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. 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. By mystery i meat that this book contains wonderful truths that had never been revealed before and are now being shown to us by the lord through the apostle paul. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. The central organizing theological idea in ephesians is that through christs atoning work god has mightily brought about the churcha new humanity, i. 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. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. 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 disciple to sum up pauls teaching and to apply it to a new situation fifteen to twentyfive years after. For this reason i, paul, the prisoner of christ jesus for the sake of you gentiles surely you have heard about the administration of gods grace that was given to me for you. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. In live abundantly, bible teachers lenya heitzig and penny pierce rose challenge you to dig deep into the book of ephesians to find the spiritual treasure god has for you.
Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. These are all of the chapters of the book of ephesians. He may not speak to you through every verse, but he will speak. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. 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. An outline of ephesians intended to enhance and assist your study of gods holy word his letter to you. And i pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the lords holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you.
His character and perhaps even his teaching seem to have been questioned by some, as a result of his imprisonment philippians 1. The book of ephesians speaks of several mysteries that are revealed to us. The church has been brought from death to life in christ. The series consistently provides the main point, an. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2. Your friend will receive a link to the page you are currently viewing. In the book of acts, the history of church at ephesus begins with the ministry of paul on his second missionary journey, as recorded in acts 18. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. Aug 31, 20 kent hughes does a masterful job or really explaining ephesians, while also helping us understand the practical implications of the book.
Book of ephesians ephesians chapter 1 ephesians chapter 2 ephesians chapter 3 ephesians chapter 4 ephesians chapter 5 ephesians chapter 6. When christ redeemed us from sin and death, he incorporated all believers into his body. Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. The purpose is to assist the student in gaining a greater comprehension of the biblical teaching contained in.
Ephesians niv paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. Based on the contents of the book, it appears as though pauls purpose for writing the book of ephesians was to remind the ephesian believers of their high calling in christ chapters and to exhort them to live up to that calling chapters 46. Use this topic or order a custom research paper, written exactly how you need it to be. Paul went to the synagogue in ephesus and proclaimed christ, and was asked to stay on and teach further. He is born om d a christmas devotional celebrate the 12 days of christmas using this devotional resource. Through the use of graphic representations of translations, succinct summaries of main ideas, exegetical outlines and other features, arnold present pauls epistle to the ephesians with precision and accuracy. Mar 07, 2016 the book of ephesians speaks of several mysteries that are revealed to us. This letter, in many ways, is the crowning glory of the new testament. Ephesians and colossians summary the epistle to the ephesians. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of. 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. Ephesians bible book with full chapters king james version. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham.
When he does, record the verse number, what it is he seems to be saying to you and your response to him in this final step. Ephesians 16 nkjv greeting paul, an apostle of jesus. The book of ephesians is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form. Kent hughes does a masterful job or really explaining ephesians, while also helping us understand the practical implications of the book. As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. 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. 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.
Discouraged believers needed a reminder of gods grace and love of the blessings they had in jesus christ, and of their commitment to holiness. 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. 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. Covering topics such as living in gods will and receiving peace no matter the circumstances, the book of ephesians reveals the magnitude of every christians inheritance. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. This course is designed as an expository study of the epistle to the ephesians, taking the student through the entire epistle with cross references to other portions of scripture. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. Style and genre in ephesians q m t qdonovan the authorship of ephesians is an increasingly open question in current discussion. 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. The fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament.
Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Learn what the bible teaches in the book of ephesians. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Jan 04, 2011 in this volume, clinton arnold offer pastors, students, and teachers a focused resource for reading ephesians. There has been some debate about whether this book was written to the ephesians or was a circular letter to various churches, because not all manuscripts include the words in ephesus. 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. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. 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 this world. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. Read ephesians prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for god to speak. 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.
If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. The book of ephesians chapter two workbook eeonline biblestudy. Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of ephesians in the bible king james version. Written by notable evangelical scholars, each volume in the zondervan exegetical commentary on the new testament series treats the literary context and structure of the passage in the original greek. Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. Ephesians 1, new king james version nkjv the bible app. The book of ephesians chapter four workbook eeonline biblestudy. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Paul, accompanied by priscilla and aquila, arrived in ephesus. This time, pauls writing to the church in ephesus and, boy, does he have a lot to say. 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.
E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. 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. Covering topics such as living in gods will and receiving peace no matter the circumstances, the book of ephesians reveals the magnitude of every christians inheritance, a gift exceedingly abundantly above what. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. Ephesians 3 niv bible for this reason i, paul, the. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. 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. It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger.
We therefore welcome all the more warmly the following contribution to the debate which is based on a paper given to the tsf group in oxford. 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. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians. His ministry may have appeared to have been hindered. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. 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. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Ephesians was written by paul when imprisoned in rome. If you are going to study this important letter from paul i would strongly recommend this commentary as a companion text. Designed for the pastor and bible teacher, this series brings together commentary features rarely gathered together in one volume. And i pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all. Grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. For other books, devotionals and bible studies by anne graham lotz.
Through attempting to live a transformed life by the power of the holy spirit, the church in ephesus was immersed in an evil culture and surrounded by sin and pagan ways. According to ephesians, christ and believers are seated in the heavenly places, the church bears witness to gods wisdom in the heavenly places, and the armor of god is made available for believers to battle against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places ephesians 6. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. You will receive a periodic newsletter with links to our newest articles and features. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. If youre going to choose a church to join, you must do it based on the churchs doctrines. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Ephesians 1, new international version niv the bible app.
1448 438 1078 711 310 971 1397 1172 738 898 23 1019 706 700 1153 1003 572 36 1302 1686 251 39 1519 1454 1387 928 374 79 40 1100 1128 95 1162 490 1121 1321 1483 227 992 1368 84 123 1409