By Rex Morgan
The ruins of ancient Ephesus stand as a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of a once-thriving city. Located in present-day Turkey, Ephesus was one of the most important cities in the ancient world, serving as a bustling centre of trade, culture, and religion.
At its peak during the Roman period, Ephesus was renowned for its grandeur and architectural marvels. The city boasted impressive structures such as the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), and the Great Theatre.
Today, visitors to Ephesus can explore the sprawling ruins that offer glimpses into its glorious past. Walking through the marble streets, sightseers can marvel at the intricacies of the architecture and envision the bustling everyday activity in the ancient metropolis.
I recently had the opportunity to visit these fascinating ruins with a group of other tourists. As our guide described the history of the broken walls and pillars we were viewing she made a number of references to the biblical Apostle Paul. The New Testament book, “Acts of the Apostles”, relates that Paul lived in first century Ephesus for more than two years.
Our tour guide wasn't a Christian, but the story of Paul is such a significant milestone in the history of Ephesus that it is referred to in most of the tourist brochures describing the Ephesus excavations.
Did Paul really exist?
But was there really an historical figure named Paul? Some sceptics question his existence. However, a visit to Ephesus makes the words Paul wrote in the Bible come alive, so much so that our tour guide was moved to read aloud a passage from the New Testament at one of the sites where the early Christian leader may well have penned it.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”[i]
It is widely believed that Paul wrote these memorable words while he was staying in Ephesus. This striking passage, often quoted at weddings and similar occasions, has inspired and motivated countless people over the years to achieve deeper harmony in their relationships with others.
The archaeological discoveries at Ephesus and other ancient cities have unearthed artefacts, inscriptions and edifices that align with the wording of the New Testament. For instance, inscriptions referencing local officials mentioned by Paul lend credence to the accuracy of his accounts.[ii]
The discovery of ancient manuscripts containing portions of Paul's letters attests to their widespread circulation in the early Christian communities. Also, many late first and early second century writers, including Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp, made mention of Paul, within a generation of his death.
Paul's writings are deeply embedded in the socio-political and cultural milieu of the first-century Roman Empire. His New Testament letters address specific issues facing the early Christian communities, such as conflicts over doctrine, ethical challenges, and interactions with Roman authorities and Jewish leaders. Paul’s descriptions of these contexts are consistent with first-hand knowledge and experience of the period.
The Temple of Artemis
The most famous building in ancient Ephesus was the monumental temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis, known to the Romans as Diana, the patroness of the city of Ephesus. The temple, built around 550 BC, was standing when Paul resided in Ephesus, although it was destroyed by the invasion of the Goths in 262 AD. Over time, the remains of the temple were scavenged for building materials, and today only a few scattered fragments remain at the original site. Some of the temple's artefacts and sculptures can be found in museums around the world, including the British Museum in London.
The book of Acts refers to the temple of Artemis and records a confrontation between Paul and the followers of the goddess. It relates that a silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver images of Artemis, incited his fellow craftsmen to riot, claiming that they were losing their income because Paul was convincing people not to worship Artemis. The riot grew into an uproar that spilled through the streets and into the great theatre. The crowd, repeatedly chanting “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” were finally quieted by the city clerk, who suggested that Demetrius and the tradesmen settle the matter by taking Paul to the courts of the time.[iii] The ruins of the amphitheatre where this occurred, capable of seating 25,000 people, are well preserved to this day.
Reliability of the Bible
A 2017 article in The Bible Archaeology Report outlined numerous findings from the Ephesus excavations that support the reliability of scripture. “Time and again, the specific places in Ephesus described in the Bible have been unearthed and/or confirmed through extra-biblical inscriptions. The evidence shows that the biblical record is historically accurate in its description of the geography of the ancient city of Ephesus.”[iv]
One example cited in the article is that “In 1984, a monument was discovered that testified to the prominence of the silversmiths in Ephesus. The inscription declared that it had been paid for by the silversmiths and described the city as the ‘greatest metropolis of Asia, [and] the thrice-honoured temple guardian of the venerable Ephesians.’ The inscription uses the same Greek word, neokoros, as the Bible does to describe Ephesus as the “guardian” of the temple of Artemis.”[v]
As a tourist myself, it was interesting to reflect that a big part of the silversmiths’ trade was making idols not only for locals, but for tourists and pilgrims of the time. Not much has changed in 2000 years. Travellers still buy silver figurines of Artemis!
The most imposing building still standing amongst the ruins of Ephesus is the magnificent Library of Celsus, dedicated to a second century philosopher who was a vehement opponent of Christianity. Celsus’ book “The True Word”, written around 170 AD, is the earliest known comprehensive criticism of Christianity. The fact that there is a refutation of Christianity dating from this time is, of course, evidence that Christianity was in existence.
The statues at the library entrance are named Sophia (wisdom), Arete (virtue), Episteme (knowledge) and Ennoia (understanding), words which appear in the writings of Paul.
Paul’s Missionary Journeys
Further evidence of the historicity of Paul can be seen in the fact that Christian churches were established in various urban centres across the Roman Empire. The New Testament gives details of four missionary journeys made by Paul. These laid the foundation for the spread of Christianity beyond its Jewish roots into widespread parts of Europe.
The 2001 book “Evidence and St Paul’s Journeys”[vi] is an historical investigation into the travels of the apostle Paul, by Jefferson White. It analyses, among other studies, the distances that Paul travelled on land and on sea, and how long it took to cover those distances, according to the scriptures and to ancient and modern testimony. The author concludes that Paul’s shipwreck (described in Acts 27) is “dramatically confirmed in detail by meteorological and nautical evidence”. White points to “two unusual geological conditions in St Paul’s Bay, both of which are necessary for the event Luke describes”.
St Paul’s Bay, St Paul’s Island, and St Paul’s Grotto are all extant places in Malta, named for the apostle’s shipwreck and subsequent stay on the Island in around 60 AD. In addition, situated on Bulbul Mountain, near ancient Ephesus, is a “Cave of Paul” which contains a fresco of the Apostle Paul dating from the 5th century AD.
The enduring legacy of Paul's teachings and missionary endeavours underscores his historical significance. His theological writings, expounding concepts such as justification by faith, the body of Christ, and the role of grace, have been studied by scholars for centuries and continue to shape modern Christian doctrine and practice.
As I strolled through the ruins of Ephesus I recalled some of Paul’s words to the church he established during his two years in the city. This powerful passage describes the beating heart of Christianity and is still of inspiration to countless readers today: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”[vii]
Despite centuries of decay and natural disasters, the ruins of Ephesus continue to captivate the thousands of sightseers who flock to this site every week. Each stone tells a story of a bygone era, reminding us of the lasting legacy of this once-great city. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ephesus remains a treasure trove of history, drawing visitors from around the globe to experience its timeless beauty and unravel the mysteries of the past.
The travels of the Apostle Paul have a valuable part to play on this historical stage. From contemporary accounts and archaeological findings to the environment of the first-century Roman Empire, multiple lines of evidence converge to affirm Paul's reality as a historical figure. While debates may persist around specific details of his life and teachings, the overwhelming consensus among scholars is that Paul was indeed a pivotal figure in the early Christian movement, whose influence continues to reverberate through history.
References
[1] 1 Corinthians 13:1, 4-8, 13. It is widely believed that Paul wrote the book of 1 Corinthians during his stay in Ephesus.
[2] For example, a number of these are listed in https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2021/05/14/top-ten-discoveries-related-to-paul/, and others in the Society of Biblical Literature’s publication Bible Odyssey, at https://bibleodyssey.com/articles/erastus-gallio-and-paul/
[3] Acts 19:24-41. Pliny records (5: 31) that Ephesus was an assize-town in which regular court days were held, just as the Bible describes.
[5] Op cit. Also see http://www.christianpost.com/news/archaeological-evidence-supports-acts-19-opinion-167027/#RH6DS1c4PjWHCwui.99. For further details on evidence from Ephesus for the reliability of the New Testament, see Ephesus” in McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia: http://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/E/ephesus.html.
[6] 2001, Parsagard Press
[7] Ephesians 2:4-8
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