The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul was spreading the gospel throughout the city of Ephesus, and “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, you know that by this craft we have our wealth”, and in chapter nineteen and verse twenty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how Demetrius said, “not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away much people” where we read:
Moreover you see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
The verse begins, “Moreover you see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away much people, ...” Luke began with the words, “moreover you see and hear” which means “even so, also and indeed you, fellow silversmith, observe, perceive and have been endowed with the faculty of hearing and understanding”, “that not alone at Ephesus” or “that not only within the city of Ephesus”, “but almost throughout all Asia” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding and without exception in each, every, the whole and everyone of the places and locations within Asia whose name means orient and refers to proconsular Asia embracing Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia, and Caria, corresponding closely to Turkey today”, “this Paul” or “the man Paul whose name means small or little” “has persuaded” which means “has induced and convinced” “and turned away” or “and changed, transferred and made depart” “much people” which means “a large and abundant amount of people both male and female”. Luke shared how “Demetrius” told his fellow silversmiths that “Paul” had “convinced and turned” a lot of people away from their work.
The verse continues, “... saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:” Luke added the words, “saying that they be no gods” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming that deities or divinities do not exist”, “which are made with hands” or “that are constructed and formed with physical hands.”. Luke shared how “Demetrius” continued his words to the fellow “silversmiths” by telling them that “Paul” was promoting the idea that “gods and goddesses” that were made with physical hands are not real and do not exist.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Demetrius” assembled his fellow silversmiths to inform them about their loss of profits because Paul was turning people toward a relationship with Jesus Christ and away from their “silver temples and shrines”. This idea was going to cost the silversmiths in their trade, and we shall see how “Demetrius” opposes “Paul” in our next few verses. For now, let us be reminded of Jesus' words, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” (See Luke 14:28) In other words, there is a “cost” for following Jesus, and this price will be paid not only by the person who believes, but also by the people who used to make profit off them. God desires a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they believe and trust in Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. There is a “cost” for following Jesus, so let all who read these words examine the “cost” for believing in Him and determine to yield themselves to Jesus regardless of the price paid by themselves or others around them.
Next time Luke shares how Demetrius says, “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”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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