Acts 19:21–41: Godliness with Contentment

Introduction

Paul spent two years laboring in Ephesus, during which time “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). Not only did the residents of Asia hear the word of the Lord, but the word of the Lord was making progress in transforming the lives of the people in that area, leading the pagans even to confess their magic practices and to burn their magic books (Acts 19:18–19). Luke summarized the progress of the gospel in this area in Acts 19:20: “So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.” Before leaving the area, however, Paul encountered a great disturbance that results from his preaching. In this section, we see that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6).

Discussion Questions

1. Why must Paul leave Ephesus, if he has been engaged in so much fruitful ministry there (v. 21a)? What is significant about Luke’s narration of Paul’s determination to go to Jerusalem (v. 21b)? What will ultimately bring Paul to Rome, and what will happen to him there (v. 21c)? How does Paul’s self-sacrifice set a proper background to understand what we will see in the next sections? How do Paul’s “helpers” follow in Paul’s example (v. 22)?

2. What do we know about Demetrius (v. 24)? Why did pagan idolaters think that idolatry was a valuable thing? How much of an emphasis is there on the threat to the profitability of the silver and idol-making trade in Ephesus because of “the Way”? How much of an emphasis is there on the pagan pride of Ephesus? Why did Demetrius’s speech have such a powerful effect on the tradesmen of Ephesus?

3. How does Luke characterize the reaction of the people to Demetrius’s speech? What do they chant about Artemis? What do they do to anyone associated with Paul? How clear are they about the reason that they are rioting? What does the town clerk ultimately say to settle them down? What does the town clerk get right? What does the town clerk get wrong? What are we to take away from this section for our own lives?

4. Why do the powerless turn to pagan worship? How does God encourage us to turn to him when we feel powerless? What is the difference between seeking the blessings of Artemis and seeking the blessings of the living God? In what areas do pride and greed keep you from trusting the Lord with your powerlessness? How might you turn your eyes upon Jesus in faith as you go through your own seasons of difficulty?