Introduction to the book of ephesians introduction. Prior to writing his epistle to the ephesians in 6061 ad, paul had an established ministry in. Unlike several of the other letters paul wrote, ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. First, all they which dwelt in asia heard the word of the lord jesus, both jews and greeks gentiles acts 19. Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand better the dimensions of gods eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals god has for the church.
Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in houston. Ephesus was a city of ionia, in asia minor, and once the metropolis of that part of the world. Feb 07, 2015 the author of the book of ephesus was the apostle paul. Audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. 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. Robert mclaughlin bible ministries introduction to the book of ephesians. 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. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to.
Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, to the saints who are in ephesus, and faithful in christ jesus. Ephesians is an epistle for all the world, for jew and gentile, for husband and. The body must be whole and complete, and thats why in ephesians 4 it says, till we all come to the fullness of the stature of christ. Writing, as he does in this epistle, on the constitution and prospects of christs universal church, he refers the ephesians, as to personal matters, to the bearer of the epistle, tychicus ephesians 6. 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. Did you know that the apostle paul was in prison at the time he wrote this letter to the ephesians. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Despite the apostle pauls clear preaching on grace, some churches still command good works to earn merit with. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry st.
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. Bible commentaries adam clarke commentary ephesians. Introduction to the book of ephesians juli camarin february 24, 2015 introduction. Outline of the book of ephesians opening salutation ephesians 1. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2. This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. Samuel coleridge called it the most divine composition of man 2. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. 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. 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. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the. Ephesians overview and outline of ephesians author. Most probably ephesus, but a circular letter is also possible to the churches.
Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians. Mcconkie of the quorum of the twelve apostles taught that ephesians is an epistle for all the world, for jew and gentile, for husband and wife, for parent and child, for master and servant. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. John calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. An exposition, with practical observations, of the epistle of st. Wednesday, may 19, 2010 i isagogics the historical background. 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.
Ephesians introduction, good news bible gnb the bible app. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. Full of living revelation, it simply drips with the anointing of the holy spirit. His farewell speech to the ephesian elders acts 20.
Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. The identity of the author paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, to the saints which are at ephesus. Introduction paul was one of a long list of godly men and women. Introduction to ephesians by matthew henry blue letter bible. Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ. The conquest reached far beyond the city limits of ephesus. Introduction to the book of ephesians 1 during the midweek service, pastor richmond leigh preached from the book of ephesians. 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. 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. For other books, devotionals and bible studies by anne graham lotz.
Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. Christ should stand up in full functioning form in his body the church just as he did in his human body in his incarnation. Ephesians is my favorite book in the bible, and this commentary has helped to solidify it in my mind. C categorical doctrine comparing scripture with scripture e exegesis studying the original language in grammar, syntax, and translation. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry. There is nothing more interesting in the new testament than the letters of paul. We will conclude our introductory study to the book of ephesians by glancing briefly at the extent of the victory wrought by god through paul in asia. Introduction to the epistle of paul to the ephesians. Of all forms of literature, letters are more personal. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical and. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. A brief introduction to the st pauls epistle to the ephesians. The identity of the author paul, an apostle of jesus christ by.
First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2. Many books and websites promote undeserved attention to angels, ignoring jesus christ as savior of the world. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. Discover the basics of the book of ephesians with the esv study bible from crossway. The truths of this book have impacted the lives of many saints. 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. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry. 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.
Overview and outline of ephesians bible study deeper. Where most of pauls letters are addressed to churches facing specific issues dealing with belief and practice, this isnt the case with ephesians. Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men, jews, gentiles, male female, bond, free, all are united in christ. 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. Aug 23, 2012 date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. 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. Preface to the epistle of paul the apostle to the ephesians. Introduction to ephesians 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. 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.
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. Introduction to the book of ephesians robert mclaughlin. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. Introduction to the book of colossians learn religions. This beautiful letter tells christians of their great riches, inheritances, and fullness in jesus christ and in his church. John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible. Introduction to the book of ephesians faithlife sermons. Introduction to the book of ephesians learn the bible.
The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. 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. Paul wrote his prison epistles ephesians, philippians, colossians, and philemon from rome in approximately 6062 a. And they have been induced the rather to think this because it is the only one of all pauls epistles that has nothing.
Ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church. John knox asked that calvins sermons on ephesians be read to him on his deathbed. 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. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. I asked and you voted, so welcome to the study of ephesians. The author of the book of ephesus was the apostle paul. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. Mcconkie of the quorum of the twelve apostles taught that ephesians is an epistle for all the world, for jew and gentile. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. Ephesians introduction, the passion translation tpt. Prior to writing his epistle to the ephesians in 6061 ad, paul had an established ministry in ephesus.
The letter is seemingly addressed by paul to christians in ephesus eph 1. In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians. The key thought of ephesians is the gathering together of all things in jesus christ. It is probable that the two greater letters had their occasion in the. Ephesians is full of life and its words reach higher in christian thought than any letter in our new testament.
Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. Ephesians introduction scofield reference bible commentary. Pauls important phrase in christ appears about 35 times in this book more than in any other new testament book. 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. Have you ever wondered how so much heretical teaching infiltrated the early church. 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. 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. It reads like an academic or devotional book and i highly recommend it. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the bible. Ephesians introduction, the passion translation tpt the.
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