Ephesus

EPHESUS, a very celebrated city of Ionia in Asia minor. It was principally esteemed by the Heathens for the famous Temple of Diana, which drew an infinite resort of strangers thither. It was one of the seven wonders of the world; the length of it was four hundred and twenty five feet, and the breadth of it two hundred and twenty. There were an hundred and twenty seven pillars in it, made by so many Kings. All the Provinces of Asia contributed to the building, and two hundred years were employed in raising it.

The first time of St. Paul’s coming to Ephesus, was in the year of Jesus Christ Acts xviii. 19, 22.54; but he abode there but few days, and went to Jerusalem. He promised the Jews of Ephesus, who invited him to stay some time there, that one day or other he would return thither: and accordingly he did so some months after, and continued there three years, till the year 57, when he was obliged to leave the city upon a sedition, which was raised there by Demetrius the Acts xix. 24.Silver-smith, whose trade consisted chiefly in making little silver Temples, or representations of Diana of Ephesus. From thence St. Paul wrote his first Epistle to the Corinthians.

Acts xix. 14, & seq.The Ephesians were very much addicted to curious arts, to magick, sorcery, and judicial astrology. The Ephesian letters, or characters, Ephesia grammata, grew to be a proverbial expression for magick characters. Certain Jews, who took upon them to exorcise persons possessed with the Devil, for which they were to have money, having one day performed this office upon a man in this condition, in the name of Jesus Christ, whom St. Paul preached; the possessed person threw himself upon them, used them ill, drove them away, and left them stark naked, saying to them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you? This accident frightened all the inhabitants of Ephesus, both Jews and Gentiles: And several persons, who were addicted to curious arts, burnt publickly their books relating to such subjects, the value whereof amounted to a very considerable sum.

The Apostle in the last journey which Ephes. vi. 20, 21, 22. iii. iv. 1.he made to Rome, took Ephesus again in his way, in the year of Jesus Christ 65. While he was a prisoner at Rome, he wrote a very moving and pathetick letter to them, which at the same time was likewise very elevated and sublime. He died the next year, of Jesus Christ 66.

Aquila and Priscilla, with whom St. Acts xviii. 2, 3, 18.Paul had lodged at Corinth, came from thence with him to Ephesus, and made some stay there. Apollos likewise, a Jew of Alexandria, came thither and preached Ib. 24, 25.there. We know that the Apostle St. John passed a great part of his life there, and at last died there. The Blessed Virgin died also and was buried there, according to the Fathers of the Council of Ephesus, who take notice, that her tomb was to be seen Concil. l. 3. pag. 574. & p. 1525. Photius. Cod. 275. p. 561.there, and that the Cathedral of the same city was dedicated by her name. Lastly, we are assured, that Mary Magdalene coming to this city, died there in peace.

Timothy, St. Paul’s Disciple, was made first Bishop of Ephesus by the Apostle, who laid his hands upon him¹; which however did not hinder St. John the Evangelist from residing in the same city, performing the functions of an Apostle there, and having the inspection of the whole Province. If it is true that Timothy did not die till the year 97, in the Reign of Nerva, and Proconsulship of Peregrinus, St. John being still in the Isle of Pathmos; it can scarce be denied, but that the Angel of Ephesus, Rev. ii. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.whom St. John wrote to, was Timothy. He commends him highly, but reproaches him with one thing particularly, viz. that he had left his first love. He adds, remember therefore the state from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. See hereafter the article TIMOTHY. This Saint suffered martyrdom at Ephesus, and was buried upon a mountain near the city. He was succeeded by Onesimus.

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