At the time of Christ, Ephesus was the capital of Asia under the rule of the Romans.  It was the largest city in Asia, with likely over 225,000 residents.  In 680 AD an earthquake destroyed the city and it was never rebuilt.  Today it stands, mostly in ruins, as a tourist destination.  Very few people live in the area.  It has the ruins of the home where Mary, Jesus’ mother lived out her final years, reportedly.

Geographic Position

Ephesus was called the “Queen of Asia”: she was the proud capital of Ionia and chief harbor of proconsular Asia. It was an extremely wealthy and beautiful city, located near the mouth of the river Cayster (now Lower Meander). It was the principal line of communication between Rome and the eastern provinces. One major road ran eastward through a pass to Sardis and then to Galatia and beyond. Another led to Magnesia and up the valley of the river Meander to Iconium; a third ran through Collasae and Laodicea to the Euphrates. Trade with Greece and Italy ran through the port regularly.

Architecture

Architecturally superb, its theater was 495 feet in diameter and held 25,000 people (Acts 19). The Marble Way, lined with statues and fountains, ran from the temple of Artemis through the city to the Megnesia Gate. The Arcadian Way, another main road from the theater to the harbor, was 1735 feet long and 70 feet wide, lined with columns and shops and illuminated at night. The most outstanding architectural feature was the temple of Diana (daughter of Zeus, sister of Apollo).

The temple of Diana, one of the “seven wonders” of the ancient world, was four times as large as the Parthenon at Athens, and stood on a platform 425 feet by 220 feet. The building itself was 340 by 165 feet, had 120 Ionic columns, each 60 feet high. Ecstatic, sexual rites took place at the temple, involving both male and female prostitutes. Its income was threatened by Paul’s preaching—this led to his departure. The temple was also an asylum for the criminals.

The first bank (in the world?) functioned at the temple under the chief priests.

New Testament Period

In the New Testament period Ephesus was the largest city of its day. As the harbor gradually became unusable, traffic diverted to Smyrna. Ephesus was the center for the study of arts and magic; renowned over the world for talismans, incantations, books, charms, etc. (Burnings, Acts 19:19).

Paul’s first visit was brief and was directed toward the Jewish community; he later made a second visit–he was driven from the synagogue and settled in the school of Tyrannus for two years until the uproar in 58 A.D. (Acts 19:24-41; 20:1). Ephesus later became the center for missionary operations throughout Asia. Imitators followed, but without power. (Seven sons of Siva: Acts 19:12-17.) After Paul left Ephesus and journeyed through Macedonia, he returned (to Miletus) for his famed farewell to the Ephesian elders.

Timothy is alleged to have become its first bishop (1 Tim 1:3). It is here that we find Aquila, Priscilla and Apollos. I Corinthians was penned during his second visit. (Paul’s Epistle to Ephesus was written from Rome.)

John is said to have spent time in Ephesus with Mary, the Lord’s mother. According to Eusebius and others, John returned there in 95 A.D. after Patmos, and spent his closing years there. His Gospel was apparently written from there. His tomb is there. The reputed home of Mary is now a shrine.

Later History

The bishop of Ephesus was accorded rank and authority of a patriarch over the churches in the province of Asia. In 431 A.D., Emperor Theodosius II called a general church council at Ephesus to consider the hotly argued question of the time whether the Virgin Mary should be described as the mother of God, and 200 bishops at this Third Ecumenical Council decided in the affirmative.

Its chief rival city was Miletus, but alluvial deposits gradually silted up the harbor of Miletus; Ephesus (for a while) eclipsed its rival in impor- tance. (The Romans stripped the land of its wooded mountain ranges; soil eroded and the resulting silt transformed the harbor to a swamp; today 20 miles of land has cut off the city from the sea. (Even in the first century, Paul landed at Miletus—after one of the many dredgings—in Acts 20.)

The present unpretentious village of Seljuk (Ayasaluk?), built by the Byzantines, is but a sad remainder of its former glory. After its destruction by the Goths in 262 A.D. it never regained its former glory. (Jesus’ letter about 35 years after Paul’s departure.) For background read Acts 18-20, Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians and John’s Epistles.

Paul’s Farewell Warning to the Elders

[Acts 20:16-20]  For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

Home Fellowships

• Original form of fellowship (all incidents in Book of Acts were in homes).
• Medieval Church.
• Reformation Churches. – Many churches today.
• Viable form for underground churches.

Acts 20:21-26  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

Acts 20:27-29  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

“Grievous wolves enter in among you…” the very thing that they apparently anticipated in Jesus’ letter.

Acts 20:30-38  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

John’s Epistles

• 1 John Epistle to Ephesus
• 2 John Personal to Mary
• 3 John Personal to Gaius

John—understandably—emphasizes love to his Ephesian flock! 1 John 4:1- 3 also includes warnings about false teachers. (Even his personal letter to Mary includes warnings about false teachers, etc: 2 John 1:9-11.)

1 John 4:1-3  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

2 John 1:7-11  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partake of his evil deeds.