Paul spent the first three chapters of the letter discussing gods creation of a holy community by. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. Authorship of ephesians at least three different scenarios are possible, and all three have attracted considerable support from interpreters in the modern era. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same time he wrote. Prior to writing his epistle to the ephesians in 6061 ad, paul had an established ministry in ephesus. This was during his second missionary journey acts 18. 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. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. This epistle is addressed to the saints at the church in ephesus, a prosperous port city in the roman province of asia minor. Historical background in the beginning of the book of ephesians, paul specifically states that he is the author of the letter to ephesians, though the authenticity of pauls authorship has been questioned. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the. Recall the opening scenes in the sound of music movie. The book of ephesians enables us to view gods creation from an alpine altitude. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning.
The current trend toward a more integrated approach was anticipated in w. Study questions for new testament books of the bible ephesians chapter 1 1. Barth presents an internal argument for this, which means he examines the texts and compares them with other undisputed letters to. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Paul ministered in ephesus briefly at the end of his second missionary journey see acts 18. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. Each chapter includes the scripture reference being taught along with commentary emphasizing the. Survey of ephesians what is a good summary of the book of ephesians. 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. There is no indication that the authorship of paul should be in question.
Yet the pauline authorship of ephesians has been greatly disputed in recent years. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. Public activity ceased in the cities of ionia for several hours at. The apostles thanksgivings and praises to god for his inestimable blessings bestowed on the believing ephesians, ver. 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. 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. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. The author of the book of ephesus was the apostle paul.
There were no doubts in the latesecond century church that paul wrote the epistle. Answering bible contradictions, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations. We do not diligently seek him or lean on him or plead with him or draw on his strength. The author except for the pastorals, ephesians has the worst credentials for authenticity, in critical circles, among all of pauls epistles. The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. Ephesians 5 niv follow gods example, therefore, as bible.
The letter was written from prison in rome acts 28. This ephesians quiz has 10 quiz questions on the book of ephesians. The letter to the ephesian church is regarded as one of the masterworks of the nt, but it is also one of those books that the critics like to say wasnt authored by paul. 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. We have quizzes on the new testament, old testament and lots more.
The two occurrences of the word unity come in chapter 4. Chapter 2 emphasizes the theme of salvation by grace through faith in christ jesus. Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus. Introduction to the book of ephesians learn the bible. You find these linked together often in the pages of the new testament. The book of ephesians chapter two workbook eeonline bible this bible study workbook is designed to facilitate your study of chapter two of the book of ephesians. The author claims to be paul in the body of the letter in 3. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. And walk in love, as christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to god for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 1 commentary new testament matthew henry. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible.
To deny pauline authorship of a book in the bible is to challenge its authority as scripture. 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. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. The epistle to the ephesians states that its author was the apostle paul see. I dont think opponents to pauline authorship come close to putting ephesians with the apocryphal books, so i cant deny its pauline authorship. This is what paul has been doing in the opening verses of this chapter setting forth the broad sweep of gods truth, the undergirding reality. 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. Twice in this epistle paul referred to himself by name as the author of the book eph.
The book of ephesians teaches you who you are in christ, how to live as his follower, and how to gain victory in the spiritual battles you face. The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. Hebrews, james, 1 peter, 2 peter, 1 john, 2 john, 3 john, jude, revelation. The idea of unity can be seen clearly in the first chapter of ephesians ephesians 1. Karl barth on the authorship of ephesians and colossians. 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. Instead, be filled with the spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the. As already indicated, the author of ephesians was the apostle paul see 1. Some critics think that the book reflects aspects of vocabulary, style, and doctrine that differ from pauls writings. Ephesus boasted international trade, a thriving silversmith guild, and a theater that seated 20,000 people.
It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor scholars have increasingly questioned pauls authorship and attributed the letter to an. The book of ephesians week six workbook eeonline bible this bible study workbook is designed to facilitate your study of chapter six of the book of ephesians. He is indicated as author in the opening salutation 1. The author of ephesians claims to be paul in the opening address, itself identical to those of second corinthians and colossians. The author describes himself as one who has personally heard of the readers 1. With extensive research and thoughtful chapter by chapter exegesis, this lucidly written commentary leads readers through all aspects of the book of ephesians sociological, historical, and theologicalto help us better understand its meaning and onging relevance. Carvers, the glory of god in the christian calling, who keynoted 4. This and other new testament passages support the doctrine of premortal.
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. The letter abounds with statements in the first person d. A common proposal is that paul wrote the letter to the colossians to deal with. Where was the author writing from and to whom was this letter written. Number of chapters in each book book of mormon chapter summaries. In this article well be looking at the arguments offered on both sides. 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 in gods. The introduction to the whole epistle, which is much the same as in others, ver. I keep asking that the god of our lord jesus christ, the glorious father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. The traditional view is that the apostle paul wrote the letter during his first roman imprisonment. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries.
Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. Ephesians 1 niv paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the bible. Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to colossians, among other reasons, as grounds. The author means that the reason we so often fall into sin or live in discouragement or fail to bear fruit is because we do not cling to god in christ above all things. Practical insights for everyday christian living provides a comprehensive biblical commentary from renowned bible teacher joyce meyer. Analysis of the book ephesians essay 2524 words 11 pages. Jewish and gentile members of the church had access to god see ephesians 2.
Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Issues of authorship, and the history the text are also covered in detail. Praise be to the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in christ. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. Barth affirms the authorship of ephesians, and colossians with it, as pauline, but he ultimately points out that it matters very little to him either way. The argument against ephesians authenticity, however, rests exclusively on internal evidence, for as even kummel admits, without question ephesians was extraordinarily well attested in the early church. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. 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.
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