Demetrius
Demetrius, a silversmith in Ephesus, stirred up opposition against Paul because his preaching threatened the business of making shrines of Artemis. (Act.19.24,38)
Biography
Demetrius was a silversmith in Ephesus during the first century AD whose livelihood depended on crafting silver shrines of Artemis, the great goddess of Ephesus. When the apostle Paul's missionary preaching began converting large numbers of people away from idol worship throughout Asia Minor, Demetrius called together his fellow craftsmen and delivered an impassioned speech warning them that their trade was in danger of falling into disrepute (Acts 19:24-27). His rallying cry ignited a citywide riot in the great theater of Ephesus, with crowds shouting "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" for two hours. A later figure named Demetrius appears in 3 John 12, commended by the elder John as one who has a good testimony from the truth itself.
Significance
Demetrius the silversmith illustrates with striking clarity the collision between the gospel and economic self-interest. His reaction to Paul's ministry reveals how religious devotion can be a veneer masking financial motivation. The riot he instigated demonstrates that the spread of the gospel inevitably challenges the social and economic structures built upon false religion. His episode in Acts 19 shows the transformative power of Paul's preaching in reshaping entire communities, while also foreshadowing the systemic opposition the early church would face from those whose power and prosperity depended on paganism's continuation.
Verse Appearances (3)
3John
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]