Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. Bucer, ephesians and biblical humanism the exegete as. Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus. It is hard to overestimate the importance of the book of ephesians on this history of christs people. 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 ancient city was situated at the mouth of the river cayster, on the shore of the aegean sea, about 50 miles south of smyrna. An outline of ephesians intended to enhance and assist your study of gods holy word his letter to you. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Ephesians gives us wonderful examples and basic overviews of a christian life. You can find the best commentary on ephesians for you using the tools on the right side. For thousands of years god has communicated to millions of simple people through his word. 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.
Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. Ephesus was a city of ionia, in asia minor, and once the metropolis of that part of the world. 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. He has imputed his righteousness to his body, for now we have been bought with a price and therefore no longer our own but all things are gods. No book of the bible exalts christ and his church to the great extent that ephesians does.
Once you know the main purpose of the book, it is extremely helpful to outline the book. Ephesians 1, new king james version nkjv the bible app. Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents. In the book of ephesians, we learn how the gospel creates a new multiethnic, covenant family of god, and affects our. 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. 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. The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. 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. Brown asserts that about 80% of critical scholarship judges that paul. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey.
The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. The book of ephesians along with philippians and colossians, was written by the apostle paul while in prison in rome. Cant believe im almost done reading the whole bible in a year \o. 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.
Return to index introduction the revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. Book of ephesians ephesians chapter 1 ephesians chapter 2 ephesians chapter 3 ephesians chapter 4 ephesians chapter 5 ephesians chapter 6. 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. Bible biblestudytools video what is the purpose of the book of ephesians. Verse 1 christ has chosen us to sit with him in the heavenly places 2. If you are going to study this important letter from paul i would strongly recommend this commentary as a companion text.
Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. What is the breastplate of righteousness ephesians 6. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. The book of ephesians chapter four workbook eeonline bible this bible study workbook is designed to facilitate your study of chapter four of the book of ephesians. A free bible version and commentary on the letter to the ephesians in easyenglish. Bible commentaries adam clarke commentary ephesians.
What does it mean to be strong in the lord in ephesians 6. Sprouls work, the following are five of the most helpful commentaries on the book of ephesians. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. It is crucially important that christians realize this, so in1. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. The sacred secret that christ revealed to paul is described in chapters one and two of the book of ephesians. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. Style and genre in ephesians q m t qdonovan the authorship of ephesians is an increasingly open question in current discussion. 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.
This is perfect for studying and understanding the book of ephesians. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace. Whenever we dont understand the purpose of something, we are prone to misuse it. Exalting christ and his church in the eternal purpose of god, the book is a rare gem of deep and vibrant passages.
The book of ephesians is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our everyday. This letter, in many ways, is the crowning glory of the new testament. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning. I recommend this volume to anyone who is not familiar with the basic themes of this epistle. The mystery of the body of christ esv edition preaching the word hardcover august 31, 20. The book of ephesians speaks of several mysteries that are revealed to us. The fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers.
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. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. His understanding, his insight into the hidden things of christs salvation. What would the saints of ephesus understand as they read this letter that paul was writing to them. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians to help them grasp gods great plan for the church. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. What is the readiness of the gospel of peace ephesians 6.
Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. 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. A new testament book containing the epistle from saint paul to the ephesians which explains the divine plan for the world and the consummation of this in christ. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to. Part two of pastor dougs series on spiritual warfare. Ephesians 1 commentary new testament matthew henry. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. Sproul has himself written a very helpful introductory level commentary on it titled the purpose of god.
Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. 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. 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. 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. In this rich epistle of six vibrant chapters, gods eternal purpose is unveiled. Apr 17, 2009 the book of ephesians it is hard to overestimate the importance of the book of ephesians on this history of christs people. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing.
Preface to the epistle of paul the apostle to the ephesians. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. 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. Advances reformation scholarship in scope, knowledge, and understanding. 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.
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. Ephesians 1, new international version niv the bible app. And i pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all. 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. 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. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. Aug 31, 20 kent hughes does a masterful job or really explaining ephesians, while also helping us understand the practical implications of the book.
First, all they which dwelt in asia heard the word of the lord jesus, both jews and greeks gentiles acts 19. Preface to the epistle of paul the apostle to the ephesians ephesus was a city of ionia, in asia minor, and once the metropolis of that part of the world. Ephesians 16 nkjv greeting paul, an apostle of jesus. The conquest reached far beyond the city limits of ephesus.
In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down. 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. Add the acts commentary, and its a perfect companion. The book is centered on his 1550 cambridge lectures on ephesians, and investigates them. The church has been brought from death to life in christ.
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. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. Public activity ceased in the cities of ionia for several hours at. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia. The book of ephesians page 3 what we possess in christ our possessions the believers blessed life ephesians 1 key verse. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to the strongs concordance numbers. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our.
Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. 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. Harold hoehner begins his massive volume on ephesians with a long account of the thoughts and comments about the importance of ephesians to leaders throughout history. 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. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. This letter, along with pauls letter to the colossians was delivered by pauls faithful fellowservant, tychicus. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ.
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