Author: Charlie Garrett

Rainforest. Washington State.

Friday, 18 August 2023

“So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” Acts 19:27

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, the efforts of Paul concerning evangelism were noted, saying that not only in Ephesus but in all of Asia he had turned many away from the notion that gods made by hands are even gods at all. Now, Demetrius continues with the words, “So not only.”

These words cover what was just conveyed, the business of the craftsmen was in peril. As such, their livelihood would go with it. Instead of thinking about how they could change their skills in working with silver, they wanted to forge ahead with what they had been doing all along. However, he says not only “is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute.”

The word meros, translated as “trade,” is not the same as in verse 25. This word signifies a portion or a share. Demetrius is riling up the men because their piece of the pie was in jeopardy. Also, the word apelegmos, translated as “disrepute,” is seen only here in the New Testament. The meaning is that it would be exposed, refuted, or brought into contempt.

Therefore, Demetrius’ words are based on the words of the previous verse that “they are not gods which are made with hands.” Any simpleton could walk by armed with this knowledge and see that the smiths were there pounding out little idols one after another. But, despite the temple idol being on a much larger scale, the same was true concerning what the little idols were based on: the large temple idol. That is seen in his next words, “but also the temple.”

No matter how big and majestic a temple may be, no matter how much awe and wonder there may be at the intricacy of it or the splendor it contained, it was still just a temple. A temple, when rightly considered, was just a bigger version of that which is made by hands. Whether small or large, hands had fashioned it. Thus, it was – by default – constructed by human effort.

Solomon acknowledged this at the erection of the temple –

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!” 1 Kings 8:27

Regardless of what the purpose of the temple was for, Solomon was the one to have built the temple of the Lord. Both Stephen and Paul refer to the truth Solomon spoke out as well –

“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
⁴⁹ ‘Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,
Or what is the place of My rest?
⁵⁰ Has My hand not made all these things?’” Acts 7:48-50

&

“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” Acts 17:24

In the case of the temple at Ephesus, Demetrius says it is the temple “of the great goddess Diana.” Again, as in verse 19:24, it should read Artemis. It is the Greek name of the goddess. Scholars note that the term “the great goddess” is an epithet that has been found on many coins and medals of the city. What is important to the argument being set forth is that the worship of Artemis means the supposed existence of more than one god. This is also a concept opposed by Paul.

Therefore, if Paul’s words were believed, and he proclaimed just one God, then Artemis must be a false goddess. Demetrius’ words mean that if people logically thought through what Paul was saying, their goddess “may be despised.”

These words literally read, “to be reckoned for nothing.” If the God Paul proclaimed is the One true God, then the temple where the goddess Artemis was located was an edifice of vanity. That falls in line with Solomon’s words concerning the temple in Jerusalem. God is not limited to a single temple made by human hands.

Only the purpose of the temple in Jerusalem was what made it different. It was a place to focus attention on the God who could not be contained within it. On the other hand, the temple of Artemis was erected to contain the goddess within. When it was realized she was not a goddess, the temple would then be reckoned for nothing “and her magnificence destroyed.”

Here, a play on words is made. A harmony of wording between the “great goddess,” megales theas, and “magnificence,” megaleiotētos, is seen. In essence, Demetrius is saying that the great goddess would lose her greatness. But if she was so great, how could she lose her greatness?

As for the word translated as “destroyed,” it means to “take down,” “dethrone,” or “depose.” It is the same word used concerning Jesus being taken down from the cross four times in the gospels and Acts, such as in Luke 23:53 –

“Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.”

As for Demetrius’ words concerning Artemis, he next notes of her, “whom all Asia and the world worship.” Of this, Matthew Pool notes, “though the Romans might worship any god (of those multitudes) which they allowed, yet they might leave their estates only to a very few amongst them; but Diana of the Ephesians was one of those few.”

As this is so, the money that came to this temple would have been exceedingly great. As such, it made great profits for the artisans that worked for her name. An entire industry was in jeopardy. This is the crux of the matter at hand.

Life application: The place where the church meets often inappropriately takes the place of the purpose of the building. In other words, the difference between the temple in Jerusalem and that of Artemis was noted. One was for the central worship of God who cannot be contained within the temple. The other was for a place of worship of the false goddess that was contained within it.

When the church gathers to meet in a particular location, it is not because God is more there than anywhere else. It is because those believers are sealed with the Spirit, and they are uniting to worship the God that transcends all things. However, this notion is often lost in the minds of believers. Too much focus is on the building itself or the things contained within it. This can take our eyes from where they should be.

Let us remember that whether we meet in a little church with no frills, in an open-air forum, or in a big church with all kinds of fancy stuff, the purpose of gathering is to worship the Lord, to study His word, and to jointly praise and petition Him. The externals will all fade away, but the glory of the Lord will remain undiminished forever.

“Thus says the Lord:
‘Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
² For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,’
Says the Lord.
‘But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.’” Isaiah 66:1, 2

Glorious God Almighty! How good it is to be in Your presence and to acknowledge You in spirit and in truth. May our hearts and minds be focused on Your splendor and beauty. May our hearts be directed by Your word. And may our lives be lived in a manner that will glorify You for all of our days. Amen.

Rain forest. Washington State.

Thursday, 17 August 2023

“Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. Acts 19:26

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The verse more correctly reads: “And you see and hear, that not only in Ephesus, but almost all Asia, this Paul – having persuaded – seduced a sizable multitude, saying that they are not gods being made by hands” (CG).

In the previous verse, Demetrius had called together the workers in the related silver trade and reminded them that they received a good income from their business. However, that was now threatened as Luke continues to relay his words, saying, “And you see and hear.”

The effects of Paul were readily apparent to Demetrius. And so, appealing to their own senses, he validates that what he is saying is obvious and true. Those in the silver trade had personally seen the scope of Paul’s ministry and they had obviously heard of it from those of other areas who had come to trade as well. That is seen in the next words, “that not only in Ephesus but almost all Asia.”

Paul was in Ephesus, but there were other churches in Asia as well. They may have been started by him or others, but if they were started by others (such as those who had been there at the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection), they would have been more Jewish-centered. Paul was called as the Apostle to the Gentiles. Therefore, even if he did not start some of the other churches in Asia, he still would have had an effect on their expansion into the Gentiles of the community where they were.

Therefore, this verse provides confirmation of the scope and efficacy of the work conducted by him which is recorded in verse 19:10 –

“And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

He had such a great harvest among the Gentiles that it caused these people to feel the effects of his ministry personally and monetarily. It isn’t certain, but if the areas around the seven churches in Revelation were evangelized by Paul, along with those areas that he is definitively noted as having been at in Asia (Ephesus, Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis), almost two-thirds of Asia’s coastline would have been affected by his efforts. That would certainly explain the great alarm of Demetrius. Therefore, his words continue with an emphatic note, “this Paul.”

The demonstrative pronoun calls attention to the source of their loss. One might say, “Paul is a real problem for us.” Or he might emphasize his words to get the point across, “That Paul, he is a real problem for us.” This is the sense of Demetrius’ words. He then continues to explain what the matter is saying, “having persuaded – seduced a sizeable multitude.”

The first verb means to persuade or convince. Paul was clear and precise in what he said, even to the point that people were convicted of their sins and certain that they needed what he offered in his words concerning the good news of Jesus Christ.

The second verb, methistémi, means to change, pervert, turn away, etc. In Colossians 1:13, it speaks of the change that takes place in us when we come to Christ. In the case of Demetrius’ thoughts about Paul, the word “seduced” probably carries the thought that was on his mind. Paul didn’t just persuade people with his rhetoric, but he seduced them away from what he believed was right, “saying that they are not gods being made by hands.”

Of these words, Bengel humorously asks, “Are they then, Demetrius?” Demetrius was so depraved in his thoughts that he believed the things he made with his own hands were actually gods. Just note the irony! If the idols he was making were really gods, then he – a man – was the creator of gods. This is the type of attitude that Paul addressed in Acts 17:29 –

“Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.”

Paul also addresses the issue of such idolatry in Romans 1. From that springboard, having traded the truth of God for a lie, other sins inevitably develop. In fact, Paul’s list, which is at first based on turning away from God to idolatry, is quite extensive –

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:28-32

But with Paul in the province of Asia, the unholy tide of idolatry was beginning to ebb. Surely at least in part because of his efforts, Ellicott notes these words –

“Pliny, in his Epistle to Trajan (Epp. x. 96), uses language, half a century later, which is hardly less strong, speaking of ‘deserted temples,’ ‘worship neglected,’ ‘hardly a single purchaser’ (rarissimus emptor) found for sacrificial victims.”

Life application: The stupidity of idolatry seems obvious to a person once he comes to know and understand the nature of the true God. And yet, idolatry is so infectious that it can continue in the lives of believers. We must always be on guard against it because anything can turn into an idol. And, depending on the church one is in, it can be reinstituted in the lives of adherents almost instantaneously.

An obvious example is the Roman Catholic Church which is so filled with idols that the true God has become an ethereal secondary thought to most Catholics. This is true with other orthodox religions. It can creep into any church that is not prepared to meet the temptation head-on.

Take the time to slowly read and think about the words of Isaiah 44:9-20. Consider what is being said about idolatry and then determine to weed all such ideas out of your life. Eyes on Jesus! Let your heart, mind, and soul be filled with the knowledge of Him at all times. This is the sweet spot for your life, doctrine, and practice of faith.

Glorious God, help us to constantly evaluate our lives, removing the idols from them as they creep up. May our hearts and affections be directed to You alone as we live our lives in Your presence. Thank You for the sure hope we possess because of Jesus. We need nothing else to connect with You. He is our All in all. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Puget Sound or something.

Wednesday, 16 August 2023

He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Acts 19:25

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The words of this verse continue what was said in the previous verse. They read, “whom, having assembled also the workmen of such things, said, “Men, you know that from this business is our wealth” (CG).

In the previous verse, Demetrius the silversmith was introduced. He made silver shrines of Artemis which brought the craftsmen no little profit. Luke continues this narrative while speaking of Demetrius and the craftsmen, saying, “whom, having assembled.”

Without going any further, one can deduce that the issue to be discussed is money. It was said that the craftsmen received no little profit from the making of these shrines. Now they are being assembled by Demetrius. Luke next records, “also the workmen of such things.”

These would be the unskilled laborers. The Greek word used to describe them is ergates. As can be seen, the root of the word is erg, such as in our modern word ergonomics. Being masculine, plural, it signifies workmen. After having gathered all these together, he said, “Men.”

Some translations here say “Sirs” instead of “Men.” However, this is simply an address to men regardless of class or position. For example, in Acts 16:30, where the jailor said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”, the word was one of respect for one with greater authority. Demetrius is addressing a crowd of men gathered together from various classes to discuss their livelihood.

He then continues, saying, “you know that from this business.” Now, using the word ergasia, he includes all of them in the thought. There is a large industry being considered. Demetrius is a silversmith, but the matter extends beyond him. It would affect miners, the smelters of metal, and many other steps in the process of making these shrines. It was a fully worked-out industry. And from it he next notes “is our wealth.”

The efforts of these workers were combined into one main business which is the Greek word euporia, a word found only here in the New Testament. It signifies what is derived from the business, meaning their monetary wealth. Thus, it is used in the sense of riches, wealth, etc.

Life application: When you think of something you pick up at the store, there is actually an entire business that is involved in making it, even something as simple as a pencil. In fact, if you considered everything involved in the making of a pencil, you would have a list many pages long. And yet, you would probably have forgotten something.

Think of what is involved in obtaining the wood, transporting it, etc. For example, a tree needs to have a saw to cut it down. But the saw is made of metal that had to be taken out of the ground and forged. The workmen need special clothes and personal protection for logging which must be obtained. There needs to be gas and oil for the chainsaw. Chains need to be replaced from time to time. The air filter might have been made in Wang Chung, China and the spark plug may have been made in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

These things had to be gathered, itemized, placed in plastic bags, boxed, labeled, etc. The system that is in place to make a single pencil is so vast that it is literally beyond our ability to fully appreciate it. Each of the people involved is a part of the process. If a pastor picks up a pencil to use, that pencil represents thousands or tens of thousands – even an innumerable number – of people directly or indirectly involved in getting it into his hands.

The same is true with the paper he writes on. Etc. He could not easily compose his sermon without such a system in place. Therefore, each of those people was a part of what it takes for a sermon to be written out. God is using the mass of humanity to continue His plan of redemption, and each person should be considered as a part of the process of getting to the end of that plan.

No person should be considered too far from God’s grace to be given the gospel, and there should be no Christian who feels his or her job is not worthy of the notice of the Lord’s attention in the greater scheme of things. What may seem unimportant or tedious as a profession may be an intricately needed part of getting the most important sermon ever written out to the public.

We just don’t know how the things we do are going to affect things elsewhere and at some point in time. So do what you do to the glory of God. He knows exactly how you fit in, and He knows your worth, even if it escapes you. Trust that He has you exactly where you should be to get us to the end of this part of the story and onto the next part of what He is doing.

Lord God, thank You that we are included in the goodness of what Jesus has done for the people of the world. He came to redeem fallen man, and we are all a part of that state. Therefore, we must have value in this ongoing story that even we do not yet realize. The seemingly lowliest job or task may be an indispensable part of what is going on. May we do our part to Your glory because of this. Amen.

Washington State Capitol.

Tuesday, 15 August 2023

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. Acts 19:24

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The words are better rendered, “For someone named Demetrius, a silversmith making silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing to the craftsmen no little business” (CG).

The previous verse noted that no small commotion about the Way arose. That now begins to be explained with the words, “For someone named Demetrius.” The name means Belonging to Demeter. But the name Démétér is the Greek goddess of agriculture and harvest. She also presided over divine law as well as the cycle of life and death. Thus, the name can also signify Belonging to the Earth Mother.

This person is next noted as “a silversmith.” The Greek word is argurokopos. It literally means a silver-beater or a silver-cutter. Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “In the next verse he mentions the workmen the two words denoting, respectively, the artisans, who performed the more delicate work, and the laborers, who did the rougher work.”

He was involved in the shaping of silver for “making silver shrines of Artemis.” Many translations say Diana instead of Artemis. Diana is the Roman name for the Greek goddess Artemis, which is what the text reads. Abarim notes the obscurity of the name. It is rather uncertain what the root of it is. However, they tie it to artames, meaning safe and sound, as well as to artemia, meaning soundness or recovery. As such, they define the name as Healer or Security. Concerning this particular deity, Barnes notes –

“This was a celebrated goddess of the pagan, and one of the twelve superior deities. In the heavens she was Luna, or Meui (the moon); on earth, Diana; and in hell, Hecate. She was sometimes represented with a crescent on her head, a bow in her hand, and dressed in a hunting habit; at other times with a triple face, and with instruments of torture. She was commonly regarded as the goddess of hunting. She was also worshipped under the various names of Lucina, Proserpine, Trivia, etc. She was also represented with a great number of breasts, to denote her as being the fountain of blessings, or as distributing her benefits to each in their proper station. She was worshipped in Egypt, Athens, Cilicia, and among pagan nations generally; but the most celebrated place of her worship was Ephesus, a city especially dedicated to her.”

Concerning Demetrius’ silversmith efforts, Luke next notes that his work “was bringing to the craftsmen no little business.” Like any such thing, there was profit to be made from peddling this particular religious idol. Of them, the Pulpit Commentary, citing Meyer, says –

“They were silver models of the famous temple of Diana at Ephesus, and were carried as charms on journeys and placed in people’s houses to ensure to them the protection of the goddess.”

Life application: If you think about it, these goofy little idols are actually no different than buying rosaries and images of Mary along with the countless other idols sold to adherents of the Roman Catholic church. There are entire websites set up to sell innumerable idols to dupe adherents into believing they will somehow be closer to God.

But innumerable Christians from other denominations are caught up in various types of idolatry similar to this as well. Some have Feng Shui objects, some read the daily horoscopes, and others use the cross as a talisman rather than as an object of remembrance of what Christ did. Such idols get set up in our hearts and they only remove us from a close and personal walk with the Lord.

Let us be careful to hold to the word of God as our source of understanding the Lord, and then let us adhere to it by walking closely with the Lord, loving Him with our hearts and souls, and clinging to Him in good times and in bad. Faith in the Lord is what pleases the Lord. Anything else is just a distraction and a hindrance to a close and personal walk with Him.

Heavenly Father, help us to remove the idols in our hearts and in our homes from our lives. May we cling to You alone as our hope, our Source of protection, and our joy. Help us to be faithful to You, just as You are always faithful to us. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Beautiful tall trees at Washington State Capitol

Monday, 14 August 2023

And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. Acts 19:23

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia while he stayed in Asia for a time. Now, it says, “And about that time there arose a great commotion.”

The NKJV makes the translation more of a paraphrase. Rather, it says, “And there came, at that time, no small disturbance.” This is referring to the time that Paul purposed to go through Macedonia and had sent the two missionaries ahead of him. At the time he was remaining in Ephesus, but certainly not long after the incident of the false exorcists being exposed, the events to be described came about.

When those exorcists were seen for what they truly were, the believers had a great turning in their hearts towards the Lord, burning their books that contained the magic, incantations, etc. That provides the backdrop for what lies ahead. As for the attitude of the believers that will bring this commotion about, Luke next says, “about the Way.”

In other words, it is their faith and what they have done to bolster it through their actions that were in accord with their lives in Christ that will bring about the commotion. Obviously, when such an event takes place, the people will be on fire for the Lord.

Not only will they remove the inappropriate things from their lives, but they will speak about what they have done to others, telling them that such things are futile and to trust in the Lord. As that word continues to spread, those who are opposed to such a change will not be pleased. Thus, the Way, meaning faith in Jesus Christ, is being set against what will next be described.

Life application: Personal experience in seeing others converted and the change in their lives will validate what is seen in the coming verses. For example, one ministry in Pakistan has frequent converts from Hinduism. Hinduism is a religion that is said to have over three hundred million gods. These are centered on a core set of gods, but Hinduism is an impossible quagmire of man seeking to please these innumerable supposed deities.

The priests at Hindu temples don’t help as they threaten the people through fear tactics, demanding money or the gods will be displeased with them. There is never a sense of security in salvation or a sense of intimacy with these gods.

However, that all changes when a person comes to Christ. This bondage is lifted, and truly unspeakable joy is realized when such a person finds out that God has reached down to them through the cross. He made the first move, and it was fully sufficient to bring about restoration and reconciliation.

Unfortunately, though, there is obvious blowback from this. The priests at the Hindu temples no longer have control over the people. They also can no longer shakedown those people for money. Because of this, there can be real trouble brought upon the new believers in Christ by the priests. They stir up the masses who are still living in bondage and fear, telling them to harm the Christian converts. As the Geneva Bible says, “Gain cloaked with a show of religion is the very cause why idolatry is strongly and stubbornly defended.”

Even the local Muslims will also come against the Christians because they too despise the freedom they see in them. Rather than attacking Hindus who are polytheists, they come against Christians who are monotheists. The thinking is completely convoluted, but it demonstrates the power of the gospel to both save and condemn, depending on whether it is accepted or rejected.

Think about this as the next verses are evaluated. But also think about those within Christianity who falsely proclaim that one can lose his salvation. To them, salvation is not by grace through faith because if a person can lose his salvation, then it is a salvation of works. Why would they hold to this? It is for the same reason as the Hindu priests – control.

God did not send Jesus to provide His people with eternal insecurity. Rather, He saves once and for all time. Hold fast to your freedom in Christ and know that God has adopted you as His Son. In this, you are forever reconciled to Him.

Heavenly Father, it is true that we can displease You through our actions after being saved, but we know that we shall never again be separated from You. You have saved us despite ourselves and for that we are forever grateful. Now, Lord, direct us in Your paths according to Your word so that we will be pleasing to You in all ways. Amen.