The Church in Ephesus
By Martin Canell
The name Ephesus means “the Landing Place” which is fitting because its landing location is the most direct access to Asian Minor from the sea. Situated at the mouth of the Caÿster River, it provided a harbor for ships and a natural gateway for the vast amount of trade Asia had to offer. The city was conquered by multiple kingdoms and in 133 B.C. Ephesus became the proconsul seat or capitol city of the Roman Empire’s province of Phrygia. By the 1st century B.C. Ephesus became the largest city in the province with a population of over 250,000 and was second only to Rome. As the most direct location for those coming to Asia and going to Rome it became an important trade route, creating immense commerce for this city to thrive.
Ephesus in New Testament times is spectacular having many impressive buildings. One such building includes the Temple of Artemis (Diana to the Romans), which is twice the size of the Roman Pantheon, and it is considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. However, over time the harbor at Ephesus filled in with silt coming down the Caÿster River. In the 2nd century B.C., the Romans tried to remove the silt and restore the depth of the harbor for ships, but it didn’t have a lasting impact. Today the city of Ephesus is over 6 miles away from the Mediterranean Sea.
In the 1st century B.C. trade diminished due to the harbor and its religious importance grew and replaced the other industries that were waning due to the harbor’s condition. Tradesmen flocked to the city making replicas of the goddess Artemis and other idols for religious worship. Worship of Artemis wasn’t the only religious cult. Emperor worship was also well established by the 1st century A.D. In 29 B.C. the cult practiced the worship of Caesars as gods. Ephesus had three temples and Rome employed “Asiarchs” who were officers of the temples and responsible to foster the growth of the cult’s practices. It is recorded in Acts 19:31 while Paul was in Ephesus that he had friends among these officers. By the time John wrote Revelation, this worship was required in the Roman Empire and obviously this conflicted with Christianity as well as other religious groups.
Today Ephesus is not inhabited. Recently, it became one of the most significant archeological sites in Asia Minor and many places and information mentioned in the book of Acts have been verified.
Revelation of Jesus
The author is Jesus Christ and His message to the Church of Ephesus starts in the spiritual realm. Jesus is holding the seven stars while he walks around the seven lampstands. This scene paints a picture of the sovereign (right hand), omnipresent (walking among the lampstands) and omniscient Savior (knowing and seeing all). This style of imagery is repeated many times in the book of Revelation and is a major theme that we need to notice. It is no coincidence that the prominence of Jesus as the sovereign, omnipresent and omniscient savior is throughout Revelation. These scenes are beautiful if we allow our mind’s eye to imagine the scenes to the best of our ability.
The church’s commendation from Jesus can be summarized by the words “Orthodox” or “Sound Doctrine.” (Revelation 2:2-6)
The description of the Church of Ephesus as one of sound doctrine is not surprising based on the New Testament accounts and church history. Toward the end of Paul’s second missionary journey, Paul was in Ephesus only a short time; however, he left Aquila and Priscilla there when he departed and they most likely were the founders of the church. When Paul returns to Ephesus on his third missionary journey, he stays for 3 years (Acts 20:31), the longest time recorded with any church in Acts. Paul had a profound impact for the whole region of Asia Minor, but especially in Ephesus. This is a miraculous time, and many great events are recorded in Acts 18 and 19.
Shortly after Paul left Ephesus, he called the church elders of Ephesus to him in Miletus. Paul tells them he “did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27). Paul warned the elders of fierce opposition to sound doctrine from people outside and inside the church, even within the Elders. His exhortation to them is to stay vigilant and protect the church’s doctrine that they have been taught by Paul.
Later Timothy is sent to Ephesus with Paul’s Apostolic Authority and complete trust. After Timothy, the Apostle John became the leader of the Church in Ephesus prior to his exile to Patmos. This is documented by the early church father Irenaeus in the early 2nd century. Is there any wonder that this church was commended for the perseverance of sound doctrine? What a heritage they had! They had the best leaders and teachers for more than 40 years. The church was standing on solid ground, was it not?
According to the rebuke Jesus gives to this church, it isn’t enough to have sound doctrine. Jesus says, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” The rebuke is that they abandoned love. Some believe it is better to translate it from the Greek as “left behind” love. In Matthew there is the account when the Sadducees test and try to trap Jesus. Matthew 22: 36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Jesus tells us that we must love. First and foremost, love God and after that love others as ourselves. All other commandments are built on this foundation of love God and love others.
In the great love Chapter of the New Testament, the Apostle Paul gives an account for his own striving for love compared to all other virtues. 1 Corinthians 13:13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” The Apostle Paul provides the most significant portion of the New Testament doctrine, and here he mirrors what Jesus says to the Church of Ephesus. Sound doctrine is not above it all, and sound doctrine must be accompanied with love which is the greatest of all Christian virtues.
The exhortation of Jesus for the Church of Ephesus is in verses 5-6. They are to remember, repent and do. Remember where you have fallen from. This is not just to remember to have love, but to remember how far you have fallen from love. This is sin, and not just a poor way to keep the doctrine. Next Jesus commands them to repent or turn away from this sin. Last is the command to do. Do the work of love in all that you do but especially in the keeping of sound doctrine.
Jesus explains His consequences for this church if they do not remember, repent and do. He will “remove their lampstand from its place”. I think we have all heard of a church that seems to be so true to scripture but doesn’t have love for those around them. Maybe they are so “right” in their knowledge and ways of Jesus that they have pride. Maybe they see themselves more “right” about their doctrine and teaching. Maybe they consider the way they live more Christian and “right” according to the scriptures. However, in this “self- rightness” they don’t see the love God calls all of us to. It’s not that love changes the Bible’s doctrines or changes morality and how we are supposed to live as Christians. It’s that the church’s motivation for sound doctrine and godly living comes from our love for God. Our desire for others to know the Bible and live as the Bible teaches is because we love them first.
In the context of history, sometime in the 6th century A.D, Ephesus ceased to be a city, and this church ceased to be. Prophetically this might have been exactly what Jesus told them would be the results of their leaving love behind.
In verse 7, Jesus’ promise in His message to the Church of Ephesus and those “who hear what the Spirit says” is eternal life. However, Jesus adds the phrase “to the one who conquers”. Maybe this implies there is a battle inside this church (and all churches) for our love to be as Jesus told the Sadducees. It’s a battle to follow the example of the love Jesus demonstrated to His Father and to those around Him. And for those who conquer this battle, Jesus “will grant them to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God”.