We live in an age where people are sharply divided.
There was a time without 24-hour cable news or social media. Neighbors were neighborly. Most of us grew up minding our own business. But in an age of constant content and algorithmic feeds, many of us spend a lot of time consuming what others think. And the algorithms recognize our biases and grievances. They are built to display content that keeps us scrolling, and it divides us further and further.
We have become a culture raised in combat. From cable news to social media, and sadly, even in the church. All you see is arguing. About politics, public health, immigration, doctrine, and the very nature of truth itself.
So if the mission is to make disciples, how do we do that with so much division? How do we share our faith with a hostile world that argues everything?
Paul faced this exact question in Ephesus. Acts 19 gives three scenes of commotion, and each one teaches something about how to carry ourselves in the midst of unrest.
Our Words Can Be Received When We’re Gracious, Not Quarrelsome
Ephesus was the second biggest city in the Roman Empire. In size, it was to Rome what LA is to NYC. Located on the western shores of Turkey, Ephesus was a port city and a hub of commerce in the ancient world. Within the city was the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Timothy was later assigned to lead the church there. Three of Paul’s epistles were written to this city and its leader: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Ephesians.
And there was something notable about this city’s culture. It was full of commotion.
During his first three months in Ephesus, Paul spoke with Jews in the synagogue. He reasoned boldly and persuasively about the kingdom of God. But a commotion rose. Some in the synagogue refused to believe. And instead, they spoke evil of the Way to those who gathered.
This was the debate club. They came ready to quarrel.
But did Paul quarrel? No. Instead, he withdrew. He took the disciples from the synagogue and reasoned daily in the hall of Tyrannus for two years. And verse 10 says the result: “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”
Paul gave Timothy the reason why in his second letter.
In 2 Timothy 2:14-17: “Charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.”
And a few verses later, 2 Timothy 2:23-25: “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.”
Colossians 4:5-6 adds: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Proverbs 16:21 says: “The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.”
Paul said quarreling does no good. In fact, he said it only ruins the hearers. So Paul withdrew from the synagogue rather than quarrel, taught somewhere else, and all of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
Want to change the world? Put the picket signs and poster boards away. Engage in the gentle and patient effort of persuasion.
Discussion
- When is it wise to withdraw from a heated argument rather than keep pushing your point?
- What does “speech seasoned with salt” look like in your everyday conversations?
Key Takeaways
- Quarreling does no good. It only ruins the hearers. Paul chose to teach in a different setting rather than engage in an unproductive fight. The result was that all of Asia heard the word.
- Sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Gentleness, patience, and grace are more effective than volume, anger, or winning the debate.
Our Impact Can Be Extraordinary When We Are Real, Not Fake
God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul. Diseases left. Evil spirits came out. Paul was the real deal.
But Jewish exorcists wanted the same power. So they began invoking the name of Jesus “whom Paul proclaims.” They didn’t have faith. They didn’t care about those who were afflicted. They weren’t motivated by love. They just wanted supernatural power.
And how did the demons respond? Verse 15: “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
Then these imposters got overpowered, mastered, and chased away, naked and wounded.
Just a touch of authenticity from Paul had extraordinary power. But invoking Jesus’ name without having truly experienced Him can backfire.
Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:5: “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
Sincere faith is not based on myths, speculations, or esoteric fallacies. Sincere faith makes love the aim. And most people know it when they see it.
Paul was real. His faith was real. His relationship with Jesus was real. And his love for others was real.
Verse 17 says it became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Verse 20: “So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”
Just a touch of authentic faith and love can do extraordinary things. To make disciples in a combat culture, you’ve got to be real. Real with others, and real in your relationship with Jesus. Seek Him. Spend time with Him. And you will see Him work through you.
Discussion
- What does authentic faith look like in everyday life, compared to faith that’s just for show?
- Where have you seen someone’s genuineness make a bigger impact than their words?
Key Takeaways
- Authenticity carries power. Pretense collapses. The sons of Sceva invoked a name they didn’t know personally. The demons saw right through it.
- Sincere faith makes love the aim. Paul told Timothy the charge is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. That’s the standard.
Our Love Can Persuade When It Comes First, Not Just an Afterthought
The third scene of Acts 19 is a riot. Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines of Artemis, stirred up the craftsmen. Paul’s ministry had persuaded “a great many people” across Asia that gods made with hands are not gods. And it was hurting business.
The craftsmen were enraged and cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
A question worth asking: are worship and rage compatible? That is what described the worshippers of Artemis. Enraged. When we are enraged, we look more like the worshippers of Artemis and less like the worshippers of Jesus. Our words become the words of warfare and rebellion and have nothing to do with the gospel mission.
In contrast, Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1-4: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
First of all. Not picketing, but prayers. Quiet and dignified.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father … that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
And in Ephesians 4:29-31: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God … Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”
Bitter and angry at a neighbor over a lawn sign or a bumper sticker? Put that away. That’s not why we’re here. We are here to demonstrate love and to persuade others to follow Jesus.
Ephesians 5:1-2: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
And here’s the sobering part. In Revelation 2, Jesus had to remind the church in Ephesus of something important: “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
Before all our works. Our endurance. Our purity. Our doctrine. Love comes first. Don’t abandon the love you had at first.
Discussion
- Are there areas where bitterness or anger have crept in and pushed love to the side?
- What does it look like to lead with love in conversations where people are deeply divided?
Key Takeaways
- Rage and worship are not compatible. When we are enraged, we look more like the worshippers of Artemis than the followers of Jesus.
- Prayers before protests. Quiet and dignified. Paul’s first instruction is supplication for all people, including those in authority. Not because they deserve it. Because it’s the posture of faith.
- Don’t abandon first love. Jesus warned the Ephesians about this. Works, endurance, doctrine: all good. But without love, the lampstand gets removed.
Something to Sit With
Want to live a faith that impacts the world in a combat culture?
Be gracious, not quarrelsome. Be real, not fake. And let love come first, not as an afterthought.
The world is loud. Full of arguing. Full of rage. But the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome. Kind to everyone. Able to teach. Patiently enduring. Correcting with gentleness.
Before all our works. Before our endurance. Before our doctrine. Love comes first.
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” (Revelation 2:4, ESV)
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Ephesus in Acts 19?
Acts 19 records Paul’s extended ministry in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. Three major events unfold: Paul withdraws from the synagogue after stubborn opposition and teaches for two years in the hall of Tyrannus, the sons of Sceva are overpowered after falsely invoking Jesus’ name, and a riot breaks out among silversmiths whose idol-making business was threatened by the spread of the gospel.
What does the Bible say about quarreling?
Paul is clear. In 2 Timothy 2:14, he says quarreling about words “does no good, but only ruins the hearers.” In 2 Timothy 2:24, he says the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind, patient, and gentle. Colossians 4:6 calls believers to speech that is “always gracious, seasoned with salt.” The consistent teaching is that grace persuades where argument fails.
Who were the sons of Sceva in Acts 19?
The sons of Sceva were itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to cast out demons by invoking “the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” They had no personal relationship with Jesus. The evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” and overpowered them. The incident became known throughout Ephesus and led many to genuine faith.
What does “first love” mean in Revelation 2?
In Revelation 2:4, Jesus tells the church in Ephesus that they had “abandoned the love you had at first.” Despite having sound doctrine, endurance, and hard work, they had let love slip from its primary position. Jesus calls them to repent and return to the works they did when love was their driving motivation.
How should Christians engage in a divided culture?
Scripture calls believers to lead with grace, not volume. Be kind, patient, and gentle. Avoid foolish controversies. Pray for those in authority. Speak truth in love. And above all, don’t let bitterness, wrath, or slander take root. Paul showed that withdrawing from a quarrel and teaching with grace had a far greater impact than any debate.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway.