This the book of ephesians bible study summary with the book of ephesians bible study summary facts looks at the book of ephesians bible study summary and asks what is the book of ephesians summary meaning, who does the book. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Half a julie bible journaling ephesians bible journaling by book bible journaling bible verse art bible verse print great for faith journals art journal we are gods masterpiece ephesians 2. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. Did you know that the apostle paul was in prison at the time he wrote this letter to the ephesians. Paul have a stronger chain of evidence to their early and continued use thant that which we know as the epistle to the ephesians. 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. 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. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. 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. 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. Ephesians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of ephesians for bible study or sunday school lessons. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. This means that in this epistle the teachings and thoughts of the apostle paul reach their loftiest form.
He realized that christ came to unite himself with man, and unity was the core purpose of the book of ephesians. The mystery of the body of christ esv edition preaching the word hughes, r. All tradition takes the epistle as being pauline until it was first disputed by erasmus fifteenth century and by later eighteenthtwentieth century critics. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. He also sent along the letter to the colossian church.
The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and. The church of jesus christ is now the spiritual body of believers who represent christ on earth. Either way the author provides many great questions to help foster meditation on a book that has great meaning to any stage of life. The book of ephesians bible study christianity oasis ministry has provided you with this book of ephesians bible study on the book of ephesians bible study summary. John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible 3. The book of ephesians is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Purpose, background and structure posted on may 12, 2014 by matt dabbs 1 comment a few weeks ago, i started a wednesday night series on the book of ephesians. Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. 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 fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament. Most early writers spoke of the epistle as having been addressed to the ephesians. Ephesians 1 new english translation net bible salutation. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians.
Ephesians 1 niv bible paul, an apostle of christ jesus. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. The letter to the ephesians has been called the crown of pauline theology. Lewis writes, none of the epistles which are ascribed to st. The gospel had continued to advance in asia, macedonia, and greece. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. Ephesians colossians philippians philemon paul remained in ephesus for nearly three years on his 3rd missionary journey. The mystery of the body of christ esv edition preaching the word. Read ephesians prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for god to speak. 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. Paul names himself as the author of the epistle to the ephesians ephesians 1. It was during this time that paul sat in rome undergoing his first roman imprisonment ephesians 3.
A brief introduction to ephesians ephesians online reading room extensive collection of online. This letter was written at least ten years after 1 thessalonians. 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. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. This helps explain pauls emphasis on the power of god over all heavenly authorities and on christs triumphant ascension as head over the church and over all things in this age and the next. Audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Ephesians background information fbc seguin students. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god.
Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master philemon, in the care of tychicus. Just put the appropriate words in your favorite search engine. 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 1, new international version niv the bible app. He may not speak to you through every verse, but he will speak. People from this background would have appreciated the irony in pauls words about christ nurturing niv84, feeding his own body, the church eph. 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. They were to the thessalonians and chiefly centered on jesus return. They would well have understood the point of contrast when paul described christs goal to present his church as a glorious or radiant bride eph. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. 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. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. 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.
It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger. Ephesians 16 nkjv greeting paul, an apostle of jesus. Ephesus forms an appropriate background to the book of ephesians because of this citys fascination with magic and the occult acts 19. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of. 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. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Book of ephesians ephesians chapter 1 ephesians chapter 2 ephesians chapter 3 ephesians chapter 4 ephesians chapter 5 ephesians chapter 6.
Ignatius of antioch epistle to the ephesians, 12, circa 90 a. You can find the ephesians bible study series on rightnow media, here. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries.
An outline of ephesians intended to enhance and assist your study of gods holy word his letter to you. Niv ephesians was for jews and gentiles who comprise one church. Greear digs into the text of ephesians versebyverse and challenges believers to live out the gospel. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Ephesians 3 niv bible for this reason i, paul, the. Several of the early church writers site the book of ephesians. There has been some debate about whether this book was written to the ephesians or was a circular letter to various churches, because not all manuscripts include the words in ephesus. Grace and peace to you from god our father and the lord jesus christ. Ephesians 1, new king james version nkjv the bible app.
The others are philippians, colossians, and philemon. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at the. This book can provide a guide to leading a bible study on ephesians or assist in a personal study on the book. Greek was the common dialect of the roman world, spread originally by alexander the great. 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. There are a huge number of sites on the internet that offer pictures of ephesus as it looks today and other background information. Marcion included it in his canon, although under the title of laodiceans c. Style and genre in ephesians q m t qdonovan the authorship of ephesians is an increasingly open question in current discussion.
No particular problem is raised in the book unlike many of pauls other letters. Pauls prayers for the ephesian believers ephesians 1. As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. 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. During his third missionary journey in 5556 ad, he wrote corinthians, galatians and romans which all clearly defined the meaning and purpose of the cross. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. Some suggest that pauls time in imprisonment enabled him to develop an exalted christology and a high appraisal of the privileges of believers in christ 11. 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. The book is address by paul to the church at ephesus.
Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, to gods holy people in ephesus, the faithful in christ jesus. Ephesians would encourage such believers, and all of us, that we too are enthroned with christ above such powers. We therefore welcome all the more warmly the following contribution to the debate which is based on a paper given to the tsf group in oxford. 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. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same time he wrote colossians and philemon, as he sent all three letters by the hand. The book of ephesians clearly leaves its mark among other bible books by displaying the powerful impact of the. Answering bible contradictions, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations.
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