Then they went to the city of Ephesus. This is where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. While Paul was in Ephesus, he went into the synagogue {\cf2\super [369]} and talked with the Jews.
A Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. Apollos was born in the city of Alexandria. He was an educated man. He knew very much about the Scriptures. {\cf2\super [370]}
Every Sabbath day {\cf2\super [359]} Paul talked with the Jews and Greeks in the synagogue. {\cf2\super [360]} Paul tried to persuade these people \{to believe in Jesus\}.
While Apollos was in the city of Corinth, Paul was visiting some places on the way to the city of Ephesus. In Ephesus Paul found some followers \{of the Lord\}.
All the people in Ephesus, Jews and Greeks (non-Jews), learned about this. They all began to have great respect \{for God\}. And the people gave great honor to the name of the Lord Jesus.
But look at what this man Paul is doing! Listen to what he is saying! Paul has influenced and changed many people. He has done this in Ephesus and all over the country of Asia. {\cf2\super [391]} Paul says the gods that men make are not real.
Then the city clerk persuaded the people to be quiet. He said, “Men of Ephesus, all people know that Ephesus is the city that keeps the temple {\cf2\super [392]} of the great goddess Artemis. All people know that we also keep her holy rock. {\cf2\super [393]}
Paul had already decided not to stop at Ephesus. He did not want to stay too long in Asia. {\cf2\super [399]} He was hurrying because he wanted to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost {\cf2\super [400]} if possible.
(The Jews said this because they had seen Trophimus with Paul in Jerusalem. Trophimus was a \{Greek\} man from Ephesus. The Jews thought that Paul had taken him into the holy area of the temple.)
I fought wild animals in Ephesus. If I did that only for human reasons, to satisfy my own pride, then I have gained nothing. If people are not raised from death, “Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we die.” {\cf2\super [115]}
I want you to stay in Ephesus. I asked you to do that when I went into Macedonia. Some people there in Ephesus are teaching false things. Stay there so that you can command those people not to teach those false things.
I pray that the Lord will allow Onesiphorus to have mercy from the Lord on that Day. {\cf2\super [11]} You know how many ways Onesiphorus helped me in Ephesus.
The voice said, “Write in a book all these things you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”