I was traveling to a small town to meet with the people in one of my agency’s field offices. As I crossed

the county line, I noticed two cars following me. When I arrived at the office, I told the people I didn’t

want to appear paranoid, but I thought I was being followed. The lady at the desk smiled, the phone

rang, and here’s the one-sided conversation I heard: “Yes… we know who she is… she’s just visiting… no,

she’ll be leaving later this afternoon… she’s fine… no, she’s not a problem...no, we don’t need you to

come in.” I was then informed that this little town took care of its own – they had each other’s backs.

Believe me, it would have helped my nerves to have understood a little bit more about this community

before I crossed the county line.

So, before we get to the Welcome to Ephesus sign, let’s learn something about this ancient city, so we

can picture in our minds what Paul saw when he visited Ephesus and what he remembered as he wrote

to the Ephesian believers while he was imprisoned in Rome.

In Paul’s day, Ephesus had become enormously wealthy due to its status and position as a major port

city of Asia Minor – ranking right up there with Alexandria in Egypt! There were major public buildings,

including gymnasiums, theaters, and a triumphal arch. It was a cosmopolitan center of trade, religion,

and recreation -- and the site of the beautiful temple of Artemis – one of the seven wonders of the

ancient world – at one time four times the size of the Parthenon in Athens.

Today the ruins of the city of Ephesus are considered some of the most magnificent ruins of the ancient

world – allowing visitors to walk the cobblestone streets of history for a brief moment.

As he wrote the letter to the Ephesians, Paul would have remembered the bustling city and the season

of working alongside Priscilla and Aquila – pastoring the church – recalling the many miracles and

challenges – and the precious elders who traveled to Miletus to see him off as he made his final journey

to Rome – weeping over him as they sensed they would never see him again. (Acts 19 and 20)



As we begin this journey into the book of Ephesians, may you sense the tenderness in Paul’s heart – and

perhaps the tears – as memories flooded his mind of the precious saints who had his back during his

time in Ephesus. And then… fasten your seatbelt and get ready to count your spiritual blessings as Paul

unveils the mystery of the Church and the blessings of being in Christ.

By Judy Shrout

Judy is the wife of Tom, mother of Heather, mother-in-law of Jim, grandmom to T.J., Ainsley, and

Maggie, and grandmother-in-law to Piper.