DEMETRIUS CREATES A GREAT STIR

Acts 19:23-27 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

The remainder of Chapter 19 is given to Luke's description and results of the riotous commotion that arose due to the agitation of certain people of Ephesus against the preaching of the apostle Paul. To say that there arose no small stir, means that there was, indeed, a very large, tumultuous opposition against the doctrines of Christianity, which Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, taught to all having open and receptive hearts. If Paul's teaching had no effect on those that heard him, undoubtedly there would have been no opposition from the pagan society of Ephesus. Because many heard, believed, obeyed the will of God, were baptized for the remission of their sins, and were added to the church of Christ, vehement opposition arose among those that preferred to remain worshippers of man-made idols - those that refused to accept Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.

Chief among those that opposed the teaching of the apostle Paul and instigated riots to protest the doctrine of Christianity he taught, was a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana. History tells us that the pagan idol Diana had her beginning near the city Ephesus. She was considered to be the goddess of the earth and the mother of all life. A temple was constructed in that city and given her name. This served as a shrine - a place in which she was worshipped by her pagan followers. Small reproductions of the shrine were molded in many mediums, but especially in silver. They were carried by the followers of Diana in order to worship her at any time and in any place that they may be traveling. The lesson text tells us that Demetrius was one of these silversmiths that crafted such shrines.

To accept Christianity, as it was taught by Paul, was to deny paganism, including the worship of the goddess Diana. If this took place the occupation of shrine craftsmen would cease to be profitable. For the people of Ephesus to accept Paul's teaching that they be no gods, which are made with hands, would, not only bring an end to their craft, but the great goddess Diana should be despised, ...destroyed, and would not be worshipped, as she was then, throughout the world. Therefore the pagan population of Ephesus responded to the accusations of Demetrius, was filled with wrath, ...and the whole city was filled with confusion (Vss. 28-29).

Aroused to riotous action, the people caught Gaius and Aristarchus, both of whom were Christians, and fellow laborers of Paul, and took them into a theatre that was, no doubt, customarily used for public assemblies. But when Paul attempted to enter, the people suffered him not (Vss. 29-30). Certain friends tried to dissuade Paul from entering into the theatre and into an assembly that appeared to be in a state of confusion (Vss. 31-32). Even when a prominent, unconverted Jew, named Alexander, condemned Paul's teaching, the pagans, who had assembled in the theatre, refused to let him speak (Vs. 34).

It is apparent that Roman law made it a capital offence to incite riots and disturbances (Vs. 40). Because of this, the town-clerk warned the assembly to do nothing rashly, but to abide by the civil law under which they were governed. They were told that if Demetrius, and other craftsmen ...have any matter against any man, that is, against Paul and his fellow teachers of the gospel of Christ, they should use the laws of the land and the Roman court system, as the proper venue in which to bring such accusations (See Vss. 35-39). And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly (Vs. 41).