Introduction on the book of ephesians in the bible

God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. The conquest reached far beyond the city limits of ephesus. Introduction to the epistle of paul to the ephesians why study this book. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. 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. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and. 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. Read ephesians prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for god to speak. 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. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ephesians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork.

Where most of pauls letters are addressed to churches facing specific issues dealing with belief and practice, this isnt the case with ephesians. His farewell speech to the ephesian elders acts 20. For a brief time at the end of his second missionary journey, and then for more than two years on his third missionary journey, paul ministered to the church at ephesus acts 18. Youll find david jeremiahs introduction to the book of ephesians on page 16371638 of the jeremiah study bible. Introduction to ephesians introduction paul was one of a long list of godly men and women, beginning with joseph in egypt, whose prison experience was used by god to bring forth his praises. 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. Richison value of ephesians ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church this book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life john calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible we see something of the supremacy of christ in gods. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. 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.

In the king james version of the bible, ephesians 1. The niv study bible biblica the international bible. First, all they which dwelt in asia heard the word of the lord jesus, both jews and greeks gentiles acts 19. 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. John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible. Pauls most eloquent teaching on gods plan of salvation and life in the body of christ. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. The book of ephesians bible study and ministry resources. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives.

All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. The truths of this book have impacted the lives of many saints. Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world.

John knox asked that calvins sermons on ephesians be read to him on his deathbed. Introduction to ephesians bible commentary theology of work. 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. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry.

A complete outline of the books content is provided in each introduction except for the introduction to psalms. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. A great textual study for those who want to go deep into gods word. It is probable that the two greater letters had their occasion in the return of onesimus. Ephesians introduction scofield reference bible commentary. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. Ephesians introduction, good news bible gnb the bible app. Introduction to ephesians by matthew henry blue letter bible.

An exposition, with practical observations, of the epistle of st. This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. People of all nations are united to christ and to one another in the church, through the working of the trinity. Introduction to ephesians bible commentary theology of. Introduction to the book of ephesians robert mclaughlin. 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. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to whom the epistle is addressed. 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. Ignatius epistle to the ephesians, 12, which alludes to the frequent and affectionate mention made by paul of the christian state, privileges, and persons of the ephesians in his epistle. Overview and outline of ephesians bible study deeper.

Unlike several of the other letters paul wrote, ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. Discover the basics of the book of ephesians with the esv study bible from crossway. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Video video download options bible book introduction videos share.

First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2. Introduction paul was one of a long list of godly men and women. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. 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. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Introduction to the book of ephesians learn the bible. Pairs of books that were originally one literary work, such as 1 and 2 samuel, 1 and 2 kings, and 1. 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. Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2. C categorical doctrine comparing scripture with scripture e exegesis studying the original language in grammar, syntax, and translation. 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. The other major theme of this letter includes the riches of spiritual blessings for the believer.

The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men, jews, gentiles, male female, bond, free, all are united in christ. Wednesday, may 19, 2010 i isagogics the historical background. 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. Doctrinal ephesians chapter 1 gods purpose in christ from before the foundation of the world ephesians 1. Introduction to the epistle of paul to the ephesians. Christ should stand up in full functioning form in his body the church just as he did in his human body in his incarnation. And they have been induced the rather to think this because it is the only one of all pauls epistles that has nothing. John calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible. 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. The deeper christian bible study series in ephesians is an indepth versebyverse study of pauls letter to the ephesians. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry st. These studies will guide you through this lifechanging book of the bible and give you practical application to help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with jesus, experience the victorious christian life, and.

He may not speak to you through every verse, but he will speak. 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. 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. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. It has been conjectured that the letter known to us as ephesians is really the laodicean letter. 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. Ephesians is an epistle for all the world, for jew and gentile, for husband and wife, for parent and child, for master and servant. Indeed the words, to the ephesians, are not in the best manuscripts. Robert mclaughlin bible ministries introduction to 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. Ephesians introduction, the passion translation tpt bible. Full of living revelation, it simply drips with the anointing of the holy spirit.

Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. Introduction to the epistle of paul to the ephesians, new testament seminary. Samuel coleridge called it the most divine composition of man 2. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. Ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the bible. This book depicts the sixfold role and relationship in regard to the church. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible.

Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. Paul uses several word pictures to describe the church. Themes in the book of ephesians christ has reconciled the whole of creation to himself and to god the father. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. For genesis, two outlinesa literary and a thematicare given.