Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. Therefore, early scribes inserted in ephesus into the text 7. With nearly two decades of pastoral ministry and three degrees from harvard university, roberts is well positioned for the focus on this series, and the results are noticeable. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2. The mystery of the body of christ esv edition preaching the word hughes, r.
Paul had spent nearly three years in ephesus acts 19. This study is the first release in the following god through the bible series, and incorporates all of the application features readers have cherished since the. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city. The contents are much akin to those of colossians, but also differ greatly from them. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. John macarthur takes readers on a journey through biblical texts to discover what lies beneath the surface, focusing on meaning and context, and then reflecting on the explored passage or concept. The style of writing is clearly pauls, he begins with his customary personal greetings and words of thanks, and addresses issues of doctrine, as with the rest of his letters.
First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2. Ephesians for personal study and reflection or for smallgroup bible study, is drawn andbased largely upon the epistle of ephesians written by the apostle paul after many years of ministry. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. Ephesians is one of those books which, like the god of whom it speaks, is beyond the grasp of the finite minds of men. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries.
Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. This letter is one of pauls four imprisonment letters. This summary of the book of ephesians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of 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. Ephesians was written by paul when imprisoned in rome. The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus. Picture study bible ephesians bible history online. But without the references to the whole armour of god and the foundation of the church being built upon the apostles. The grandeur of the ancient city of ephesus stands as a stark contrast to this rather small epistle. Constantine campbell teaches how to interpret and preach the concepts communicated by paul to the church in ephesus. Several of the early church writers site the book of ephesians, for example irenaeus and clement of alexandria both state that paul was its author. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article.
The ephesians were the residents of ephesus to which paul visited and wrote the book of ephesians too in the form of a letter to the church while in prison in rome. Discover librarianselected research resources on epistle to the ephesians from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic. You can find the best commentary on ephesians for you using the tools on the right side. Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of ephesians in the bible king james version. Mar 01, 20 a quick dig into history with the book of ephesians posted by bayareamomma on march 1, 20 july 28, 20 im diving into ephesians and i thought a bit of history might be helpful as we look at the work god does in ephesus. Exell author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. 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. Timelapse photography is one of the most interesting methods. The message of ephesians capitol hill baptist church. Greek was the common dialect of the roman world, spread originally by alexander the great. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor.
Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. The uniqueness of ephesians among the epistles mark dever. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. They were to the thessalonians and chiefly centered on jesus return. Read ephesians prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for god to speak. 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. Campbell divides the book into logical sections and highlights the key themes and focal points of each passage, concluding each section with practical suggestions on how to preach the text. His ministry may have appeared to have been hindered. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. Sproul examines these important topics and demonstrates why they. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. Also known as the epistle to the ephesians, it is one of the prison epistles which the apostle paul wrote around 6062 a. Ephesians bible book with full chapters king james version.
The book of ephesians concerns what god is doing in redemptive history by making the church. Tell how paul expressed his deep humility and tell why he took this view. 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 disciple to sum up pauls teaching and to apply it to a new situation fifteen to twentyfive years after. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Ephesians with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
Best commentaries and books on ephesians logos bible. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. Teaching series from ephesians xenos christian fellowship. In the book of acts, the history of church at ephesus begins with the ministry of paul on his second missionary journey, as recorded in acts. 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. A quick dig into history with the book of ephesians bay. Paul spent more time there than any other city about three years. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ephesians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. History of ephesus, history of ephesians, church of ephesus. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives.
Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of writing in all history and english poet samuel taylor coleridge called it the. The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. According to greek mythology, the ancient city of ephesus was established by greeks in 11 century b. With one lens, a photographer can zoom in on an object far and make it appear near. 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. 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. 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. It was written around 60ad during pauls house arrest in rome. 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. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. Ephesians 1, new king james version nkjv the bible app. 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. Ephesians 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. 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.
Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. The book of ephesians is a twelveweek interactive bible study designed to inspire readers to make christ the head of their lives, their homes, their workplaces, and their churches. Ephesians our blessings in christ importance this epistle was evidently addressed to the church in ephesus cf. 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. Pastor steven cole sermons ephesians pastor steven. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus.
Several of the early church writers site the book of ephesians, for example irenaeus and clement of. The book of ephesians is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. If youre going to choose a church to join, you must do it based on the churchs doctrines. It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger. Paul says that his being made a minister or servant of the mystery of christ the gospel was according to what. 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. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Part two of pastor dougs series on spiritual warfare. Waymentapart from a few memorable phrases, the epistle to the ephesians often passes by our attention without significant notice or comment. Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes.
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. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Public activity ceased in the cities of ionia for several hours at. Every night, the weatherman shows how clouds advanced over our area with satellite pictures. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. The fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament. 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. Written by notable evangelical scholars, each volume in the zondervan exegetical commentary on the new testament series treats the literary context and structure of the passage in the original greek. Then he can put on a wideangle lens and get the big picture from closeup. 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. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same time. 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.
Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. 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. List of books and articles about epistle to the ephesians online. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. Acts 19, but may have been intended as a circular letter to be read by neighboring churches. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. Paul wrote the letter as a circular letter to all of the churches of asia, but it came to be generally known as the letter to the ephesians early on because ephesus was the major city of asia. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. 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. This inviting little guide to the book of ephesians gets straight to the heart of pauls teaching on the believers identity in christ and providesstraightforward explanations of the major themes of ephesiansdetailed comments on the most important words. As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. Jan 04, 2011 designed for the pastor and bible teacher, this series brings together commentary features rarely gathered together in one volume. Includes pictures chronicles the history of ephesus and profiles its most famous buildings. 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.
When christ redeemed us from sin and death, he incorporated all believers into his body. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. 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. He asked the oracles in delphi where and how he could find a new settlement for greeks. Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to colossians, among other reasons, as grounds. These are all of the chapters of the book of ephesians. Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the. 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. The pulpit commentarybook of ephesians kindle edition by h. The introduction to the whole epistle, which is much the same as in others v.
This book can provide a guide to leading a bible study on ephesians or assist in a personal study on the book. Ephesus is mentioned multiple times in the new testament, and the biblical book of ephesians, written around 60 a. 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. Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus. Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. Pound for pound, verse for verse, the book of ephesians is one of the most profound, powerful, and practical books in the entire bible. Book of ephesians ephesians chapter 1 ephesians chapter 2 ephesians chapter 3 ephesians chapter 4 ephesians chapter 5 ephesians chapter 6. Goodspeed 7 suggests to us that this book has proven to be greater than the minds of those who have studied it. The book of ephesians chapter four workbook eeonline biblestudy. The apostles thanksgivings and praises to god for his inestimable blessings bestowed on the believing ephesians v. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison.
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. The history and theology of the new testament writings by udo schnelle. The mystery of the body of christ esv edition preaching the word. 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. Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians with. He may not speak to you through every verse, but he will speak. Either way the author provides many great questions to help foster meditation on a book that has great meaning to any stage of life. 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.
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