Now before we look at Demetrius’ fourfold complaint against Christianity a little back ground will help:
•Demetrius was a silversmith who appears to have been the head of a guild there in Ephesus. Their chief product was associated with the temple of Diana, which Luke tells us that they made “no small profit” from the sale of little silver idols in the shape the multi-breasted god.
•The temple: Was one of around 33 shrines around the Roman empire to this god making her by far the most popular. The temple to her in Ephesus was one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. It was located 1 ½ miles from the city and measured 400’ by 200’, it was supported by 127 marble pillars each standing 60’.
•Diana or Artemis (to the Greeks): Was the protector of the female youth and assistant in conception and child birth. She was considered a mother and guardian of girl’s coming of age.
So here then is Demetrius’ fourfold complaint against Christianity:
1. Vs. 25 Prosperity,“Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade”: The gospel Paul preached threatened the economic livelihood of the temple idol trade. Especially important as it was nearing the time when all of Ephesus would become packed with travelers for Diana’s worship. Christianity was threatening the money being made upon enslaving people to passions and ignorance.
2. Vs. 27 Popularity,“this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute”: Their popularity and the dependence people had upon them was falling away.
3. Vs. 27 Power, “also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed”: The hold that the goddess Diana had upon people was slipping through out Asia. The worship of Jesus was causing people to disregard superstitions.
4. Vs. 27 Patriotism, “whom all Asia and the world worship”: Ephesus itself with the its popularity being rested solely upon the temple, since her harbor was no longer usable because it was filled with silt, was in danger. So to not take a stand for Diana was unpatriotic.
Folk’s do you realize that this is the same accusations made against Christianity today? Oh how I pray that such complaints against our faith will continue to be leveled by the world!