You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
Revelation 2:3-4
The Ephesians received the gospel in Acts 19 (AD 53) under great difficulty but showed their love for the Truth. Within about 10 years (AD 62), their spiritual maturity was known, and can be seen in the depths of spiritual understanding about which Paul wrote to them in his Epistle. When Jesus revealed to John this second letter we have to them (AD 95), He reminded them of their first love which they knew and we can see they had as a love for the Truth at all costs. Such a love as they had is one which leads to deep, strong and lasting spiritual growth and maturity.
Wisdom in the WORD 