The letter was hand delivered by tychicus ephesians 6. Mcconkie of the quorum of the twelve apostles taught that ephesians is an epistle for all the world, for jew and gentile, for husband and wife, for parent and child, for master and servant. John knox asked that calvins sermons on ephesians be read to him on his deathbed. Prior to writing his epistle to the ephesians in 6061 ad, paul had an established ministry in. Several years ago, a couple started coming to our church.
Introduction to the book of ephesians juli camarin february 24, 2015 introduction. Study ephesians 6 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full. 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. Have you ever wondered how so much heretical teaching infiltrated the early church. 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. Prior to writing his epistle to the ephesians in 6061 ad, paul had an established ministry in ephesus. The blue letter bible ministry and the blb institute hold to the.
The apostle paul had reminded his readers of the glory and promise of god, our need. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. 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. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
Many of the same expressions occur in the epistle as in pauls address to the ephesian elders. Paul wrote his prison epistles ephesians, philippians, colossians, and philemon from rome in approximately 6062 a. 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. Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to colossians, among other reasons, as grounds for doubting authorship by the apostle paul. Audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Phil vischer, founder of jellyfish labs and cocreator of the acclaimed veggietales, answers the question by looking at the book of ephesians. And masters should treat their servants with humanity, ephesians 6. The gospel introduced a fresh element into parental responsibility by insisting that the. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4.
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. Book introduction the apostle paul had reminded his readers of the glory and promise of god, our need for his grace and provision, our new standing before godas both individuals and as a family of believers, the magnificence of god, a healthy perspective of suffering in the life of a believer, the love, power and provision of god, and his calling to a life of holiness, and greater. Introduction to the book of ephesians learn the bible. Ephesians is an epistle for all the world, for jew and gentile, for husband and wife, for parent and child, for master and servant. This passage is crucial for understanding the christian life. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Aug 23, 2012 date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. All should be strong in the lord, and be armed with his armor.
Introduction to the epistle of paul to the ephesians. It was affected by circumstances in rome, therefore, it is an occasional document. Ephesians 6 is the sixth and the last chapter of the epistle to the ephesians in the new testament of the christian bible. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. 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. Ephesians 6 background information with maps and images picture. It is probable that the two greater letters had their occasion in the. Readers of paul will soon recognize that he is a skilled and deliberate letter writer.
Ephesians may have been written during pauls first imprisonment in rome, around a. Ephesians 6 background information with maps and images. 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. When we study this book, it is as though we have climbed a high mountain peak, because the book gives us that kind of perspective on what god has created. Often is this duty neglected, even among professors of the gospel. The apostles were to teach servants and masters their duties, in doing which evils would be lessened, till slavery should be rooted out by the influence of christianity. Ephesians 6 bible commentary matthew henry concise. This second installment in the rightnowexclusive series packs tons of good.
Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. The truths of this book have impacted the lives of many saints. The christian can never revert back to the law of moses, and to. Introduction to the book of ephesians one cannot step over the threshold of this letter into the book of ephesians without being inundated with thoughts of gods mercy and grace. 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 is placed in this time period because of its close association to colossiansphilemon and the probability that tychicus delivered both letters eph. 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. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. Recall the opening scenes in the sound of music movie. 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. Paul stated that he was a prisoner at the time he wrote the epistle to the ephesians see ephesians 3. This second installment in the rightnowexclusive series packs tons of good theology into short.
Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Servants should show all obedience and fidelity to their masters, ephesians 6. Ephesians introduction scofield reference bible commentary. Feb 07, 2015 the author of the book of ephesus was the apostle paul. The application of chapters 46 are specific expressions of love for one another in view of gods love. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the.
Paul spent more than two years in the city, preaching the gospel to jew and gentile, ministering with power and building up the church there. C categorical doctrine comparing scripture with scripture e exegesis studying the original language in grammar, syntax, and translation. Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. In the seventh chapter of the third book of his testimonies, he speaks of the apostle paul writing to the ephesians and then proceeds to quote ephesians 4. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. 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. However, this was probably a circular letter, intended for other churches in addition to the one in ephesus see notes on 1. I asked and you voted, so welcome to the study of ephesians. Lloydjones masterfully surveys the message of ephesians and makes thematic connections. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey.
Children should obey their parents, that they may live long and be happy, ephesians 6. All men can enter, but it is only by grace, through faith in christ, and this is gods free gift. This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. Samuel coleridge called it the most divine composition of man 2. With the help of some animated friends, phil unpacks what it means to live the way god intendsfor us and for the whole world. The theology of chapters focuses upon the need for the ephesians to increase in their awareness of gods love so that they will imitate it to gods glory. His farewell speech to the ephesian elders acts 20. Specific focus on how modern society has corrupted christian perspectives is included. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. 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. Put on the full armor of god, so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. John calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible.
Romans is the most systematic and developed doctrinal book of the apostle paul. Ephesians gives no hint of pauls release from prison as do philippians 1. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ephesians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Ephesians 16 nkjv greeting paul, an apostle of jesus. Parents should be tender towards their children, ephesians 6. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical and. Martyn lloydjones comes to the final section of pauls letter to the ephesians, he reminds us that his final point is no mere afterthought. A lot of people have asked about my early studies in the book of ephesiansand unfortunately, i dont have too many of them recorded and the ones i have from the beginning of my ephesians studies, im too embarrassed to show. Robert mclaughlin bible ministries introduction to the book of ephesians. Overview and outline of ephesians bible study deeper. These bring unity, maturity, and defense against the devil and his allies 4. Gentiles into his one body, the church, as a new creation 1. Today mike gives a deep dive into the background and meaning of ephesians 6. David guzik commentary on ephesians 6 explains how the believer is.
Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men, jews, gentiles, male female, bond, free, all are united in christ. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. Introduction to the book of ephesians robert mclaughlin. Wednesday, may 19, 2010 i isagogics the historical background. Ephesians 6 commentary john gills exposition on the whole. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible.
Most early writers spoke of the epistle as having been addressed to the ephesians. Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men, jews, gentiles, male female, bond, free, all are. Paul may have written it about the same time as colossians, c. Pauls important phrase in christ appears about 35 times in this book more than in any other new testament book. Ephesians overview and outline of ephesians author. Christ should stand up in full functioning form in his body the church just as he did in his human body in his incarnation. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur at grace church at least, it was obvious to me that god had something very special in mind for this church. Ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church. In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. 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.
Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. The author of the book of ephesus was the apostle paul. Introduction to the epistle of paul to the ephesians why study this book. Right away, they were interested in helping with our. The book is address by paul to the church at ephesus.
Ephesians 6 commentary john gills exposition on the. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical. Paul is encouraging the church to maintain their position of unity. Introduction to the book of ephesians faithlife sermons.
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