Acts 19 38

Acts 19:38 kjv

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

Acts 19:38 nkjv

Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.

Acts 19:38 niv

If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges.

Acts 19:38 esv

If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.

Acts 19:38 nlt

"If Demetrius and the craftsmen have a case against them, the courts are in session and the officials can hear the case at once. Let them make formal charges.

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 38 Meaning

Acts 19:38 signifies the town clerk's plea for due legal process and civic order amidst the chaotic riot in Ephesus. He urges the aggrieved parties, led by Demetrius, to use the established Roman legal system—the available courts and proconsular authority—to address their grievances through proper charges rather than through mob violence. This statement upholds the rule of law over vigilantism, reflecting the Roman Empire's structure and the importance of maintaining peace in its provinces.

Acts 19 38 Context

Acts 19:38 is spoken by the town clerk (γραμματεύς - grammateus) of Ephesus amidst a dangerous riot incited by Demetrius and the silversmiths. Paul's successful evangelism had led many in Ephesus to abandon idol worship, specifically the veneration of Artemis (Diana), whose grand temple was a cornerstone of Ephesian identity and economy. This caused significant financial loss for the artisans who crafted idols and trinkets for the temple. Demetrius, fearing his livelihood and the prestige of Artemis, gathered fellow craftsmen and initiated a city-wide uproar. The mob, filled with confusion and fury, rushed into the theatre. The town clerk, a shrewd and authoritative figure responsible for maintaining civic order and liaison with Roman authorities, intervened to disperse the crowd and avert serious Roman retribution against the city for the disturbance. His speech is a masterful exercise in crowd control and a strong affirmation of Roman law.

Acts 19 38 Word analysis

• If (Εἰ - Ei): A conditional particle, introducing a premise for a legal action, signaling a logical pathway rather than immediate action based on emotion.
• therefore (οὖν - oun): Connects this statement logically to the clerk's preceding arguments, especially the risk of being charged by Rome for riotous assembly (Acts 19:40). It suggests that since there are legitimate channels, they should be used.
• Demetrius (Δημήτριος - Dēmetrios): The ringleader of the silversmiths, whose economic interests and religious fervor were challenged by Paul's ministry. Singled out as the principal accuser.
• and the craftsmen (καὶ οἱ τεχνῖται - kai hoi technitai): Refers to the artisans involved in manufacturing idols and related cultic items for Artemis, whose trade was directly impacted by the spread of the Gospel. It underscores the economic basis of the riot.
• with him (σὺν αὐτῷ - syn autō): Emphasizes Demetrius's leadership and the organized nature of the complaining group, distinguishing them from the general, confused mob.
• have a complaint (ἔχουσι λόγον - echousi logon): Lit. "have a word/matter." Logos here means a charge, accusation, or legal case. It indicates the existence of a formal legal grievance.
• against anyone (πρός τινα - pros tina): Generalizes the potential targets of a grievance, asserting the universal applicability of legal process and implicitly inviting a formal accusation against Paul or his companions, if warranted.
• the courts are open (ἀγοραῖοι ἄγονται - agoraihoi agontai): Literally, "assizes are held" or "court days are being held." This refers to the regular sittings of the courts where cases were heard. It highlights that proper judicial avenues were currently available and functioning, negating the need for mob justice. This phrase indicates Luke's accurate knowledge of Roman provincial administration and judicial procedure.
• and there are proconsuls (καὶ ἀνθύπατοι - kai anthypatoi): Anthypatoi denotes the Roman provincial governors appointed by the Senate, possessing significant judicial authority. Ephesus was the capital of the senatorial province of Asia, hence under the rule of a proconsul. Their presence ensures high-level, impartial adjudication. This detail affirms the historicity of Luke's account.
• let them bring charges (ἐγκαλείτωσαν - enkaleitōsan): An imperative verb, commanding or urging them to present formal accusations. It implies a demand for adherence to proper legal protocol, stressing the need for due process over violent demonstration.
• against one another (ἀλλήλων - allēlōn): Indicates that any legal dispute should be handled as a formal confrontation between distinct parties in a court of law, rather than a generalized, chaotic uprising.

Acts 19 38 Bonus section

The town clerk's intervention in Acts 19:38 (and surrounding verses) served not only to disperse the crowd but also to safeguard the city's unique legal and civic privileges granted by Rome, such as its status as a "temple warden" (neokoros) for Artemis, which would have been jeopardized by uncontrolled riots. His actions represent a practical application of the principle of respecting governing authorities as outlined in Rom 13:1-7. The precise detail of "proconsuls" not only authenticates Luke's account but also signifies the specific political status of the province of Asia under senatorial, rather than imperial, rule. This detailed knowledge indicates eyewitness accounts or meticulous research. The very institution that would eventually persecute believers often, in its early stages, provided a framework of order and law that inadvertently facilitated the spread of the Gospel by restraining chaotic opposition.

Acts 19 38 Commentary

Acts 19:38 is a pivotal verse illustrating divine providence working through secular channels. The town clerk's pragmatism, born from a desire to maintain civic order and avoid Roman penalties for a disorderly city, inadvertently served God's purposes by de-escalating the crisis and protecting Paul and the nascent Christian community. His appeal to established Roman law underscores the stability and judicial fairness that, despite later persecutions, often characterized the empire's early interactions with the burgeoning Christian movement. This declaration highlights that legitimate grievances have established, legal avenues for resolution, condemning lawlessness and mob action. The reference to "proconsuls" emphasizes the presence of impartial authority, reminding all that justice must be pursued formally and justly. This secular intervention preserved peace, allowing the Gospel to continue to spread in Ephesus without further immediate violent opposition. It also shows how the established authorities of the world can be instruments, albeit unknowing ones, in the Lord's hand (Prov 21:1).