“I know you
are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not
grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you
had at first.”
(Revelation 2:3-4)
(Revelation 2:3-4)
The church in
Ephesus plays a recurring role in the New Testament. It first appears near the
end of Acts 18. It is possible a church already existed, but more likely the
congregation formed later under the influence of Aquila and Priscilla after
Paul visited the city and left them there (Acts 18:18-21). Regardless, when
Paul returned to Ephesus some time later, there was a Christian presence which grew
stronger during his stay (Acts 19; 20:31). Paul later met with the elders of
the Ephesian church in the town of Miletus (Acts 20:17-38). He also wrote a
letter to the church during his imprisonment. Finally, the church was addressed
by Christ in the Revelation, several decades after Paul’s execution (Rev.
2:1-7).
Ephesus was a
strong church, known for their doctrinal integrity and perseverance. They had
not compromised the teaching of Christ as other congregations did (Gal. 1:6;
Rev. 2:14-15). They were not morally corrupt (1Cor. 5:1-2; Rev. 2:20). They tried
and rejected false apostles. They would not tolerate evil. They endured trials.
But their doctrinal and moral purity was not enough.
Jesus’ words to
Ephesus are stern and frightening: “Repent, and do the works you did at first.
If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (Rev.
2:5). The lampstand represented Ephesus’ existence and recognition by Christ as
one of His churches (Rev. 1:20). Does this mean the church in Ephesus would be
destroyed by Christ, wiped out of existence? Perhaps. Or perhaps it would continue
existing in the community but no longer be regarded by Christ as a group of His
people. In either case, the warning is grim.
Doctrine is
important, nay crucial, and moral purity is essential. But attitude matters
too. If we abandon our first love, the initial commitment to Christ, all the
doctrine and deeds in the world cannot save us. Religious ritual will not save
anyone, even if they are biblical and right. We must love the Lord, or be
accursed (1Cor. 16:22). -JME
