Xenophon of Ephesus: Good deeds

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 1 Timothy 2:9-10

“The local festival of Artemis was in progress, with its procession from the city to the temple nearly a mile away. All the local girls had to march in procession, richly dressed, as well as all the young men of Habrocomes’ age—he was around sixteen, already a member of the Ephebes, and took first place in the procession. There was a great crowd of Ephesians and visitors alike to see the festival… Anthia led the line of girls… Her hair was golden—a little of it plaited, but most hanging loose and blowing in the wind. Her eyes were quick; she had the bright glance of a young girl, and yet the austere look of a virgin. She wore a purple tunic down to the knee, fastened with a girdle and falling loose over her arms, with a fawnskin over it, a quiver attached, and arrows for weapons; she carried javelins and was followed by dogs. Often as they saw her in the sacred enclosure the Ephesians would worship her as Artemis.”

Xenophon of Ephesus in Ephesiaca 1.2.2–7, published as Anthia and Habrocomes, ed. and trans. Jeffrey Henderson (LCL 69; Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2009).

You may wonder why I choose this Scripture and quote from an ancient source for today’s post.

The paper I deliver today at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is entitled, “The Economy of Ephesus in contrast to the Economy of God in 1 Timothy and Ephesians.”

I use ancient sources not widely known, such as Ephesiaca, to demonstrate life in Ephesus. Everything in the economy revolved around service to the goddess, Artemis.

For women, the social and religious rules in the setting expected women to dress and imitate the goddess. That explains why Apostle Paul wants them to use their wealth in different ways.

He wanted them to do good deeds and live generously to demonstrate their worship of God.

If you want a copy of my paper and slide deck, reply and I will share it. Regardless, hear this. God wants us to use any wealth we have to live differently from the world and show our worship of God.

For those who want to read my published doctoral research, see: Wealth in Ancient Ephesus and the First Letter to Timothy. It’s not a popular book but a scholarly NT monograph.

For those of you who like short YouTube videos more than books or papers, check out this video in which I summarize this aspect of my doctoral research. It has been well received with more than 87,000 views.

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8

“You know about the Ephesians, of course, and that large sums of money are in their hands, some of them belonging to private citizens and deposited in the temple of Artemis, not alone money of the Ephesians, but also of aliens and of persons from all parts of the world, and in some cases of commonwealths of kings, money which all deposit there in order that it may be safe.”

Dio Chrysostom (first century CE Roman historian, orator, writer, and philosopher) in Oration 31.54.

I shot the peaceful header photo on my morning walk to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Tomorrow I deliver another paper at the conference here in Amsterdam: “The Economy of Ephesus in contrast to the Economy of God in 1 Timothy and Ephesians.”

In my paper, I use ancient evidence, like this testimony of Dio Chrysostom to reconstruct the sitz im leben or setting in life of the rich and the economy of Ephesus.

In so doing, I find a world that revolves around material wealth and honoring the goddess who watches over it in her temple. In this setting Paul charges Timothy to instruct people to live according to a different economy rooted in the boundless riches of Christ.

Today’s post sounds like the modern practice of storing wealth in financial institutions to keep it safe. Let me say, I am not against having back accounts with funds for dedicated purposes.

I think the Apostle Paul would urge faithful stewardship. And such stewardship often results in God expanding our stewardship and supplying more resources.

He does not, however, want us to try to locate our security in amassing wealth. That was the ancient practice in Ephesus and is a modern practice today but described as foolishness by Jesus.

I appreciate your prayers. Reply if you want a copy.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it. 2 Timothy 3:14

“Do not reprimand one another in anger, but in peace, as you have learned from the gospel. Let no one speak with a person who has committed a sin against his neighbor, nor let him hear anything from you, until he repents. But say your prayers, give to charity, and engage in all your activities as you have learned in the gospel of our Lord.”

Didache 15.3-4 in The Apostolic Fathers, ed. and trans. by Bart D. Ehrman (LCL 24 & 25; Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2003).

The Didache represented the early church discipleship manual. In this excerpt we see how followers of Jesus were to treat one another in a context of increasing hostility. Have we continued in what we have learned?

This text came into view as part of my research for a paper I am delivering today, entitled, “Advice from the Apostolic Fathers on Christian Social Engagement in a Hostile World.”

Imagine if every Christian in modern times followed these instructions in all activities. We might be known for unity rather than division and for love rather than fighting. Lord help us continue in what we have learned.

Reply here to let me know if you’d like a copy of my paper and slide deck.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

“For this is why the Master made you rich, that you may carry out these ministries for him. . . do not participate in the extravagance sought by outsiders; for it is of no profit for you who are slaves of God. But participate in your own extravagance in which you can rejoice. And do not counterfeit or touch what belongs to another, or desire it. For it is evil to desire someone else’s goods. But do your own work, and you will be saved.”

Shepherd of Hermas, Parables 50.9-11 in The Apostolic Fathers, ed. and trans. by Bart D. Ehrman (LCL 24 & 25; Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2003).

Today in Amsterdam, I give thanks for a good night of sleep and for my wife, as it is her birthday.

She does not “participate in the extravagance sought by outsiders” but rather, as a slave to God, she participates in “extravagance in which you can rejoice.”

She is rich in good works and lets her light shine before others as she carries out ministries for God.

Today’s quote comes from the paper I will deliver tomorrow here at the conference: “Advice from the Apostolic Fathers on Christian Social Engagement in a Hostile World.”

Reply if you want a copy of my paper. And I shot the new header photo yesterday after our safe arrival.

Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Philippians 4:3

“Let the one who is strong take care of the weak; and let the weak show due respect to the strong. Let the wealthy provide what is needed to the poor, and let the poor offer thanks to God, since He has given him someone to supply his need. Let the one who is wise show forth wisdom not through words but through good deeds.”

Clement of Rome in 1 Clement 38.2 in The Apostolic Fathers, ed. and trans. by Bart D. Ehrman (LCL 24 & 25; Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2003).

According to Tertullian, the Apostle Peter consecrated the ministry of Clement. Scholars also connect this bishop of Rome to the Clement mentioned by the Apostle Paul in today’s Scripture.

Regardless, Clement served as Bishop of Rome and died a martyr in A.D. 100. In my paper, I found that NT letters like Timothy and Titus called the church to honor the emperor and pray for those in authority.

When you read the bishops among to the Apostolic Fathers, Clement of Rome, Polycarp of Smyrna, and Ignatius of Antioch, the tone changes. They shift to interceding for each other to endure and doing good deeds.

I pause today, as I fly across the ocean to Amsterdam, to pray for Christians everywhere, especially those in persecuted places, to heed the words of Clement and show Christian care through good deeds.

The greatest form of evangelism, in settings hostile to Christianity, is generosity. Remember, there is no law against it and when done with love, there is no match to it.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. John 17:16

“For Christians are not different from other people in terms of their country, language, or customs. Nowhere do they inhabit cities of their own, use a strange dialect, or live life out of the ordinary. They have not discovered this teaching of theirs through reflection or through the thought of meddlesome people, nor do they set forth any human doctrine, as do some. They inhabit both Greek and barbarian cities, according to the lot assigned to each.

And they show forth the character of their own citizenship in a marvelous and admittedly paradoxical way by following local customs in what they wear and what they eat and in the rest of their lives. They live in their respective countries, but only as resident aliens; they participate in all the things as citizens, and they endure all things as foreigners. Every foreign territory is a homeland for them, every homeland foreign territory.

They marry like everyone else and have children, but they do not expose them once they are born. They share their meals but not their sexual partners. They are found in the flesh but do not live according to the flesh. They live on earth but participate in the life of heaven. They are obedient to the laws that have been made, and by their own lives they supersede the laws. They love everyone and are persecuted by all. They are not understood, and they are condemned. They are put to death and made alive. They are impoverished and make many rich.

They are dishonored and they are exalted in their dishonors. They are slandered and they are acquitted. They are reviled and they bless, mistreated and they bestow honor. They do good and are punished as evil; when they are punished, they rejoice as those who have been made alive. They are attacked by Jews as foreigners and persecuted by Greeks, and those who hate them cannot explain the cause of their enmity. To put the matter simply, what the soul is to the body, this what Christians are in the world.”

Epistle to Diognetus 5.1-6.1 in The Apostolic Fathers, ed. and trans. by Bart D. Ehrman (LCL 24 & 25; Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2003).

Today I am taking long-awaited leave from work to travel to Amsterdam with Jenni. We will visit some sights, including the Van Gogh Museum. Our daughter Sophie, and her husband, Peter, will join us.

From 29 July to 1 August I will attend the 2024 International Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature at Vrije Universiteit. I will deliver two scholarly papers.

Over the next ten days I will share quotes from my papers. Today’s quote comes from my paper, entitled, “Advice from the Apostolic Fathers on Christian Social Engagement in a Hostile World.”

Reply if you want a copy of the paper.

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 1 Timothy 6:2b

“Bringing together Paul’s negative and positive instructions to the wealthy, they are not to be proud and despise the poor, but to do good and be generous; they are not to fix their hopes on uncertain riches but on God the Giver and on that most valuable of all his gifts, the treasure of eternal life.

Looking over both the paragraphs about money, the apostle’s balanced wisdom becomes apparent. Against materialism (an obsession with material possessions) he sets simplicity of lifestyle. Against asceticism (the repudiation of the material order) he sets gratitude for God’s creation. Against covetousness (the list for more possessions) he sets contentment with what we have. Against selfishness (the accumulation of goods for ourselves) he sets generosity in imitation of God.

Simplicity, gratitude, contentment, and generosity constitute the healthy quadrilateral of Christian living.”

John R.W. Stott in The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (TBST; Downers Grove: IVP, 1996) 162-163.

Today’s the last day of the conference in Omaha. My remarks have been well received. It’s been great to serve more than 100 pastors with my friend, Jon Wiebe of MB Foundation.

This post almost sums up my aim at this conference in four talks. To impart the healthy quadrilateral of Christian living: simplicity, gratitude, contentment, and generosity.

My four themes were actually faithful stewardship, faithful leadership, faithful governance, and faithful accountability. Reply if you want a set of my notes.

I pray you see their connection and pursue these four traits in your life. They mark the antidotes to materialism, asceticism, covetousness, and selfishness.

Imagine the impact on the congregations as these pastors live out these traits and influence their congregations. I pray it touches tens of thousands of disciples of Jesus Christ.

In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:19

“Timothy must seek to develop in the rich a sense of proportion. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life…

Perhaps the best commentary on this teaching is Jesus’ parable of the unjust steward or the shrewd manager [Luke 16:1-9]. He used his influence in the present to secure his future, and Jesus commended him for his prudence, though not for his dishonesty.

It is a question of perspective and of proportion. Which is the more valuable? Is it to be rich in this age or in the age to come? Is it to accumulate treasure on earth or in heaven? Is it to make a lot of money now or ‘take hold of the life that is truly life’?”

John R.W. Stott in The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (TBST; Downers Grove: IVP, 1996) 162.

Yesterday’s post was called, “seek to develop,” and I entitled this one, “seek to develop…again,” because that’s the language of Stott in his commentary and the aim of my remarks in Omaha.

I seek to develop shrewd stewards who will be commended for their prudence, for choosing an eternal perspective, and for deciding to give proportionately.

Notice that the teachings of Jesus echoed by the Apostle Paul aim not at trying to rob us but help us take hold of something better and something lasting.

I appreciate your prayers for me as I speak twice today at the conference in Omaha, again invited by my friend Jon Wiebe at MB Foundation.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:17-18

“Timothy is not only to warn the rich of the perils they face, but also to alert them to the duties they have… Timothy must seek to develop in the rich a sense of responsibility… Command those who are rich… to be rich in good deeds. Let them add one kind of wealth to another. This is a necessary admonition. Wealth can make people lazy. Since they already have everything they want, they have no need to exert themselves for their living.

It is not for nothing that some people refer to ‘the idle rich’. Timothy is to command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share, using their wealth to relieve want and to promote good causes. In so doing, they will be imitating God. For He is rich, yet out of His riches, richly provides us with everything we need.

Since God is such a generous giver, His people should be generous too, no only in imitation of His generosity, but also because of the colossal needs of the world around us. Many Christian enterprises are hampered for lack of funds. And all the time our conscience nags us as we remember the one fifth of the world’s population who are destitute. If wealthy people are really and sacrificially generous, it goes without saying that they will no longer be wealthy as they were. They may not become poor, but neither will they remain rich.”

John R.W. Stott in The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (TBST; Downers Grove: IVP, 1996) 161.

Today I head to Omaha to speak multiple times at a conference in the next three days invited by my friend Jon Wiebe at MB Foundation. The theme is “Salt and Light: Faithful Living in a Secular Culture.”

I will speak on four topics: Faithful Stewardship, Faithful Leadership, Faithful Governance, and Faithful Accountability. I appreciate your prayers for me. My aim matches these words of Stott.

I “seek to develop” the Christian workers I will serve to model and promote these topics to multiply good and faithful stewards and help the ministries they serve to thrive with standards.

And I pray the same for you. I pray your ministry in the lives of rich people causes them to neither be rich nor poor but having obeyed the command from Scripture to be two things.

I want each of us and the rich among us to be obedient to God and dependent on God. If the rich reflect those those two traits, needs will be met, ministries will have resources, and the gospel will spread.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17

“The first danger to which the wealthy are exposed is pride. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant. The Old Testament clearly warned people of this [Deuteronomy 8:14; Ezekiel 28:5]. Wealth often gives birth to vanity. It tends to make people feel self-important, and so contemptuous of others. Wealthy people frequently boast of their house, furniture, car, yacht, or other possessions.

The second danger to which the rich are exposed is a false security. Command those who are rich in this present world not … to put their hope in wealth. To do so is foolishly short-sighted. For one thing, wealth is uncertain. Jesus warned us of the ravages of moth, rust, and burglars [Matthew 6:19; Proverbs 23:5] and we would want to add fire and inflation as further hazards. Many people have gone to bed rich and woken up poor.

For another thing, the proper object of our human trust is not a thing but a Person; not wealth but God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. This is an important addition. We are not to exchange materialism for asceticism. On the contrary, our God is a generous Creator, who wants us to appreciate the good gifts of creation. If we consider it right to adopt an economic lifestyle lower than we could command, it will be out of solidarity with the poor, and not because we judge the possession of material things to be wrong in itself.

The two dangers, then, to which the rich are exposed area false pride (looking down on people less fortunate than themselves) and a false security (trusting in the gift instead of the Giver). In this way wealth can spoil life’s two paramount relationships, causing us to forget God and despise our neighbor.”

John R.W. Stott in The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (TBST; Downers Grove: IVP, 1996) 161.

What stands out afresh to me today as I look at these two dangers — false pride and false security — is the impact they have on our relationship with God and our neighbor.

And if we think about it further, God’s command is for us to use the resources He supplies. People ask me how to avoid the dangers of wealth, and I often recount the childhood game, hot potato.

We lose if we hold on to or drop the ball or whatever else represents the potato. That means that when God blesses us with resources, we need to use them wisely (enjoyment and sharing) and not hold on to them.

Notice the only way to avoid the false pride and false security is to put the wealth to work. If you have wealth. See it as a hot potato. We only lose if we drop it or are found holding it.

And the loss is great. It impacts our walk with God and our journey with others. Remember, the way to avoid this is to enjoy and share God’s blessings. No wonder it comes as a command.