### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **Ephésios**, represented by `{{G2180}}`, is used to denote **an Ephesian or inhabitant of Ephesus**. It appears **7 times** across **6 unique verses**, primarily identifying individuals or groups associated with the prominent city of Ephesus. The term is used to describe both the general populace and specific individuals within the New Testament narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{G2180}}` is most prominent in the book of Acts during a riot stirred by the apostle Paul's ministry. The crowd, full of wrath, cried out, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" ([[Acts 19:28]], [[Acts 19:34]]). A city official, the townclerk, quieted the mob by affirming the city's identity as "a worshipper of the great goddess Diana" [[Acts 19:35]]. The term is also used to identify a specific Christian companion of Paul, "Trophimus an Ephesian" [[Acts 21:29]], whose presence with Paul near the temple caused a great uproar. Additionally, the word is used in the subscriptions of letters to identify the Christian community, as in the epistle to the "Ephesians" [[Ephesians 6:24]] and the church where Timothy was the first bishop [[2 Timothy 4:22]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the context in which an `{{G2180}}` **Ephesian** is mentioned:
* `{{G735}}` **Ártemis** (Diana): This refers to the **Grecian goddess** whose worship was central to the city's identity. The crowd's defense of Diana shows the cultural and religious backdrop of the Ephesians [[Acts 19:28]].
* `{{G1122}}` **grammateús** (town-clerk): This **writer** or **secretary** was a key civil authority figure in Ephesus who had to appease the people and manage the uproar related to Paul's preaching [[Acts 19:35]].
* `{{G1985}}` **epískopos** (bishop, overseer): This title for a **Christian officer** is directly linked to the church of the Ephesians, with Timothy noted as its first bishop, highlighting the establishment of Christian leadership in the city [[2 Timothy 4:22]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G2180}}` comes from the stark contrast between the two primary identities it describes:
* **Pagan Devotion:** The Ephesians are characterized by their zealous, collective worship of the goddess Diana `{{G735}}`. Their city is known as a "worshipper" `{{G3511}}` of an idol said to be "sky-fallen" `{{G1356}}`, and challenges to this belief are met with unified "wrath" `{{G2372}}` ([[Acts 19:28]], [[Acts 19:35]]).
* **Christian Community:** The same term identifies the recipients of a major apostolic letter and a foundational early church. This community is defined not by a goddess, but by their love for the "Lord Jesus Christ" `{{G2962}}``{{G5547}}` and the "grace" `{{G5485}}` they receive in "sincerity" `{{G861}}` [[Ephesians 6:24]].
* **Shifting Identity:** The term encapsulates the spiritual battleground of Ephesus, a city moving from a world-renowned center of paganism to a location for a pivotal Christian "church" `{{G1577}}` with appointed leadership like bishops `{{G1985}}` [[2 Timothy 4:22]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G2180}}` **Ephésios** serves as more than a simple geographic identifier. It captures a dramatic transition, defining a people first by their fervent devotion to the pagan goddess Diana and later as a significant center for the early Christian church. The word highlights the tension between established pagan culture and the transformative power of the gospel in establishing a new identity for the people of Ephesus.
TRV