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Sketches from the Life of Paul
and himself continued his public instructions in the school of one
Tyrannus, a teacher of some note.
Paul saw that “a great door and effectual” was open before him,
though there were “many adversaries.” Ephesus was not only the most
magnificent, but the most corrupt, of the cities of Asia. Superstition
and sensual pleasure held sway over her teeming population. Under
the shadow of her idol temples, criminals of every grade found shelter,
and the most degrading vices flourished.
The city was famed for the worship of the goddess Diana and
the practice of magic. Here was the great temple of Diana, which
was regarded by the ancients as one of the wonders of the world. Its
vast extent and surpassing magnificence made it the pride, not only
of the city, but of the nation. Kings and princes had enriched it by
their donations. The Ephesians vied with one another in adding to its
splendor, and it was made the treasure-house for a large share of the
wealth of Western Asia.
The idol enshrined in this sumptuous edifice was a rude, uncouth
image, declared by tradition to have fallen from the sky. Upon it
were inscribed mystic characters and symbols, which were believed to
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possess great power. When pronounced, they were said to accomplish
wonders. When written, they were treasured as a potent charm to
guard their possessor from robbers, from disease, and even from death.
Numerous and costly books were written by the Ephesians to explain
the meaning and use of these symbols.
As Paul was brought in direct contact with the idolatrous inhabi-
tants of Ephesus, the power of God was strikingly displayed through
him. The apostles were not always able to work miracles at will. The
Lord granted his servants this special power as the progress of his cause
or the honor of his name required. Like Moses and Aaron at the court
of Pharaoh, the apostle had now to maintain the truth against the lying
wonders of the magicians; hence the miracles he wrought were of a
different character from those which he had heretofore performed. As
the hem of Christ’s garment had communicated healing power to her
who sought relief by the touch of faith, so on this occasion, garments
were made the means of cure to all that believed; “diseases departed
from them, and evil spirits went out of them.” Yet these miracles gave
no encouragement to blind superstition. When Jesus felt the touch of
the suffering woman, he exclaimed, “Virtue is gone out of me.” So the