Description of the book of ephesians

For other books, devotionals and bible studies by anne graham lotz. 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. A general account of the blessings that the gospel reveals. It asserts the authority of the church over every other force, and its living revelation drips with the anointing of the holy spirit. An apostle of christ jesus through the will of god names god and christ as the double source of authority. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus.

Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. This sermon series idea is about the book of ephesians. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. The truths of this book have impacted the lives of many saints. Each chapter includes the scripture reference being taught along with commentary emphasizing the. First, the great theatre which had a seating capacity of 50,000 people, and second.

Mar 06, 2020 therefore, if we desire to preach ephesians in a textdriven way, perhaps we should draw out the pattern of prayer imbedded in the book as we prepare our sermons and preach the book, as with every portion of gods word, in a posture of fervent prayerfulness ourselves. While this is certainly a major theme in pauls book, it seems to ignore what i would argue is the major underlying purpose of ephesians which is our position in christ and the life that flows from it. Once you grasp the essence of the book to the ephesians other bible books will become more open to you. In depth description of the book of ephesians overview. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. In the first three chapters of ephesians, paul uses the terms in christ. He realized that christ came to unite himself with man, and unity was the core purpose of the book of ephesians. Pauls self description of being an ambassador in bonds is found only in eph. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives.

Ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church. Audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. The book of ephesians outline as shown below from the wycliffe bible commentary. He also sent along the letter to the colossian church. I really enjoyed this indepth study of the very short book of philemon. Ephesians complete bible book chapters and summary new. Over 900 students enrolled in the first course book of philemon it also had an average rating of 5. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. The book of ephesians is an excellent read for anyone who is unsure of their standing in christ. John knox asked that calvins sermons on ephesians be read to him on his deathbed b.

They give usan arsenal forremaining true to the pillars of our faith. Pauls doctrine of the church shines in ephesians unlike any other epistle. The letter declares that the christian mystery gospel of salvation, first revealed to the apostles, is the source of true wisdom perhaps an indirect repudiation of. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. Paul, initially named saul, was born a jew and, in fact, persecuted many early christians, thinking they were blaspheming god by lifting up jesus as gods son. A description of the change in the spiritual position of gentiles as a result of the work of christ. Welcome to lees masterclass on the book of ephesians. Colossians aims at presenting the head of the church christ, ephesians focuses on the body of christ the church. Then, on the road to damascus, jesus appeared and revealed the truth, and he became. In this study of the letter to the ephesians you will learn profound truths about.

Introduction to the book of ephesians juli camarin february 24, 2015 introduction. Ephesians was a letter epistle written to the people of ephesus or a more general audience by paul, or a follower of paul. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. The blessing of being chosen and redeemed by god 1. Lee will take you through ancient contexts, communication to the church, theological concepts, how right theology translates to right. Father, son, and spirit are seen in pauls epistle to the ephesians as operating from before the foundation of the world for the redemption of the church. Remember that these ephesians did not understand the holy temple in jerusalem. 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 church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. Most scholars believe the apostle paul wrote the book of ephesians. Ephesians reveals that the gospel of jesus christ is the only way to see true transformation in the world. But whereas colossians focuses on christ of the church, ephesians focuses on the church of christ. Paul explains the mystery of the church and gives practical insight into living as believers.

Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. This summary of the book of ephesians provides information about the title, author. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Jun 28, 2009 the book of ephesians is charged with weighty doctrines that reveal the glory of the triune god. All tradition takes the epistle as being pauline until it was first. Furthermore, a study in ephesians will help to fortify and to establish the believer so he can fulfill the purpose and calling god has given. Ephesians 1 is a beautiful introduction to how we have received every. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul.

Roberts offers a clear and compelling introduction to the entire book, guiding learners in creatively and faithfully living out its message in todays context. Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to colossians, among other reasons, as grounds for doubting authorship by the apostle paul. Paul the apostle writes to encourage believers to live wellweve been lifted from the graveyard of sin and called to shout the gospel into the darkened world. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Ephesians colossians philippians philemon paul remained in ephesus for nearly three years on his 3rd missionary journey. It is listed among pauls letters in the early manuscripts and cited as such by early christian authors such as irenaeus against heresies 5. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. Description welcome to lees masterclass on the book of ephesians. Several years ago, a couple started coming to our church. It contains 6 chapters ephesians was a letter epistle written to the people of ephesus or a more general audience by paul, or a follower of paul. The book of ephesians clearly leaves its mark among other bible books by displaying the powerful impact of the gospel of christ jesus in the individual and corporate life of believers. May 02, 2020 enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god.

John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible. The church has been brought from death to life in christ. Practical insights for everyday christian living provides a comprehensive biblical commentary from renowned bible teacher joyce meyer. I am so thankful that these letters, such as this letter to the ephesians, have been carefully preserved and passed down to us. Salutation the salutation comprising the first two verses, as if to make things doubly sure if possible, contains four sets of doubles. It was noteworthy because of two notable structures there. Most probably ephesus, but a circular letter is also possible to the churches of asia minor with. The book of ephesians teaches you who you are in christ, how to live as his follower, and how to gain victory in the spiritual battles you face. Samuel coleridge called it the divine composition of man 2. The shortest definition of a christian is simply one who is in christ, a phrase found no less than 35 times in ephesians, more than any other biblical book.

Throughout this course, you will rise to the next level of your understanding as lee dives into his favourite book of the new testament. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of. The book of colossians is very similar to that of ephesians, in fact both books have passages with similar themes and phrases. The epistle to the ephesians chapter three objectives in studying the chapter 1 to understand the mystery so long hidden that is now revealed, and the role of the church 2 to examine pauls prayer for the ephesians enablement, what it means for us today summary in this chapter paul reminds his readers of gods grace that has been shown. Oct 19, 2016 in depth description of the book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Book of ephesians outline free online bible study lessons. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. The book of ephesians is a beautiful revelation of the church and the spiritual blessings we have in christ jesus. This letter is a call for the jewish converts to christianity and the christians to be united. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our everyday. The description of salvation as raising and seating believers connects ephesians 2. 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. It was a letter to early christian believers in ephesus, which was at that time a leading commercial, political, and intellectual center in what is now modernday. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham.

In study 2 we look at the entire book of pauls letter to ephesus and discover his purpose in. What was hidden throughout the ages was revealed to us when christ came. Ephesians definition is a letter addressed to early christians and included as a book in the new testament. 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. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. Chapters 1 through 3 describe gods blessings for members of christs body. This is why letters such as the one to the ephesians are incredibly important. 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. Have you ever wondered how so much heretical teaching infiltrated the early church. The aim of this epistle is to confirm and to equip a maturing church. I, therefore, the prisoner of the lord, exhort you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called. Ephesians synonyms, ephesians pronunciation, ephesians translation, english dictionary definition of ephesians. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries.

In the book of ephesians, we learn how the gospel creates a new multiethnic, covenant family of god, and affects our story and how we live every day as a body. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Epistle to the ephesians read bible book, study verses. The book of ephesians an overview bible study resources. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. The book of ephesians is one of four prison epistles, so titled because they were written by the apostle while he was a roman prisoner in rome at the time they were. The bible speaks today bst 9780877842873 by john stott. 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. Paul doesnt specify a specific heresy but does seem to want them to be identified with christ and one in a sense of purpose. Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master philemon, in the care of tychicus. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians author, date, and place of writing. The ephesians course, featuring author and professor mark roberts, covers the book of ephesians in eighteen engaging units. Then, on the road to damascus, jesus appeared and revealed the truth, and he became a believer, ultimately changing his name to paul.

With all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love, be eager to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians definition of ephesians by the free dictionary. As such, and because of pauls notation at the beginning of the book 1. To expand the horizons of the ephesians by emphasizing gods eternal purpose, grace, and mysteries.

Ephesians definition of ephesians by merriamwebster. How does this description differ from strangers and aliens. Chapters available ephesians william barclays daily. Overview of the book of ephesians deeper christian.

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. 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. A book for all who want to build the church into the new society god has planned it to be. It is significant that ephesians was recognized from the beginning as a pauline letter. Overview and outline of ephesians bible study deeper. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. Concisely stated, the theology of ephesians is that in the life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and enthronement of jesus christ, the church, which is his body, declares by its unity, the lordship of jesus, not only over the church, but over the cosmos as well. Like the letter to the romans, ephesians provides a unique insight into pauls theology, for it was written when paul had the luxury of not.

This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor. An indepth bible study series of pauls letter to the ephesians. 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. This 12lesson study guide on the book of ephesians provides a unique and welcoming opportunity to immerse yourself in gods precious word as expressed in the passion translation r. 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.

It was the capital of proconsular asia, being about a mile from the sea coast, and was the great religious, commercial and political center of asia. The book of ephesians 12 lesson bible study guid cokesbury. The reason is that this letter details the work of christ like no other one does. My eyes were opened to some truths i had not seen before, and i got a lot out of this course. I asked and you voted, so welcome to the study of ephesians. Like romans, the letter to the church at ephesus addresses very lofty and widely applicable theological issues. Ephesians the wealth and walk of believers 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.

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 book of ephesians is the constitution of our faith, the great summary description of all that is precious and esteemed in christian doctrine and christian living. The book of ephesians is a survival manualit equips believers to thrive in a world that hates the message of jesus christ. John calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Pauline authorship of ephesians does not appear to have been doubted in the early church. Ephesians is book number 49 of the bible and number 10 of the new testament. 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 sent first to believers in ephesus.