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. Read ephesians introduction commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. May 26, 2004 8 john calvin, as quoted by francis foulkes, the epistle to the ephesians grand rapids. And you also were included in christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Ephesus boasted international trade, a thriving silversmith guild, and a theater that seated 20,000 people.
Until the nineteenth century new testament scholarship was almost unanimous in accepting ephesians as a letter by paul. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. Ai the message of truth, the gospel of your salvationhaving also pbelieved, you were. Study guide for ephesians by chuck smith blue letter bible. Citing biblical resources cite your sources library guides at. Introduction paul was one of a long list of godly men and women. John calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible. David guzik commentary on ephesians 3, where paul explains to the church the revealing of gods. The book of ephesians has similarities to colossians. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. Without question ephesians was extraordinarily well attested in the early church. The main goal of the believer is to display the glory of christ. This epistle is addressed to the saints at the church in ephesus, a prosperous port city in the roman province of asia minor.
Made alive in christ as for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world. A salutation, and an account of saving blessings, as prepared in gods eternal election, as purchased by christs blood. This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. Next, paul talked about the inheritance that the believer will have. Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ. 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. 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. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Sparrowstock jessica brodie is an awardwinning christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 american christian fiction writers genesis award for.
Regardless, ephesians contains crucial truths for believers worldwide. John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible. This letter was probably composed and sent around the same time as the letter to the colossians. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. John knox asked that calvins sermons on ephesians be read to him on his deathbed b. Ephesians besides colossians, paul sent at least two more letters with tychicus and onesimus from rome see p. Ephesians 1 nasb the blessings of redemption bible gateway. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. Share share books of the bible new world translation of the holy scriptures study edition read the bible online english.
In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Since they had trusted in jesus, followed his will, and believed in his gospel, he sealed them. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. The next step is to choose a monthly or yearly subscription, and then enter your payment information. Hes the father of our master, jesus christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him.
Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians. Bible commentaries william barclays daily study bible ephesians. In the book of ephesians, paul explains the unique relationship between jesus and the church as his body. This introductory course is designed to provide key insights into the book of ephesians by pulling together a number of key resources. Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Letter of paul to the ephesians, tenth book of the new testament, once thought to have.
Youre already logged in with your bible gateway account. Ephesians 4 niv unity and maturity in the body of bible gateway. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. Sparrowstock jessica brodie is an awardwinning christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 american christian fiction writers genesis award for her novel, the memory garden. 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. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. Introduction meaning and commentary on bible verse. One of them has traditionally been known as ephesians, but it may not actually have been written to believers in the city of ephesus. Chapters available ephesians william barclays daily. Although the book bears the name ephesians, some scholars believe that. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our.
The apostle pauls letter to the ephesian congregation was written about 6061 c. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur. It is one of the four books that are commonly referred to as the prison epistles the others being philippians, colossians, and philemon. Because it was also at an intersection of major trade routes, ephesus became a commercial center. The blessings of redemption paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, to the saints who are at ephesus and are faithful in christ jesus. The conquest reached far beyond the city limits of ephesus. First, all they which dwelt in asia heard the word of the lord jesus, both jews and greeks gentiles acts 19. For example, the feinebehmkiimmel introduction to the new testament states. Blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in christ, just as he chose us in him before the. Ephesians 1 a salutation, and an account of saving blessings, as prepared in gods eternal election, as purchased by christs blood. 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. Long before he laid down earths foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Ephesians introduction scofield reference bible commentary. It had a harbor that at that time opened into the cayster river see map, p.
The main goal of the believer is to display the glory of christ by showing love toward others in and outside the church. Samuel coleridge called it the divine composition of man 2. It deals, however, not so much with a congregation in the city of ephesus in asia minor as with the. It was the capital of proconsular asia, being about a mile from the sea coast, and was the great religious, commercial and. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal. Greeting paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, to the saints who are in ephesus, and are faithful in christ jesus. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. Leslie mitton, ephesians, in new century bible greenwood, s.
Christ is the head of the church uniting believers. The hebrew concept of peace means much more than tranquility. After describing the glorious calling to which god has called his people eph. 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. The truths of this book have impacted the lives of many saints. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through jesus christ. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. To the faithful saints in christ jesus a at ephesus.
Introduction to ephesians overview of ephesians media gallery. Share share bible book introduction videos video series bible book introduction videos english bible book introduction videos. Unity and maturity in the body of christ as a prisoner for the lord, then, i urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. The letter is seemingly addressed by paul to christians in ephesus eph 1. Notice that god is the one who makes us holy, but our response is to be faithful or devoted. Ephesians 1 msg i, paul, am under gods plan as an bible gateway. Feb 19, 2008 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. Tom constables expository notes on ephesians this is also available in the net. Feb 10, 2019 the apostle paul is credited as the author. There are a number of similarities between this letter and the one to the colossians. Ephesians 1 full chapter greeting paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, to the saints who are in e phesus, and faithful in christ jesus. Introduction to ephesians by matthew henry blue letter bible. Ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church. Follow gods example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a.
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. King james version 1 paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, to the saints which are at ephesus, and to the faithful in christ jesus. Tychicus, one of pauls coworkers, carried the letter to the ephesians from rome to the congregation in ephesus. 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 eph 4. Redemption in christ blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in christ.
Ephesians 1 tpt pauls introduction dear friends, bible gateway. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. An introduction to the book of ephesians an argument of the book of ephesians selected bibliography on the book of ephesians. Pauls introduction 1 dear friends, my name is paul, and i was chosen by god to be an apostle of jesus, the messiah. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy.
I, paul, am under gods plan as an apostle, a special agent of christ jesus, writing to you faithful believers in ephesus. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. Ephesians complete bible book chapters and summary new. Where most of pauls letters are addressed to churches facing specific issues dealing with belief and practice, this isnt the case with ephesians.
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