Biblical literature the letter of paul to the ephesians. Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians. This webpage provides a book of ephesians outline as provided by the wycliffe bible commentary. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical and. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. The book of ephesians is about the letters of paul and how he overcame hardship by being faithful to god and following his commands. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus. This time ive selected the amazing book of ephesians.
Its authorship has traditionally been attributed to paul the apostle but starting in 1792, this has been challenged as deuteropauline, that is, written in pauls name by a later author strongly influenced by pauls thought, probably by a loyal. The historical background of the book of ephesians plays an important reality of what the author is intending in the writings. From chapter 1 to 6, in that order, you will read about. Ephesus forms an appropriate background to the book of ephesians because of this citys fascination with magic and the occult acts 19. It is most reasonable to consider it as deuteropaulinei. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Some suggest that pauls time in imprisonment enabled him to develop an exalted christology and a high appraisal of the privileges of believers in christ 11. Author the apostle paul date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible.
A few weeks ago, i started a wednesday night series on the book of ephesians. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. Paul spent more time there than any other city about three years. Ephesus was located at the mouth of the cayster river on the western coast of asia minor zondervan pictorial encyclopedia of the bible zpeb, volume 2, page 324. Feb 16, 2018 new book study background to the book of ephesians. Preaching series week onebackground to the book of ephesians by peter pilt on january 5, 2014 1 throughout january at nowra city church we are immersing ourselves in the book of ephesians around the idea of the three divisions of the book suggested by watchman nee sit, walk, stand. The book of ephesians outline as shown below from the wycliffe bible commentary. I am so thankful that these letters, such as this letter to the ephesians, have been carefully preserved and passed down to us. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c.
Book of ephesians outline free online bible study lessons. The former is a letter of discussion and the latter is a letter of reflection. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Reference tools used eerdmans handbook to the bible new bible dictionary the zondervan encyclopedia of the bible 3. The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. Colossians is somewhat tense to be more specific and concrete, while ephesians is more general and abstract. Although colossians is similar to ephesians, it is brief while the book of ephesians is much more articulate and extensive. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. The mood of colossians is argumentative and controversial, that of ephesians clam and peaceful. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur. The authenticity of ephesians as a genuinely pauline epistle has been doubted since the time of the dutch humanist erasmus in the 16th century. For the next several fridays we will be going through this book one chapter at a time.
For the next several fridays we will be going through this book one chapter at a. Ephesians background information fbc seguin students. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. Ephesians our blessings in christ importance this epistle was evidently addressed to the church in ephesus cf. This helps explain pauls emphasis on the power of god over all heavenly authorities and on christs triumphant ascension as head over the church and over all things in this age and the next. Pauls doctrine of the church shines in ephesians unlike any other epistle. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the. T he book of ephesians is 6 chapters of solid christian teachings. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of.
Today mike gives a deep dive into the background and meaning of ephesians 6. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. There are a huge number of sites on the internet that offer pictures of ephesus as it looks today and other background information. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. As we begin our study of the book of ephesians, i would like to draw attention to some of its characteristics, and then to attempt to identify its unique identity and contribution to the revelation of the scriptures. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. Keep a notebook handy with pencil to jot down questions, ideas and applications as you study ephesians. They would well have understood the point of contrast when paul described christs goal to present his church as a glorious or radiant bride eph. Niv ephesians was for jews and gentiles who comprise one church. The purpose of the book of ephesians was to warn the church elders about the false teachers that were teaching a false gospel and to maintain their first love that they held when they first became believers. Dec 18, 2012 in this segment chuck missler discusses ephesians. One cannot step over the threshold of this letter into the book of ephesians without being inundated with thoughts of gods mercy and grace.
To the saints in ephesus, a the faithful in christ jesus. The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors, designed to ensure believers are living up to our heavenly calling. This segment comes from the ephesians commentary published by koinonia house. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. John calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible. Historical background ephesus was an ancient city whose origins are lost in the mists of antiquity. Luke records in acts that paul spent two years in ephesus see acts 19. Let us consider, then, the characteristics of the book of ephesians. Ephesians 4 background information with maps and images.
The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. He has imputed his righteousness to his body, for now we have been bought with a price and therefore no. Father, son, and spirit are seen in pauls epistle to the ephesians as operating from before the foundation of the world for the redemption of the church. It was a center of learning and was near several key land routes. To really jump ahead in your study of ephesians, complete our how to study a book of the bible lesson using ephesians as your subject.
The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors. Ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church. Audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. Purpose, background and structure posted on may 12, 2014 by matt dabbs 1 comment a few weeks ago, i started a wednesday night series on the book of ephesians.
If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. No particular problem is raised in the book unlike many of pauls other letters. Acts 19, but may have been intended as a circular letter to be read by neighboring churches. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. Paul had spent nearly three years in ephesus acts 19. It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger.
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. Ephesians 6 background information with maps and images. They give usan arsenal forremaining true to the pillars of our faith. Ephesians 1 background information with maps and images. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to whom the epistle is addressed. He also sent along the letter to the colossian church. Because the name ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, some scholars believe the letter was an encyclical, intended to be circulated and read.
Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city. Read the short background information for ephesians below. As we continue in our faith from day to day, month to month, and year to year, the temptation to get comfortable will always exist. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new testament. Ignatius epistle to the ephesians, 12, which alludes to the frequent and affectionate mention made by paul of the christian state, privileges, and persons of the ephesians in his epistle. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. Background to the book of ephesians chuck missler youtube. Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master philemon, in the care of tychicus. A brief introduction to ephesians ephesians online reading room extensive collection of online. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our.
I chose to teach ephesians because i think christians today need some help with two things. The book of ephesians clearly leaves its mark among other bible books by displaying the powerful impact of the. This morning we come for our bible study to a book that is indeed a treasure of mine and of every believer, the book of ephesians. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. People from this background would have appreciated the irony in pauls words about christ nurturing niv84, feeding his own body, the church eph. Because the name ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, some scholars believe the letter was an encyclical, intended to be circulated and read among all the churches in asia. Aug 23, 2012 author the apostle paul date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. Paul probably wrote his letter to the ephesians while under house arrest in rome. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of.
This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. The others were philippians, colossians, and philemon. It had a harbor that at that time opened into the cayster river see map, p. Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the lord, will let them know how paul is. The historical background of the book of ephesians 805.
Public activity ceased in the cities of ionia for several hours at. New book study background to the book of ephesians. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. The book of ephesians is charged with weighty doctrines that reveal the glory of the triune god.
If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Just put the appropriate words in your favorite search engine. The book of ephesians is almost certainly one of four epistles that paul wrote during his first imprisonment. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society.
Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will. The purpose of the book of ephesians was to warn the church elders about the false teachers that were teaching a false gospel and to maintain their first love that they held when. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning. This is why letters such as the one to the ephesians are incredibly important. The book of ephesians gives practical, encouraging advice on living a life that honors god, which is why its still relevant in a conflictridden world. Those that like to get into studying the bible and its heavy doctrines prefer to study the first part of pauls letters and often treat the latter part as secondary or of less value see the right diagram where a wall separates the two sections.
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