The Town Clerk at Ephesus
One last lesser-known Bible character from Hight C. Moore's little book Points For Emphasis from 1948. Today let's look at the unnamed town clerk in Ephesus, whom we read about in Acts 19. This was an influential man - probably the most influential person in Ephesus, some believe.
The Man Who Calmed an Angry Mob
Ephesus was not a godly place. Pagan religions were everywhere, and when Paul and the apostles started to spread Christianity in that city, the people started to get very upset because the lucrative business of creating idols to worship started to take a knock. A man named Demetrius began stirring up a crowd against Paul and soon a mob was chanting and there was just chaos!
Into this scene steps the unnamed town clerk. We read that "the city clerk quieted the crowd and… he dismissed the assembly." (Acts 19:35, 41)
In between those two verses, this man calmly stood up to Demetrius and his mob, and assured them that if there was any legal charge against Paul and his companions, they should take it to the courts and settle the matter there. Everybody seemed to mellow as this man talked, and the danger was gone, Paul and the others were safe.
Now, Moore suggests that this man's calmness and courage against the crowd is something we can aspire to. Perhaps there is truth in that - to have the ability to stand up in that situation, and to use your power or position to bring about peace and calm is a good thing.
The great Adam Clarke wrote this in his commentary on this passage: "How forcible are right words! From the conduct of this prudent, sensible man, we may learn how much influence persons of this character may have, even over the unbridled multitude. But, where the civil power associates itself with the lawless might of the many, there must be confusion and every evil work. What a blessing to the community is the civil law! Were it not for this, the unthinking multitude would destroy others, and at last destroy themselves. Law and justice are from God; and the civil power, by which they are supported and administered, should be respected by all who regard the safety of their persons or property."
When Keeping the Peace Isn't Enough
Here in South Africa, we have local elections coming up, and oh how we are praying for God to bring in godly people into the positions of power - people like this man, who will bring calm and blessing to a community in crisis.
Let's consider today how we might use our authority - whatever it may be - to bring about peace and goodwill in our communities.
But William MacDonald, in his commentary on this passage, says this about the town clerk: "His speech was as successful as it was lame." After all, the man didn't stand up for the gospel, or the truth. In fact he aided in keeping the Ephesian mob away from the gospel of redemption through Christ. Perhaps a case could be made that we should rather speak the truth and face the consequences, than back down. Sometimes, disturbing the peace so that the gospel can be preached is what we have to do.
As I see it, Paul here seemed to know that this was not the best time to speak up, because it would have caused a riot that would probably have killed people.
May God grant us wisdom to know when to speak up and when to shut up! Paul and the town clerk in Ephesus surely saved the lives of many, by making the right call in that situation.
The town clerk of Ephesus used his influence to calm an angry mob, though his silence came at a cost to the gospel. Ask God for wisdom today to know when to speak up boldly and when to bring calm.