After this time, Paul began to desire to travel to the churches at Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem, but he also desired to visit Rome in the future (19:21). To prepare for his arrival in Macedonia, Paul sent Timothy and Erastus who collected an offering for the church at Jerusalem (19:22). But “about this time there arose a great commotion about the Way [Christianity]. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen” (19:23-24). Diana, also known as Artemis, was a goddess whose center of worship was located in Ephesus. Paul’s message to worship God alone caused many to turn their backs on the worship of false gods such as Diana. This began affecting the purchase of silver shrines being crafted by Demetrius and obviously cut into his profit. So Demetrius gathered the other silversmiths in Ephesus and accused Paul of three things: telling people that idols are not gods (19:26), diminishing the reputation of all silversmiths (19:27a), and causing people to turn away from worshiping Diana (19:27b).
Upon hearing this, the silversmiths were angered and said, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” This outcry caused so much confusion throughout the city of Ephesus that Paul’s traveling companions (Gaius and Aristarchus) were taken captive (19:28-29). Paul wanted to rush to their defense, but the other disciples would not allow him (19:30-32). This crowd became out of control and the Jews wanted to make sure that they were not caught in the middle so they made Alexander their spokesman (19:33); however, the riotous crowd did not want to hear a Jew so they began crying out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians” for two hours (19:34). Finally, the city clerk quieted the crowd and explained that they had improperly brought Paul’s companions before the assembly so he dismissed everyone (19:35-41).
Following the riot, Paul called together his disciples and departed to Macedonia and then to Greece (probably in city of Corinth) where he stayed for three months (20:1-3a). The Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, so he decided to return to Macedonia (20:3b). Luke mentions the details of Paul’s travels throughout Greece (20:4-6). Paul finally reunited with his team in Troas where they celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ together (20:7a).
Paul continued to speak to those gathered in Troas until midnight. Luke provides the details of what happened during this gathering, “There were lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep” (20:8-9a). Eutychus was probably affected by the fumes in the room, so he fell asleep while Paul was speaking and fell out the third story window to his death (20:9b). Paul ran to Eutychus and fell on him, embracing him, and life was restored to him (20:10-12).
From Troas, Paul departs for Miletus (20:13-16) where he addresses the Ephesian elders (20:17). When they gathered together to Paul in Miletus, he recounted how he had attempted to be faithful in preaching the message of salvation through Jesus Christ in spite of opposition (20:18-21). Then Paul makes one of the greatest statements regarding faithfulness in the work to which he has been called: “None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (20:24). We also have been entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ and should be faithful to share it, even when we face opposition. God has given us life so that we might speak to others about the grace of God given through His Son, Jesus Christ. We cannot be silent.
Dear God, use me to faithfully testify of the grace of God provided through Jesus Christ that I might also finish this life with joy.
