Acts 19:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.

NIV: He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: "You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.

NASB: he gathered these men together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, 'Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business.

CSB: When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said: "Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business.

NLT: He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows: 'Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business.

KJV: Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

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

Tradesmen who earn their living making idols of Greek gods find their income threatened by the spread of Christianity in Ephesus and the province of Asia. Demetrius, a silversmith, says, "Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods" (Acts 19:26). The tradesmen start a pro-Artemis protest that nearly ends in a riot (Acts 19:28–41).

The tradesmen's interests favor the enslavement of the people. Paul's message is turning people to Jesus and the salvation He offers, but he's also rescuing people from demonic oppression (Acts 19:11–12). People in the Roman Empire worship gods, ostensibly because the gods bless and protect them. Truly, the false deities do nothing except distract people from the only true God and enable demonic rule (1 Corinthians 10:20). Meanwhile, those who have financial interest in the worship of pagan gods convince the people that the identity of their region as Artemis-worshipers is more important than the welfare of the people.

Paul writes to the Philippians about enemies of Christ, saying "their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things" (Philippians 3:19). We desperately need to remember that salvation and freedom are only found through Christ and our identity should be in Him. We should certainly have integrity in our work and act in the best interests of our communities, but these are not the identity of a Christian. Our fulfillment is in our identity in Christ.

Acts 19:23–27 is the story of how people often value money and civil identity more than the freedom and salvation found in Christ. Paul's work in Ephesus is so effective that people are turning to Jesus in noticeable numbers. Fearful for their income, the craftsmen who make idols start a pro-Artemis rally that nearly turns into a riot. They know people are being healed and rescued from demons, but they'd rather have money, so they use the religious and civil identities of the Ephesians to secure it.

Acts 19 recounts Paul's three-year visit in Ephesus. He starts by revealing how Jesus of Nazareth has brought to life the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit validates Paul's message by healing those struck with physical ailments and demon possession. Amazed by Paul's authority over evil spirits, so many magicians turn to Christ that the craftsmen who make idols fear for their livelihoods. They nearly incite a riot before the town clerk settles them down. Paul realizes his time in Ephesus has ended, and he travels to Macedonia (Acts 20:1).

Acts 19 is the meat of Paul's third missionary voyage. He has already revisited the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now he returns to Ephesus for a three-year stay. After firmly establishing the church there, rescuing many from pagan magic and the worship of Artemis, he returns to Macedonia and Greece. A threat on his life sends him back up to Macedonia and across to Troas. He meets briefly with the Ephesian elders to tell them they will not meet again (Acts 20). When he returns to Jerusalem, he is arrested and, eventually, taken to Rome.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.