Book of ephesians introduction

Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. There is nothing more interesting in the new testament than the letters of paul. Ephesians introduction, the passion translation tpt. Samuel coleridge called it the most divine composition of man 2. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true. Introduction to the book of ephesians introduction.

Ephesians is full of life and its words reach higher in christian thought than any letter in our new testament. In the book of ephesians, the apostle paul highlights christian unity and the need to go on walking in love and to stand firm against the crafty acts of the devil. Full of living revelation, it simply drips with the anointing of the holy spirit. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. 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.

Life on doctrine introduction to the book of ephesians. 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. Ephesians 1 critical students of the new testament are not in agreement concerning the epistle upon the study of which we now enter. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and. Several years ago, a couple started coming to our church. The truths of this book have impacted the lives of many saints. This claim is confirmed by the testimonies of iren.

This letter was probably composed and sent around the same time as the letter to the colossians. Ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church. Introduction to the book of ephesians juli camarin february 24, 2015 introduction. His farewell speech to the ephesian elders acts 20. Ephesians is my favorite book in the bible, and this commentary has helped to solidify it in my mind. 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.

Most probably ephesus, but a circular letter is also possible to the churches. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. The book of ephesians, introduction the reason for. A brief introduction to the st pauls epistle to the ephesians. Ephesians is a book that combats this and therefore the letter has been given such titles as the believers bank, the christians checkbook, and the treasure house of the bible. Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4.

Introduction to the book of colossians learn religions. The apostles design is to settle and establish the ephesians in the truth, and further to acquaint them with the mystery of the gospel, in order to it. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. Have you ever wondered how so much heretical teaching infiltrated the early church. Ephesians introduction commentary peoples new testament. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry. Introduction to the book of ephesians faithlife sermons. Here is solid evidence that god makes the wrath of men to praise him. Of all forms of literature, letters are more personal. I asked and you voted, so welcome to the study of ephesians.

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. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. John calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible. 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. 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. 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. For other books, devotionals and bible studies by anne graham lotz. Grace is behind all of this lavishness that god pours out. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. As we begin our study of this ancient book of ephesians i want us to do several things. 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 author of the book of ephesus was the apostle paul. Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2. Why is the new testament divided into parts under the doctrine of verbal plenary inspiration, 2 tim 3. Right away, they were interested in helping with our. Paul spent more than two years in the city, preaching the gospel to jew and gentile, ministering with power and building up the church there. 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 is the great pauline letter about the church.

This beautiful letter tells christians of their great riches, inheritances, and fullness in jesus christ and in his church. Where most of pauls letters are addressed to churches facing specific issues dealing with belief and practice, this isnt the case with ephesians. It is one of the four books that are commonly referred to as the prison epistles the others being philippians, colossians, and philemon. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. Outline of the book of ephesians opening salutation ephesians 1.

Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical. A brief introduction to ephesians ephesians online reading room extensive collection of online. The word grace is used 12 times, and the word grace means gods unmerited, undeserved kindness and favor. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. It reads like an academic or devotional book and i highly recommend it. Primarily i want us to get a good introduction to the book as a foundation for our journey through the book. 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.

Discover the basics of the book of ephesians with the esv study bible from crossway. Their difference is not concerning its right to a place in the sacred scriptures, nor concerning its authorship, but whether it was addressed by paul to the church at ephesus, or to some other church. Paul was one of a long list of godly men and women, beginning with joseph in egypt, whose prison experience was used by god to bring forth his praises. In other words, god is unloading all of his riches in the book of ephesians. The book of ephesians god provides all that we need to live out strong godly lives on earth with the power of his holy spirit. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. John knox asked that calvins sermons on ephesians be read to him on his deathbed. Prior to writing his epistle to the ephesians in 6061 ad, paul had an established ministry in. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. 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. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3.

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. John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible. This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. Ephesians introduction, good news bible gnb the bible app. Introduction to ephesians by matthew henry blue letter bible. Did you know that the apostle paul was in prison at the time he wrote this letter to the ephesians. God predestined his people to redemption and holiness in christ 1. 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. 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. Unlike several of the other letters paul wrote, ephesians does not address any particular error or. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. 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. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.