All of these aspects of church, however, are either anticipated in the undisputed letters. This point is established by strong evidence, both internal and external. The traditional view is that paul is the author as is claimed. Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians. Ephesians is simply complementary to other letters of paul. Ephesians presents the whole church rather than individuals or the elect as the object of gods saving action in christ 1. Ephesians zondervan exegetical commentary on the new. Satan strategizes to destroy our lives and gods work on the earth, but ephesians also shows us how to arm ourselves gods way for spiritual warfare.
Writing, as he does in this epistle, on the constitution and prospects of christs universal church, he refers the ephesians, as to personal matters, to the bearer of the epistle, tychicus ephesians 6. However, the similarities between ephesians and colossians have led most scholars to. While paul was prisoner at rome, there entered in among the ephesians false teachers, who corrupted the true doctrine which he had taught them, by reason whereof he wrote this epistle to confirm them in that thing, which they had learned of him. Study notes on the letter to the ephesians page 5 of 59 ephesians 1. A commentary on the epistle to the ephesians by charles hodge. Ephesians is the first place most people turn for biblical teaching on spiritual warfare because it provides extensive teaching about the believers struggle with the powers of darkness, culminating with the wellknown passage about the armor of god. Literary naturethe structure of ephesians is in concert with. After this, paul called the disciples together, embraced them, and departed for macedonia acts 20. Ephesians is one of the most succinct, powerful, lifeshaping books in the bible. Acts 19, but may have been intended as a circular letter to be read by neighboring churches. Ephesians the mystery of gods church our identity, our walk, our warfare precepts for life free download study guide a study guide to the radio tv broadcast series by kay arthur. Lifestyles of greed or immorality can desensitize people to the pain they often bring on themselves and others. Its as if they begin to sleepwalk through their lives. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to.
He sailed to macedonia and then traveled to greece where he stayed for three months. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. Ephesians 1 1paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, to the saints who are in ephesus, and are faithfula in christ jesus. Ephesians being a circular letter, and the overall consistent internal data argues for paul as the author of ephesians, the date of writing being during his first roman imprisonment around a. Answering bible contradictions, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations. 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. It contains high and lofty theological concepts as well as rich vocabulary. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements.
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. His ministry may have appeared to have been hindered. The peculiarities of ephesians and the ephesian address. For a brief time at the end of his second missionary journey, and then for more than two years on his third missionary journey, paul ministered to the church at ephesus acts 18. And this is so that in them also the glory of god might shine. The ephesian letter doctrinally considered by lewis sperry chafer 1935 contents dedication preface section one ephesians 1. External evidencethe pauline authorship of ephesians was universally accepted in the early church. It probably references pauls twoyear house arrest a.
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. Commentary on galatians and ephesians by john calvin. The glorious church in ephesians the church is the most precious institution on earth today. Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. Ephesians reveals the church as gods masterpiece poema see ephesians 2. 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. Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master. Paul had spent nearly three years in ephesus acts 19. It is more wonderful than any temple made with hands, because it is constructed of living stones and indwelt by the holy spirit 2.
Eventually, the city clerk was able to bring order to the theater and dismiss the crowd. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur. The book of ephesians along with philippians and colossians, was written by the apostle paul while in prison in rome. Who is the referent of the he in he ascended on high. There must be a hunger 1 for him, 2 to know him, and 3 to serve him. Pound for pound ephesians may well be the most influential document ever written, says one. Ephesians was written by paul when imprisoned in rome. And when paul had laid his hands upon them, the holy ghost came. The book provides historical depth wherever it is needed to illuminate the text of ephesians. The letter to the ephesian church is regarded as one of the masterworks of the nt, but it is also one of those books that the critics like to say wasnt authored by paul. Ephesians is a letter written by the apostle paul to christians in asia minor while he was in prison in rome some time around the year 63 a. Eight of these book are letters to local churches like the one in ephesus. And first after his salutation, he assureth them of.
Commentary on galatians and ephesians bible study guide. The first half of the letter focuses on the ephesians calling. Meyer preface repeated perusal of the books of scripture, and especially of the epistles, will enable the devout student to detect certain words, which keep recurring, like a note or chord struck repeatedly in a musical composition. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. Pdf downlards niv ephesians 1 6 ephesians 1 new international version niv. Ephesus was the capital of the roman province of asia on the western coast of asia minor. His character and perhaps even his teaching seem to have been questioned by some, as a result of his imprisonment philippians 1. While this book begins, paul, an apostle of christ jesus through the will of god, to the saints who are at ephesus, and the faithful in christ jesus 1. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical and. 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. Outside this epistle to the ephesians, perhaps the most important scripture bearing on the ministry of. The book of ephesians page 3 what we possess in christ our possessions the believers blessed life ephesians 1 key verse. The epistle to the ephesians introduction author the apostle paul 1.
Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Ephesians thru the bible radio mp3 archives with dr. 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. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical. Ephesians our blessings in christ importance this epistle was evidently addressed to the church in ephesus cf. Williamson i chose not to provide detailed discussion of who wrote ephesians in the commentary because it is not crucial for understanding the meaning of ephesians for christian faith and life. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ.
When they heard this they were baptized in the name of the lord jesus. An evaluation of three hermeneutical approaches to the evil powers in ephesians, conspectus 5 march 2008. Pound for pound ephesians may well be the most influential document ever written, says one author. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ephesians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. In his letter to the ephesians, paul prays god will open the eyes of their hearts to know what is the hope of his calling on their lives. The ephesian letter is a revelation of gods plan in and for the church and is thus a development of the second revelation given to the apostle paul. Miles oneill welcome to the letter written to the church of ephesus. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Im hungry for more id love to read him on any other nt book as well.
This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the lord. The letter has the most to say about the universal church and lacks the sort of specific problems which form the occasion for each of the previous letter of paul. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. There can be little doubt that paul wrote this letter while he was in prison 3. In this article well be looking at the arguments offered on both sides. However, the question of who wrote ephesians is of interest to some readers, so here are. Constables notes on ephesians 2020 edition for some interpreters, the reference in 2 timothy 4. Ephesians, possibly more than any other book in the bible, provides insight into this battle. Ephesians has more to say about the church than any other new testament letter. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Grace and peace to you from god our father and the lord jesus.
May we also experience the grace of god and the power of the holy spirit to renew and transform our. An investigation of en pneumati in spirit in ephesians 5. Ephesians is the first place most people turn for biblical teaching on spiritual. The epistle to the ephesians study compiled by warren. Ephesians and colossians summary the epistle to the ephesians. In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. The epistle of paul to the ephesians geneva bible 1599.
Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. Internal evidenceephesians clearly claims to be written by paul 1. We need to picture the church in our minds as the glorious church described in ephesians. A linguistic and exegetical analysis of ephesians 4. As a pastor and preacher for 32 years, as a lover of books, and as a lover of people, i find arnolds ephesians simply the finest commentary on the book i have ever seen.
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