I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Paul explains the universal nature of the church by outlining the way god has brought together the most disparate groups of that era jews and gentiles. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. We work in response to gods call to follow jesus in every aspect of our lives eph. But that doesnt mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Ephesians 1, the passion translation tpt the bible app. Learn what the bible teaches in the book of ephesians.
In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. It is probable that the two greater letters had their occasion in the. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion 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.
These are all of the chapters of the book of ephesians. Lest we become the spiritual equivalent of hetty green, we begin a series devoted to the epistle. Ephesians 1 niv bible paul, an apostle of christ jesus by. Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the website answer the questions below and then click ok to send your answers. People of all nations are united to christ and to one another in the church, through the working of the trinity. The author except for the pastorals, ephesians has the. The word grace is used 12 times, and the word grace means gods unmerited, undeserved kindness and favor. In looking at the great, majestic themes of ephesians, it is important to remember that paul wrote this letter from prison. Ephesians introduction scofield reference bible commentary. Book introduction the apostle paul, having reminded his readers of the glory and promise of god, our need for his grace and provision, our new standing before god, as 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, now described with. 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.
He shows that it was through the great abundance of gods wisdom and goodness that the gentiles were called. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical. Ephesians shows how our position of status in christ relates to our daily walk 4. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, to gods holy people in ephesus, the faithful in christ jesus. Robert mclaughlin bible ministries introduction to the book of ephesians. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. In chapter 6 paul gives instructions regarding three important areas of the believers life. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. Out of the generosity of christ, each of us is given his own gift. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. The idea of unity can be seen clearly in the first chapter of ephesians ephesians 1. Introduction to the epistle of paul to the ephesians.
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. 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 books of reference used for this study of the book of ephesians were the bible, king james version, called the companion bible, publisher kregel. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to the strongs concordance numbers. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. The apostles salutation to the church, ephesians 1. This instructional letter is packed with practical advice, all given in an encouraging tone. The following steps will be helpful in getting the most from your ephesians bible study. 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 apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. All too often those who teach from this book bypass all the foundational instruction and go directly to the closing chapter. Ephesians chapter 2 kjv king james version very good mr. Chapter 1 establishes pauls view on the value of our salvation in christ, and the blessings we obtain from it.
Paul speaks in ephesians about the spirit of wisdom and revelation and the power given to those who believe and trust in the christ. The apostles thanksgivings and praises to god for his inestimable blessings bestowed on the believing ephesians, ver. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. Ephesians is an epistle for all the world, for jew and gentile, for husband and wife, for parent and child, for master and servant.
Introduction to the book of ephesians learn the bible. In other words, god is unloading all of his riches in the book of ephesians. Introduction to the book of ephesians brief summary. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Ephesians also contains two of the most memorable passages in the new testament. Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing in christ, and the remainder of it affects our condition. 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. Ephesians zondervan exegetical commentary on the new. 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. Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of ephesians in the bible king james version.
The truths of this book have impacted the lives of many saints 1. The book of ephesians enables us to view gods creation from an alpine altitude. The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. Ephesians deals with our legal position before god in christ and the daily life that corresponds to that position.
During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. Themes in the book of ephesians christ has reconciled the whole of creation to himself and to god the father. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works. Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men, jews, gentiles, male female, bond, free, all are united in christ. Christs people are saved to new lives of holiness in thought, word, and deed. Look at chapter 1, for in chapter 1 and verse 11 we see there, a mystery. 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. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. It was famous for its trade, art, and science, but it was even more renowned for its temple of diana greek artemis, which was considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the. 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 is the goto book in the new testament for an understanding of gods sovereignty in salvation by grace, and therefore it shares much in common with pauls other masterwork. These study questions are free to use, alter and duplicate for a bible study. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. What does it mean that we are gods workmanship in ephesians 2. Did you know that the apostle paul was in prison at the time he wrote this letter to the ephesians. This web page contains lesson plans for a tenweek bible study. This time, pauls writing to the church in ephesus and, boy, does he have a lot to say. Introduction to the book of ephesians robert mclaughlin. Ephesians 1 commentary new testament matthew henry st. Survey of ephesians what is a good summary of the book of ephesians. The very resemblance of the epistle to the ephesians, to that to the colossians, is against the theory. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians.
Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. The first three chapters of ephesians are doctrinal, while the last three are practical. At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of christeverything in heaven and on earth. Ephesians 1, new living translation nlt the bible app. The book of ephesians is a beautiful revelation of our spiritual blessings in christ. He does this in the form of praise, directed at god, and describing in detail what it means to have an inheritance in heaven. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in houston. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. Gentiles into his one body, the church, as a new creation 1. Ephesians encourages us to take a new perspective on our lives, one in which our work is an outgrowth of gods own work of creating the world and redeeming it from sin. Paul made ephesus a center for evangelism for about three years see note on ac 19. Jesus unites jews and gentiles into his one body, the church, as a new creation 1.
Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians. Visit my outline article on ephesians or read a short summary of each chapter. This is a selftest on chapters 4 6 of the book of ephesians. The book of ephesians chapter two workbook eeonline biblestudy. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church.
Beginning in chapter two paul begins to describe the universal nature of the church as it existed in the past, present, and future. 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 one cannot step over the threshold of this letter into the book of ephesians without being inundated with thoughts of gods mercy and grace. Grace is behind all of this lavishness that god pours out. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. The second dimension is that the believer is to apply positional truth to experience chapters four to six.
If you are leading this study on ephesians, i would encourage you to complete our guide for bible study leaders. Gods one eternal purpose is to unite one body of believers through christ, the church, which is his body, the fulness of him who filleth all in all ephesians 1. Ephesians bible book with full chapters king james version. Introduction to the book of ephesians juli camarin february 24, 2015. Ephesians is one of the seven churches that is mentioned in revelation 2, the final book of the bible. One expressed purpose of the book is that we might know what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints cf. What does it mean that god is rich in mercy ephesians 2. The majestic chapters of ephesians emphasize the unity in the church of christ that. C categorical doctrine comparing scripture with scripture e exegesis studying the original language in grammar, syntax, and translation. The text for this is, he climbed the high mountain, he captured the enemy and seized the booty, he handed it all out in gifts to the people. Ezeomedo, thou are not far from the kingdom of god. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. 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. Ephesians 1 is a beautiful introduction to how we have received every.
Ephesians and colossians summary the epistle to the ephesians. Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. Ephesians argues that the believers position before god is the same as jesus status before god chapters one to three. Ephesians zondervan exegetical commentary on the new testament series book 10 kindle edition by zondervan, clinton e. Mar 31, 2020 what does it mean that satan is prince of the power of the air ephesians 2. The doctrine of the mystery is that god changed his economy from working with israel to the church. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. The letter abounds with statements in the first person d. Ephesians 1, new king james version nkjv the bible app. No particular problem is raised in the book unlike many of pauls other letters.
If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. The introduction to the whole epistle, which is much the same as in others, ver. Samuel coleridge called it the divine composition of man 2. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we.
Ephesians 2, new international version niv the bible app. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which god has prepared for those who love him. It is one of the four books that are commonly referred to as. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning.
One of the apostle pauls books, 10th book of the new testament. The author claims to be paul in the body of the letter in 3. You can see it right throughout every chapter of the book of ephesians. 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. Some scholars disagree that paul is the author of ephesians. It was the capital of proconsular asia, being about a mile from the sea coast, and was the great religious, commercial and political center of asia. 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. Unlike other epistles written to specific churches, this epistle does not deal with specific problems in a local congregation.
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. Bible commentary on ephesians introduction book introduction ephesians. The letters, on which our context is based, can be found in the prison epistles that consist of colossians, ephesians, philippians, and philemon. Wednesday, may 19, 2010 i isagogics the historical background. The condition you speak of is a carnal condition,the tilting flesh you refer to. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. Paul addressed no particular problem, as he did in books such as colossians incipient gnosticism. The first area is an exhortation on how to maintain harmony and attract gods blessing within our family and work environments. These important questions are answered in the book of ephesians. Paul ends this chapter with a powerful prayer for believers to know and.
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. 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. Now viewing scripture range from the book of ephesians chapter 6. Grace and peace to you from god our father and the lord jesus christ. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. He blesses god for calling the gentiles to the adoption of children by jesus christ, by whose sacrificial death both they and the jews find redemption, ephesians 1. John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible 3. Chapter 1 includes a brief introduction ephesians 1.