The Wisdom of Calm Leadership

Acts 19:35–41 (NASB95) 

35After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven?  

36“So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash.  

37“For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38“So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39“But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. 40“For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41After saying this he dismissed the assembly. 

In this passage, we see the city clerk of Ephesus step in to calm the chaotic and dangerous riot stirred up by Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen. The clerk’s speech is a masterclass in diplomacy and leadership, as he appeals to the crowd’s civic pride and religious beliefs of Artemis’s greatness, which he argues is not threatened by Paul’s teachings. He also points out that Paul and his companions have not committed any sacrilegious or criminal acts, and he redirects the crowd to pursue their grievances through lawful channels rather than mob violence. His intervention prevents further escalation and protects Paul and his companions from harm. This moment highlights how God can use even secular authorities to maintain order and protect His people, ensuring that the Gospel continues to spread despite opposition. 

This hits close to home with what we experienced in Israel last week. This passage reminds us of the importance of calm and reasoned leadership in times of conflict. In a world where emotions and misinformation can quickly escalate into chaos, the church is called to be a voice of peace and wisdom. Like the city clerk, we must seek to de-escalate tensions and encourage others to pursue justice and truth through appropriate means. Additionally, this account challenges us to trust in God’s sovereignty, knowing that He can use unexpected people and circumstances to protect His mission and His people. Let us commit to being peacemakers in our communities, reflecting the wisdom and grace of Jesus in all we do.