Demetrius: 1. A silversmith at Ephesus, whose chief occupation was to make
"silver shrines for Diana" (q.v.),
(Acts 19:24) i.e., models
either of the temple of Diana or of the statue of the goddess.
This trade brought to him and his fellow-craftsmen "no small
gain," for these shrines found a ready sale among the countless
thousands who came to this temple from all parts of Asia Minor.
This traffic was greatly endangered by the progress of the
gospel, and hence Demetrius excited the tradesmen employed in
the manufacture of these shrines, and caused so great a tumult
that "the whole city was filled with confusion."
2. A Christian who is spoken of as having "a good report of all
men, and of the truth itself"
(3 John 1:12)
