Ephesus

NT Asia (Roman province)

Paul's longest single ministry base -- about three years -- growing into a major church later addressed by name in Ephesians, Timothy's two pastoral letters, and the first of the seven letters in Revelation, which commends its perseverance and doctrinal discernment but warns it has "left its first love."

References: Acts 18:19-21; Acts 19:1-41; Ephesians 1:1; Revelation 2:1-7

Named in Scripture at Ephesus

Paul (M) — founding and long-term missionary, about three years
Acts 19:1-41; Acts 20:17-38
Priscilla (F) — taught Apollos more accurately here; hosted a church in their house
Acts 18:18-26; 1 Corinthians 16:19
Aquila (M) — taught Apollos more accurately here; hosted a church in their house
Acts 18:18-26; 1 Corinthians 16:19
Apollos (M) — taught more accurately here before going on to Corinth
Acts 18:24-26
Timothy (M) — left here by Paul to correct false teaching, an early apostolic delegate
1 Timothy 1:3
Tychicus (M) — letter-carrier sent to this church
Ephesians 6:21-22; 2 Timothy 4:12
Trophimus (M) — "Trophimus the Ephesian," companion of Paul
Acts 21:29
Onesiphorus (M) — ministered to Paul; his household remained here
2 Timothy 1:16-18; 2 Timothy 4:19
Erastus (M) — sent ahead into Macedonia by Paul while he remained in Asia
Acts 19:22
Hymenaeus (M) — faith "shipwrecked"; handed over to Satan for blasphemy, and later taught the resurrection had already occurred
1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:16-18
Philetus (M) — taught alongside Hymenaeus that the resurrection had already occurred, upsetting some believers' faith
Named in Paul's second letter to Timothy, written while Timothy served this church; the text does not repeat "at Ephesus" in this specific verse the way 1 Timothy 1:3 does.

2 Timothy 2:16-18