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Verse:“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.” —Acts 19:26, NIV
Ephesus was a port city and an important trade center in the Mediterranean. Its famous Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The original structure was built around 550 BC.
It was allegedly burned down by a certain Herostratus on July 21, 356 BC —the same night on which Alexander the Great was born.
The Ephesians decided to build an even larger and more magnificent temple in place of the burned one. Alexander offered financial help to the project, but the proud Ephesians refused it, with someone reportedly saying, “How can one god present gifts to another god?” The new building was surrounded by marble steps that led to a terrace. Inside stood 127 marble columns and a statue of the Greek goddess Artemis (known to the Romans as the goddess Diana), protector of the hunt, women, and virgins.
Paul came to Ephesus on his third missionary tour, and his preaching soon disrupted the popular worship of Artemis.
Acts 19:23–41 tells us that Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, incited an uprising against Paul. He told his fellow craftsmen, “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” (verse 27, NIV).
Inflamed by Demetrius’s speech, the crowds shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (verse 34, NIV).
The Ephesian craftsmen were upset by Paul’s teaching “that gods made by human hands are no gods at all” (verse 26, NIV).
“When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia” (Acts 20:1, NIV).
It looked as though the goddess Artemis and her Ephesian craftsmen had triumphed—but it wasn’t to last forever. Although the Temple of Artemis was again rebuilt after it was sacked and destroyed by the Ostrogoths in AD 268, Paul’s religion won out. The great temple fell into insignificance as Christianity spread throughout Asia and Europe. Remember, man-made gods and their shrines come and go, as do their makers. But those who anchor their faith in the only true God and His Word will remain forever.