Chiefs of Asia

The Chiefs of Asia (Greek Asiarchoi) were prominent civic officials of the Roman province of Asia who appear in Acts 19:31 as personal friends of Paul, who warned him not to enter the theater during the Ephesian riot. Asiarchs were wealthy, high-status individuals elected by their cities to preside over public festivals and games in honor of the Roman imperial cult, and to manage the religious and social events of the koinon (the provincial assembly) of Asia. The fact that Paul had personal friends among this aristocratic pagan class illustrates the diverse social reach of his Ephesian ministry, during which all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord (Acts 19:10).