Colossians is somewhat tense to be more specific and concrete, while ephesians is more general and abstract. Though some may view bible study as merely increasing ones head knowledge with little or no change in. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. The book of ephesians is a goldmine full of great, grand and glorious truths. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. Curtis vaughn says it is considered by many people to be the greatest of pauls writings. New book study background to the book of ephesians. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master philemon, in the care of tychicus. Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. 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. Ephesians 1 background information with maps and images. The bible, the old testament and new testament, is addressed to gods people.
A study guide for the book of ephesians answers chapter one. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. This audio sermon and transcript is entitled introduction and background, and is from the ministry of david legge, a christian preacher and bible teacher from belfast, northern ireland. No particular problem is raised in the book unlike many of pauls other letters. He also sent along the letter to the colossian church. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. Another theme which does justice to the content of the epistle and one that i suggest for this study is that offered by warren wiersbe. 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. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. Unlike several of the other letters paul wrote, ephesians does not address any particular error or. The book of ephesians is charged with weighty doctrines that reveal the glory of the triune god.
Introduction from the niv study bible go to 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. Feb 16, 2018 new book study background to the book of ephesians. Some have argued that paul wrote colossians from ephesus or caesarea, but most of the evidence favors rome as the place where paul penned all the prison letters ephesians, colossians, philippians and philemon. This helps explain pauls emphasis on the power of god over all heavenly authorities and on christs triumphant ascension as head over the church and over all things in this age and the next.
The epistle to the ephesians table of contents introduction 3 chapter one 7 chapter two 11 chapter three 14 chapter four 18 chapter five 22 chapter six 27 this study guide was developed in preparation for teaching adult bible classes. Author the apostle paul date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. Book of ephesians outline free online bible study lessons. Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to colossians, among other reasons, as grounds. In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. 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.
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. Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. Ephesians 1st century background and 21st century applications give the reader or a study group the tools for understanding the historical, linguistic, geographical, literary, and theological foundations of the six chapters of ephesians. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. The book of ephesians along with philippians and colossians, was written by the apostle paul while in prison in rome. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of. The letter abounds with statements in the first person d. The book of ephesians page 3 what we possess in christ our possessions the believers blessed life ephesians 1 key verse. Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians.
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. Notes from the niv spirit of the reformation study. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. This segment comes from the ephesians commentary published by koinonia house.
A study of pauls epistle to the ephesians developed by matt hennecke. To the saints who live in ephesus, the faithful in christ. Additional additional background information from the new bible dictionary, second edition, tyndale house publishers, wheaton, il, pages 336. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical. Picture study bible ephesians bible history online.
Historical background ephesus was an ancient city whose origins are lost in the mists of antiquity. The author describes himself as one who has personally heard of the readers 1. 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. During his third missionary journey in 5556 ad, he wrote corinthians, galatians and romans which all clearly defined the meaning and purpose of the cross. This class is live and hosted through an online conferencing service which allows the students to see the instructor, view his computer screen and interact through an online forum in realtime. Audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same time. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to whom the epistle is addressed. 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. 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. Pauls doctrine of the church shines in ephesians unlike any other epistle. Ephesians historical background 950 words bartleby.
The mood of colossians is argumentative and controversial, that of ephesians clam and peaceful. Aug 23, 2012 author the apostle paul date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. Ephesians 3 background information with maps and images. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Purpose, background and structure posted on may 12, 2014 by matt dabbs 1 comment a few weeks ago, i started a wednesday night series on the book of ephesians. Ephesus forms an appropriate background to the book of ephesians because of this citys fascination with magic and the occult acts 19. The aim of this epistle is to confirm and to equip a maturing church. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. They were to the thessalonians and chiefly centered on jesus return. This time ive selected the amazing book of ephesians. This webpage provides a book of ephesians outline as provided by the wycliffe bible commentary. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries.
Background to the book of ephesians chuck missler youtube. This is a free, ongoing, online bible study open to all who would like to attended and participate. The end result is that the gospel spread from ephesus throughout asia minor ac 19. 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. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. Jan 02, 2020 enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god.
The central organizing theological idea in ephesians is that through christs atoning work god has mightily brought about the churcha new humanity, i. Epistle to the ephesians read and study the bible online. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Paul names himself as the author of the epistle to the ephesians ephesians 1. The author claims to be paul in the body of the letter in 3. Keep a notebook handy with pencil to jot down questions, ideas and applications as you study ephesians. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. One of the seven wonders of the world was in ephesus. Just put the appropriate words in your favorite search engine.
Most early writers spoke of the epistle as having been addressed to the ephesians. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh. Artemis, in turn, was said to have made ephesus most glorious among all the asian cities. People from this background would have appreciated the irony in pauls words about christ nurturing niv84, feeding his own body, the church eph. To really jump ahead in your study of ephesians, complete our how to study a book of the bible lesson using ephesians as your subject. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will. Several of the early church writers site the book of ephesians. This is part 1 of a versebyverse bible study series in ephesians. 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. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham.
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. Furthermore, a study in ephesians will help to fortify and to establish the believer so he can fulfill the purpose and calling god has given. Ephesians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. Did you know that the apostle paul was in prison at the time he wrote this letter to the ephesians. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. 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. The book is address by paul to the church at ephesus.
Dec 18, 2012 in this segment chuck missler discusses ephesians. The alps of the new testament and the third heaven epistle. Some liberal critics have attempted to raise doubts, yet the authorship of the book is solidly established both by the clear statement in the book itself and by the records of the early uninspired christian writers. Julian colorado christian university ephesians historical background we must understand ephesus if we want to understand the book of ephesians. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of writing in all history and english poet samuel taylor coleridge called it the divinest composition of man.
Cultural and historical background for ephesians in order to understand the radical nature of the message of ephesians or even some of pauls harsh language toward gentiles, it is important to provide some cultural and historical context for the jew gentile relationship in the ancient world. 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. There are a huge number of sites on the internet that offer pictures of ephesus as it looks today and other background information. The former is a letter of discussion and the latter is a letter of reflection. Some suggest that pauls time in imprisonment enabled him to develop an exalted christology and a high appraisal of the privileges of believers in christ 11. Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. If you dont wish to do your study online at simply choose a chapter from the links below to start your ephesians bible study book of ephesians chapter one chapter one of ephesians tells us that we are spiritually blessed. 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. Read the short background information for ephesians below. 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.
Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. Father, son, and spirit are seen in pauls epistle to the ephesians as operating from before the foundation of the world for the redemption of the church. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Reference tools used eerdmans handbook to the bible new bible dictionary the zondervan encyclopedia of the bible 3. 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.
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