Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. The name, in ephesus, in the first verse, upon which word singly depends the proof that the epistle was written to the ephesians, is not read in all the manuscripts now extant. No doubt the newly founded churches in ephesus and asia minor struggled with a lack of understanding as well and, therefore, were plagued with many of the same issues. Verse 1 christ has chosen us to sit with him in the heavenly places 2. Summary of scholarship and description of problem to be addressed. So we need to have a backdrop for this book of ephesians to understand all the truths that are held therein. The peculiarities of ephesians and the ephesian address david alan black an important argument in favor of the encyclical theory of the epistle to the ephesians is based upon the peculiarities found in the epistle itself. The book of ephesians page 3 what we possess in christ our possessions the believers blessed life ephesians 1 key verse. Ephesians 1, new international version niv the bible app. When interpreting and appropriating the book of ephesians, therefore, we naturally and necessarily engage in cultural translation. Bible study questions on ephesians and philippians introduction. A small group gathering, using the discussion questions included in this book, is an ideal way to stimulate a sharing of observations and ideas.
Come join me in a tour of this letter, perhaps the magnificent of all pauls epistles. An introduction to the book of ephesians an argument of the book of ephesians selected bibliography on the book of ephesians. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. This epistle was distributed to all of the churches in asia minor, to the church at ephesus the most prominent thus bearing the name, the churches at rome, philippi, colossae, and others. The word apostle is used in three senses in the new testament. Pdf bible study the book of ephesians john ndhlovu academia. Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. In pauls day, asia comprised the western section of the peninsula of what later became known as asia minor. 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 body must be whole and complete, and thats why in ephesians 4 it says, till we all come to the fullness of the stature of christ. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing.
It is a short book, and reading it many times will help you understand the story much better. An introduction to the study of the book of ephesians ephesus was a jewel in the roman province of asia. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. May we joyfully and confidently share the eternal hope we have received from himby gracethrough his son, jesus christ.
Pdf pauls ecclesiology of ephesians gary gromacki, th. Ephesians teaching copy to correct and pdf for final use. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. After this, paul called the disciples together, embraced them, and departed for macedonia acts 20.
The oxford encyclopedia of the books of the bible new yorkoxford. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians to help them grasp gods great plan for the church. Ephesians gives us wonderful examples and basic overviews of a christian life. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. The peculiarities of ephesians and the ephesian address. The epistle to the ephesians introduction author the apostle paul 1. 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 fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. The book of ephesians chapter four workbook eeonline biblestudy.
Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus. His understanding, his insight into the hidden things of christs salvation. But whereas colossians focuses on christ of the church, ephesians focuses on the church of christ. They live in unity as one body in their families, neighborhoods, and churches because of gods grace. Paul had spent nearly three years in ephesus acts 19. Ephesians our blessings in christ importance this epistle was evidently addressed to the church in ephesus cf.
Public activity ceased in the cities of ionia for several hours at. What is the prophetic anointing 07 march 2020 glory to jesus 451 watching live now. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. Verse 1 paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, to the saints which are at ephesus, and to the faithful in christ jesus.
Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. When seeking to understand the relevancef o the bibles teaching for our lives, interpretive starting. Theme the letter describes gods plan for mans salvation, with emphasis on the role of the church. Ephesians for personal study and reflection or for smallgroup bible study, is drawn andbased largely upon the epistle of ephesians written by the apostle paul after many years of ministry. 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. This series on ephesians contains nine studies which take you progressively through pauls impactive letter to the church at ephesus. So, together with a bible to look up crossreferences, you have everything you need for your journey of discovery in ephesians. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Eventually, the city clerk was able to bring order to the theater and dismiss the crowd. What would the saints of ephesus understand as they read this letter that paul was writing to them. Commentaries on the epistles of paul to the galatians and ephesians. 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. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. For example, the admonitions concerning slaves in ephesians 6 are properly and almost universally acknowledged to be nontransferable to our present context in.
Ephesians the book of ephesians the book of ephesians is a letter written to a church or set of churches in the western region of asia minor now known as turkey. Commentary on galatians and ephesians by john calvin. 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. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Paul wrote this letter while enduring his first roman imprisonment in house arrest. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to the strongs concordance numbers. Simpson, commentary on the epistle to the epheeians. 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.
Overview of the book of ephesians 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. It is crucially important that christians realize this, so in1. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. Ephesians was a circular letter of paul that was sent out to a number of churches he helped plant and ministered to. Inerse3 v 2 of ephesians 5, paul utilizes a metaphor and a simile whenetates, h s for the husband is head of the wife as christ is the headfhe o t church, his body, of which he is the savior. 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. 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. Tenney the city of ephesus was one of the oldest of the settlements on the west coast of asia minor and was the leading city of the roman province of asia. Elizabeth johnson, ephesians, in the womens bible commentary eds.
God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. This book is divided into 12 lessons, each of which contains the full niv text of the scripture passage, several study and discussion questions, and a versebyverse commentary. Here you will learn about the sheer greatness and wonder of your salvation, of gods immeasurable grace, of christian unity in christ, of the lifestyle appropriate for those who are gods wellloved children, and of the total adequacy of christ to protect. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. The sacred secret that christ revealed to paul is described in chapters one and two of the book of ephesians. Hodge a commentary on the epistle to the ephesians monergism. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. I admit, however, that the external evidence preponderates with a manifest excess on the side of the received reading.
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. In the book of ephesians, paul reminds us that jesus longs for the day he will be united with the churchhis bride in all her beauty. The price of our redemption the ransom and the means of our forgiveness is the blood of jesus. As you start this study, ask the holy spirit to help you understand what god has said through paul. Outline of ephesians chapters 1 3 our position in christ what we are before god 1. Asia, in the days of the roman empire, was not the expansive continent that it is today.
The paper examines the pauline metaphors and descriptions of the church in ephesians. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Whenever we dont understand the purpose of something, we are prone to misuse it. 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. Biblical interpretation and the epistle to the ephesians.
Once you know the main purpose of the book, it is extremely helpful to outline the book. If youre unable to do anything else provided in your bible study book during a certain week, try to. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Winer, when speaking of the commentary on thegtalatians. The main idea is to be strong in the lord and in his mighty power so you can stand in the face of spiritual warfare. One of the apostle pauls books, 10th book of the new testament. Wherend a how we start in our interpretation of scripture determineshere w we will end up. Tom constables expository notes on ephesians this is also available in the net.
Pauls letter to the ephesianshow to understand it 3 ephesians, chapter 1 we read pauls words in ephesians 1. And i pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Its origin is shrouded in antiquity, but it was a prominent settlement in the eighth century b. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. Ephesians is written to a group of believers whom paul served alongside aquila and. Christ should stand up in full functioning form in his body the church just as he did in his human body in his incarnation. The book of ephesians is charged with weighty doctrines that reveal the glory of the triune god.
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 writings. P benoit, qumran and the new testament, in paul and the dead sea scrolls, ed by j murphy. This journal article examines the use of the word church in ephesians and determines that it refers to the universal church. Edwards, arthur david 1982 an exegesis of ephesians 2. Disciple for life smallgroup bible studies include a daily reading plan for each week. Colossians aims at presenting the head of the church christ, ephesians focuses on the body of christ the church. Faith foundations study guides chosen in christ a journey of discovery in 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. The church has been brought from death to life in christ. But in order to get the context of what were going to be looking into the weeks that lie ahead, lets look and read the whole of chapter 1 of the book of 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. As roman guards stood watch, paul penned a powerful letter to. The book of ephesians is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form.
The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. Commentary on galatians and ephesians bible study guide. 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. To understand what paul desired the ephesians that they know 3 to notice the greatness of gods power toward those who believe 4 to consider the exalted position of christ and his church. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. Making time in a busy schedule to focus on god through his word is a vital part of the christian life. The third section of the guide looks closely at the text of ephesians itself. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our everyday. Christ is at the centre of every biblical doctrine in the book of ephesians.
The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20. A commentary on the epistle to the ephesians by charles hodge. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. 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 in gods. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. 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. Some of its writings date back five thousand years. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning. The book of ephesians chapter one workbook eeonline biblestudy. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities.
One of four prison epistles, along with philippians, colossians, and philemon. Since life is in the blood, the bible often speaks of death as the shedding of. The book of ephesians clearly leaves its mark among other bible books by displaying the powerful impact of the gospel of christ jesus in the individual and corporate life of believers. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace. Study the ephesians passage for this lesson, by reading the verses and studying the notes. In verse 2 of ephesians chapter 1, paul shows that both god the father and the lord jesus christ bestow grace and peace on the saints. The book of ephesians along with philippians and colossians, was written by the apostle paul while in prison in rome. 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. 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 book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ.
Broadnax, pastor bible study, wednesday, october 21, 2015 survey of the bible lesson 51. Acts 19, but may have been intended as a circular letter to be read by neighboring churches. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. The book of colossians is very similar to that of ephesians, in fact both books have passages with similar themes and phrases.
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