The Ephesian Church was praised for their first and pure love between Christ and His bride—and this in a city seething with sex. It was a city that worshipped the mother goddess, Artemis. Her temple also became the place of worship of the goddess Roma and the Roman Emperor. Every year, the high priests of the ‘Rome and Emperor’ cult, chosen from among the officials of the province of Asia, were chosen and enthroned in Ephesus.2
A couple, Aquila and Priscilla, probably established the Christian Church. They had come with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus and had stayed in Ephesus when Paul travelled on to Antioch.3 Several years later Paul came back, preaching and teaching the Gospel for two years.
Ephesus became the heart of evangelisation in the whole of Asia.4 The work in Ephesus was continued later by Timothy5 and, according to tradition as set out by Irenaeus and Eusebius, was carried on by John after Paul’s death. In the first years of the second century, Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, wrote his first and longest letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesus did not lack good doctrine and they were able to unmask false apostles. Besides the Twelve chosen by the Lord Jesus Himself as well as Paul, who was also called and taught by Christ, there were other apostles―such as Barnabas,6 James/Jacob. 7 There are 3 Apostles with the name of ‘James/Jacob’ mentioned in the New Testament: James son of Zebedee, brother of John; James son of Alphaeus; and James, the half-brother of Jesus, son of Joseph and Mary – Jesus’ true Father was God, Mary was His mother and Joseph His adoptive-father8– Andronicus and Junias.9 However, the Twelve Apostles continued to play a distinct and significant role.10
These other apostles were good, travelling brothers, but there were false ones moving among them too! Paul had to put up with a lot from them, for they apparently were condescending towards Paul and demeaned and ridiculed him. Notwithstanding their criticisms, Paul pointed out to the Corinthians that he had persevered in demonstrating to them the “signs of a true apostle” with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.11 The false apostles did not succeed in robbing Paul of his humility. He was not tempted to let go of his modesty. He served Christ. And Christ worked through him.
There was pure, first love for Christ in the Ephesian Church although it was in a city full of lust. That pure life was a consequence of pure love. That was why Christ immediately praised them: “You hate the works of the Nicolaitans as I do.”
No more is known about the Nicolaitans from the Bible than what is mentioned here and in the letter to Pergamum. The church father Irenaeus speculated that they were a heretical sect, founded by Nicolas, a proselyte Jew from Antioch, who had also become a Christian and even a deacon12—one of the Seven.
Does this refer back to the false apostles of verse 2? We do not know. It seems to be the case that the Nicolaitans had a philosophy that encouraged self-indulgence: ‘If you are a believer in the Christian faith, you can live as you like. Do you want to enjoy the lusts of your body, at the feasts of Artemis in Ephesus? Go ahead! Your body is of no importance. You have good Christian faith, right doctrine, so you will go to Heaven. Do whatever you want, for this body will perish anyway.’
Nicolas (his name means victorious over the people) apparently won over thousands, who followed this basically pagan and Greek teaching. The triplet—Nicolaitians, Balaam and Jezebel are similar in promoting such behaviour.13
Just as separation of faith from life already existed then, today, there is also a current that endorses worldliness on weekdays and church attendance on Sundays. No, those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.14 Believers should no longer give in to their fleshly desires but glorify the Lord in all ways.
• It was their works, in particular, that Christ was against—their despicable behaviour included taking part in the pagan sacrificial feasts, indulging in food and drink and sometimes even temple prostitution that was part of the sacrificial ceremonies of the idols.
• You know a tree by its fruits. Be very careful, then, how you live.15 Keep yourself pure, in your marriage as well.16 However, by God’s grace there is always the possibility to start all over again by confessing your sins. ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’17
Bible References:
1.NIV 2.Acts 19:31 3.Acts 18:18–21 4. Acts 19:10 5.1 Timothy 1:3 6.Acts 14:14 7.1 Corinthians 15:7 and Galatians 1:19 8.Matthew 10:2–3 9.Romans 16:7 10.see also Revelation 21:14 11.2 Corinthians 11:4–6, 13; 12:11–12 12.Acts 6:5 13.Revelation 2:14–15, 20 14.Galatians 5:24 15.Ephesians 5:15 16.Hebrews 13:4 17.1 John 1:6–10
