Topical Encyclopedia The term "town clerk" appears in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts, and refers to a significant civic official in the city of Ephesus. The Greek term used is "γραμματεύς" (grammateus), which can also be translated as "scribe" or "secretary." In the context of Ephesus, the town clerk was a high-ranking official responsible for maintaining public records, managing civic affairs, and ensuring the orderly conduct of public assemblies.Biblical Reference: The role of the town clerk is most notably mentioned in Acts 19:35-41, during the account of the uproar in Ephesus caused by the preaching of the Apostle Paul. The passage describes a tumultuous scene where the silversmiths, led by Demetrius, incite a riot against Paul and his companions due to the perceived threat to their trade and the worship of the goddess Artemis. The town clerk plays a crucial role in quelling the disturbance: "When the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, 'Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell down from heaven? Since these things are undeniable, you ought to be calm and not do anything rash. For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess. So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another there. But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly. For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause for it. In that case, we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.' After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly." (Acts 19:35-41) Role and Responsibilities: 1. Public Order: The town clerk was responsible for maintaining public order and ensuring that civic disturbances were handled appropriately. In Acts 19, he demonstrates his authority by calming the crowd and preventing further chaos. 2. Legal Oversight: The town clerk had a role in overseeing legal matters and ensuring that disputes were resolved through proper legal channels. He advises the crowd that any grievances should be addressed in the courts, highlighting the importance of lawful proceedings. 3. Record Keeping: As a scribe or secretary, the town clerk was likely involved in maintaining official records and documents, which was a critical function in the administration of a city like Ephesus. 4. Civic Representation: The town clerk represented the interests of the city and its citizens, acting as a liaison between the populace and higher authorities, such as the Roman proconsuls. Historical and Cultural Context: Ephesus was a major city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its grand temple dedicated to Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The town clerk's reference to the city's guardianship of the temple underscores the cultural and religious significance of Artemis worship in Ephesus. The clerk's intervention in Acts 19 reflects the delicate balance between maintaining civic peace and respecting the religious traditions that were integral to the city's identity. The town clerk's actions in Acts 19 illustrate the complexities faced by early Christians as they navigated the socio-political landscape of the Roman Empire. His emphasis on legal processes and public order highlights the challenges of spreading the Gospel in a context where religious and economic interests were deeply intertwined. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Town ClerkTOWN CLERK klurk, klark (grammateus): The word "clerk," "writer," "town clerk," "scribe," is found in this meaning only in Acts 19:35, "when the townclerk had quieted the multitude." Cremer defines the word as signifying a "public servant among the Greeks and the reader of the legal and state-papers" (Lexicon of the New Testament). There was considerable difference between the authority of these "clerks" in the cities of Asia Minor and of Greece. Among the Greeks the grammateis were usually slaves, or at least persons belonging to the lower classes of society, and their office was a nominal, almost a mechanical, one. In Asia, on the contrary, they were officers of considerable consequence, as the passage quoted indicates (Thucidydes vii.19, "the scribe of the city") and the grammateus is not infrequently mentioned in the inscriptions and on the coins of Ephesus (e.g. British Museum Inscriptions, III, 2,482, 528). They had the supervision of the city archives, all official decrees were drawn up by them, and it was their prerogative to read such decrees to the assembled citizens. Their social position was thus one of eminence, and a Greek scribe would have been much amazed at the deference shown to his colleagues in Asia and at the power they wielded in the administration of affairs. See , further, Hermann, Staats Altertum, 127, 20; and EPHESUS. Smith's Bible Dictionary Town Clerkthe title ascribed in our version to the magistrate at Ephesus who appeased the mob in the theatre at the time of the tumult excited by Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen. (Acts 19:35) The original service of this class of men was to record the laws and decrees of the state, and to read them in public. Greek 1122. grammateus -- a writer, scribe ... Word Origin from gramma Definition a writer, scribe NASB Word Usage scribe (4), scribes (59), town clerk (1). scribe, town-clerk. 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