19:23-27
The gospel is not a private matter but one which affects and challenges society. Society itself is based on assumptions, these are very often assumptions that are contrary to the ways of God. For instance, abortion laws are based on the premise that a child in the womb is not a person and is therefore of less value than the mother. Society's view on homosexuality are based on the premise that homosexuality is as “good” or “valid” as heterosexuality. Society’s approach to transgender issues are based on the assumption that gender has nothing to do with biological sex. So In Paul’s days a part of the economy was based on the assumption that we should worship idols, and some made a significant amount of money out of this. So when Paul preached that idols are nothing and that we should not worship them, and then a significant number of people believed this and stopped buying idols others lost money. Likewise, the gospel proclaims God’s way with regard to life, sexuality and gender, and this threatens and challenges society.
Ephesus was a major centre for idol worship, in particular the temple of Diana or Artemis.
Note also what Paul was accused of (v26), it was teaching the obvious truth that these idols were nothing more than objects made by the hands of men, and were not gods at all. Likewise, the Bible’s truth that homosexuality is not valid, that marriage between a man and a woman is a radically different matter than “marriage” between two people of the same sex, and that biology and gender are inherently linked are blindingly obvious to anyone who cares to think logically. Yet, Paul’s teaching caused great offence to some, just as Biblical teaching on sex and gender causes offence to many today. Just because someone takes offence does not mean they are justified in doing so. Maybe they need to to change their thinking.
The objectors in Paul’s day also tried to link their objections to concern and respect for Diana/Artemis. But notice two things. First, the real reason they were so concerned was their own financial loss. Secondly, there is an inherent contradiction in their argument. “Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed”. If Artemis was truly a god then surely she could defend herself against mere men like Paul. How could a mere man threaten a god, unless of course the god was really nothing at all. Likewise, their are inherent contradictions in society’s teaching on sexuality and gender. For instance, if gender has little to do with biological sex, why is there so much concern to attempt to change one's biology through hormone treatment and surgery?
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