Acts 19:25

Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. WHOM HE CALLED TOGETHER WITH THE WORKMEN OF LIKE OCCUPATION - rather, 'with the workmen in that line;' that is, the artisans who worked for masters, including all who manufactured for sale any sort of memorial of the temple or its service: "and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth....

− 25._By this craft. _Demetrius doth in this place filthily betray his malice. It is lawful for a man, in some measure, to provide for his private profit; but to trouble common [the public] peace for a man’s own gain, to overthrow − (388) equity and right, to give over a man’s self to do violence and commit murder, to extinguish that of set purpose which is just and right; that is too great wickedness. Demetrius confesseth that this is the state of the cause, because, [viz. that] Paul denieth that those are gods which are made with men’s hands. He doth not inquire whether this be true or no; but being blinded with a desire to get gain, he is carried headlong to oppress true doctrine. The same blindness doth drive him headlong to seek violent remedies. Also the craftsmen, because they be afraid of poverty and hunger, run headlong as violently; for the belly is blind and deaf, so that it c...

21-31 Persons who came from afar to pay their devotions at the temple of Ephesus, bought little silver shrines, or models of the temple, to carry home with them. See how craftsmen make advantage to themselves of people's superstition, and serve their worldly ends by it. Men are jealous for that by which they get their wealth; and many set themselves against the gospel of Christ, because it calls men from all unlawful crafts, however much wealth is to be gotten by them. There are persons who will stickle for what is most grossly absurd, unreasonable, and false; as this, that those are gods which are made with hands, if it has but worldly interest on its side. The whole city was full of confusion, the common and natural effect of zeal for false religion. Zeal for the honour of Christ, and love to the brethren, encourage zealous believers to venture into danger. Friends will often be raise...

Verse Acts 19:25. _BY THIS CRAFT WE HAVE OUR WEALTH._] The word ευπορια not only signifies _wealth_, but also _abundance_. It was a most lucrative trade; and he plainly saw that, if the apostles were permitted to go on thus preaching, the worship of Diana itself would be destroyed; and, consequently, all the gain that he and his fellows derived from it would be brought to nought....

WITH THE WORKMEN OF LIKE OCCUPATION - Those who were in his employ, and all others engaged in the same business. As they would be all affected in the same way, it was easy to produce an excitement among them all. SIRS - Greek: Men. BY THIS CRAFT - By this business or occupation. This is our trade. OUR WEALTH - Greek: our acquisition; our property. We are dependent on it for a living. It does not mean that they were rich, but that they relied on this for a subsistence. That it was a lucrative business is apparent, but it is not affirmed that they were in fact rich....

EXPOSITION ACTS 19:1 _Country _for _coasts, _A.V.; _found _for _finding, _A.V. and T.R. THE UPPER COUNTRY (τὰ ἀνωτερικὰ μέρη); the inland districts of Galatia and Phrygia, through which St. Paul journeyed on his way to Ephesus, as distinguished from the seacoast on which Ephesus stood. DISCIPLES. They were like Apollos, believers in the Lord Jesus through the preaching of John the Baptist. It looks as if they were companions of Apollos, and had come with him from Alexandria, perhaps for some purpose of trade or Commerce. ACTS 19:2 _And he said _for _he said, _A.V. and T.R.; _did ye receive _for _have ye received, _A.V.; _when _for _since, _A.V.

WHOM HE CALLED TOGETHER,.... That is, the craftsmen; "all his co-artificers", as the Syriac version reads, all the chief of the trade, the masters of it, as he himself was: WITH THE WORKMEN OF LIKE OCCUPATION; who were employed by him, and the rest of the masters in the several branches of the business; as founders, engravers, polishers, c. some might make the images, and others the temples, or shrines some do one part and some another, so that abundance of persons might be employed in this business: AND SAID, SIRS, YE KNOW THAT BY THIS CRAFT WE HAVE OUR WEALTH; the workmen not only had a comfortable and sufficient livelihood, but the masters of the trade grew rich: such a demand had they for their goods, and so profitable was this craft to them: this was a very strong and moving argument, to influence the masters and workmen; it so nearly touched them, and their worldly interest, than...

ACTS 19:22-26 In these verses various witnesses of the Western text incorporate a variety of picturesque details. After cro,non in ver. Acts 19:22 the Greek text of codex Bezae adds ovli,gon (“stayed in Asia for a _little_ while”) In ver. Acts 19:25 after :Andrej D and syrh with * add suntecni/tai (“fellow-craftsmen”), a word that does not appear elsewhere in the New Testament. In ver. Acts 19:26 after...

CHAPTER 19 _ 1. The second visit of Paul to Ephesus. The twelve disciples of John (Acts 19:1)._ 2. The Apostle's continued labors. The separation of the disciples. The Province Asia evangelized (Acts 19:8). 3. The Power of God and the Power of Satan (Acts 19:11). 4. Paul plans to go to Jerusalem and to visit Rome (Acts 19:21). 5. The opposition and riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:23). The disciples whom Paul found at Ephesus were disciples of John. The question the Apostle asked them has often been made the foundation of wrong teach

TUMULT AT EPHESUS. A change of religion (for the Way, _cf. Acts 9:2_) bears hardly on certain trades. In ch. 16 the Gospel interfered with the trade of soothsaying; here the art of the silversmith suffers. This opens a large chapter in the early history of Christianity (_cf._ Tertullian, _On the Public Games; The Soldier's Crown)._ Demetrius, to judge from his speech, is rather an employer than a craftsman. His business has been falling off, or he fears it may do so. The silver shrines would be used as mementoes of travel, but people would not purchase them if they ceased to believe in Artemis, and this was the evident outcome of Paul's teaching. The silversmiths and allied trades are therefore called together, and it is pointed out that not only the trade but the goddess herself must suffer if the preaching goes on. The audience fully agrees, works itself up, and vents its feelings in