The Sunday School

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 12, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 31.

The Sunday School

International Series.

LESSON IX.—SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 1897.

PAUL OPPOSED AT EPHESUS.

NOTE.—In returning again to the history in Acts, we should trace Paul’s journey on the map, both his return to Jerusalem and his outward journey through Asia Minor to the city of Ephesus. Learn the main incidents of the period, which extend over more than three years, locating each on the map. This will give more life and reality to the study. The lesson section includes the latter part of the second missionary journey, the visit to Jerusalem, and the most of the third journey, as well as the epistle to the Ephesians. This entire missionary journey extended over four years, A.D. 54 to 58. Paul’s companions at Ephesus were Timothy, Titus, Stephanas, Fortunatus, Apollos, Aquila, Priscilla, Chloe, Gaius, Aristarchus, and Achaicus. Read Acts 18:18 to 20:3, and commit verses 24–26 of chapter 19.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 19: 21-34, R. V.

21 “Now 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 And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 23 And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen; 25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth. 26 And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands; 27 so that not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence, whom all Asia and the world worshipeth. 28 And when they heard this, they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel. 30 And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31 And certain also of the chief officers of Asia, being his friends, sent unto him, and besought him not to adventure himself into the theater. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the people. 34 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.”

Golden Text.—“Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness.” Luke 12:15, R. V.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What purpose did Paul have in mind as recorded in the beginning of this lesson? Verse 21. Note 1. (2) After visiting Jerusalem what further purpose had he? Same verse. (3) Into what country did he send two of his helpers? Verse 22. (4) What did he himself do? Same verse. (5) What commotion arose at that time? Verse 23. Note 2. (6) Who is particularly named in connection with this controversy? Verse 24. (7) What was his occupation? Same verse. (8) What was he particularly engaged in manufacturing? Same verse. Note 3. (9) What is said of the profit from this occupation? Same verse. (10) What was this silversmith’s first step in opposing Paul? Verse 25. (11) What did he say of the occupation in which they were engaged? Same verse. (12) What did he say of the extent of the work which had caused their meeting? Verse 26. (13) What did he say Paul had done? Same verse. (14) What was Paul’s teaching in regard to the product of their craft? Same verse. (15) With what danger did this threaten them? Verse 27. (16) What further danger did they fear? Same verse. (17) What did he say of her worship? Same verse. Note 4. (18) How were the people affected by this appeal? Verse 28. (19) What did they do? Same verse. (20) How extensive did this uproar become? Verse 29. (21) What further action was taken by the excited populace? Same verse. Note 5. (22) What did Paul purpose to do? Verse 30. (23) How was he prevented from carrying out his design? Verses 30, 31. Note 6. (24) What characteristics of mob violence are mentioned in verse 32? (25) Lest they should be reckoned with the Christians in causing this disturbance, what did the Jews do? Verse 33. (26) What effect did Alexander’s attempted defense of the Jews have upon the people? Verse 34.

NOTES.

1. After these things.—The things referred to are the baptism of the disciples who had not heretofore been baptized in the name of Jesus; the reception of the Holy Ghost by these disciples; Paul’s teaching in the school of Tyrannus; miracles wrought by the hand of Paul in the cure of the sick; the vain attempt of the Jewish exorcists to use the name of Jesus in casting out spirits; and the burning of the books of magic by the converts to Christianity.

2. The Way.—That is Christ, the Way of Life. Christ had said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6. The proclamation of this truth dethroned the idols in the hearts of the people. Therefore the “stir” which Paul’s teachings occasioned.

3. Made silver shrines of Diana.—“Small models of the temple of Diana, containing an image of the goddess. They were purchased by pilgrims to the temple, just as rosaries and images of the Virgin are bought by pilgrims to Lourdes, or bronze models of Trajan’s column or of the Colonne Vendome by tourists to Rome or Paris.”—M. R. Vincent. “They were often set up in their homes on their return as objects of worship, and were not unfrequently of such a size as could be carried about upon the person, and were looked on in the latter case as charms or amulets which had the power to avert diseases and other dangers from the bearers.”—Schaff.

4. The great goddess Diana.—The temple of this goddess which then existed in Ephesus was one of the wonders of the world. The image was regarded as of peculiar sanctity, and was believed to have fallen down from Jupiter. It was said that the sun saw nothing in his course more magnificent than this great temple. Standing at the head of the harbor, the glittering structure was the first thing which met the mariner’s gaze. It was four hundred and twenty-five feet long and two hundred and twenty broad. Its marble columns were sixty feet high, and thirty-six of them were magnificently carved. Its porticoes contained in all one hundred and twenty-seven columns, each one the gift of a king. The halls were adorned with wonderful statuary and paintings. The Ephesian goddess Diana is not to be identified with the Grecian goddess Artemis, although the later Greeks had clothed her with some of the same attributes. Her worship was nature worship, accompanied with detestable and lascivious dances, in which her devotees “strove,” says Farrar, “to madden the multitude into sympathy with that orgiastic worship which was but too closely connected with the vilest debaucheries.” It was a part of the great system of sun-worship.

5. Gaius and Aristarchus.—Lewin says that “the mob of Ephesus made for the house of Aquila, with whom Paul was lodging.” But not finding their prey, they “seized on Gaius and Aristarchus, two of Paul’s associates, and dragged them away as criminals.” Aristarchus is again mentioned in connection with Paul’s journey to Rome. The theater to which they were taken was capable of holding 50,000 people. This place was used for dramatic representations, gladiatorial contests in which men fought either with men or beasts, and for meetings of citizens on extraordinary occasions.

6. Certain also of the chief officers of Asia.—“The Asiarchs, or high priests, of Asia, were heads of the imperial, political-religious organization of the province.” They were wealthy men, into whose hands were given the preparations for the feasts and gladiatorial contests in the theater. When executing their official functions they were arrayed in purple and crowned with garlands.