The Church at Ephesus : Seven Churches of Asia

CHURCH ARTICLE | Osamagbe Lesley Egharevba | Lagos, Nigeria

In the book of Revelation chapter 1, we read of the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. John said,

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:10–11)

Just as he was instructed, John wrote to each of these seven churches independently in chapters 2 and 3. This series will examine each of these churches and their messages identifying some unique features of this congregation and see how we can learn from them today and apply them to our congregations and personal lives.

Background of the Church in Ephesus

We read about the Lord’s church in the city of Ephesus in three different New Testament books: Acts, Ephesians, and Revelation. Concerning the establishment of the Lord’s church in the city of Ephesus, we read in Acts 18 that Paul first made a brief visit to the city with Aquila and Priscilla near the end of his second preaching trip. He left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus, and then journeyed on to Jerusalem (Acts 18:18-20). It was on this first visit to Ephesus in Acts 18 that Paul preached in the synagogue of the Jews but there is no mention of any conversions at that time (Acts 18:18-22). Later, Apollos came to preach there, and when he left Ephesus for Achaia, the brethren in Ephesus sent a letter on his behalf (Acts 18:27).

While the existence of believers is noted in Ephesus, only Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned by name. This all happened before Paul returned to Ephesus and baptized about twelve men (Acts 19:1-7). Paul later returned to Ephesus in Acts 19 and stayed in the city and surrounding area for two years, during which he reasoned daily in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:8-10). As a result of his teachings, the word of God spread throughout all of Asia (Acts 19:10). Some time later after he had left, we see that Paul called the elders of this church to meet him in Miletus as he was traveling back to Jerusalem (Acts 20:17). In Acts 20:18-28, we see that he issues to them a warning, that people will arise among themselves that will seek to draw some away from the church to follow after them.

A few years later, while Paul was imprisoned, he wrote his letter to the church in Ephesus. By then, the church appeared to be stable and strong. However, at the end of the letter, in chapter 6, he urges them to put on the whole armor of God. This gives us a glimpse of a growing church with elders, having matured and become exemplary. Later, Paul wrote two more epistles. In these letters, he writes to the young Timothy, instructing him to remain in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). Timothy was left there in order to correct some false teachings that had arisen by the time Paul wrote the letter of 1 Timothy. It seems that some of the concerns Paul had earlier raised were beginning to resurface within the church. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul reminds Timothy to preach the word. And in 2 Timothy 4:3, he warns that a time will come when people will no longer endure sound doctrine.

In Revelation 2:2-6, the following is said about the church in Ephesus:

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

When we examine some basic facts about the church in Ephesus, there are a number of lessons for us to learn from her history and happenings.

The Church In Ephesus Hated Evil And Opposed False Doctrines

One reason why Timothy remained in Ephesus was to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” This is because false doctrine is dangerous and will lead one to hell (2 John 9; Galatians 1:8-9). Jesus said that those teaching false doctrines are worshipping God in vain (Matthew 15:8-9). We are commanded to reject a heretic man after the first and second admonition (Titus 3:10). Paul told Timothy to “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” Indeed, the church in Ephesus was able to do this. Many churches today are complacent with false doctrine and this is very bad. A sound church must be willing to oppose errors and stand for the truth at all times. We saw the church in Antioch show very good example of this in Acts 15:1-3 when brethren from that church opposed the error that was taught by some other brethren from Judea concerning keeping the Law of Moses in order to be saved. Any church that would not oppose error cannot be pleasing to God. We must learn from the commendation of the church in Ephesus in this regard.

The Church In Ephesus Was A Working Church

Jesus said that the church in Ephesus “have labored for My name’s sake” (Revelation 2:3) He also mentioned that He knows their “works and labor” (Verse 2). More than once, the idea of laboring is mentioned with regards to the church at Ephesus. Could this be said of the church that you are a member of? The local church has been saddled with the responsibility of laboring by preaching and teaching the Word of God as well as helping faithful members in need (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 5:16). The church in Thessalonica was a very good example of this in the area of evangelism (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8). And here, we see the church in Ephesus commended for laboring for Christ. This is something that every church must not joke about. How often does your church involve in evangelism in order to rescue the perishing? How much care do they have for those who are dying in sin? How much time do they devote to studying the Bible? How firm do they stand against false doctrines? These are marks of a sound church and faithful churches must emulate these in order to remain sound and faithful. Let us continue to labor for the Lord as individuals and as a church “knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58) and that “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name,” (Hebrews 6:10). At least we saw that the Lord did not forget the labor of love that the Ephesians have shown. The Lord remembered their labor and He would remember yours too.

The Church In Ephesus Left Its First Love

While the church in Ephesus was commended, there was also an element of rebuke in the message. The church in Ephesus had abandoned its first love. Jesus said: “Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). One may wonder why a church like Ephesus that had been blessed with sound teachers (like Paul, Apollos, Timothy, etc.) and elders (Acts 20:17) and have even existed for that long (over 40 years as at the time the letter of Revelation was written) could deviate and leave their first love. This is to tell us that the number of years that a congregation had existed does not matter when it comes to pleasing God. A “big” church with big strength may deviate from the truth while a church with little strength (like Philadelphia – Revelation 3:8) may remain faithful even with their little strength. That is why it is important for those who think they are standing to take heed lest they fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Jesus urged the members of the Ephesian church, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…” (Revelation 2:5). The lesson here is that both individual believers and entire congregations can drift away from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1). We must always be vigilant, ready to work diligently to restore those who have lost their way (James 5:19-20).

Conclusion

The church in Ephesus started off well, with elders in place, faithful evangelists supporting them, and at least two inspired letters to guide and strengthen them. Yet, despite this strong foundation, they struggled and ultimately faded. Let us take this lesson to heart and learn from their history.

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April 2025 | GROW magazine
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