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 {G3739} he called together {G4867} with the workmen {G2040} of {G4012} like occupation {G5108}, and {G2532} said {G2036}, Sirs {G435}, ye know {G1987} that {G3754} by {G1537} this {G5026} craft {G2039} we have {G2076} our {G2257} wealth {G2142}.

He called a meeting of them and of those engaged in similar trades, and said, “Men, you understand that this line of business provides us our living.

Demetrius assembled the craftsmen, along with the workmen in related trades. “Men,” he said, “you know that this business is our source of prosperity.

whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth.

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Paul's ministry in Ephesus, a significant city known for its devotion to the goddess Artemis (Diana) and the grand Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Paul's powerful preaching of the Gospel, emphasizing that "gods made with hands are no gods" (Acts 19:26), had a profound impact, leading many to abandon idolatry. Demetrius, a prominent silversmith who manufactured silver shrines for Artemis, saw his lucrative business severely threatened by the spread of Christianity. This verse depicts him convening his fellow craftsmen, articulating the economic danger Paul's message posed to their livelihood, setting the stage for the dramatic riot that follows in Acts 19:28-29.

Key Themes

  • Economic Self-Interest vs. Spiritual Truth: Demetrius's speech clearly reveals that the primary motivation for the craftsmen's opposition was not theological conviction but the direct threat to their financial prosperity. This highlights how material gain can blind individuals to spiritual realities and lead to resistance against truth.
  • Conflict Between the Gospel and Idolatry: The spread of the Gospel directly challenged the deeply entrenched pagan worship and the profitable industries built around it. This verse illustrates the inherent conflict between the worship of the one true God and the veneration of idols, a recurring theme in the Bible (1 Corinthians 10:14).
  • Resistance to Change: The craftsmen's outcry demonstrates a common human tendency to resist anything that threatens an established way of life, comfort, or source of income, even if it is for a greater spiritual good.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "craft" here is the Greek technē (τέχνη), which refers to a skill, art, or trade. This emphasizes that their idol-making was a well-organized and profitable industry, not just a casual activity. The term "wealth" comes from euporia (εὐπορία), meaning prosperity, abundance, or good income, underscoring the significant financial motivation behind their actions. This clearly shows that their opposition stemmed from a concern for their material well-being rather than a genuine defense of their goddess.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the advancement of God's kingdom can often disrupt established norms, economic systems, or personal comfort zones. It challenges believers to examine their own motives: are we willing to prioritize spiritual truth and God's will even when it means sacrificing personal gain or facing societal opposition? It also illustrates how deeply entrenched economic interests can become a formidable barrier to the acceptance of truth, a dynamic still observable in various forms in the world today. The call of the Gospel often requires a re-evaluation of what we truly value and serve, echoing the principle that one cannot serve both God and money.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hosea 12:7

    ¶ [He is] a merchant, the balances of deceit [are] in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

  • Hosea 12:8

    And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: [in] all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that [were] sin.

  • Acts 16:19

    And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew [them] into the marketplace unto the rulers,

  • 2 Peter 2:3

    ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

  • Hosea 4:8

    They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.

  • Revelation 18:11

    And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

  • Revelation 18:19

    And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

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