If these notes are helpful you can download the entire ephesians e book study guide to use on any device or print the entire series. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. The book of ephesians is a survival manualit equips believers to thrive in a world that hates the message of jesus christ. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Introduction to the book of ephesians juli camarin february 24, 2015 introduction.
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. Preface to the epistle of paul the apostle to the ephesians. 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 below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. Later in this book, we will see that salvation came to the gentiles. Salutation from paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, to the saints in ephesus, the faithful in christ jesus. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. 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. Ephesians gives us wonderful examples and basic overviews of a christian life. Overview and outline of ephesians bible study deeper. The book of ephesians speaks of several mysteries that are revealed to us.
Spiritual blessings in christ blessed is the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in christ. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Ephesians and colossians have a number of parallels. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide.
First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2. In most of chapter 6, paul is reminding the church at ephesus to be spirituallystrong. Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.
Introduction to the book of ephesians faithlife sermons. 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. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. This letter is one of pauls four imprisonment letters. In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. 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. Nov 18, 20 revelations battle of armageddon and the seven last plagues duration. You will also learn about how we are members of one body in this second.
The church has been brought from death to life in christ. Ephesians overview and outline of ephesians author. The book of ephesians week six workbook eeonline biblestudy. Book of ephesians chapter two in ephesians chapter 2 we learn that christians are saved by grace. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. 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.
Mar 07, 2016 this letter, along with pauls letter to the colossians was delivered by pauls faithful fellowservant, tychicus. Three angels broadcasting network 3abn 912,708 views. It is believed that the reason for this is that this letter was intended to be circulated among several churches and paul did not want to stir up any hard feelings over personal greetings to favored people. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article.
Sprouls work, the following are five of the most helpful commentaries on the book of ephesians. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. Paul the apostle writes to encourage believers to live wellweve been lifted from the graveyard of sin and called to shout the gospel into the darkened world. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to the strongs concordance numbers. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical. 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. Called by one commentator the crown and climax of pauline theology, it issues a clarion call to all who follow the master. The book of ephesians along with philippians and colossians, was written by the apostle paul while in prison in rome.
Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus. Aug 31, 20 the apostle pauls letter to the ephesians is one of the most dynamic portions of all of scripture. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true. Ignatius epistle to the ephesians, 12, which alludes to the frequent and affectionate mention made by paul of the christian state, privileges, and persons of the ephesians in his epistle. 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. 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. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Grace and peace to you from god our father and the lord jesus christ.
Test your knowledge of this amazing book of the bible. 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. The book of ephesians was a letter written by paul to the christian congregation in ephesis, but it is appropriate for us because it gives instruction on many aspects of christian life. It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger. Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. What is the readiness of the gospel of peace ephesians 6. 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. Ephesians colossians philippians philemon paul remained in ephesus for nearly three years on his 3rd missionary journey. For other books, devotionals and bible studies by anne graham lotz. Stay encouraged and united with christ with these popular bible verses from the tenth book of the new testament, ephesians. Have you ever wondered how so much heretical teaching infiltrated the early church.
The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. 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. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. 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. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. 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. All peoples can be united through christ as every person who believes in him will be part of his one big family.
Several years ago, a couple started coming to our church. Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. Sproul has himself written a very helpful introductory level commentary on it titled the purpose of god. One thing is certain ephesus was a city in darkness blinded by idolatry and material wealth. Ephesians 1 net salutation from paul, an apostle of. Ephesians and colossians were probably composed at the same time in rome. Right away, they were interested in helping with our. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Paul wrote his prison epistles ephesians, philippians, colossians, and philemon from rome in approximately 6062 a. We also learn when we become christians we are not who we used to be and we are filled with new life and have the blessings of gods kindness and eternal gift to us. 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.
However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to. The central organizing theological idea in ephesians is that through christs atoning work god has mightily brought about the churcha new humanity, i. 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. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment.
Read ephesians prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for god to speak. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. How to read, understand, and study the book of ephesians bible guides by bible guides mar 16, 2017. Bible commentaries adam clarke commentary ephesians. Its a wonderful book of the bible full of instructions that relevant to our everyday lives today. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Two significant prayers of paul are found in this book eph 1. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. He may not speak to you through every verse, but he will speak. 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. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. The book of ephesians following god through the bible series by eddie rasnake jul 1, 2003. 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.
As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. What is the breastplate of righteousness ephesians 6. To the saints in ephesus, a the faithful in christ jesus. 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. I recommend this volume to anyone who is not familiar with the basic themes of this epistle. I asked and you voted, so welcome to the study of ephesians. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor. 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. Ephesians 16 nkjv greeting paul, an apostle of jesus. 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. Pauls letter to the ephesians epistole bible studies book 3 by dr david l cook. There is not one exhortation in the first three chapters. The book of ephesians chapter two workbook eeonline biblestudy. Ephesians 1, new international version niv the bible app.
What does it mean to be strong in the lord in ephesians 6. The book of ephesians kjv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 49 duration. Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2. Can you explain ephesians 612 in the bible spiritual. 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 is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form. The book of ephesians page 3 what we possess in christ our possessions the believers blessed life ephesians 1 key verse. 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. 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 was written around 60ad during pauls house arrest in rome.
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