The fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament. Ephesians our blessings in christ importance this epistle was evidently addressed to the church in ephesus cf. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Having a robust understanding of what it means to be a christian has a direct effect on our witness to the world. Ephesians 3 new international version niv gods marvelous plan for the gentiles. Authorship though some liberal scholars question pauline authorship based on ephesians unique vocabulary, style, and advanced doctrine, both internal and external evidence clearly support pauls authorship. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. 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. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. What does it mean that we are gods workmanship in ephesians 2. The little fellow answered, sir, i didnt know he was lost.
Thanks to the understanding gained from this study, ephesians in my study bible is almost all hi lighted. Make a list of bible passages outside the book of ephesians that refer to the city or church at ephesus use a concordance and crossreferences. Tom constables expository notes on ephesians this is also available in the net. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. What does it mean that god is rich in mercy ephesians 2. Grace and peace to you from god our father and the lord jesus christ.
Encounter ephesians, and get swept up into the story of jesus. The book is quite similar in many ways to colossians, but that book places more emphasis on the work of christ, where this book emphasizes more the. But whereas colossians focuses on christ of the church, ephesians focuses on the church of christ. For example, the admonitions concerning slaves in ephesians 6 are properly and almost universally acknowledged to be nontransferable to our present context in the western world. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham.
E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Ephesians 1 niv bible paul, an apostle of christ jesus. Biblical interpretation and the epistle to the ephesians. 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. 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.
On the other hand, there are several good reasons to hold to the traditional view that the letter was to ephesus. For example, the admonitions concerning slaves in ephesians 6 are properly and almost universally acknowledged to be nontransferable to our present context in. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. What does it mean that satan is prince of the power of the air ephesians 2. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. And i pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all. Whether you are just beginning your new life with christ, or have been a christian for many years, this study guide is for you. No doubt the newly founded churches in ephesus and asia minor struggled with a lack of understanding as well and, therefore, were plagued with many of the same issues.
Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. The oldest and best manuscripts do not have the address to the ephesians. His principal ministry was at westminster chapel, in central london, from 19391968, where he delivered multiyear expositions on books of the bible such as romans, ephesians and the gospel of john. Colossians aims at presenting the head of the church christ, ephesians focuses on the body of christ the church. Abel damina understanding the book of ephesians part 1. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians to help them grasp gods great plan for the church. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to the strongs concordance numbers.
However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Ephesians is the goto book in the new testament for an understanding of gods sovereignty in salvation by grace, and therefore it shares much in common with pauls other masterwork. 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. Paul penned the letter to the ephesians to describe to them gods glorious plan for the church. And man is sanctified and will be at the second coming of christ receiving an irreproachable and incorruptible body 1 thess. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. Pauls wonder and awe saturate the book in praise, prayer, and worship to the glory of god. Waymentapart from a few memorable phrases, the epistle to the ephesians often passes by our attention without significant notice or comment. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Ironside tells the story of a little boy who was asked, have you found jesus. But without the references to the whole armour of god and the foundation of the church being built upon the apostles. 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. Youre blessed to be in this system the lost hope to be very clearly i dont need to say the lord even if he tell us so it in the bill you say now when i said a lot spoke to me in base is something.
The book known as the epistle to the ephesians is actually not a letter at all, but an encyclical to all christians. If we have a burden for the lost, says lloydjones, then christians must know who we are and what we are called to be. Understanding the lost art of practicing his presence by. Harold hoehner begins his massive volume on ephesians with a long account of the thoughts and comments about the importance of ephesians to leaders throughout history. Bible biblestudytools video what is the purpose of the book of ephesians. Ephesians 1, new king james version nkjv the bible app. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. Authority 7 book of acts 120 book of ephesians 232 book of john 262 book of romans 366 face to face with christ 12 gems 8 gospel 10 great biblical doctrines 55 itinerant preaching 89 kingdom of god 8 knowledge 10 old testament 3 other sermons 240 preaching and preachers 18 revival sermons 24 spiritual.
The book of ephesians page 3 what we possess in christ our possessions the believers blessed life ephesians 1 key verse. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, to gods holy people in ephesus, the faithful in christ jesus. 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. Brett kreider mark templer date class memory verse october 1 ephesians 1.
This commentary, in outline form, is an excellent study guide. Later, the ephesians lost their first love for god as jesus called them to a decision to repent and love god first. The book of ephesians along with philippians and colossians, was written by the apostle paul while in prison in rome. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Thats what the bible is so it is a book that carries the story of oppression the person of christ and that book unveils this person progressively from genesis to revelation thats what the bible is now having said that we have also looked at a number of things as it regards to what god has done in christ the book of galatians chapter six verse. 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.
Ephesians 3 gods marvelous plan for the gentiles bible. The traditional idea, that god deals in one manner with the gentile christians and in another with the jewish christians, and that the races are identifiable in christ, has created havoc in the interpretation of the scripturesparticularly the writings. For a small book, ephesians really makes a huge impact. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. The book of colossians is very similar to that of ephesians, in fact both books have passages with similar themes and phrases. This is the picture we are to dream and pray into reality.
Instrumental music by mckendree tucker includes bonus instrumental only tracks. From the book of ephesians northern virginia church of christ fall 2017 teachers. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. It is a short book, and reading it many times will help you understand the story much better.
Paul wrote this letter while enduring his first roman imprisonment in house arrest. Because the name ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, some scholars believe the letter was an encyclical, intended to be circulated and read among all the churches in asia minor and was simply. By accepting gods grace offer, and believing in the lord jesus christ has died for your sins and he has risen from the dead, therefore man is cleansed by his shed blood at the cross. Study the ephesians passage for this lesson, by reading the verses and studying the notes. It is hard to overestimate the importance of the book of ephesians on this history of christs people. Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works.
Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. The book of ephesians along with philippians and colossians, was written by. Free sermon book of ephesians martyn lloydjones trust. Abel damina understanding the book of ephesians part 24. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. The book of ephesians chapter four workbook eeonline biblestudy. 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.
What does it mean to have left your first love revelation 2. Whenever we dont understand the purpose of something, we are prone to misuse it. Once you know the main purpose of the book, it is extremely helpful to outline the book. It is crucially important that christians realize this, so in1. May 12, 2017 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. Ephesians 16 nkjv greeting paul, an apostle of jesus. When interpreting and appropriating the book of ephesians, therefore, we naturally and necessarily engage in cultural translation. The concept that the elect jews and gentiles compose the one family of god, the one holy nation, is a central theme of the book of ephesians. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new.
Theme the letter describes gods plan for mans salvation, with emphasis on the role of the church. In a creative and compelling exposition of ephesians 1. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace. His principal ministry was at westminster chapel, in central london, from 19391968, where he delivered multiyear expositions on books of the bible such as. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. After you have read the whole epistle, state the theme of the book. It focuses on the identity, privilege and responsibility of the church. Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. In genesis chapter 1, god told man to rule over all things.
Used in this manner, this book will greatly assist the reader is understanding the great and blessed truths hidden in the book of ephesians, truths concerning the intimate relationship between. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. An introduction to the book of ephesians an argument of the book of ephesians selected bibliography on the book of ephesians. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. 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 book is quite similar in many ways to colossians, but that book places more emphasis on the work of christ, where this book emphasizes more the involvement of the church. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Audio sermons on ephesians martyn lloydjones trust. Summarize what the bible says about ephesus the city or the church outside the book of ephesians. All that the church needs, the lord has already provided.
Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to. It often takes several readings which is also a good thing to do to craft an outline of the book, titling the main sections with something that makes sense to you. Christ should stand up in full functioning form in his body the church just as he did in his human body in his incarnation. It is not a book to be read hurriedly but a book to be studied carefully, bible in hand. Paul had spent nearly three years in ephesus acts 19. Martyn lloydjones 18991981 was a welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the reformed tradition. It is designed to help you discover, through personal study and group discussion, the incredible riches of. The book of ephesians is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form. Whether for meditation, memorization, comfort, or study, the book of ephesians is an opportunity to sit at home gathered with family, even and experience the word read aloud as the earliest believers did. He is the thought behind what was said the logos of god so everything the prophets book he was the mindset behind it the mindset of the speaking of the prophet was impressive or is impressing the mindset behind the prophecy of the prophets is a messy the look of of god so every book in the scriptures wants to unveil speak off and testify of the.
Greear digs into the text of ephesians versebyverse and challenges believers to live out the gospel. This letter from laodicea would be lost unless it is referring to the letter we call ephesians. Acts 19, but may have been intended as a circular letter to be read by neighboring churches. Without serviceable weapons, the battle is often lost even before it begins. 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.
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. 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. Every day on my 3045 minute commute, i turned over these words in my mind and heart. Golls book the lost art of practicing his presence will help you to. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. Ive learned how better to serve the church, and how to be a better employee and leader. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians.
As roman guards stood watch, paul penned a powerful letter to. Jan 02, 2020 the first love which characterized the ephesians was the zeal and ardor with which they embraced their salvation as they realized they loved christ because he first loved them 1 john 4. 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. 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 church has been brought from death to life in christ. Verse 21 also includes every title or rank that anyone can give. 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. The grandeur of the ancient city of ephesus stands as a stark contrast to this rather small epistle. How to use this book welcome to the faith foundations study guide on ephesians. It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power.
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