Pastor's Sermon Notes: Hitting Them Where It Hurts - The Greatness of the False Goddess Diana of the Ephesians and the Almighty Dollar (Acts 19:21-41)

Hitting Them Where It Hurts:

The Greatness of the False Goddess Diana of the Ephesians and the Almighty Dollar

Acts 19:21-41

²¹ After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. ²² So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. ²³ And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. ²⁴ For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; ²⁵ Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. ²⁶ Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: ²⁷ So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. ²⁸ And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. ²⁹ And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. ³⁰ And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. ³¹ And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. ³² Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. ³³ And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. ³⁴ But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. ³⁵ And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? ³⁶ Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. ³⁷ For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. ³⁸ Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. ³⁹ But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. ⁴⁰ For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. ⁴¹ And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Introduction:

Opposition from unregenerate Jews concerning Moses’ Law and the Temple

Opposition from idolatrous Gentiles and greedy tradesmen

Use of Bible dictionaries, encyclopedias, and atlases

Outline:

I. The Purposes of Paul (19:21-22)

II. No Small Stir (19:23-28)

III. The Confused City (19:29-34)

IV. The Clerk’s Counsel (19:35-41)

Transition:  In this chapter of Acts we have seen the baptism of Christ and the Kingdom of God prevailing. Then the demoniac prevailed over the sons of Sceva, and lastly the Word of God prevailed. The question for us today is: what prevails in this last scene in the face of the uproar incited by the silversmiths at Ephesus?

I. The Purposes of Paul (19:21-22)

²¹ After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. ²² So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

1. Paul’s Proposed Itinerary (19:21)

2. Paul’s Advance Party (19:22a-b)

3. Paul’s Extended Stay (19:22c)

1. Paul’s Proposed Itinerary (19:21)

After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

1) From Asia to Macedonia and Achaia

2) From Macedonia and Achaia to Jerusalem

3) From Jerusalem to Rome

2. Paul’s Advance Party (19:22a-b)

So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus

1) Timothy

2) Erastus - Rom. 16:23; 2 Tim 4:20

3. Paul’s Extended Stay (19:22c)

but he himself stayed in Asia for a season

II. No Small Stir (19:23-28)

 ²³ And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. ²⁴ For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; ²⁵ Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. ²⁶ Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: ²⁷ So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. ²⁸ And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

1. The Summary Introduction (19:23)

2. The Crafty Agitator (19:24a-b)

3. The Real Issue (19:24c-25)

4. The Personal Focus (19:26)

5. The Inflammatory Threat (19:27)

6. The United Response (19:28)

1. The Summary Introduction (19:23)

And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

no small stir - compare no small gain (19:24)

that way

2. The Crafty Agitator (19:24a-b)

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith…

Demetrius the silversmith

3. The Real Issue (19:24c-25)

…which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; ²⁵ Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

silver shrines

consider Diana with verse 27

no small gain - compare no small stir (19:23)

craftsmen…the workmen of like occupation

our wealth - The real issue for them

4. The Personal Focus (19:26)

Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

1) Not just here - Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia

As if to say, “This is not just about us!”

Or, “This is bigger than just an Ephesian problem!”

2) This one man - this Paul

Paul is made to be the focus of their issue and attention.

3) What he has done - hath persuaded and turned away much people

The success of Paul’s ministry of the Word of the God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ had become a problem for their livelihood.

4) How he has done it - saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands

This Pauline assertion is at the center of the upheaval at Ephesus, and the truth or falsehood of this assertion is never called into question.

5. The Inflammatory Threat (19:27)

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

1) Danger for Diana’s union - our craft is in danger to be set at nought

Compare 19:40

2) Despite for Diana’s temple - the temple…despised

the great goddess Diana... whom all Asia and the world worshippeth

Artemis [1] - This is not a translation of the name, but a transliteration. Diana is the Latin form of the name, and is apparently adopted by the earlier English translations from the Latin versions.

“Artemis was the ancient Gk mother goddess believed to control fertility.” [2]

“Latin Diana, goddess of the moon, hence of fertility and sexual relations.” [3]

“Artemis, the Greek counterpart of the Roman Diana, was the mythological goddess of the moon and fertility.” [4]

3) Destruction for Diana’s reputation - her magnificence…destroyed

“Roman name for the mythological Greek goddess Artemis, daughter of Jupiter and Latona and the twin sister of Apollo. She renounced all idea of marriage, supposedly because she was appalled at the birth pains her mother had suffered in bearing her, and remained the unattainable virgin goddess. Although goddess of the moon, Diana was more often portrayed as the huntress with two dogs beside her….The temple of Diana at Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The impressive building was supported on 100 large columns.” [5]

“Artemis, Ephesus’ chief divinity; her temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.” [6]

“Artemis, that is to say the so called Tauric or Persian or Ephesian Artemis, the goddess of many Asiatic people, to be distinguished from the Artemis of the Greeks, the sister of Apollo. A very splendid temple was built to her at Ephesus, which was set on fire by Herostratus and reduced to ashes; but afterwards in the times of Alexander the Great, it was rebuilt in a style of greater magnificence.” [7]

6. The United Response (19:28)

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

Compare 19:34

One wonders concerning the fragility of her touted “greatness.” If she is so “great” how could “her magnificence” be “destroyed”?

III. The Confused City (19:29-34)

 ²⁹ And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. ³⁰ And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. ³¹ And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. ³² Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. ³³ And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. ³⁴ But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

1. The Infection of the Incitement (19:29a)

2. The Movement of the Mob (19:29b-e)

3. The Prevention of Paul (19:30-31)

4. The Mentality of the Multitude (19:32)

5. The Attempt by Alexander (19:33)

6. The Chant of the City (19:34)

1. The Infection of the Incitement (19:29a)

And the whole city was filled with confusion

Compare 19:32

2. The Movement of the Mob (19:29b-e)

and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

Gaius - Acts 20:4 (Derbe), Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14 (Corinth); 3 Jn. 1 (friend of John)

Aristrachus - Acts 20:4; 27:2; Col. 4:10; Phm. 24.

theatre - usually differs from the odeion (roofed, similar to modern concert halls), and the ampitheater or arena (free-standing, similar to older unroofed stadiums) like the Colosseum in Rome, and elsewhere. This theater the only one explicitly referred to in the New Testament, and may have had a seating capacity of 25,000. However Josephus mentions that the free-standing example at Caesarea built under Herod the Great was where the demise of Herod Agrippa I occurred (Antiquities of the Jews 19:8:2; Acts 12:20-23). [8]

3. The Prevention of Paul (19:30-31)

certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends

certain of the chief of Asia - Asiarchs - high ranking provincial political and religious officials

4. The Mentality of the Multitude (19:32)

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Compare 19:29

the assembly - 1st of 3 usages of this word in this chapter - Compare to churches (19:37), lawful assembly (19:39), concourse (19:40), and assembly (19:41)

KJV	Verse	Greek	NASB	ESV	HCSB	NIV
the assembly	19:32	ἡ ἐκκλησία	same	same	same	same
robbers of churches	19:37	ἱεροσύλους	robbers of temples	sacrilegious	temple robbers	robbed temples
a lawful assembly	19:39	τῇ ἐννόμῳ ἐκκλησίᾳ	the lawful assembly	the regular assembly	a legal assembly	a legal assembly
this concourse	19:40	τῆς συστροφῆς	this disorderly gathering	this commotion	this disorderly gathering	this commotion
the assembly	19:41	τὴν ἐκκλησίαν	same	same	same	same

Compare the other New Testament usages of ἐκκλησία in Mt. 16:18; 18:17 (2X); 20 other usages in Acts from 5:11-22:28; throughout the Pauline Epistles; Heb. 2:12; 12:23; Jas. 5:14; 3 Jn. 6, 9, 10; and Rev. 1-3.

Here, as elsewhere, there are some who would reduce the meaning of this word in the New Testament to the “lowest common denominator,” i.e., the root meaning. This is done by ignoring its development as a technical term in multiplied contexts, and insisting on leaving it at the root meaning found employed here in Acts 19 (verses 32, 39, and 41). Any specialized sense is lost when there is a refusal to translate it elsewhere as “church,” rather than “assembly.” Such an insistence flies in the face of the contextual evidence in every other usage in the New Testament outside of this chapter. Context determines meaning, and words often bear more than one meaning, as any study of lexicons and dictionaries will attest. A simplistic etymological approach to the study of this important theological term reduces the sense of “church” to a mere gathering undifferentiated in kind from what took place here at Ephesus. A refusal to recognize derived meanings in translation fails to acknowledge the sense this word bore for the inspired authors in its primary usage in the Scriptures. A careful study of all of the New Testament usages in their contexts will expose how exegetically untenable such a treatment is. We have only begun to define what is meant by this word when it is used for “the church” when we refer to it as “the assembly.” The serious student of the Word will endeavor to differentiate the usages for “the church” from any mere assembling of the general populace. The translation of the word as “church” outside of this chapter is the first step in rightly distinguishing the one from the other.

5. The Attempt by Alexander (19:33)

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

Alexander - Mk. 15:21; Acts 4:6; 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 4:14.

6. The Chant of the City (19:34)

But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

Compare 19:28

“Ephesian Headache #34”! Need Excedrin?

IV. The Clerk’s Counsel (19:35-41)

 ³⁵ And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? ³⁶ Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. ³⁷ For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. ³⁸ Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. ³⁹ But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. ⁴⁰ For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. ⁴¹ And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

1. The Control of the Unruly Mob (19:35a)

2. The Reminder of Unimpeachable Facts (19:35-36a)

3. The Counsel regarding Positive and Negative Behaviors (19:36b-c)

4. The Rejection of Both Counts (19:37)

5. The Mandate concerning Further Resolutions (19:38-39)

6. The Threat for Continued Upheaval (19:40)

7. The End of the Entire Episode (19:41)

1. The Control of the Unruly Mob (19:35a)

And when the townclerk had appeased the people

the townclerk - city clerk - hapaxlegomena

appeased the people

Compare 19:41

2. The Reminder of Unimpeachable Facts (19:35-36a)

he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? ³⁶ Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against

1) Everybody knows (19:35)

Jupiter - heaven (the sky - ESV)

textual issue - goddess - Cr omits; Byz/MT/TR includes - nothing in NA/UBS apparatus or Metzger’s Commentary

2) Nobody can deny (19:36a)

3. The Counsel regarding Positive and Negative Behaviors (19:36b-c)

ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

What is, and what ought to be!

1) be quiet

2) do nothing rashly

4. The Rejection of Both Counts (19:37)

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

1) The Two Men - For ye have brought hither these men

Compare 19:29 - Gaius and Aristrachus

2) The First Count - which are neither robbers of churches

churches - Compare to assembly (19:32), lawful assembly (19:39), concourse (19:40), and assembly (19:41)

3) The Second Count - nor yet blasphemers of your goddess

5. The Mandate concerning Further Resolutions (19:38-39)

³⁸ Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. ³⁹ But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

1) The Legal Recourse for the Craftsmen (19:38)

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

deputies - Acts 13:7-8, 12; 18:12 - proconsul - provincial ruler under Roman Senate

2) The Legal Alternative for “Other Matters” (19:39)

But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

lawful assembly - 2nd usage in this chapter - Compare to assembly (19:32), churches (19:37), concourse (19:40), and assembly (19:40)

6. The Threat for Continued Upheaval (19:40)

For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

danger - compare 19:27

uproar

concourse - Compare to assembly (19:32), churches (19:37), lawful assembly (19:39), and assembly (19:41)

7. The End of the Entire Episode (19:41)

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Compare 19:35a

asssembly - 3rd usage in this chapter - Compare to assembly (19:32), churches (19:37), lawful assembly (19:39), and concourse (19:40)

Conclusion:

At the beginning of the sermon I mentioned that in this chapter of Acts we have seen the baptism of Christ and the Kingdomof God prevailing. Then the demoniac prevailed over the sons of Sceva, and lastly the Word of God prevailed. Then I introduced the question for us today as: what prevails in this last scene in the face of the uproar incited by the silversmiths at Ephesus?

Should we conclude that “Common Sense” prevailed in this case?

Or, was it “Common Grace”?!?!

Might we not assume that “Cooler Heads” won the day?

Or, was it the “Crowned Head” ?!?!

Christ on the Throne!

Psalm 135

Complete outline:

I. The Purposes of Paul (19:21-22)

1. Paul’s Proposed Itinerary (19:21)

2. Paul’s Advance Party (19:22a-b)

3. Paul’s Extended Stay (19:22c)

II. No Small Stir (19:23-28)

1. The Summary Introduction (19:23)

2. The Crafty Agitator (19:24a-b)

3. The Real Issue (19:24c-25)

4. The Personal Focus (19:26)

5. The Inflammatory Threat (19:27)

6. The United Response (19:28)

III. The Confused City (19:29-34)

1. The Infection of the Incitement (19:29a)

2. The Movement of the Mob (19:29b-e)

3. The Prevention of Paul (19:30-31)

4. The Mentality of the Multitude (19:32)

5. The Attempt by Alexander (19:33)

6. The Chant of the City (19:34)

IV. The Clerk’s Counsel (19:35-41)

1. The Control of the Unruly Mob (19:35a)

2. The Reminder of Unimpeachable Facts (19:35-36a)

3. The Counsel regarding Positive and Negative Behaviors (19:36b-c)

4. The Rejection of Both Counts (19:37)

5. The Mandate concerning Further Resolutions (19:38-39)

6. The Threat for Continued Upheaval (19:40)

7. The End of the Entire Episode (19:41)

[Sermon preached 30 NOV 2014 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Resources on Acts:

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.

Paul Barnett, The Birth of Christianity: The First Twenty Years, After Jesus, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005).

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007).

                                                  

F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).

Dennis E. Johnson, The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1997).

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).

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W. C. van Unnik, “The ‘Book of Acts’ the Confirmation of the Gospel,” in Novum Testamentum 4:1 (OCT 1960), pp. 26-59; reprinted in The Composition of Luke’s Gospel: Selected Studies from Novum Testamentum, compiled by David E. Orton, Vol. 1 of Brill’s Readers in Biblical Studies (Leiden: Brill, 1999), pp. 184-218.

William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010).

Resources on Paul:

Kenneth E. Bailey, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians  (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011).

F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977).

D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), pp. 496-501.

W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson, The Life, Times and Travels of St. Paul, 2 vols. in 1, unabridged American ed. (New York: E. B. Treat U Co., 1869); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=Bn1CAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

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Richard N. Longenecker, The Ministry And Message Of Paul (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971).

Richard N. Longenecker, Paul, Apostle Of Liberty (New York: Harper & Row, 1964).

Richard N. Longenecker, ed., The Road From Damascus : The Impact Of Paul's Conversion On His Life, Thought, And Ministry (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).

Richard N. Longenecker, Studies In Paul, Exegetical And Theological (Sheffield : Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2004).

J. Gresham Machen, The Origin of Paul's Religion: The James Sprunt Lectures Delivered at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1925).

Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1955).

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W. M. Ramsay, The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influence on his Life and Thought (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son; London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1908); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=JryEbmKool0C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, Pauline and Other Studies in Early Christian History (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1906); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=-1ZJAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, 10th ed. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1907); on Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/ramsay/paul_roman.html [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, The Teaching of Paul in terms of The Present Day: The Deems Lectures in New York University (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914); on Internet Archive at http://ia600404.us.archive.org/2/items/teachingofpaulin00rams/teachingofpaulin00rams.pdf [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

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Udo Schnelle, Apostle Paul: His Life and Theology, trans. M. Eugene Boring (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003; trans. from Paulus: Leben und Denken, Berlin: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co., n.d.).

Thomas R. Schreiner, Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2001).

James Stalker, The Life of St. Paul, (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1885; rev. ed. 2010 by Kessinger Publishing from 1912 ed.); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=vT0HAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 7 FEB 2013].

James Ironside Still, St. Paul on Trial (London: Student Christian Movement, 1923).

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End Notes:

[1] This is the form of the name included in modern translations almost without exception since 1929 including the NASB, ESV, HCSB, NIV,  NLT, RSV, and the NRSV. The American Standard Version  followed the Revised Version (1881), by including “Diana” in the text with the following note, “Gr. Artemis.” (New York: Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1901, 1929), pg. 146. John Nelson Darby anticipated the modern consensus by placing “Artemis” in the text with the note, “Lat. Diana.’ The Holy Scriptures, A New Translation From The Original Languages, 3rd ed., rev. (Lancing, Sussex, UK: Kingston Bible Trust, n.d.; 1973 reprint of the 1939 Stow Hill Bible and Tract Depot ed. from the 1884 original by G. Moorish, London, 1890), pg. 1332. One noteworthy modern exception which retains the KJV rendering without annotation is The New English Bible, 2nd ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1961, 1970), pg. 175. The New Living Translation includes the following note: “Artemis is otherwise known as Diana.” (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1997), pg. 628, s.v. note on Acts 19:24. Other examples of modern translations with Artemis in the text: William F. Beck, in The Four Translation New Testament (World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, 1966; from The New Testament in the Language of Today, rev., St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1963), pg. 386; George M. Lamsa, The Holy Bible From Ancient Eastern Manuscripts, Containing the Old and New Testaments Translated from the Peshitta, The Authorized Bible of the Church of the East (Nashville: A. J. Holman Co., 1968), pg. 1108; James Moffatt, The New Testament, A New Translation, rev. ed. (New York: Doubleday, Doran & Co., 1922), pg. 208; and James Moffatt, A New Translation Of The Bible Containing The Old And New Testaments, rev. ed. (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1922, 1924, 1926, 1935), pg. 173;  J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English, Student Edition, rev. ed. (New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1955, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1972), pg. 282; Gerrit Verkuyl, The Berkeley Version of the New Testament In Modern English (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1945, 1958), pg. 145; Gerrit Verkuyl, ed.-in-chief, The Modern Language Bible, The Berkeley Version, rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1945, 1958, 1969), pg. 149; and Charles Williams, in The Four Translation New Testament (World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, 1966; from The New Testament in the Language of the People (Chicago: Moody Press, 1963), pg. 386.

[2] The Holman Student Bible (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007), pg. 1478, note b, s.v. Acts 19:24.

[3] Gerrit Verkuyl, The Berkeley Version of the New Testament In Modern English (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1945, 1958), pg. 145, note v, s.v. Acts 19:24.

[4] Gerrit Verkuyl, ed.-in-chief, The Modern Language Bible, The Berkeley Version, rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1945, 1958, 1969), pg. 149, note t, s.v. Acts 19:24.

[5] Emphasis mine. W. A. Elwell, gen. ed., Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1988), pp. 622-623.

[6] The Oxford Annotated Bible, The Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version Containing The Old And New Testaments, eds. Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger (New York: Oxford University Press, 1962), pg. 1345, s.v. note on Acts 19:27.

[7] Emphasis mine. Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. On Herostratus see Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herostratus [accessed 29 NOV 2014].

[8] See Elwell, op. cit., pp. 2047–2048.