Introduction:
The term "Ephesian" primarily refers to the inhabitants of Ephesus, an ancient city located in what is now modern-day Turkey. Ephesus was a significant center of early Christianity and is frequently mentioned in the New Testament. The city was known for its grand temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Apostle Paul had a profound relationship with the Ephesian church, which is evident in his epistles and missionary journeys.

Biblical References:

1. Paul's Missionary Work:
Ephesus was a focal point of Paul's missionary activities. During his second missionary journey, Paul briefly visited Ephesus and left Priscilla and Aquila there (Acts 18:19). On his third missionary journey, Paul returned to Ephesus and stayed for over two years, preaching and performing miracles (Acts 19:8-10). His ministry in Ephesus was so impactful that "all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord" (Acts 19:10).

2. The Riot in Ephesus:
Paul's success in spreading the Gospel led to a significant disturbance in Ephesus. The silversmith Demetrius, who made shrines of Artemis, incited a riot against Paul, fearing that the spread of Christianity would diminish the worship of Artemis and harm their trade (Acts 19:23-41). The uproar highlighted the tension between the burgeoning Christian faith and the established pagan practices.

3. The Ephesian Elders:
In Acts 20, Paul, on his way to Jerusalem, summoned the elders of the Ephesian church to meet him in Miletus. In his farewell address, he warned them of future challenges and encouraged them to shepherd the church of God (Acts 20:28). This meeting underscores the deep bond Paul had with the Ephesian believers.

4. The Epistle to the Ephesians:
The Apostle Paul later wrote a letter to the Ephesian church, known as the Epistle to the Ephesians. This epistle is a profound theological work that addresses themes such as the unity of the church, the mystery of the Gospel, and the spiritual blessings in Christ. Paul emphasizes the importance of living a life worthy of the calling received and maintaining the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:1-3).

5. The Church in Revelation:
The church in Ephesus is one of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation. The Lord commends the Ephesian church for its hard work and perseverance but admonishes them for having forsaken their first love (Revelation 2:4). This message serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining fervent love and devotion to Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Ephesus was a major urban center in the Roman province of Asia, known for its commerce, culture, and religious significance. The Temple of Artemis attracted pilgrims and tourists, contributing to the city's prosperity. The city's strategic location and bustling port made it a hub for trade and communication, facilitating the spread of the Gospel.

The Ephesian church was composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts, reflecting the diverse population of the city. The blending of these communities presented challenges and opportunities for the early church, as seen in Paul's emphasis on unity and reconciliation in his epistle.

Legacy:

The Ephesian church played a crucial role in the early Christian movement. Its legacy is preserved in the New Testament writings and the rich theological insights found in the Epistle to the Ephesians. The challenges faced by the Ephesian believers, such as maintaining doctrinal purity and fervent love, continue to resonate with Christians today.1. (a.) Of or pertaining to Ephesus, an ancient city Of Ionia, in Asia Minor.

2. (n.) A native of Ephesus.

3. (n.) A jolly companion; a roisterer.

EPHESIAN; EPHESIANS

e-fe'-zhan (Ephesios), e-fe'-zhanz:

A term which, as in Acts 19:28, 34, 35 and Acts 21:29, was applied to those natives or residents of the city of Ephesus who were adherents of the cult of the goddess Diana. A Jew or a Christian, though a native of Ephesus, would probably have been designated as such, rather than as an Ephesian.

2180. Ephesios -- Ephesian
... Ephesian. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: Ephesios Phonetic Spelling:
(ef-es'-ee-os) Short Definition: Ephesian Definition: Ephesian, of Ephesus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2180.htm - 6k

5181. Turannos -- "absolute ruler," Tyrannus, an Ephesian
... "absolute ruler," Tyrannus, an Ephesian. Part of ... Word Origin of foreign origin
Definition "absolute ruler," Tyrannus, an Ephesian NASB Word Usage Tyrannus (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5181.htm - 6k

735. Artemis -- Artemis, the name of the Gr. goddess of the hunt
... of the hunt. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Artemis Phonetic Spelling:
(ar'-tem-is) Short Definition: the Persian or Ephesian Artemis Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/735.htm - 6k

1050. Gaios -- Gaius, the name of several Christian
... Gaios Phonetic Spelling: (gah'-ee-os) Short Definition: Gaius Definition: Gaius,
(a) a Corinthian, (b) a Macedonian, (c) a citizen of Derbe, (d) an Ephesian. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1050.htm - 6k

4789. sugkleronomos -- a co-inheritor
... See 2818 (). [In the papyri, ("") occurs on an Ephesian inscription of the Imperial
period (see , III, 249, N, 633.7, 609; see also Deissmann, LAE 2 , 92).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4789.htm - 7k

223. Alexandros -- Alexander, a son of Simon of Cyrene, also a ...
... Short Definition: Alexander Definition: Alexander, a name of Greek origin, (a) son
of Simon of Cyrene, (b) the High Priest's kinsman, (c) an Ephesian Jew, (d ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/223.htm - 6k

1216. Demetrios -- Demetrius, the name of a silversmith and of a ...
... Demetrius. From Demeter (Ceres); Demetrius, the name of an Ephesian and of a Christian
-- Demetrius. (demetrios) -- 2 Occurrences. (demetrio) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1216.htm - 6k

Imperial Caesar
... When the Maccabee had returned to the spot in the sedgy valley where he and Julian
had halted, he found the Ephesian white to the lips and with ignited eyes ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31
... organized by him. The character of the Ephesian Christians can be seen from
the Epistle addressed to them (See Study 9). +Time and ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/ii pauls journeys acts 13 1-38 31.htm

Greek and Jew
... After the Ephesian had been swept in with his own company of pilgrims, he saw
that which even few of the new-comers had expected to see. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter viii greek and jew.htm

Under the Ban of Theodosius and of the Latrocinium.
... Of all the councils that according to Ammianus Marcellinus hamstrung the postal
resources of the Empire, take Nic??a, Tyre, and the two Ephesian councils of ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/iv under the ban of theodosius.htm

Parting Counsels
... Acts 20:22-35. This parting address to the Ephesian elders is perfect
in simplicity, pathos, and dignity. Love without weakness ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/parting counsels.htm

Christ Our Lesson and Our Teacher
... He reckons on the assent of the Ephesian Christians when he paints the society in
which they lived as alienated from God, insensible to the restraints of ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/christ our lesson and our.htm

Dawn in the Hills
... The Ephesian raised himself hastily and the Maccabee's eyes closed again. "A
pest on an eye that only half sleeps!" Julian said to himself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter vi dawn in the.htm

The Second Epistle to Timothy
... Paul was not sure that Timothy would succeed in reaching Rome before his death,
and yet realized that the condition of the Ephesian church, the danger to which ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the second epistle to timothy.htm

The Road to Pella
... Temple. He expected the Ephesian to flee far and long, and in that
consciousness of the cowardice of his enemy he based his hope. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xxiv the road to.htm

In Christ and in Ephesus
... Paul addressed his Ephesian epistle, "To the saints which are at Ephesus, and to
the faithful in Christ Jesus." The people addressed were in Ephesus, and they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-four in christ and.htm

Ephesian (4 Occurrences)
...EPHESIAN; EPHESIANS. ... A Jew or a Christian, though a native of Ephesus, would probably
have been designated as such, rather than as an Ephesian. ...
/e/ephesian.htm - 8k

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A foster-child, an Ephesian who accompanied Paul during
a part of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:4; 21:29). ...
/t/trophimus.htm - 15k

Onesiphorus (2 Occurrences)
... Bringing profit, an Ephesian Christian who showed great kindness to Paul at Rome. ...
Paul was not the man to think lightly of what his Ephesian friend had done. ...
/o/onesiphorus.htm - 11k

Epaenetus (1 Occurrence)
... Prisca and Aquila had once dwelt in Rome (Acts 18:2), and there is nothing
unusual in an Ephesian dwelling in the capital of the empire. ...
/e/epaenetus.htm - 8k

Curious (18 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Curious arts. (Acts 19:19), magical arts; jugglery
practised by the Ephesian conjurers. Ephesus was noted ...
/c/curious.htm - 14k

Laodiceans (2 Occurrences)
... EVIDENCE FAVORING EPISTLE TO EPHESIANS 1. Marcion's Opinion 2. References in Ephesians
and Other Epistles 3. Ephesian Church Jewish in Origin 4. Ephesians and ...
/l/laodiceans.htm - 28k

Alexander (5 Occurrences)
... Instantly recognizing that the fury of the Ephesian people might expend itself in
violence and bloodshed, and that in that fury they would be the sufferers ...
/a/alexander.htm - 32k

Ephesians (4 Occurrences)
... first imprisonment (3:1; 4:1; 6:20), and probably soon after his arrival there,
about the year 62, four years after he had parted with the Ephesian elders at ...
/e/ephesians.htm - 48k

Lamp-stands (5 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:1 To the messenger of the Ephesian assembly write: These things saith
he who is holding the seven stars in his right hand, who is walking in the ...
/l/lamp-stands.htm - 7k

Lasting (40 Occurrences)
... one roar of shouting, lasting about two hours. "Great is the Ephesian Diana,"
they said. (WEY). Hebrews 10:34 For you both had compassion ...
/l/lasting.htm - 19k

What was Jesus' message to the church in Ephesus in Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the whole counsel of God? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to have left your first love (Revelation 2:4)? | GotQuestions.org

Ephesian: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus