Acts 19:38
Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
Original Language Analysis
μὲν
Wherefore
G3303
μὲν
Wherefore
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὖν
G3767
Δημήτριος
Demetrius
G1216
Δημήτριος
Demetrius
Strong's:
G1216
Word #:
4 of 20
demetrius, the name of an ephesian and of a christian
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σὺν
which are with
G4862
σὺν
which are with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
7 of 20
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τεχνῖται
the craftsmen
G5079
τεχνῖται
the craftsmen
Strong's:
G5079
Word #:
9 of 20
an artisan; figuratively, a founder (creator)
πρός
against
G4314
πρός
against
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
10 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
λόγον
a matter
G3056
λόγον
a matter
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
12 of 20
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ἔχουσιν
have
G2192
ἔχουσιν
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
13 of 20
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἀγοραῖοι
the law
G60
ἀγοραῖοι
the law
Strong's:
G60
Word #:
14 of 20
relating to the market-place, i.e., forensic (times); by implication, vulgar
ἄγονται
is open
G71
ἄγονται
is open
Strong's:
G71
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀνθύπατοί
deputies
G446
ἀνθύπατοί
deputies
Strong's:
G446
Word #:
17 of 20
instead of the highest officer, i.e., (specially) a roman proconsul
Historical Context
Roman legal system in provincial capitals like Ephesus was sophisticated. Regular court sessions (conventus) were held where provincials could bring grievances before the proconsul or his delegates. This provided structured justice and protected Roman order. The town clerk's appeal to legal process reveals how early Christianity benefited from Roman law's relative fairness—Paul frequently used legal appeals to protect himself and advance the gospel (Acts 16:37, 22:25, 25:11).
Questions for Reflection
- How should Christians engage with legal and governmental systems, even when those systems are not Christian?
- What does this passage teach about God's providence in placing the early church within the Roman legal framework?
- When facing opposition, how can we distinguish between standing firm on gospel truth and wisely using available legal protections?
Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man—The town clerk redirects from mob violence to legal process. The conditional εἰ μέν οὖν (ei men oun, 'if therefore indeed') introduces proper procedure: if Demetrius has legitimate grievances (λόγον, logon, 'a word, a case'), there are appropriate venues. The law is open (ἀγοραῖοι ἄγονται, agoraioi agontai, literally 'court days are conducted') refers to regular sessions of the proconsular court.
And there are deputies (ἀνθύπατοί, anthypatoi, 'proconsuls')—likely referring to the proconsul's representatives since there was technically one proconsul of Asia. Let them implead one another (ἐγκαλείτωσαν ἀλλήλοις, enkaleitōsan allēlois, 'let them bring charges against one another') is the proper legal term for formal accusation. The clerk's point: you have courts, use them—mob justice is illegal and dangerous under Roman rule.