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I. UNDISTURBED. Nothing in Ephesus was more thrifty and well behaved. It asked nothing of the gospel except to be left alone. Shrine making was a perfectly "legitimate business." It combined religion with art. It was patriotic, for it made Ephesus renowned. It was in a "healthy condition." The liquor traffic could not have been more quiet, nor newspapers more up to the times. The business was harmonious within. Capital and labour had no quarrel. Demetrius and Co. were no enemies of the working classes, for they brought much gain to the craftsmen.

II. ALARMED. Learn now —

1. How sensitive it is. Covetousness in the abstract preachers may assail with perfect impunity, but business is a different thing.

2. How energetic.

3. How cruel. The idolatry is condemned of God and is the death of souls; but what of that? Mere sentiment. "By this we have our wealth."

4. How hypocritical. Under the garb of zeal for religion.

III. DEFEATED —

1. By its own blunders. It has a majority, but no case. It makes the mistake of trying to put down truth by brawling. Another blunder was falsehood.

2. Through its dangerous drift. There is nothing truly conservative but truth and righteousness. Covetousness in trade or politics will sooner or later upheave society. Here it "filled the whole city with confusion." It will jeopardise any public interest to save its gold.

3. Through the power of simple truth and goodness. The mayor of the city sees through it all.

(A. Mitchell, D. D.)

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KJV: For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

WEB: For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen,