The Apostle Paul: No Little Disturbance.

^23 “About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. ²⁴ For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. ²⁵ These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. ²⁶ And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. ²⁷ And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” (Acts 19:23–27)

As we have previously seen throughout the Apostle Paul’s ministry, the preaching of the Gospel promotes not only repentance of sins and a reception of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, but it also produces rejection and reviling. Such was the case in Ephesus spearheaded by a silversmith named Demetrius.

Demetrius made silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He had a thriving business and made a lucrative living in idolatry.

However, he became concerned that his business and profit bottom line would take a hit. This was because of the many people turning to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation through the preaching of the Gospel by Paul.

Demetrius gathered his fellow craftsmen and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. ²⁶ And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.” It is apparent that Demetrius is not a worshipper of Artemis but rather a worshipper of his wealth. Money is what he holds in high esteem.

Demetrius continued by saying, “And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

I think Demetrius actually believed what he said. He certainly wanted to convince his fellow tradesmen. How noble of him to want to guard and protect the reputation of Artemis when in reality he was mainly concerned about losing his income.

Today’s text illustrates that when individuals receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior their lives begin to change. When once people bought the shrines Demetrius made and sold, they no longer did so because they were now worshippers of the One, True God.

How has your life and lifestyle changed since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ? What changes still need to occur? Let us all praise the Lord for the work He has done in our lives, the work He is currently doing, and the work He will do in the future.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!