What does the Bible say about Demetrius?
Demetrius is mentioned twice in the New Testament of the Bible, both times in the book of Acts. The first mention is in Acts 19:24-41, where he is described as a silversmith who made silver shrines of the goddess Artemis. The second mention is in Acts 3 John 1:12, where he is referred to as a man of good reputation.
In Acts 19, Demetrius and his fellow silversmiths were concerned that the preaching of the apostle Paul was causing a decline in the demand for their silver shrines. They stirred up a riot in the city of Ephesus, claiming that the preaching of Paul was not only harming their business but also endangering the worship of the goddess Artemis. The riot was eventually quelled by the city clerk, who reminded the crowd that the worship of Artemis was not in danger and that the matter should be resolved through legal channels.
This passage does not provide any commentary on Demetrius himself, but it does illustrate the tension between the early Christian church and the pagan religions of the time. It also shows that the spread of the gospel was perceived as a threat to the economic and social structures of the day.
In 3 John 1:12, Demetrius is mentioned in a more positive light. The author, John, refers to him as a man of good reputation who is well spoken of by everyone. It is unclear whether this Demetrius is the same person as the silversmith from Acts 19, but it is possible.
Regardless, this passage suggests that there were individuals within the early Christian community who were respected and admired by their peers. It also highlights the importance of reputation and character within the community.