EPHESUS: WHEN ORTHODOXY COSTS TOO MUCH

Revelation 2:1—7 (contd)

THE risen Christ goes on to praise the Christians of Ephesus because they have tested evildoers and proved them to be liars.
Many came into the little congregations of the early Church with evil intent. Jesus had warned of the false prophets who are wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). In his farewell speech to the elders of this very church at Ephesus, Paul had warned them that savage wolves would invade the flock (Acts 20:29). These evil people were of many kinds. There were messages from the Jews who sought to entangle Christians again in the law and who followed Paul everywhere, trying to undo his work. There were those who tried to turn liberty into licence. There were professional beggars who preyed on the charity of the Christian congregations. The church at Ephesus was even more open to these recurring menaces than any other church. It was on the highway to Rome and to the east, and what R. C. Trench called ‘the whole rabble of evildoers’ was liable to descend upon it.
More than once, the New Testament insists on the necessity of testing. John in his First Letter insists that the spirits who claim to come from God should be tested by their willingness to accept the incarnation in all its fullness (1 John 4:1—3). Paul insists that the Thessalonians should test all things and then hold on to that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). He insists that, when the prophets preach, they are subject to the testing of the other prophets (1 Corinthians 14:29). Individuals cannot proclaim private views in the assembly of God’s people; they must conform to the tradition of the Church. Jesus demanded the hardest test of all: ‘You will know them by their fruits’ (Matthew 7:15—20).
The church at Ephesus had faithfully applied its tests and had weeded out all evil and misguided individuals; but the trouble was that something had got lost in the process. ‘I have this against you,’ says the risen Christ, ‘that you have left your first love.’ That phrase may have two meanings.
(1) It can mean that the first enthusiasm has gone. Jeremiah speaks of the devotion of Israel to God in the early days. God says to the nation that he remembers ‘the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride’ (Jeremiah 2:2). There had been a honeymoon period, but the first flush of enthusiasm is past. It may be that the risen Christ is saying that all the enthusiasm has gone out of the religion of the church of Ephesus.
(2) It is much more likely that this means that the first fine rapture of love for the church community has gone. In the first days, the members of the church at Ephesus had really loved each other; disagreement had never reared its head; the heart was ready to be stirred and the hand was ready to help. But something had gone wrong. It may well be that heresy-hunting had killed love, and orthodoxy had been achieved at the price of fellowship. When that happens, orthodoxy has cost too much. All the orthodoxy in the world will never take the place of love.

Barclay, W. (2004). The Revelation of John (3rd ed. fully rev. and updated., Vol. 1, pp. 70—72). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.

On this day...

• Exodus 22 - 2024
• But the wrath of God is the wrath of love, which is not out to destroy but, even in anger, is out to save those whom it loves - 2014
• The terrible thing about sin is that it makes people fugitives from God - 2014
• Genesis 31:53 - 2011
• Genesis 31.42 - 2011
• 2 Peter 3:18 - 2009
• Mark 10:21 - 2009
• Ezekiel 35:10 - 2009
• Why HOW We Do Anything Means Everything - 2008
• Romans 15:20-21 - 2007