Understanding the setting of Ephesians

Historical, economic, cultural and religious beliefs

Historical
Colonised by Romans for 200 years. Capital of the Roman province of Asia. Wealthy city - melting pot of people and cultures. Called The Treasure House of Asia. Geologically fertile, geographically strategic, climatically advantageous. Clean. Population ~ 300,000. Home to a large number of Jews and Greeks. City of advanced culture. Beautiful architecture. Amphitheatre hosted national and international games, cultural events.

Economic and social

Wealthy metropolis. Centre of finance, commerce, trade (shipping). Known for its textile industry, wine, and perfume. Profitable temple trade (Religion had been state endorsed and sponsored). First-class infrastructure and facilities esp for sailors and tourists. A haven for philosophers, poets, artists and orators, merchants, workers of magic. Sizeable slave population. People were generally wealthy, indulgent, used to refinement and ease.

Religious beliefs
City had fascination with magic and the occult. People were highly superstitious. Centre for black magic, occult practices, superstitions, sorcery, witchcraft, and incantations among Gentiles also influenced the Jews. The Jews had extensive ceremonies involving spoken and written formulas to fight against evil spirits. Many temples for other Roman gods, cults. Despite the pagan influences, small Jewish population worshipped the true God (Acts 18:18-21).

Temple of Artemis
One of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. 220 years to build with assistance from many of the Greek states. Building of 425ft by 220ft (2 acres) and 60 feet in height and containing 127 pillars. The temple was also a centre for the fine art. Sculptors and artists hung their masterpieces in the Temple. Used to store the wealth of the surrounding peoples became the banking center of Asia. Lawlessness outside temple grounds. Temple burned and robbed by Goths in AD 260 and was never rebuilt.

Goddess of Artemis/Diana
Believed to have fallen from heaven (Acts 19:35) Known was goddess of fertility making people, culture, agriculture productive. An annual festival every spring to worship. The worship of Artemis included shameless and vile practices such as orgies, prostitution and mutilation in the rituals. Heraclitus, philosopher in Ephesus said morals in Dianas temple were worse than morals of beasts Silversmiths had flourishing business. Thousands of people employed to make and sell shrines, statuettes. Statues made of gold, silver, ivory and clay. Souvenirs, amulets, charms became one of the greatest commercial attractions of the city.

During Pauls 3-year stay in Ephesus

Served the Lord with great humility and with tears in the midst of severe testing by the plots of his Jewish opponents. Proclaimed the will of God, taught publicly and from house to house. Declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in the Lord Jesus. Did not covet anyones silver or gold or clothing; innocent of the blood of all man. Worked hard these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions (Acts 20:34).

Extraordinary miracles

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. (Acts 19:11-12)

Extraordinary miracles
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out. Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you? Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. (Acts 19:13-16)

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The spread of Christianity

When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. (Acts 19:17-20)

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 and the threat to the gods

And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty. (Acts 19:26-27)

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Pauls emotional farewell to the Ephesian elders

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship. (Acts 20:28-31, 36-38)

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