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. I summarised the bible on twitter between aug 2010 and nov 20 one tweet per chapter, one chapter per day. 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. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. He now brings his skill and experience to this commentary on ephesiansa commentary that no serious student can afford to ignore.
The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. The church has been brought from death to life in christ. According to tradition, ephesians was written by paul when he was a prisoner in rome, around ad 62. 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. Historicalcultural context the entire book of ephesians in the bible is a letter, written by the apostle paul, to the gentiles of ephesus. 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. 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. What was hidden throughout the ages was revealed to us when christ came. Further, the differences between ephesians and other nondisputed pauline letters do not involve contradictions on the most critical readings.
Analysis of the book ephesians 956 words 4 pages how they treat you. Summary of the book of 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. To analyze this letter fully, it is important to consider it in conjunction with colossians and in. Ephesians with book summary interlinear study bible. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. It was smaller than the cities of rome and alexandria at a mere population size of 250,000. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. 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.
Obrien does an excellent job of drawing from other scholars who previously written or commented on. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Obrien does an excellent job of drawing from other scholars who previously written or commented on the book especially lincoln, bruce, and clinton arnold. As ive preached through ephesians over the past two years, ive benefited from hoehner in many ways, and have read almost all of the. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. This is a lengthy commentary on ephesians over 900 pages, but well worth the purchase. Paul, in the book of ephesians, demonstrates this process. You can find the best commentary on ephesians for you using the tools on the right side. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing.
Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. An introduction to the book of ephesians an argument of the book of ephesians selected bibliography on the book of ephesians. Ephesians has been called the queen of the epistles, the quintessence of paulinism, the divinest composition of man and even the waterloo of commentators. Historical background in the beginning of the book of ephesians, paul specifically states that he is the author of the letter to ephesians. Historical background in the beginning of the book of ephesians, paul specifically states that he is the author of the letter to ephesians, though the authenticity of pauls authorship has been questioned. But when we glimpse how god is restoring all of creation through christ, and when we discover that our work plays an essential role in that. If you are trying to make friends, find clients, make contacts, sell them something, or anything else we might to, with one simple process, you can move one giant step toward your goal. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. This 2004 selfhelp book is based on pauls advice to husbands and wives in ephesians 5. Paul names himself as the author of the epistle to the ephesians ephesians 1. The book of ephesians is a letter written to the christians at ephesus. Most early writers spoke of the epistle as having been addressed to the ephesians. Therefore, in some ways the unregenerate man is dead. Summary of the book of ephesians summary of hebrews.
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. 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. That can be a formidable task when writing a commentary on ephesians, but carson selected one of the best in peter t. They are differences of emphasis, not substance and reflect logical trajectories in pauls thought e. As with the other books in the series, this is not a wordforword technical commentary. Analysis of ephesians s letter of ephesians 1532 words. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Analysis of the book ephesians essay 2524 words 11 pages historical background in the beginning of the book of ephesians, paul specifically states that he is the author of the letter to ephesians, though the authenticity of pauls authorship has been questioned.
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. Basically, the author agrees with paul and thinks the key to a happy marriage is providing your man with respect and your lady with love. 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. To analyze this letter fully, it is important to consider it in conjunction with colossians and in light of the jerusalem council recorded in acts 15. The intention of the letter to ephesus is to help them understand gods purpose for their lives, unity of the church, and the spiritual realm of the christian life. 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. Some say that ephesians reads like a commentary on the pauline letters and probably it has been. Analysis of the book ephesians essay 2524 words 11 pages. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. Bartsch, 2 d5 the specifics of the fullknowledge in the request 1. Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband. Ephesians, colossians and philemon interpretation is easy to get through and written on a very accessible level.
Introduction to the book of ephesians faithlife sermons. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. Check out this commentary and summary of ephesians. Dec 01, 2002 hoehner also probably gives the most robust defense of pauline authorship of ephesians of any commentary over 100 pages. Ephesians, written around the same time as pauls epistle to the colossians, remains an important piece of historical evidence that also preserves some important doctrinal concepts. Ephesians 16 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. However, ephesians is generally believed not to be by paul it is a deuteropauline epistle.
It was written around 60ad during pauls house arrest in rome. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. Bible commentary produced by tow project only a few verses of ephesians deal precisely with the workplace and even these are directed at thieves, slaves, and masters. It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger. 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. Colossians, philemon, ephesians, new international commentary on the new testament by f. We need not look for evidence of regeneration before we tell men. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul. There is no reference to ephesus, or to any individuals, despite acts recording that paul spent a long time there. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
Style and genre in ephesians q m t qdonovan the authorship of ephesians is an increasingly open question in current discussion. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Some say that ephesians reads like a commentary on the pauline letters and probably it has been best termed the crown of paulinism. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. Only a few verses of ephesians deal precisely with the workplace and even these are directed at thieves, slaves, and masters. The introduction to the whole epistle, which is much the same as in others v. For the past 30 years, harold hoehner has trained thousands of seminarians in the art of new testament exegesis. Ephesus was a roman provincial capital in asia minor. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives.
The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. 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. Ephesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. 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. Analysis of the book ephesians essay 2524 words bartleby.
Most books attribute the authorship to that of the apostle paul. The apostles thanksgivings and praises to god for his inestimable blessings bestowed on the believing ephesians v. Book of ephesians ephesians chapter 1 ephesians chapter 2 ephesians chapter 3 ephesians chapter 4 ephesians chapter 5 ephesians chapter 6. The book is address by paul to the church at ephesus.
Ephesians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of ephesians for bible study or sunday school 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. The book of ephesians is a beautiful revelation of the church and the spiritual blessings we have in christ jesus. 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. Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. Therefore, it is valid to appeal to all men to believe. A free bible version and commentary on the letter to the ephesians in easyenglish. Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. It is believed that the reason for this is that this letter was intended to be circulated among several churches and paul did not want to stir up any hard feelings over personal greetings to. Every chapter of the bible in 140 characters or less. But when we glimpse how god is restoring all of creation through christ, and when we discover that our work plays an essential role in that plan, then our workplace becomes a primary context for us to do the good works that god has prepared for us. It is believed that the reason for this is that this letter was intended to be circulated among several churches and paul did not want to stir up any hard feelings over personal greetings to favored people. Hoehner begins with a helpful introduction to the letter of ephesians in which he addresses issues of authorship, structure and genre, historical. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through jesus christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the one he loves.
This letter is one of pauls four imprisonment letters. Tom constables expository notes on ephesians this is also available in the net. 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. Paul spent more time there than any other city about three years. This time, pauls writing to the church in ephesus and, boy, does he have a lot to say. Ephesians 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Ephesians and colossians summary the epistle to the ephesians. Hoehner also probably gives the most robust defense of pauline authorship of ephesians of any commentary over 100 pages. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. One thing is certain ephesus was a city in darkness blinded by idolatry and material wealth. I have read over 15 books in the interpretation series and the series in general is very solid. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians. Paul explains the mystery of the church and gives practical insight into living as believers.
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