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.
ACTS 19:27KJVWhat does Acts 19:27 mean?
Acts 19:27 describes the concern of a man named Demetrius that the spread of Christianity is threatening both his trade and the reputation of the goddess Diana (Artemis), whose temple was famous throughout Asia and the world. Demetrius warns that their livelihood and the honor of their goddess are both in danger because so many people are turning away from idol worship.
In this scene, Demetrius, a silversmith in Ephesus, is speaking to fellow craftsmen who make silver shrines of Diana. He points out that Paul's message about the one true God is not only hurting their business but could also lead to the temple of Diana being disrespected and her fame diminished. This verse shows the tension between the new Christian faith and the established religious and economic systems of the time.
The Greek behind Acts 19:27
- "Craft" (μέρος, meros): This word can mean "business" or "trade," highlighting that Demetrius is worried about their actual source of income, not just religious ideas.
- "Set at nought" (εἰς οὐδέν ἔρχεσθαι, eis ouden erchesthai): This phrase means "to be brought to nothing" or "to become worthless," showing the depth of the threat Demetrius feels to their livelihood.
- "Despised" (εἰς οὐδὲν λογισθῆναι, eis ouden logisthēnai): The Greek here carries the sense of being "counted as nothing" or "regarded as insignificant," emphasizing how serious it would be for the temple and goddess to lose their status.
- "Worshippeth" (σέβεται, sebetai): This word means "to revere" or "to worship," underlining that Diana was not just a local deity but honored by people across Asia and the wider world.
Why Acts 19:27 matters
- This verse clarifies that the opposition to Paul and the early Christians was not only religious but also economic, as people’s livelihoods were tied to idol worship.
- Acts 19:27 highlights how deeply the worship of Diana was woven into the identity and pride of Ephesus and the surrounding region, making the Christian message especially disruptive.
- The verse helps explain the intense reaction and later riot in Ephesus, showing that the spread of Christianity challenged both personal interests and cultural traditions.