Paul wrote all four epistles during his first imprisonment. 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. They must be like his feet to take his gospel to all the people in the world. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. How to understand ephesians have you sat down to study a book of the bible and found yourself confused about why an author wrote certain things. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry. 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. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Ephesians is an amazing descriptive letter about gods election and his predestining of believers that describes gods calling of us before the earth even existed. 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.
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. Ephesus was a city of ionia, in asia minor, and once the metropolis of that part of the world. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. Preface to the epistle of paul the apostle to the ephesians ephesus was a city of ionia, in asia minor, and once the metropolis of that part of the world. As in the past, this is a day where, duped by the ageold lie of satan, man still continues to believe in. To the saints in ephesus, a the faithful in christ jesus. The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. The ancient city was situated at the mouth of the river cayster, on the shore of the aegean sea, about 50 miles south of smyrna.
Ephesians, colossians and philemon written at the same time. 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. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians. These important questions are answered in the book of ephesians. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives.
Outline of the book of ephesians opening salutation ephesians 1. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing in. That can be a formidable task when writing a commentary on ephesians, but carson selected one of the best in peter t. 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 disciple to sum up pauls teaching. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. 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. Paul wrote this letter we know as the book of ephesians to settle or establish the ephesians in the truth, and to acquaint them with the mystery of the gospel. A description of the change in the spiritual position of gentiles as a result of the work of christ. The book of ephesians is a beautiful revelation of the church and the spiritual blessings we have in christ jesus. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
The book of philippians shows how living as a christian means seeing your own story as a living expression of jesus story. 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 book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Ephesians was a circular letter intended for a number of churches. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives.
Bible commentaries adam clarke commentary ephesians. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ephesians in his audio message from the. In the first chapter you have the doctrines of the gospel. That he predestined us before the earth was even created is just too awesome to consider in all its implications. 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. Ephesians colossians philippians philemon paul remained in ephesus for nearly three years on his 3rd missionary journey. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. 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. The book of ephesians is a survival manualit equips believers to thrive in a world that hates the message of jesus christ. Commentaries for ephesians chapter 6 the duties of children and parents. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. 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. It is likely that the gospel was first brought to ephesus by priscilla and aquila. 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.
The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. A key theme of the letter is the mystery meaning a heretofore unrevealed. 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. In this ephesians bible study we learn that paul tells of the great privilege of the ephesians. The book of 1 timothy outlines gospelcentered living. 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. Practical insights for everyday christian living provides a comprehensive biblical commentary from renowned bible teacher joyce meyer. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. Also known as the epistle to the ephesians, it is one of the prison epistles which the apostle paul wrote around 6062 a. 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. Not only do we live in an atomic and space age, but in the most technologically advanced age of all time. Obrien does an excellent job of drawing from other scholars who previously written or commented on the book. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2.
A verse by verse examination of gods eternal purpose in and through jesus christ. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on pauls letter to the ephesians. Introductory remarks because of the rising tide of human philosophies confronting us today, no new testament book speaks with more relevancy than does the epistle to the colossians. Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus. Introduction to colossians bible exposition commentary. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. An introduction to a verse by verse commentary on the book of ephesians by allan turner a study of the book of ephesians. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers.
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. Preface to the epistle of paul the apostle to the ephesians. Ephesians is one of four prison letters of paul in addition to colossians, philemon, and philippians. Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2. Paul shows that god has a plan for the history of men and women. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. View the entire commentary more information on commentaries. In our common pick and choose reading method where we flip open the bible, read a passage, and then jump somewhere else, we often miss the importance of the flow, tone, and message of what an. 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. Ephesians 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Paul wrote that salvation can be attained by the grace of god and that it is through faith alone not by any other way, not.
I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Study the bible online using commentary on ephesians 2 and more. This instructional letter is packed with practical advice, all given in an encouraging tone. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. The great duty of children is, to obey their parents. Les painter bible text by cynthia green this commentary has been through advanced checking. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Public activity ceased in the cities of ionia for several hours at. So after laying out profound theological truths in the first half of the book, paul. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. 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 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 epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new testament. Read ephesians 2 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. A description of the great power of god that paul wants the ephesians to know. Ephesians with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. A free bible version and commentary on the letter to the ephesians in easyenglish. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. David guzik commentary on ephesians 1 talks about the work of the triune god.
377 592 1043 31 940 134 563 779 855 742 1258 1265 609 1003 35 405 996 543 270 161 1035 1461 1228 909 711 912 1282 558 1361 918 1297 492 475 620 1193 638 951 1460 231