Lexical Definition
Ἔφεσος Éphesos (ef'-es-os) Ephesus N:N-F-L
probably of foreign origin
Ephesus.
- Ephesus, a city of Asia Minor
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ἔφεσον | Ephesus | Acts.18.19 • Acts.18.24 • Acts.19.1 • Acts.19.17 • Acts.20.16 • Acts.20.17 • 2Tim.4.12 • Rev.1.11 |
| Ἐφέσῳ | Ephesus | 1Cor.15.32 • 1Cor.16.8 • Eph.1.1 • 1Tim.1.3 • 2Tim.1.18 • Rev.2.1 |
| Ἐφέσου | Ephesus | Acts.18.21 |
| in Ephesus | Acts.19.26 |
Abbott-Smith
Ἔφεσος, -ου, ἡ
Ephesus, a city in Asia Minor Ac 18:19, 21, 24, 27 19:1, 17, 26 (on the gen., v. M, Pr., 73) Ac 20:16, 17, I Co 15:32 16:8, Eph 1:1, I Ti 1:3, II Ti 1:18 4:12, Re 1:11 2:1.†
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Acts | 18:19 · 18:21 · 18:24 · 18:27 · 19:1 · 19:17 · 19:26 · 20:16 · 20:17 |
| 1 Corinthians | 15:32 · 16:8 |
| Ephesians | 1:1 |
| 1 Timothy | 1:3 |
| 2 Timothy | 1:18 · 4:12 |
| Revelation | 1:11 · 2:1 |
Profile
Ephesus • Major city in Asia Minor; important center for early Christianity
Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor, was an important center for early Christianity and the recipient of one of Paul's epistles.
- A location first mentioned at Act.18.19;
- referred to as Ephesus Ἔφεσος, or Ephesus Ἐφεσῖνος, or Ephesian or Ephesus Ἐφέσιος.
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city located on the western coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It was one of the largest and most important cities in the Roman province of Asia and played a significant role in the early spread of Christianity.
The apostle Paul visited Ephesus during his second and third missionary journeys (Acts 18:19-21; 19:1-41). During his third journey, Paul stayed in Ephesus for over two years, preaching the gospel and establishing a strong Christian community (Acts 19:8-10). Many Ephesians turned from their pagan practices and embraced the faith, which led to a decline in the sale of silver shrines of the goddess Artemis (Diana), causing a riot instigated by the silversmiths (Acts 19:23-41).
Paul later wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians, one of his prison epistles, to strengthen and encourage the believers in Ephesus (Ephesians 1:1). In this letter, Paul expounds on the nature of the church, the unity of believers in Christ, and the importance of living a life worthy of the calling they had received.
Ephesus was also one of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:11; 2:1-7). In the message to the church in Ephesus, the risen Christ commends their hard work and perseverance but admonishes them for having forsaken their first love and calls them to repent and return to their former devotion.
The city was famous for its Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (Acts 19:35). It was also an important center of learning, with a renowned library. Today, the ruins of Ephesus, including the remains of the theater where the riot took place (Acts 19:29), are a popular tourist attraction and a testament to the city's rich history and its role in the early Christian church.