Acts 19:18-20
Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The text highlights that these believers didn't just stop their old practices; they actively "confessed and divulged their practices." This suggests a crucial step beyond mere cessation: a voluntary, open declaration of their past wrongdoings, revealing a profound turning from sin and a desire for genuine cleansing.
Following the dramatic failure of the sons of Sceva to cast out a demon, many who had previously believed in Paul's message came forward. These new believers, now deeply convicted, voluntarily confessed and revealed their involvement in magical practices and other former sins. This powerful public declaration marked a significant turning point, illustrating the profound impact of the Gospel in bringing hidden deeds to light and fostering genuine repentance in the Ephesian community.
What does it really look like when someone truly embraces faith? It's more than just saying the words.
This verse shows us that genuine belief leads to more than just an internal shift; it spills out into action.
A Public Declaration
These believers didn't just keep their newfound faith to themselves. They came – making a deliberate step to present themselves. This wasn't a passive reception but an active engagement with their new community and their new beliefs.
Unveiling the Past
The confession and divulging of their practices weren't about shame, but about freedom. They were actively bringing to light the things that had previously held them captive. This act itself was a powerful declaration that these old ways no longer had power over them.
Evidence of Transformation
This voluntary confession, confessing and showing their deeds, served as a powerful testament to the transformative power of the Gospel. It demonstrated a willingness to be transparent and accountable, a hallmark of sincere repentance and a deep work of God's Spirit.
Magic, sorcery, secret arts – what was driving these Ephesian believers to suddenly expose their past lives?
The context of Ephesus reveals a city deeply immersed in magic and occult practices. These new believers were breaking free from a world where such things were commonplace and even highly valued.
The Ephesian Enchantment
Ephesus was notorious for its 'Ephesian Letters' – magical charms and incantations. Many of these new believers had been practitioners of these arts. Their faith in Jesus meant an absolute break from these deceptive powers.
Confession as a Severing Act
By confessing and showing their magical books and practices, they weren't just admitting past wrongs. They were actively severing ties with forces that opposed God. This was a radical act of renouncing their former lives and dedicating themselves fully to Christ.
Understand the original words
pisteuō · Greek Noun
One who has placed saving faith in Jesus Christ; a person who has turned from sin to trust in the Gospel.
exomologeō · Greek Verb
To acknowledge or declare openly, often involving the admission of past sins or hidden activities; it is a vital part of repentance and reconciliation with God.
periergos · Greek Noun phrase
Occult, sorcery, or forbidden spiritual practices that attempt to control or manipulate spiritual powers outside of reliance on God.
logos · Greek Noun
The message of the Gospel concerning the person and work of Christ; it is viewed as the active, living power of God to transform lives and expand the kingdom.
This passage reveals the powerful impact of the gospel in Ephesus, a city steeped in magic and idolatry. The converts' public confession and renunciation of their former practices demonstrate the radical transformation occurring as God's Word takes root, leading to a dramatic break from deeply entrenched cultural norms.
c. 52-55 AD— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
The Apostle Paul spends over two years in Ephesus, a major port city in the Roman province of Asia, teaching in the synagogue and later in a lecture hall. This period sees significant growth of the Christian faith.
c. 55 AD
The Riot in Ephesus
A silversmith named Demetrius incites a riot against Paul and his companions, fearing that their preaching against idolatry will harm their lucrative trade in shrines of the goddess Artemis. This event highlights the tension between the gospel and local pagan practices.
c. 56 AD
Paul Departs Ephesus
After the riot and further ministry, Paul leaves Ephesus, entrusting the church to Timothy. He plans to travel to Macedonia and Achaia, with eventual intentions to visit Rome.
This passage describes John the Baptist's ministry where people confessed their sins to be baptized, mirroring the Ephesian believers' voluntary confession of their past practices as a sign of repentance.
Joshua 24:14Joshua exhorts the Israelites to 'put away the gods that your fathers served' and serve the Lord, echoing the Ephesian believers' decisive break from their former magical practices.
Romans 10:10This verse states that 'with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,' highlighting the outward declaration of faith and repentance exemplified by the Ephesian believers showing their deeds.
Proverbs 28:13This proverb declares, 'Whoever conceals his sins does not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them finds mercy,' underscoring the spiritual benefit and integrity found in the Ephesian believers' confession.
1 John 1:9The promise that 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' provides the theological foundation for why confessing past deeds leads to cleansing and restoration.
ellicottActs 19:18: "And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds."
(18) And many that believed. —More accurately, many of those that had believed. The word is probably used, as in Acts 19:2 , for the whole process of conversion, including baptism, confession in this instance following on that rite, instead of preceding it. The words do not definitely state whether the confession was made privately to St. Paul and the other teachers, or publicly in the presence of the congregation…
pulpitActs 19:18: "And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds."
Verse 18. - Many also of them that had believed for and many that believed, A.V.; confessing and declaring for and confessed and showed, A.V. Many also of them that had believed. This and the following verse speak of that class of converts who had previously been addicted to magic arts. It gives us a curious view of the extent to which magic prevailed among the Jews at this time. Nor was it less prevalent in heath…
The text highlights that these believers didn't just stop their old practices; they actively "confessed and divulged their practices." This suggests a crucial step beyond mere cessation: a voluntary, open declaration of their past wrongdoings, revealing a profound turning from sin and a desire for genuine cleansing.
Following the dramatic failure of the sons of Sceva to cast out a demon, many who had previously believed in Paul's message came forward. These new believers, now deeply convicted, voluntarily confessed and revealed their involvement in magical practices and other former sins. This powerful public declaration marked a significant turning point, illustrating the profound impact of the Gospel in bringing hidden deeds to light and fostering genuine repentance in the Ephesian community.
Following the dramatic failure of the sons of Sceva to cast out a demon, many who had previously believed in Paul's message came forward. These new believers, now deeply convicted, voluntarily confessed and revealed their involvement in magical practices and other former sins. This powerful public declaration marked a significant turning point, illustrating the profound impact of the Gospel in bringing hidden deeds to light and fostering genuine repentance in the Ephesian community.
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The Power of Exposure
Bringing these 'deeds' into the open symbolized their rejection of the secrecy and deception inherent in such practices. It was a bold step, demonstrating that the light of Christ was more powerful and desirable than any hidden, spiritual manipulation.
ischuō · Greek Verb
To overcome, gain victory, or prove stronger; it describes the unstoppable nature of the Gospel as it spreads and transforms society.
"Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of th…" — The text highlights that these believers didn't just stop their old practices; they actively "confessed and divulged their practices." This suggests a crucial step beyond mere cessation: a voluntar…
