At Ephesus

by John Drain, Belfast | Category: The Life And Work Of Paul | Nov 1971

In the closing days of his life Paul's reflections must often have taken him to Ephesus, a great centre of human activity which became a great centre of divine activity. Paul must have had many vivid memories of his labours in Ephesus, of decisions which had to be made, of difficulties which had to be faced.

He would recall his first visit (Acts 18:19-21) when he located the synagogue and entering it began to reason with the Jews. His reasoning must have been convincing. He was invited to remain for further talks. He decided against this. He would come back again if God permitted. In the work of God difficult decisions have at times to be made. The invitation to Paul to stay in Ephesus at that time seemed to suggest an interest in the message of God. We are not told why the apostle refused to abide. We are persuaded that he was one who was in close touch with God as to directions in His service. Perhaps we can learn that there is a danger of precipitate acti6n which may be a yielding to the pressure of apparent evidences without due waiting upon God.

Paul would also remember the next time he went to Ephesus (Acts 19:1-21). This brought him in touch with a group of men whose knowledge of the way of God was limited to the message and instruction they had heard from John, the Baptist. They accepted what John preached and apparently must have lost contact before receiving further revelation. Paul was able to bring them right up to date in divine revelation and practice, and he had the joy of seeing the work of God's grace and power in the twelve men. There may be many believers in Christ today who for many and varied reasons have a limited knowledge of the will of God, and therefore have a restricted enjoyment of the purpose of God for them. Paul-like ones are needed to lead such on in the way of the Lord.

For the first three months of this visit to Ephesus Paul used the synagogue to make contact with Jews in the city. He "spake boldly ... reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God" (Acts 19:8). Here we see important functions of God's servant-speaking, reasoning, persuading. Paul spoke boldly because he had a deep conviction of the reality and importance of what he had to say. And he had an intense desire that his fellow-countrymen would be convinced to receive his message. His message was comprehensive. It took in the whole range of salvation by grace and subjection to divine rule. But fervency and faithfulness failed to persuade. Separation became inevitable. Paul withdrew from the synagogue and there followed a two-year period of ministry during which the church of God was consolidated and instructed in the will of God. The light of its testimony shone out brightly and "mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed".

The triumph of the work in Ephesus provoked fierce opposition. Demetrius, a silversmith, incited a mob to take action, and as a result some of Paul's fellow-workers were roughly handled and forced into the city theatre. Panic and confusion followed. Paul had the urge to enter the arena, but disciples and some prominent men who were his friends counselled him against this course. He would unnecessarily have exposed himself to danger. To this counsel Paul yielded. There are times when a sense of loyalty and duty may encourage one to insist on pursuing a course which wisdom and understanding recognize to be undesirable. Persistence may in fact be stubbornness in circumstances where Christian character will be more clearly manifested in yieldingness.

One incident which must have remained very vividly in the mind of Paul was the occasion on which from Miletus he sent to Ephesus requesting the elders of the church to meet him (Acts 20:17-38). He would recall the heart-moving scene as he kneeled among those overseers to pray with them and then to receive from them unmistakable proof of their affection and appreciation. They clung to him, kissing him as they wept out the sadness of their hearts. Paul in his service for the Lord suffered much from ungodly men of the world. He also met with unwarranted and unpleasant opposition from many who were in the churches of God. The experience at Miletus must have warmed and strengthened the heart of the apostle. Here were men who loved him and who were loyal. Who can measure the power and influence of love and loyalty among fellow-disciples and fellow-servants of the Lord Jesus Christ?

When addressing the overseers from Ephesus Paul gave a very impressive recital of his activities in that city. We see the man, we see his methods, we see his message. The overriding consideration so far as Paul was concerned was indicated in his words, "serving the Lord". He was fully aware of his direct responsibility to the Lord. What he did in service he did for Him. No doubt this was one reason why Paul could endure the attitude of all who opposed or disliked him. This attitude of others must indeed have been a severe trial to the great man, but over and beyond all others the apostle saw his Lord whom he served, if with tears and trials. The recognition of responsibility and accountability to the Lord must ever prove salutary to those who serve the Lord, whether men praise or protest.

Paul's labours in Ephesus must have been arduous. He engaged in public preaching and he pursued house to house visitation. With great faithfulness he sowed the seed of the word. His preaching unfolded the good tidings of the grace of God. God's amazing favour towards unworthy sinners was clearly testified. The claims of the Lord's authority were also set forth, as God's servant announced the gospel of the kingdom of God. The whole counsel of God was declared. Ephesus was indeed favoured to hear these wondrous things. These references by Paul to what characterized his work in Ephesus should be studied by all who profess to bring God's word to men and women. The revealed will of God has suffered grievous mutilation in the hands of many who profess to love the Lord. Deletion can be as serious as addition in handling God's word. Preachers and teachers have solemn responsibilities. Paul was pure from the blood of all men. There had been no shrinking from the unpopular, no dereliction of required duty. And he fought with beasts at Ephesus.

The church of God in Ephesus was the target of relentless attack by the adversary. That such attack should come from outside the assembly could be expected. The most damaging attacks came from those within. Vengeance belongs to God. He will deal in righteousness and faithfulness with the enemies who have directed attack on His Testimony. How solemn is the position of any who have found themselves in the churches of God (each of which churches is an acquired possession, purchased by the blood of God's Son), and who have set themselves to destroy what is so precious to God! As Paul looked upon those elders, who were the overseers in the church in Ephesus, he must have felt grateful that there were men who had so been placed by the Holy Spirit. Their responsibility would be to feed and to protect the flock under their care. But Paul warned them that as overseers they must first take heed to themselves.

It must have afforded great joy to Paul to write an epistle which was to be read in the church of God in Ephesus. The Holy Spirit used him in that epistle to put in writing some of the most profound truths of divine revelation. A staggering range of divine purpose is outlined in the first three chapters of the epistle. The study of this letter has enriched the minds of children of God ever since it was written. It has also enlightened them as to the conduct which is befitting those who have been called of God.

But in his closing days Paul had sad thoughts about Ephesus. To Timothy he wrote, "I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus ... that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine ..." (1 Tim. 1:3). The destructive work of the devil was progressing. In his second epistle to Timothy, written a short time before his death, the apostle had to say, "This thou knowest, that all that are in Asia turned away from me". To what extent Ephesus in particular was involved may not be known. But the shades were falling. The great warrior had seen his triumphs, had suffered his trials, had shed his tears. Ephesus was dear to his heart.

John Drain, Belfast | Nov 1971
The Life And Work Of Paul