86. What the Bible Says About the 7 Churches (pt2) - Ephesus

What The Bible Says.

Fortnightly Bible Study.

Episode 85 - 26/09/25

Led by Martin Rogers

This week we start our study on the seven churches in earnest, beginning with the church of Ephesus.

Ephesus Context

Ephesus was a wealthy, pagan and imperial city—temples, emperor worship, sexual immorality, and the incense test at the agora—where a faithful church nevertheless took root under Paul, John and Timothy (Acts 19; Rev 2:1).

Christ’s Commendation

Jesus commends their hard work, endurance, doctrinal vigilance and rejection of false apostles and the Nicolaitans; they had not grown weary in bearing His name (Rev 2:2–3, 6).

Christ’s Rebuke

Yet He indicts them for abandoning their first love—works remained, wonder waned; He commands, “Remember…repent…and do the first works,” warning that otherwise He will remove their lampstand (Rev 2:4–5).

Promise to Overcomers

To those who heed and overcome, Jesus promises access to the tree of life in the paradise of God—a truer life than Artemis ever offered (Rev 2:7; cf. Gen 2:9).

Spiritual Warfare and Witness

Ministry in Ephesus showed power and conflict: daily reasoning in the hall of Tyrannus, costly repentance (magic books burned), demonic showdowns, and city-wide upheaval—so the word prevailed while believers wrestled not against flesh and blood (Acts 19:8–20; Eph 6:12).

Guardrails Against Drift

The cure for loveless duty is relational devotion expressed in obedience: keep Word and Spirit central, practice repentant self-examination, pursue fellowship and mutual correction, and let love (agapē) animate service (Luke 10:27; 1 Cor 13:1–3; Rom 2:29).

Corporate Application

Churches can defend truth yet grow inward and sterile; Christ calls congregations to recover zeal for Him that overflows in mercy, holiness and disciple-making, so their light is not removed but shines before men (Matt 5:14–16; Rev 2:5).