"Ephesus, a celebrated city of Asia Minor, Acts 18:19, 21, 24; 1 Cor. 15:32*"
Definition and meaning
Ephesus, a celebrated city of Asia Minor, Acts 18:19, 21, 24; 1 Cor. 15:32*
In the original Greek the word is written: Ἔφεσος
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of ephesos (G2181) across the King James Bible.
And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
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:
For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
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Common questions
Strong's G2181 (ephesos) is a Greek word that means: Ephesus, a celebrated city of Asia Minor, Acts 18:19, 21, 24; 1 Cor. 15:32* It appears 15 times in the King James Bible.
The word ephesos (G2181) appears 15 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2181 is ephesos, a Greek word defined as: Ephesus, a celebrated city of Asia Minor, Acts 18:19, 21, 24; 1 Cor. 15:32*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ephesos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.