Acts 19:27

so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought This is an instance where the Rev. Ver., though more literal, gains nothing in force, and loses in diction. "And not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute." The requirements of the connexion would be sufficiently met by, "and not only is this, &c."

The word for "craft" means literally our "interest," our "share" (i.e. in the profits of trade).

but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana This was one of the wonders of the ancient world, and the glory and pride of all the Ephesians, and the recent explorations of Mr Wood (see Wood's Ephesus) have made us aware of the grandeur of the edifice and the consequent reason for this pride. Even the fragments of the architecture in the British Museum make it plain that the whole temple must have been a work of unsurpassed magnificence. No expense had been spared on its building, and the munificence of worshippers maintained it in full splendour. It was also used as a divinely-secured treasure-house, and those who made use of it in this way no doubt paid liberally for the protection. Tradition said, as it said of many another heathen idol, that the image in the shrine fell down from heaven. The description of this image (see Acts 19:24) is taken from coins which were current at the date when the Acts of the Apostles was written.

should be despised More literally (as Rev. Ver.) "be made of no account." As would be the case if men began to think that they were no gods which were made with hands. In his eagerness to save the trade, Demetrius forgets to put forward what the townclerk mentions afterwards (Acts 19:35), that the image was held to have come down from heaven. He is only interested in the support of what supplied his wealth.

and her magnificence should be destroyed According to the best supported reading: and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence. The Greek word rendered "magnificence" is not unfrequently used to express the "majesty" of God.

whom all Asia and the world worshippeth For wealth from the East, as well as from Greece, was bestowed on this gorgeous shrine.