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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Acts 19:26 - 19:26
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
At Ephesus (Ephesou). Genitive of place as also with Asias (Asia). Cf. Robertson, Grammar, pp. 494f.
This Paul (ho Paulos houtos). Contemptuous use of houtos.
Hath turned away (metestēsen). Changed, transposed. First aorist active indicative, did change. Tribute to Paul’s powers as a preacher borne out by Luke’s record in Act 19:10. There may be an element of exaggeration on the part of Demetrius to incite the workmen to action, for the worship of Artemis was their wealth. Paul had cut the nerve of their business. There had long been a Jewish colony in Ephesus, but their protest against idolatry was as nothing compared with Paul’s preaching (Furneaux).
Which are made with hands (hoi dia cheirōn ginomenoi). Note the present tense, made from time to time. No doubt Paul had put the point sharply as in Athens (Act 17:29). Isaiah (Isa 44:9-17) had pictured graphically the absurdity of worshipping stocks and stones, flatly forbidden by the Old Testament (Exo 20:4; Psa 135:15-18). The people identified their gods with the images of them and Demetrius reflects that point of view. He was jealous of the brand of gods turned out by his factory. The artisans would stand by him on this point. It was a reflection on their work.