Atti 19:25

25 Raunati questi e gli altri che lavoravan di cotali cose, disse: Uomini, voi sapete che dall’esercizio di quest’arte viene la nostra prosperità.

Atti 19:25 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 19:25

Whom he called together
That is, the craftsmen; "all his co-artificers", as the Syriac version reads, all the chief of the trade, the masters of it, as he himself was:

with the workmen of like occupation;
who were employed by him, and the rest of the masters in the several branches of the business; as founders, engravers, polishers some might make the images, and others the temples, or shrines; some do one part and some another, so that abundance of persons might be employed in this business:

and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth;
the workmen not only had a comfortable and sufficient livelihood, but the masters of the trade grew rich: such a demand had they for their goods, and so profitable was this craft to them: this was a very strong and moving argument, to influence the masters and workmen; it so nearly touched them, and their worldly interest, than which nothing sticks closer to carnal men. Demetrius's way of address was very moving and persuasive, but his method manifestly betrayed what was his greatest concern, not religion, but his own secular interest; that which he should have mentioned last, if at all, he begins with: self is the leading and governing principle in a natural man.

Atti 19:25 In-Context

23 Or in quel tempo nacque non piccol tumulto a proposito della nuova Via.

24 Poiché un tale, chiamato Demetrio, orefice, che faceva de’ tempietti di Diana in argento, procurava non poco guadagno agli artigiani.

25 Raunati questi e gli altri che lavoravan di cotali cose, disse: Uomini, voi sapete che dall’esercizio di quest’arte viene la nostra prosperità.

26 E voi vedete e udite che questo Paolo ha persuaso e sviato gran moltitudine non solo in Efeso, ma quasi in tutta l’Asia dicendo che quelli fatti con le mani, non sono dèi.

27 E non solo v’è pericolo che questo ramo della nostra arte cada in discredito, ma che anche il tempio della gran dea Diana sia reputato per nulla, e che sia perfino spogliata della sua maestà colei, che tutta l’Asia e il mondo adorano.