Intro to the book of ephesians

If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Critics have used this evidence to ascribe authorship to someone paul had influenced, but it is more likely that these marks of pauline thought and writing style confirm that he himself wrote the book. Some of the best early copies of the letter dont include the phrase in ephesus in the greeting. Introduction paul was one of a long list of godly men and women. It is therefore critical to understand the nature and calling of the church that we might be effective members of the one body that is called to bear witness to gods grace in. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. Intro traditionally named ephesians, this letter may not actually have been written to the believers in ephesus. Zanchy observes that we have here an epitome of the whole christian doctrine, and of almost all the chief heads of divinity. This letter, in many ways, is the crowning glory of the new testament.

Stage 1 general overview pauls letter can be divided into 2 parts. John calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. Of all forms of literature, letters are more personal.

This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. Traditionally named ephesians, this letter may not actually have been written to the believers in ephesus. They give usan arsenal forremaining true to the pillars of our faith. An introduction to ephesians 4 ministry gifts the prodigal. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to.

Read ephesians introduction commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. A 5 minute introduction to the book of ephesians duration. Colossians intro, new international version niv the. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to. Discover the basics of the book of ephesians with the esv study bible from crossway. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical. 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 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international 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. Stage 1 general overview pauls letter can be divided into. In the book of ephesians, the apostle paul highlights christian unity and the need to go on walking in love and to stand firm against the crafty acts of the devil. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.

Against the view that ephesians is a tract or an introduction to the pauline corpus, we find in it several characteristics of other pauline epistles. He has imputed his righteousness to his body, for now we have been bought with a price and therefore no. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the. Did you know that the apostle paul was in prison at the time he wrote this letter to the ephesians. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. 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. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. John knox asked that calvins sermons on ephesians be read to him on his deathbed.

This helps explain pauls emphasis on the power of god over all heavenly authorities and on christs triumphant ascension as head over the church. Calvary chapel canyon hills the book of ephesians facebook. John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. As one of pauls final letters, he packs so much wisdom and revelation in this short yet amazing book. Ephesians 1 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of. Ephesians intro, new international version niv the bible app. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. A 5 minute introduction to the book of ephesians youtube. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur.

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. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. Samuel coleridge called it the most divine composition of man 2. We will conclude our introductory study to the book of ephesians by. Samuel coleridge called it the divine composition of man 2. 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. Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2. Romans, hebrews, 1 and 2 corinthians, ephesians, galatians, philippians, colossians, 1 and 2 thessalonians and dates from about the year ad 200 bruce m. The truths of this book have impacted the lives of many saints 1. 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. This deep, spiritual letter discusses our position in christ, the body of christ, salvation by grace through faith, our christian inheritance, unity of the church, prayer, ministry, ethical right living, and instructions to fathers, husbands, wives, children, masters, employees, and employers. Now lets take a look at how this method can help us prepare for our study of pauls letter to the ephesians.

Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. 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. There is nothing more interesting in the new testament than the letters of paul. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. 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. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to whom the epistle is addressed.

Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry. Worksheets are participant guide handout, the book of ephesians lessons, ephesians intro, ephesians 21 10 lesson gods overflowing love, ephesians small group series lesson 1, ephesians lessons for youth, ephesians study guide, the book of ephesians. Ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church. And they have been induced the rather to think this because it is the only one of all pauls epistles that has nothing. This is why letters such as the one to the ephesians are incredibly important. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur at grace church at least, it was obvious to me that god had something very special in mind for this church. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians.

John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible 3. Youll find david jeremiahs introduction to the book of ephesians on page 16371638 of. The text has not been modified, except that punctuation has been modernized and long paragraphs have been divided. This is considered one of pauls five letters he wrote from prison.

Introduction to ephesians by matthew henry blue letter bible. The main theme of the letter to the ephesians is to explain the mystery of the church. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. In the book of ephesians, paul steps us through the doctrinal understanding of our identity in christ and how that identity should shape our lives. Introduction to the book of ephesians introduction. Ephesians does indeed demonstrate close similarity with pauls forms of expression and thought.

Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. Study the bible online using commentary on ephesians introduction and more. This would further seem to suggest, as i have believed, that not only did paul write the book of colossians, but that he wrote colossians before writing the book of ephesians. Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. The phrases in christ jesus and in himis used all throughout this book. Nay, the whole of gods truth is to be declared, and whatsoever we find in this book, that are we to state, and the keeping back of precious truth will be required of such as are guilty of it at the last great day. While paul spent two years in ephesus, this letter appears to address people paul has never met. Since the colossians have been brought into the new kingdom of light, they can live their faith to the fullest. Ephesians intro, new international version niv the. If any say so then i charge him with being like the jesuit, who hides a part of what he believes. Ephesians sets forth what no other book of the new testament describes so completely the nature of the body of christ, which is the true church.

Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical and. An exposition, with practical observations, of the epistle of st. All of these stages contribute to a helpful understanding of the overall message and circumstances being addressed in any given book of the bible. An introduction to the book of ephesians related media. Youll find david jeremiahs introduction to the book of ephesians on page 16371638 of the jeremiah study bible. Ephesians 1 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the. The ephesians text is filled with multiple great passages. Paul emphasizes that all things in heaven and earth were created by the son and were reconciled to god by the sons death on the cross. The first part is more theoretical and is focused on describing god in chapters. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2.

A brief introduction to the book of ephesians author. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. It describes the spiritual position of the believer. Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today. Discover practical insights into the book of ephesians.

A brief introduction to the st pauls epistle to the ephesians. The idea behind the word for mystery is that this truth was not something that could ever be discovered unless god revealed it. 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. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Colossians intro, new international version niv the bible app. Each paragraph calls us to renewed thinking that leads to faithful godly lives. 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. Alright, jim tammy hi, jerry how you doing so tonight. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c.

E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. The second part is more focused on how the grace of god and salvation are able to impact our lives chapters 46. It is believed that the reason for this is that this letter was intended to be circulated among several churches and paul did not want to stir up any hard feelings over personal greetings to favored people. Ancient ephesus forms an appropriate background to the book of ephesians because of this citys fasci nation with magic and the occult see acts 19. 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. The letter opens with a sequence of statements about gods blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to gods wisdom, forethought and purpose. And they have been induced the rather to think this because it is the only one of all pauls epistles that has nothing in it peculiarly adapted to the state or case of. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding.

When christ redeemed us from sin and death, he incorporated all believers into his body. The epistles of paul to the colossians and philemon. Some have argued that paul wrote colossians from ephesus or caesarea, but most of the evidence favors rome as the place where paul penned all the prison letters ephesians, colossians, philippians and philemon. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in jesus christ. The importance and style of prayer needed for the welfare of the church. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry st. The truths of this book have impacted the lives of many saints. Authors introduction in his commentary on the epistle to the ephesians new york. 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 the book of ephesians faithlife sermons.