Ephesus means, “Desired.” It also represents the apostolic period of church history. By the time this book was written they had overcome problems with false teachers. Paul wrote extensively about this issue. (I Timothy1:3-4; 18-20; 6:3-10;20-21; II Timothy 2:14-18; 4:1-4) Timothy was somewhat discouraged and Paul gave him some advice on how to handle it. The same situation is extant today with a lot of false teachers.They are commended for hating the work of the Nicolaitans. There is no mention of this group in church history but we can get a clue from the meaning of the Greek word. It means rulers of the people. This meaning implies that there was an attempt to divide the clergy from the laity, which makes an unnatural distinction between them in which the clergy exercise rulership over the laity. Certainly, elders have the Biblical authority to determine policy and church discipline over the local church. But it appears that the authority described here went much further than issues in the local church and may have extended into their personal lives. The people were in earnest in their religion, and did everything in their power to make converts to it. They upheld and helped Paul in all his efforts to the full extent of their ability. They filled their places with heart and energy, and were zealous for the cause. They worked together for the same end. They exemplified what they professed and believed. They were Ephesians in the real sense of that word—full of ardor, warm and fervent in their zeal and activity for the Gospel and the bringing of men to embrace and share the blessedness of it. All this is necessarily implied in what is written, that “the word of God mightily grew and prevailed.” And this the Savior knew, remarked on, and commended.
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