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 ancient city of Ephesus. The Greek term used is "grammateus," which can be translated as "scribe" or "secretary," but in the context of Ephesus, it denotes a high-ranking municipal officer responsible for maintaining public records and overseeing civic administration.Biblical Reference: The role of the town-clerk is highlighted 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 local silversmiths, led by Demetrius, incite a riot against Paul and his companions due to the perceived threat to their trade of crafting silver shrines of the goddess Artemis. The town-clerk intervenes to restore order: "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.' After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly." (Acts 19:35-41) Role and Significance: The town-clerk of Ephesus held a position of considerable influence and authority. As the chief administrative officer, he was responsible for the official records of the city and acted as a liaison between the local government and the Roman authorities. His role was crucial in maintaining public order and ensuring that the city's affairs were conducted in accordance with Roman law. In the account from Acts, the town-clerk demonstrates wisdom and diplomacy. By calming the crowd and redirecting their grievances to the appropriate legal channels, he prevents potential violence and legal repercussions from the Roman authorities. His actions reflect the importance of civic order and the rule of law in the Roman Empire, as well as the delicate balance local officials had to maintain between appeasing the populace and adhering to imperial regulations. Cultural and Historical 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 city's economy was significantly tied to the worship of Artemis, and any threat to this religious and economic structure was met with strong resistance. The town-clerk's intervention in Acts 19 underscores the tension between the burgeoning Christian movement and established pagan practices. The position of town-clerk was not unique to Ephesus but was a common feature in many Greco-Roman cities. These officials played a vital role in the administration of urban centers, ensuring that civic life functioned smoothly under the overarching authority of the Roman Empire. The account in Acts provides a glimpse into the complexities of early Christian evangelism and the societal structures of the time. Greek 1122. grammateus -- a writer, scribe ... writer, scribe. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: grammateus Phonetic Spelling: (gram-mat-yooce') Short Definition: a scribe, town-clerk, man of ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1122.htm - 7k Library The Uproar in Ephesus. Hymns of the Reformation. AD 1520-1600. Acts xix. 21, 23 The Conversion of Apollos, his Character, and the Ministry of Paul ... Knox and Queen Mary (Continued), 1561-1564 The Acts of the Apostles. The World, the Flesh, and the Devil Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ... From the Death of Bishop Asbury to the Close of the General ... Disestablishment Thesaurus Townclerk (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Townclerk (1 Occurrence). Acts 19:35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of ... /t/townclerk.htm - 6k Town-clerk (1 Occurrence) Clerk (1 Occurrence) Temples (17 Occurrences) Robbers (21 Occurrences) Town (861 Occurrences) Quieted (8 Occurrences) Zeus (3 Occurrences) Knoweth (152 Occurrences) Jupiter (3 Occurrences) Resources What happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Lo Debar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why was the altar in Joshua 22:10 34 such a big deal? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Town-clerk (1 Occurrence)Acts 19:35 Subtopics Related Terms |
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