of officials appointed to oversee the management of Roman public events such as the games. They would therefore have some expertise in handling public disturbance. Paul, a Roman citizen from an important city, would have access to such society, hence some of the Asiarchs were his friends and they urged him to keep out of the affray so as not to make it worse and not to endanger himself.
#4) Acts 19:32-34
32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
i) Alexander the Jew. The Jews were getting involved in an effort to keep the people from turning on them too, since the Jews were against idols. They probably hoped also to help stir the people all the more against Paul. But Alexander failed to be heard.
ii) Two hours. It is surprising that the chanting went on so long. The authorities probably thought it wise to just monitor the situation and let it die down of its own accord to the point where order could be restored.
#5) Acts 19:35-41
35 After quieting the crowd, the town clerk *said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? 36 So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 After saying this he dismissed the assembly.
i) The town clerk. The town clerk made a diplomatic speech in which he first said a few crowd-pleasing things about the goddess, second asserted that the Christians had done nothing illegal, third asserted that Demetrius and the craftsmen need to follow the due process of law, and fourth warned that the Roman authorities could punish the city for the riot.
ii) Christianity has consequences. This account shows how the gospel can disrupt the normal customs, values, and beliefs of a society and even its economy. However if it's true Christianity, then it will do this only to the extent of changing things that are wrong —in this case turning people from vain idols to the living God. Such change will not damage the society but improve it, and leave the good aspects of the society not only undisturbed but more able to flourish.
a) A study guide of Acts of the Apostles. It is intended to be expository — to explain and bring out the meaning of the original text. You may use this for your personal bible study or even group bible study.
2. Acts 19:21-41
a) The verses describe Paul’s troubles in Ephesus with the followers of the goddess Diana, also known as Artemis.
#1) Acts 19:21-2221 Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
i) Go to Jerusalem. Paul spent around three years in Ephesus, where "a wide door for effective service" had opened for him (1 Corinthians 16:8-8). He was by this time planning to travel again, and continue his third missionary journey. This journey was to end in Jerusalem, after which he was going to be taken to Rome as described in the last two chapters of Acts. However, before going to Jerusalem, he wished to go back to Macedonia and Achaia to do more work there. He sent men ahead to start that work while he concluded his work in Asia.ii) Determined in spirit. Some think that the “spirit” mentioned is the Holy Spirit as distinct from Paul’s own. Later we will see that the Holy Spirit warned Paul about going to Jerusalem, and his brethren begged him not to go (Acts 21:10-14). Whilst the Holy Spirit did not forbid Paul to go to Jerusalem, neither did he determine that Paul should go. It was Paul’s own determination to go.
iii) Timothy and Erastus. Paul had several comrades in his ministry and on his journeys. They were not always with him, but sometimes they would remain behind to complete Paul’s work, or go ahead to prepare for it.
 |
| Add caption |
23 About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; 25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.”
i) Artemis. This is the name of the goddess in the Greek, but in Latin (the Roman language) she is called Diana.
ii) Demetrius stirs up trouble. This Demetrius had not openly opposed Paul in the three years Paul spent preaching in Ephesus. Suddenly, as Paul was winding up his work in Ephesus and ready to leave, Demetrius decided to stir up the people to riot. The things of which Demetrius accused Paul were largely true, but his method of taking action against Paul was illegal.
#3) Acts 19:28-3128 When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.
i) Asiarchs. These were important and probably wealthy citizens of Asia who were, or had been, on a board of officials appointed to oversee the management of Roman public events such as the games. They would therefore have some expertise in handling public disturbance. Paul, a Roman citizen from an important city, would have access to such society, hence some of the Asiarchs were his friends and they urged him to keep out of the affray so as not to make it worse and not to endanger himself.
#4) Acts 19:32-34
32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
i) Alexander the Jew. The Jews were getting involved in an effort to keep the people from turning on them too, since the Jews were against idols. They probably hoped also to help stir the people all the more against Paul. But Alexander failed to be heard.
ii) Two hours. It is surprising that the chanting went on so long. The authorities probably thought it wise to just monitor the situation and let it die down of its own accord to the point where order could be restored.
#5) Acts 19:35-4135 After quieting the crowd, the town clerk *said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? 36 So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 After saying this he dismissed the assembly.
i) The town clerk. The town clerk made a diplomatic speech in which he first said a few crowd-pleasing things about the goddess, second asserted that the Christians had done nothing illegal, third asserted that Demetrius and the craftsmen need to follow the due process of law, and fourth warned that the Roman authorities could punish the city for the riot.
ii) Christianity has consequences. This account shows how the gospel can disrupt the normal customs, values, and beliefs of a society and even its economy. However if it's true Christianity, then it will do this only to the extent of changing things that are wrong —in this case turning people from vain idols to the living God. Such change will not damage the society but improve it, and leave the good aspects of the society not only undisturbed but more able to flourish.
Comments
Post a Comment