Acts 19:26
Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
Moreover
G2532
καὶ
Moreover
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεωρεῖτε
ye see
G2334
θεωρεῖτε
ye see
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
2 of 29
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
καὶ
Moreover
G2532
καὶ
Moreover
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 29
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
9 of 29
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἀσίας
Asia
G773
Ἀσίας
Asia
Strong's:
G773
Word #:
13 of 29
asia, i.e., asia minor, or (usually) only its western shore
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
15 of 29
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
οὗτος
this
G3778
οὗτος
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
16 of 29
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
πείσας
hath persuaded
G3982
πείσας
hath persuaded
Strong's:
G3982
Word #:
17 of 29
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
μετέστησεν
and turned away
G3179
μετέστησεν
and turned away
Strong's:
G3179
Word #:
18 of 29
to transfer, i.e., carry away, depose or (figuratively) exchange, seduce
ἱκανὸν
much
G2425
ἱκανὸν
much
Strong's:
G2425
Word #:
19 of 29
competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
ὄχλον
people
G3793
ὄχλον
people
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
20 of 29
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
λέγων
saying
G3004
λέγων
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
21 of 29
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
22 of 29
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
θεοὶ
gods
G2316
θεοὶ
gods
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
25 of 29
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διὰ
with
G1223
διὰ
with
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
27 of 29
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Cross References
Acts 17:29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.1 Corinthians 8:4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.Revelation 9:20And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:Deuteronomy 4:28And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.Acts 19:10And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.Acts 14:15And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:Jeremiah 10:11Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
Historical Context
The seven churches of Asia (Revelation 2-3) emerged from Paul's Ephesian ministry, which reached the entire province through the hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9-10). Ephesus served as Paul's base for regional evangelism, training workers who planted churches throughout Asia Minor.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'handmade gods' (career, relationships, ideology) might dominate contemporary culture?
- How can you balance reasoned persuasion and Spirit-empowerment in your witness?
Analysis & Commentary
Not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia—Paul's ministry had provincial impact, not merely local. The Greek πείθω (peithō, 'persuaded') indicates rational argumentation, not coercion. Paul turned away much people (μετέστησεν, metestēsen, 'caused to change sides'), using language of conversion and defection from false religion.
They be no gods, which are made with hands (χειροποίητοι, cheiropoiētoi)—This echoes prophetic mockery of idols (Psalm 115:4-8, Isaiah 44:9-20). Paul's preaching exposed the obvious absurdity: creators cannot be inferior to their creations. The gospel's intellectual coherence, combined with Spirit-power, systematically dismantled Artemis worship.