Ephesus means in the bible: The capital of Asia, a Roman province and great commercial hub. Three miles away from the ocean, Ephesus stood on the banks the navigable Cayster River. Ephesus was a major business hub, with much of east-west commerce passing through the highway linking Ephesus to the Euphrates. This made it a center of the Christian Church in Asia Minor. It was known as Artemis’ guardian Acts 19:35. There was also a huge manufacture of shrines to the goddess in silver. Her temple’s magnificence was a proverbial symbol of its power. Paul visited Ephesus at the end of Acts 18:19. He stayed for two years there on Acts 19, and then left because of disturbances caused by silversmiths, whose business in shrines to the goddess was harmed by the Christian faith. Also see Acts 20.17 and 1 Cor. 15:32; 16:8; 1 Tim. 1:3; 2 Tim. 1:18; 4:12. John was closely associated with this city. Also see John.
(in Bible Dictionary)
