To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. Overview of the book of colossians reformed answers to. Most books attribute the authorship to that of the apostle paul. Ephesians overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. If we are going to properly understand the book of ephesians, we need to understand its immediate.
Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus. Summary of the book of ephesians 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. Ephesians overview matthew henrys complete commentary. Also known as the epistle to the ephesians, it is one of the prison epistles which the apostle paul wrote around 6062 a. Ephesians is one of pauls four prison epistles eph 3. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of. Oct 19, 2016 in depth description of the book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Paul explains the mystery of the church and gives practical insight into living as believers. 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 general consensus is that these epistles were written during pauls imprisonment at rome cf. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians.
Overview of ephesians i was fascinated to read in pipers introduction how he had organized the material in his book. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. The church has been brought from death to life in christ. 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. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master philemon, in the care of tychicus. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur. Eight of these book are letters to local churches like the one in ephesus. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the lord.
Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. He realized that christ came to unite himself with man, and unity was the core purpose of the book of ephesians. Read ephesians using the observation worksheets in the appendix. This is a lot to take in, so if you want to start with baby steps.
The first half of the letter focuses on the ephesians calling. 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. The church of jesus christ is now the spiritual body of believers who represent christ on earth. While paul was in prison he had been thinking about his work as an apostle. The story of the bible the new testament summary of the epistle to the ephesians.
To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. Theyre listed in the order they show up in the protestant bible. Ephesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Ephesians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of ephesians for bible study or sunday school lessons. A description of the change in the spiritual position of gentiles as a result of the work of christ. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing in. Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. So after laying out profound theological truths in the first half of the book, paul. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning.
Oct 19, 2016 in depth description of the book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries stay safe and healthy. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. In depth description of the book of ephesians overview. Ephesians 1 background information with maps and images.
Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Apr 19, 2015 book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries stay safe and healthy. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ.
Ephesians overview matthew henrys complete commentary on. What stands out about ephesians is the awe with which it contemplates the mystery of the church. Apr 19, 2015 book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul. In any case, we can be sure that paul was clarifying the teaching of christ, the church, salvation and sanctification for these saints. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. 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. Ephesians colossians philippians philemon paul remained in ephesus for nearly three years on his 3rd missionary journey.
What was hidden throughout the ages was revealed to us when christ came. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Paul sent the other three prison epistlesephesians, colossians, and philemonby the hand of tychicus, as their destinations were near one another. 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. Ephesians 1, new international version niv the bible app. Because this is gods book you need to go to the author and ask him to lead and guide you into truth and use this truth to set you apart from every lie and deception of the evil one. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing in christ, and the remainder of it affects our condition. 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, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new testament.
Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. Ephesians niv paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. The first six chapters speak of the pleasure of god in his own person, and in the outworking of his plans and purposes, especially in the sending of the son to provide salvation for lost sinners. 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. Ephesians overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the bible. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Check out this commentary and summary of ephesians. Like the letter to the romans, ephesians provides a unique insight into pauls theology, for it was written when paul had the luxury of not addressing a critical, local controversy. For the husband is the head of the wife as christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the savior. An introduction to the book of ephesians related media.
In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to all other powers and attempts to gain. It had a harbor that at that time opened into the cayster river see map, p. In ephesians, paul shows how the good news should create ethnically diverse communities that are unified by devotion to jesus and to each other. This is a lot to take in, so if you want to start with baby steps, check out this list of the shortest books of the bible. However, the letter to the philippians was to be delivered by epaphroditus, who had come to paul in rome with financial help from the church at philippi philippians 2. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. In chapter 2 the operation of the power of god on earth, for the purpose of bringing souls into the enjoyment of their heavenly privileges, and thus of forming the assembly here below, is presented, rather than the unfolding of the privileges themselves, and consequently that of the counsels of god.
Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians. This time, pauls writing to the church in ephesus and, boy, does he have a lot to say. If you want more, ive linked to quick, 3minute guides to every book of the bible, too. 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. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ephesians in his audio message from the. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. The book of ephesians is a letter written to the christians at ephesus.
Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. He also sent along the letter to the colossian church. A historical introduction to the early christian writings. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. Ephesians and colossians summary the epistle to the 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. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. Overview of the book of ephesians third millennium ministries. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. 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.
Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Ive written a onesentence overview of every book of the bible. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
If this is so, then the book was written to the churches in that reason. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. Public activity ceased in the cities of ionia for several hours at. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Ephesians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. 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. Paul wrote that salvation can be attained by the grace of god and that it is through faith alone not by any other way, not. Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men, jews, gentiles, male female, bond, free, all are united in christ. Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. In the 4 part series, pastor bob hoekstra teaches an overview of the book of ephesians which focuses on the grace of god which raises man from being dead in trespasses and sins and gives new, eternal, and abundant life in relationship with god through the finished work of jesus christ on the cross. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding. Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. The book of ephesians is a beautiful revelation of the church and the spiritual blessings we have in christ jesus.
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