Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today. Review questions for the introduction to whom is this epistle addressed. I am so thankful that these letters, such as this letter to the ephesians, have been carefully preserved and passed down to us. Introduction to ephesians and chapter 1 sermon by eric. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. Ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church. Although colossians is similar to ephesians, it is brief while the book of ephesians is much more articulate and extensive. Ephesians 1 commentary new testament matthew henry st. Nov 10, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, to the saints who are in ephesus, and are faithful in christ jesus. It is interesting to note and observe that while the new testament often refers to the church, it does not speak of going to church in the way we. Introduction to the epistle of paul to the ephesians. First, all they which dwelt in asia heard the word of the lord jesus, both jews and greeks gentiles acts 19.
One of my favourite passages in all of scripture is found in ephesians. Visit my outline article on ephesians or read a short summary of each chapter. As a catholic, the thought of waging war for my faith was not something i often thought about growing up. A study guide for the book of ephesians answers chapter one. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. In the seventh chapter of the third book of his testimonies, he speaks of the apostle paul writing to the ephesians and then proceeds to quote ephesians 4. Author the apostle paul date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Introduction to ephesians and chapter 1 sermon by eric hanson. 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. Full of living revelation, it simply drips with the anointing of the holy spirit. Themes in the book of ephesians christ has reconciled the whole of creation to himself and to god the father.
This time, pauls writing to the church in ephesus and, boy, does he have a lot to say. And whereas in the latter part of the preceding chapter, he had exhorted to kindness and tenderness, and which he enforced by the example of god himself, he here repeats and urges it. The word grace is used 12 times, and the word grace means gods unmerited, undeserved kindness and favor. It was a center of learning and was near several key land routes. As one of pauls final letters, he packs so much wisdom and revelation in this short yet amazing book. 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. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. Well, i invite you to turn to the new testament, to the book of ephesians, and to chapter 1, and ill read from verse 1. The author describes himself as one who has personally heard of the readers 1. We will conclude our introductory study to the book of ephesians by glancing briefly at the extent of the victory wrought by god through paul in asia.
Some think that this epistle to the ephesians was a circular letter sent to several churches, and that the copy directed to the ephesians happened to be taken into the canon, and so it came to bear that particular inscription. Ephesians is full of life and its words reach higher in christian thought than any letter in our new testament. Your gift now sends gods word to more hurting and forgotten children around the world. Introduction to the book of ephesians faithlife sermons. 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. A study guide for the book of ephesians home of the word. Where most of pauls letters are addressed to churches facing specific issues dealing with belief and practice, this isnt the case with ephesians. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and. Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians. 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. This is why letters such as the one to the ephesians are incredibly important.
It deals, however, not so much with a congregation in the city of ephesus in asia minor as with the worldwide church, the head of which is christ, the purpose of which is to be the instrument for making gods plan of salvation known throughout the universe eph 3. Actually, ephesians is probably one of my favourite books in the whole of the bible. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians. The theology of chapters focuses upon the need for the ephesians to increase in their. But now he has reconciled you by christs physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusationif you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. The idea of unity can be seen clearly in the first chapter of ephesians ephesians 1. Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. 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. The letter abounds with statements in the first person d. Read ephesians introduction commentary using peoples new testament.
Read ephesians introduction commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. Introduction to the book of ephesians learn the bible. It had a harbor that at that time opened into the cayster river see map, p. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical and. This was brought to our attention earlier in this chapter when we. In ephesians, paul shows how the good news should create ethnically. Introduction to the book of ephesians robert mclaughlin. Ephesians introduction verse by verse bible commentary. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. 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. Ephesians 1, the passion translation tpt the bible app. All too often those who teach from this book bypass all. Introduction to ephesians by matthew henry blue letter bible. Ephesians introduction scofield reference bible commentary.
The apostles thanksgivings and praises to god for his inestimable blessings bestowed on the believing ephesians, ver. This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Ephesians introduction commentary peoples new testament. Six of the seven occurrences of the word walk come in chapters 46. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Ephesians overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary has been relied on by millions in their daily studies for more than 90 years.
Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the bible. Nov 29, 2009 an introduction to ephesians 4 ministry gifts posted on november 29, 2009 by scott under apostles, apostles today, ephesians 4 ministries, prophets, prophets today one of my favourite passages in all of scripture is found in ephesians. Wednesday, may 19, 2010 i isagogics the historical background. The introduction to the whole epistle, which is much the same as in others, ver. The conquest reached far beyond the city limits of ephesus. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. 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. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing in christ, and the remainder of it affects our condition. The majestic chapters of ephesians emphasize the unity in the church of christ that. The author claims to be paul in the body of the letter in 3. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey.
However, ephesians is generally believed not to be by paul it is a deuteropauline epistle. What three other epistles were written about this time. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of. There is no reference to ephesus, or to any individuals, despite acts recording that paul spent a long time there. An introduction to the book of ephesians related media. For many of us, raised in the church and with christian friends, it is easy to become complacent and desensitized to our salvation. Ephesians and colossians summary the epistle to the ephesians. Ephesians introduction, the passion translation tpt the. Sep 08, 2008 the first half of this book is quite theological, very detailed in what it is saying, and very important in laying a foundation. Grace is behind all of this lavishness that god pours out. Ephesians overview albert barnes notes on the whole bible. People of all nations are united to christ and to one another in the church, through the working of the trinity. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ.
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. The epistle to the ephesians table of contents introduction 3 chapter one 7 chapter two 11 chapter three 14 chapter four 18 chapter five 22 chapter six 27 this study guide was developed in preparation for teaching adult bible classes. Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. The design appears to be to strengthen the ephesians in the faith of christ, and to give exalted views of the love of god, and of the dignity and excellence of christ, fortifying their minds against the scandal of the cross. Analysis of the book ephesians introduction in ephesians 6. Paul probably wrote his letter to the ephesians while under house arrest in rome. The second half is also very detailed, but more practical in its directions and application matters. Apr 09, 2011 according to tradition, ephesians was written by paul when he was a prisoner in rome, around ad 62. Chapters 46 resemble an orthopedic clinic where the christian learns a spiritual walk rooted in our spiritual wealth. C categorical doctrine comparing scripture with scripture e exegesis studying the original language in grammar, syntax, and translation. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey.
One cannot step over the threshold of this letter into the book of ephesians without being inundated with thoughts of gods mercy and grace. An introduction to ephesians 4 ministry gifts the prodigal. The great truth of christianity is that god is the uniting the world to himself through the believers. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. The first half of this book is quite theological, very detailed in what it is saying, and very important in laying a foundation. They give usan arsenal forremaining true to the pillars of our faith. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. This epistle purports to have been written to the saints in ephesus, and to the faithful in christ jesus, though, as we shall see, the fact of its having been directed to the church at ephesus has been called in question. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries.
Study the bible online using commentary on ephesians introduction and more. In other words, god is unloading all of his riches in the book of ephesians. The situation of ephesus, and the character of its people. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur. 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. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to whom the epistle is addressed. 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.
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