Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry st. Entry for ephesians, book of holman bible dictionary one of 28 bible dictionaries freely available, this readable and easy to use dictionary takes advantage of the finest modern bible scholarship. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at.
Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of writing in all history and english poet samuel taylor coleridge called it the. This letter, along with pauls letter to the colossians was delivered by pauls faithful fellowservant, tychicus. The book of ephesians chapter four workbook eeonline biblestudy. Overview 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. And they have been induced the rather to think this because it is the only one of all pauls epistles that has nothing. Sprouls work, the following are five of the most helpful commentaries on the book of ephesians. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. This time, pauls writing to the church in ephesus and, boy, does he have a lot to say.
Mar 01, 20 a quick dig into history with the book of ephesians posted by bayareamomma on march 1, 20 july 28, 20 im diving into ephesians and i thought a bit of history might be helpful as we look at the work god does in ephesus. In the book of acts, the history of church at ephesus begins with the ministry of paul on his second missionary journey, as recorded in acts. Ephesians sets forth what no other book of the new testament describes so completely the nature of the body of christ, which is the true church. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Ephesians bible book with full chapters king james version. His ministry may have appeared to have been hindered. You will receive a periodic newsletter with links to our newest articles and features. Ephesians and colossians summary the epistle to the ephesians. Sproul has himself written a very helpful introductory level commentary on it titled the purpose of god.
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. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. He has imputed his righteousness to his body, for now we have been bought with a price and therefore no longer our own but all things are gods. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Encounter ephesians, and get swept up into the story of jesus. While paul was in prison he had been thinking about his work as an apostle. The book of ephesians speaks of several mysteries that are revealed to us. 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. The purpose is to assist the student in gaining a greater comprehension of the biblical teaching contained in. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Ephesians the story of god bible commentary kindle edition. Ephesians bible study courses the book of ephesians this course is designed as an expository study of the epistle to the ephesians, taking the student through the entire epistle with cross references to other portions of scripture.
Niv this was likely early in his imprisonment he had appealed to caesar in 59 a. Ephesians 1 is the first chapter of the epistle to the ephesians in the new testament of the christian bible. Ephesians was written by paul a prisoner in rome ephesians 4. If the people of your city, of your school, of your family are going to hear the gospel, its going to be from your mouth. Ephesians the story of god bible commentary kindle edition by mark d.
The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. This course is designed as an expository study of the epistle to the ephesians, taking the student through the entire epistle with cross references to other portions of scripture. The mystery of the body of christ esv edition preaching the word hughes, r. He may not speak to you through every verse, but he will speak. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Ephesians, book of holman bible dictionary bible dictionary. To the saints who live in ephesus, the faithful in christ. The bible book of ephesians with full chapters, footnotes and bible commentary to aid your bible search, reading, and study.
Home faq books of the bible ephesians questions about ephesians. Pauls letter to the ephesians is the tenth book in the new testament. Ephesians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of ephesians for bible study or sunday school lessons. Greetingpaul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god,to the saints who are in ephesus, and faithful in christ jesus. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. Ephesians for personal study and reflection or for smallgroup bible study, is drawn andbased largely upon the epistle of ephesians written by the apostle paul after many years of ministry. Greear digs into the text of ephesians versebyverse and challenges believers to live out the gospel. 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. Based on the contents of the book, it appears as though pauls purpose for writing the book of ephesians was to remind the ephesian believers of their high calling in christ chapters and to exhort them to live up to that calling chapters 46. As we begin our study of the book of ephesians, i would like to draw attention to some of its characteristics, and then to attempt to identify its unique identity and contribution to the revelation of the scriptures. The mystery of the body of christ esv edition preaching the word.
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. 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. Unlike several of the other letters paul wrote, ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. A quick dig into history with the book of ephesians bay. The bible companion series what we possess in christ the book of ephesians page 4 c. I recommend this volume to anyone who is not familiar with the basic themes of this epistle. The others are philippians, colossians, and philemon. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. Perhaps it seems like a nobrainer to say the book of ephesians was written to the ephesians. The central organizing theological idea in ephesians is that through christs atoning work god has mightily brought about the churcha new humanity, i. Ephesians 16 nkjv greeting paul, an apostle of jesus.
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. The bible, the old testament and new testament, is addressed to gods people. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. 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. 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. God is forming the body of christ, that he might fill them to walk in works of love and to stand firm in christs victory. What are the most commonly asked questions about 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 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.
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. Mar 07, 2016 this letter, along with pauls letter to the colossians was delivered by pauls faithful fellowservant, tychicus. Gain new insights into gods word and how to apply gods word to everyday life with the blackabys. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison.
Let us consider, then, the characteristics of the book of ephesians. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Read ephesians prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for god to speak. The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors. For this reason i, paul, the prisoner of christ jesus for the sake of you gentiles surely you have heard about the administration of gods grace that was given to me for you. It had a harbor that at that time opened into the cayster river see map, p. It is therefore critical to understand the nature and calling of the church that we might be effective members of the one body that is called to bear witness to gods grace in this world. The book of ephesians overview of the book of ephesians the book of ephesians is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and. The book of ephesians concerns what god is doing in redemptive history by making the church. Summary of the book of ephesians bible history online. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians. 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.
It was during this time that paul sat in rome undergoing his first roman imprisonment ephesians 3. When christ redeemed us from sin and death, he incorporated all believers into his body. Ephesians was written by paul when imprisoned in rome. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. Ephesians 1, new king james version nkjv the bible app. An outline of ephesians intended to enhance and assist your study of gods holy word his letter to you. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. It is also seems equally obvious that in gods providence this epistle was incorporated in the canon of scripture for the whole body of christ. 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. Ephesians 3 niv bible for this reason i, paul, the.
Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by apostle paul while he was in prison in rome around ad 62, but more recently, it has been suggested that it was written between ad 80 and 100 by another writer using pauls name and style. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the. Ephesians encourages readers with the news that, through christs work, the church is reconciled to god and outfitted for tasks as varied as living peacefully in a congregation, serving one another within a household, and withstanding hostile cosmic powers.
A quick dig into history with the book of ephesians posted by bayareamomma on march 1, 20 july 28, 20 im diving into ephesians and i thought a bit of history might be helpful as we look at the work god does in ephesus. Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. When he does, record the verse number, what it is he seems to be saying to you and your response to him in this final step. The fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament. Ephesians 1, new international version niv the bible app. A study guide for the book of ephesians answers chapter one. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. The church of jesus christ is now the spiritual body of believers who represent christ on earth.
Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. Grace is undeserved favour and peace is the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through christ, and so fearing nothing from god and content with whatever. He realized that christ came to unite himself with man, and unity was the core purpose of the book of ephesians. 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. Book of ephesians ephesians chapter 1 ephesians chapter 2 ephesians chapter 3 ephesians chapter 4 ephesians chapter 5 ephesians chapter 6. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey.
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