Demetrius isn't just worried about losing business; he's deeply concerned that the Christian message will reveal the true worthlessness of their idol, making Artemis a laughingstock and effectively dethroning her. This shows how deeply intertwined their livelihood and their deeply held (though misguided) religious beliefs were, and how Paul's preaching threatened both on a fundamental level.
And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines of Artemis, stirs up a riot against Paul. He argues that Paul's preaching against idolatry not only threatens their livelihoods but also demeans the great goddess Artemis and her magnificent temple, which is revered throughout Asia and the wider Roman world. This fear of economic and religious ruin fuels the crowd's anger and confusion.
Paul's message wasn't just spiritual; it hit Ephesians right in the wallet. Discover how deeply faith and commerce were intertwined in the ancient world.
Demetrius the silversmith wasn't just concerned about his personal income; he was speaking for an entire industry. The crafting of silver shrines to Artemis was a significant economic activity in Ephesus.
A Sacred Business
Artemis of Ephesus wasn't your typical goddess. What made her so central to the identity and worship of the entire region?
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The Artemis worshipped in Ephesus was far more than the Greek goddess of the hunt. She was a unique, powerful, and multifaceted deity who embodied the very essence of fertility, nature, and cosmic power for the people of Asia Minor and beyond.
More Than a Statue
Understand the original words
hieron · Greek Noun
A building or structure dedicated to the worship of a deity, often representing the center of pagan cultic activity in the ancient world.
thea · Greek Noun
A female deity or mythological figure believed to possess divine power and deserving of worship; in pagan contexts, these represent demonic powers or false gods.
sebō · Greek Verb
To show religious devotion, reverence, and service to a deity; in Scripture, this is meant exclusively for the one true God.
The immense economic and cultural significance of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, a wonder of the ancient world, fueled the outrage described in this verse. The Apostle Paul's preaching directly threatened not just the livelihoods of craftsmen like Demetrius, but the very prestige and existence of the goddess they worshipped.
c. 550 BC
Temple of Artemis construction begins
The magnificent Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is believed to have been constructed starting around this time. Its rebuilding and expansion would take centuries.
c. 400 BC
Temple of Artemis destroyed by fire
The first great temple was destroyed by arson, and later rebuilt. This event highlights the temple's vulnerability despite its grandeur.
356 BC
Herostratus burns the Temple of Artemis
The temple was again destroyed, this time by an arsonist named Herostratus seeking fame. The rebuilding efforts took over 200 years, emphasizing its immense cultural and economic importance.
Early 1st century AD
Worship of Artemis dominates Ephesus
The cult of Artemis at Ephesus was a major religious and economic force, drawing pilgrims and worshippers from across the Roman province of Asia and beyond. The city's economy was deeply intertwined with the temple's upkeep and the sale of religious artifacts.
c. AD 52-55— this verse
Paul's ministry in Ephesus
The Apostle Paul spent over two years in Ephesus, preaching the gospel and making disciples. His success in turning people away from idolatry and towards Christ directly threatened the city's established religious and economic systems.
c. AD 55
Riot stirred by Demetrius the silversmith
Demetrius, a craftsman who made silver shrines of Artemis, incited a riot against Paul. He argued that the spread of Christianity would ruin their trade and dishonor their great goddess.
c. 260 AD
Temple of Artemis destroyed by Goths
The final destruction of the Temple of Artemis occurred during a Gothic invasion, marking the end of its era as a major center of worship.
This prophecy describes Babylon being judged and made a spectacle, similar to how the craftsmen feared their goddess and her temple would be degraded and despised.
Isaiah 44:9-20This passage powerfully critiques idolatry, showing the futility and worthlessness of man-made gods, which directly contrasts with the artisans' passionate defense of Artemis.
1 Corinthians 10:14Paul warns against idolatry, urging believers to 'flee from idolatry,' a command that would have directly challenged the livelihoods and beliefs of the Ephesians.
Daniel 3:1-30The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego facing a fiery furnace for refusing to worship a golden image highlights the clash between allegiance to God and pressure to conform to idolatrous practices.
Revelation 18:1-24This chapter describes the fall of a great city ('Babylon') that profited from luxury and trade, a fate that mirrors the economic and spiritual ruin the silversmiths feared if their idolatrous system collapsed.
ellicottActs 19:27: "So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth."
(27) Not only this our craft. —The English word conveys, perhaps, too much the idea of art. Our business, or our interests, would be a somewhat better equivalent. The Greek word is not the same as that so translated in Acts 19:25 . The temple of the great goddess…
pooleActs 19:27: "So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth."
Not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; not only that we shall have no more to do, and be without work; but that it will be a reproach unto us to have had such an employment. But also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised;…
Demetrius isn't just worried about losing business; he's deeply concerned that the Christian message will reveal the true worthlessness of their idol, making Artemis a laughingstock and effectively dethroning her. This shows how deeply intertwined their livelihood and their deeply held (though misguided) religious beliefs were, and how Paul's preaching threatened both on a fundamental level.
Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines of Artemis, stirs up a riot against Paul. He argues that Paul's preaching against idolatry not only threatens their livelihoods but also demeans the great goddess Artemis and her magnificent temple, which is revered throughout Asia and the wider Roman world. This fear of economic and religious ruin fuels the crowd's anger and confusion.
Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines of Artemis, stirs up a riot against Paul. He argues that Paul's preaching against idolatry not only threatens their livelihoods but also demeans the great goddess Artemis and her magnificent temple, which is revered throughout Asia and the wider Roman world. This fear of economic and religious ruin fuels the crowd's anger and confusion.
"And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the…" — Demetrius isn't just worried about losing business; he's deeply concerned that the Christian message will reveal the true worthlessness of their idol, making Artemis a laughingstock and effectively d…
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Last reviewed October 2026
