Robbers of churches or temples
In Acts 19:37 we find a major difference between the KJV and the modern versions of the Bible. The KJV reads robbers of CHURCHES
Acts 19:37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. KJV
However, many modern versions read Robbers of TEMPLES.
Acts 19:37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. NIV
Other versions that read like this are the NASB, ASV, ERV and Net Bible
Some other versions do not read temples or churches. but rather sacrilegious.
Acts 19:37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. ESV
While no main modern version of the Bible reads churches, including the NKJV, this isnt just a KJV issue. The Tyndale, Coverdale, Matthews, Great Bible and Bishops Bible all read churches in this verse. The Geneva Bible reads sacrilege.
So what is the correct rendering in this verse. What we should point out that this is not a textual issue, the Greek word translated as, churches, temples and sacrilegious is the exact same word, ἱεροσύλους hierosylous, the strongs definition of the word is Temple robber, sacrilegious person
So why would churches be the correct reading in this verse rather than temple or sacrilegious?
The word is only used once in the New Testament, so we are going to have to work out through context what the correct reading should be.
It actually derives from two different Greek words, ἱερός hieros, meaning something Holy and σύλη Sule, meaning to rob, plunder.
So it clearly has the meaning of robbing something Holy. None of the translations would be against the meaning of the verse. But this obviously still doesn’t explain why churches would be a more accurate reading.
Firstly, it must be noted that this doesn’t have to refer to temples. Temples is not in the definition of the word and while temple would be a Holy place, there is no requirement for this meaning. Also sacrilegious only refers to the misuse or violation of something Holy, thus, while does indicate that something Holy is being robbed, does not tell us what that is. A temple or church would certainly fit within the meaning.
Acts 19 starts by telling us that Paul had gone to Ephesus and had found disciples there.
Acts 19:1 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,
We know that Paul was there for 3 months preaching Jesus (The Kingdom of God) in the Synogogues
Acts 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
However, we know that many did not beliee and Paul then spent the next 2 years with the disciples daily in the School of Tyrannus.
Acts 19:9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 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.
He was no longer teaching in the Synogogues but was daily with the disciples (those that believed).
After an incident with some Jews and some evil spirits told to us in Acts 19:13-20 we find many more believing in the name of Jesus.
So starts a narrative regarding some trouble in Ephesus.
We are told about a man called Demetrius who was making silver shrines for Diana (pagan goddess in Ephesus).
Acts 19:23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen
Demetrius was arguing against the work that Paul was doing
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: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
This angered many and caused many to proclaim Diana was great
Acts 19:28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
These Ephesians caught hold of a couple of Pauls friends. Paul wanted to intervene but was …not to.
Acts 19: 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
There was confusion in the city and a Jew named Alexander was pulled from the multitude. After they realised he was a Jew, they again cried out that Diana, their goddess was great.
Acts 19: 31And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. 34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
One of the towns people, a leader in the city proclaimed that Ephesians worshipped Diana.
Acts 19: 35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
The man then referred to the men that had been brought out (Gaius and Aristarchus). He stated that the men were not robbers of Churches nor were they blasphemers of their goddess (Diana).
Acts 19:36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
Now, there is need to make notice of a number of details given to us in the context. Firstly, that there were believers of Jesus in Ephesus, thus “Christians”. There were many new converts to Jesus after Paul had been preaching in Ephesus for a number of years. They met daily. this was then “church”. The congregation of those people who believed.
Diana was a goddess in Ephesus, but only in Ephesus, not anywhere else. History tells us there was only 1 temple dedicated to the worship of Diana, not multiple temples.
The reference here was not to the temples of Diana but rather the men had not robbed the churches, the Holy places NOR had they blasphemed Diana.The second point distinct from the first.
These men were not robbing that what was Holy which would have been in churches, the congregation of those Christians, not temples.
In Acts 20 Pau wrote a letter to the Ephesians and referenced having not coveted any silver or apparel of the people, but rather preached the Kingdom of God.
Acts 20: 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Churches is certainly the correct meaning of what was being referred to as Holy, the congregation of the believers, and that these men had not been robbers of it. They were not robbing the church.
To refer to physical temples as the meaning in this verse simply goes against the context and what was being referred to.
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