Demetrius
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G1216
Demetrius, a silversmith in Ephesus, stirred up opposition against Paul because his preaching threatened the business of making shrines of Artemis.
Demetrius was a silversmith in Ephesus who made silver shrines of the goddess Artemis and led a riot against Paul because Paul's preaching that 'gods made with hands are not gods' threatened his trade and the cult of Artemis (Acts 19:24–41). His speech to fellow craftsmen stirred up the city into a two-hour uproar in the theater. The episode illustrates how the Christian message directly threatened the economic and religious fabric of pagan urban life in the Roman Empire. A different Demetrius is praised in 3 John 12 as one having a good testimony from everyone.