Ephesus

Ephesus – The Church That Lost Its First Love

Scripture: Revelation 2:1–7

Ephesus was one of the largest and most influential cities of the ancient world, home to the Apostle Paul for over two years and the likely residence of John the Apostle. The Ephesian believers were known for their hard work, perseverance, and strong doctrine.

Yet Jesus said: “You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

Why It Matters:
Ephesus teaches us that truth and orthodoxy are vital—but love is essential. Even a church that defends correct doctrine can lose its heart if it forgets compassion and devotion.

Lesson:
Return to your first love—the sincere, joyful relationship with Christ that inspired your faith in the beginning.

The letter to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2 is a message from Jesus that commends the church for its hard work, endurance, and discernment in testing false apostles, but reprimands it for abandoning its "first love" for Christ. The core of the message is a call to remember its past devotion, repent, and return to its former works of love, or else Jesus threatens to remove their "lampstand" (a symbol of the church itself).

Praises for the church

Hard work and endurance: Jesus acknowledges their toil, patience, and perseverance for His name's sake.

Discernment: They are commended for not tolerating evil and for testing those who claim to be apostles and finding them to be liars.

Hate for evil deeds: The church is praised for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus also hates.

Criticism and warning

"You have forsaken the love you had at first": This is the central criticism, indicating a loss of their initial, passionate love for God and each other.

A call to action: They are instructed to "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first".

A threat of judgment: If they do not repent, Jesus says, "I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place". This represents the church's existence being removed or destroyed.

The Library of Celsus in Ephesus, 2nd century A.D.

In the Footsteps of the Apostles

Nestled near the modern town of Selçuk, ancient Ephesus was one of the greatest cities of the Roman world and a key center of early Christianity.
Here the Apostle Paul preached the gospel for more than two years (Acts 19), performing miracles and sparking the famous riot of the silversmiths who feared for their idol trade.
Tradition holds that John the Apostle later lived here and wrote both his Gospel and the Book of Revelation while caring for Mary, the mother of Jesus, who also spent her final years nearby.

The Biblical Message to Ephesus

“I know your deeds and your hard work… Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love.” — Revelation 2:2-4

The first of the Seven Churches of Revelation, Ephesus was praised for its perseverance but warned against losing its heartfelt devotion. Amid prosperity and learning, believers were reminded that faith must remain personal and alive—not just busy or dutiful.

💡 Reflection idea:

“In Ephesus we stand where faith met philosophy, where devotion had to burn brighter than success.”

What You’ll See Today

Ephesus offers one of the richest archaeological experiences in the world. Visitors can walk its colonnaded streets, visit the Great Theater that held 25,000 spectators, and explore the Terrace Houses with their mosaics and frescoes.

Just outside the ancient city stands the Basilica of St. John, built over the apostle’s traditional tomb, and the nearby House of Mary, a pilgrimage site honored by Catholics and Orthodox alike.

Church of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus

Join Our Biblical Tour

Experience Ephesus as part of our Seven Churches of Revelation Tour, led by expert guides who bring scripture to life on-site.
Stand where Paul taught, visit John’s resting place, and rediscover the passion of the early church.

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