The concept that the elect jews and gentiles compose the one family of god, the one holy nation, is a central theme of the book of ephesians. The grandeur of the ancient city of ephesus stands as a stark contrast to this rather small epistle. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. On his second visit early in the following year, he remained at ephesus three years. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. 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. The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus. Of the account which paul gives the ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by god to be the apostle of the gentiles v. From chapter 1 to 6, in that order, you will read about. Paul spent more time there than any other city about three years.
Bible study questions on ephesians and philippians introduction. The book of colossians is very similar to that of ephesians, in fact both books have passages with similar themes and phrases. The church has been brought from death to life in christ. It was written around 60ad during pauls house arrest in rome. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. She is the bride of christ and a soldier fighting demonic forces. Several of the early church writers site the book of ephesians.
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. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians. Waymentapart from a few memorable phrases, the epistle to the ephesians often passes by our attention without significant notice or comment. We see something of the supremacy of christ in gods eternal plan. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. The word of god is so powerful and we need it on a daily basis.
The book is address by paul to the church at ephesus. One cannot step over the threshold of this letter into the book of ephesians without being inundated with thoughts of gods mercy and grace. The truth contained in this epistle is the most profound truth in all the word of god. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. This book of ephesians is an anointed insights into gods truth available to the readers through the pen of greg brown. It is complete in him, who fills everything everywhere. This epistle was written from a roman prison by the apostle paul around 64 a.
Paul wrote this letter while enduring his first roman imprisonment in house arrest. The following are just a few of the items randomly selected from the list. As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. The sacred secret that christ revealed to paul is described in chapters one and two of the book of ephesians. But without the references to the whole armour of god and the foundation of the church being built upon the apostles. Our commitment is to equip train a risk people for the work of ministry all over the world i want you to know that all of these investments of the teaching of gods word is to make you an effective minister of the. His understanding, his insight into the hidden things of christs salvation. Abel damina understanding the book of ephesians part 1. Outline of the book of ephesians opening salutation ephesians 1. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Of his devout and affectionate prayer to god for the ephesians v. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. Ephesians emphasizes gods sovereign grace in the lives of believers.
This book is also available for purchase here on amazon. I can do all things through christ which strengtheneth me phil. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. In ephesians the emphasis is on the body, and in colossians the emphasis is on the head. Preface to the epistle of paul the apostle to the ephesians ephesus was a city of ionia, in asia minor, and once the metropolis of that part of the world.
Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor. Recently, i came across a list someone had compiled of the things they had learned over a lifetime. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the bible. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. To begin with, the epistle to the ephesians may be improperly titled, which creates a difficulty in its opening verses. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of godnot by works, so that no one can boast. The jews fought him, and he even speaks of fighting wild beasts.
Richison value of ephesians ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church this book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life john calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible we see something of the supremacy of christ. Thank god for greg brown allowing the holy spirit guide the pen in the purpose to create a bible study class in the format in writings of ephesians. What if that is who you are then work worthy of the vocation we are with you a call in chapter three part began to tell them that i bought my nissan to follow jesus christ from the whole family in heaven and on earth is lame that he will grant you cut into the riches of his glory to be strengthen with mind by the spirit in the inner man that. Ephesians 3 opens with the mystery of christ made known through revelation by the spirit of god.
Abel damina understanding the book of ephesians part. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace. Most early writers spoke of the epistle as having been addressed to the ephesians. 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. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. It was written to encourage believers to walk as fruitful followers of christ and to serve in unity and love in the midst of persecution. Luke records in acts that paul spent two years in ephesus see acts 19. This summary of the book of ephesians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ephesians. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. 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. May 12, 2017 the epistle to the ephesians, additionally called the letter to the ephesians and frequently abbreviated to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new testament. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries.
Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. To the saints in ephesus, a the faithful in christ jesus. Once you know the main purpose of the book, it is extremely helpful to outline the book. The ancient city was situated at the mouth of the river cayster, on the shore of the aegean sea, about 50 miles south of smyrna. 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. Paul began here in the manner of all writers of his time with a salutation ephesians 1. His principal ministry was at westminster chapel, in central london, from 19391968, where he delivered multiyear expositions on books of the bible such as romans, ephesians and the gospel of john. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. Paul names himself as the author of the epistle to the ephesians ephesians 1.
It often takes several readings which is also a good thing to do to craft an outline of the book, titling the main sections with something that makes sense to. What would the saints of ephesus understand as they read this letter that paul was writing to them. The traditional idea, that god deals in one manner with the gentile christians and in another with the jewish christians, and that the races are identifiable in christ, has created havoc in the interpretation of the scripturesparticularly the. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. Obrien the letter to the ephesians pillar new testament commentary, 1999. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the. The mystery in ephesians bibleunderstanding ministry.
This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. 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. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Praise for spiritual blessings in christ praise be to the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in christ. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Whether you are just beginning your new life with christ, or have been a christian for many years, this study guide is for you. Philippians presents christian living with christ as the dynamic.
The more the church grows in her understanding of gods great purpose for her, the more she will live it out and display his glory. Its origin has customarily been credited to paul the apostle however, beginning in 1792, this has been tested as deuteropauline, that is, composed in pauls name by a later creator. The emphasis is upon christ rather than on the church. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3.
Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true. God put him in the highest place as head over everything for the church. Lets study the letter of ephesians together with the bible teachers guide. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. The fifth chapter describes the conflict of the powers with christ and the church. Christ rules over them now and he will rule over them in the future. 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. In the book of ephesians, we learn how the gospel creates a new multiethnic, covenant family of god, and affects our story and how we live every day as a body of new humanity unified in love.
This letter is one of pauls four imprisonment letters. It is designed to help you discover, through personal study and group discussion, the incredible riches of gods word, and. T he book of ephesians is 6 chapters of solid christian teachings. Ephesians 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Martyn lloydjones 18991981 was a welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the reformed tradition. It was written to the saints at ephesus, and to the faithful in christ jesus anywhere. Colossians presents christ as the head of the body, the church. Find biblical, helpful christian resources relating to marriage at.
How to use this book welcome to the faith foundations study guide on 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. It often takes several readings which is also a good thing to do to craft an outline of the book, titling the main sections with something that makes sense to you. The epistle to the ephesians, additionally called the letter to the ephesians and frequently abbreviated to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new testament. Ephesians 3 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. As roman guards stood watch, paul penned a powerful letter to. We understand, from this passage of scripture ephesians 4.
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. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. It is crucially important that christians realize this, so in1. Ephesians 16 nkjv greeting paul, an apostle of jesus.
Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. 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 minor and was simply sent first to believers in ephesus. Summary of the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1.
It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger. Paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, to gods holy people in ephesus, the faithful in christ jesus. We may observe it to have been very much the practice of this apostle to intermix. Ephesians is the goto book in the new testament for an understanding of gods sovereignty in salvation by grace, and therefore it shares much in common with pauls other masterwork. The silversmith fought him over the false goddess diana. Understanding gods purpose for the church the bible teachers guide book 12. Grace and peace to you from god our father and the lord jesus christ. Abel damina understanding the book of ephesians part 29.
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