This gala season was a trying occasion to the disciples who had newly come to the faith. The company of believers who met in the school of Tyrannus were an inharmonious note in the festive chorus. Ridicule, reproach, and insult were freely heaped upon them. By the labors of Paul at Ephesus, the heathen worship had received a telling blow. There was a perceptible falling-off in attendance at the national festival, and in the enthusiasm of the worshipers. The influence of his teachings extended far beyond the actual converts to the faith. Many who had not openly accepted the new doctrines, became so far enlightened as to lose all confidence in heathen gods. The presence of Paul in the city called special attention to this fact, and curses loud and deep were uttered against him. {LP 141.2}

Denne festtid var en prøvelse for disciplene, der lige var kommet til troen. Den gruppe af troende som mødtes i Turannus’ skole var en disharmonisk klang i festkoret. De blev frit overdynget med latterliggørelse, skam og forhånelse. Ved Paulus’ arbejde i Efesus, havde den hedenske tilbedelse fået et stort slag. Der var et mærkbart frafald i deltagelsen i de nationale fester, og i tilbedernes iver. Indflydelsen fra hans lære rakte langt ud længere end til de nyomvendte tilbedere. Mange som ikke åbenlyst havde antaget den nye lære, blev så oplyste at de mistede al tillid til de hedenske guder. Dette gjorde Paulus tilstedeværelse i byen gjorde særligt opmærksomt på, og der blev forbandet højlydt og dybt imod ham.