Its origin has customarily been credited to paul the apostle however, beginning in 1792, this has been tested as. 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 description of the change in the spiritual position of gentiles as a result of the work of christ. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. This sermon series idea is about the book of ephesians. 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. 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 hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors, designed to ensure believers are living up to our heavenly calling.
Ephesians colossians philippians philemon paul remained in ephesus for nearly three years on his 3rd missionary journey. What was hidden throughout the ages was revealed to us when christ came. The main purpose of a summary is as a simplification highlighting the major points from the original and much longer version of the subject. Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. 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 alps of the new testament and the third heaven epistle. 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. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. The book of ephesians is a source of great encouragement to the church, proclaiming the mystery of the gospel and the supremacy of jesus as lord over all powers. An outline of ephesians intended to enhance and assist your study of gods holy word his letter to you. The aim of this epistle is to confirm and to equip a maturing church. Pauls self description of being an ambassador in bonds is found only in eph.
Epistle to the ephesians read the bible online bible study tools. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of. Discover the basics of the book of ephesians with the esv study bible from crossway. Bible study tools bible study journal scripture study jude bible book of jude bible notes bible scriptures bible book bible lessons for kids dorothy phillips bible study for example, rome being farthest from the epicenter of pauls missionary activity, pauls letter to the romans is one of a very general character, laying out the fundamentals. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. Amazing facts 247 television station featuring the best in bible study streamed lived and ondemand. The book of ephesians is a goldmine full of great, grand and glorious truths. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul. This is an indepth study of ephesians with attention to doctrinal truths about the church and practical teaching for christian living. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ.
It is listed among pauls letters in the early manuscripts and cited as such by early christian authors such as irenaeus against heresies 5. All tradition takes the epistle as being pauline until it was first disputed by erasmus fifteenth century and by later eighteenthtwentieth century critics. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. Ephesians definition, a book of the new testament, written by paul. 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. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. He realized that christ came to unite himself with man, and unity was the core purpose of the book of ephesians. Several years ago, a couple started coming to our church. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. I asked and you voted, so welcome to the study of ephesians.
I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Curtis vaughn says it is considered by many people to be the greatest of pauls writings. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. In the seventh chapter of the third book of his testimonies, he speaks of the apostle paul writing to the ephesians and then proceeds to quote ephesians 4. 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 of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people.
Description before we dive into this study of the amazing book of ephesians, we are going to take some time this week to understand a little background about when, where, and why this book was written. 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. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives.
Practical insights for everyday christian living provides a comprehensive biblical commentary from renowned bible teacher joyce meyer. Author the apostle paul date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. 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 epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. 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. 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. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. 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.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Marcion included it in his canon, although under the title of laodiceans c. 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. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Have you ever wondered how so much heretical teaching infiltrated the early church.
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. 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. The temple of artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world stood in the city, making it the regional center of pagan worship. Paul explains the mystery of the church and gives practical insight into living as believers. Youth group lessons on ephesians ministry to youth. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In depth description of the book of ephesians overview. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing in. 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. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. The book of ephesians is a survival manualit equips believers to thrive in a world that hates the message of jesus christ. 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. 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.
Introduction to the book of ephesians juli camarin february 24, 2015 introduction. The book has similarities to colossians, suggesting it was written about the same time. 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 summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of ephesians for bible study or sunday school lessons. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. Ephesus was one of the greatest cities of asia minor. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Redmond opens our eyes to pauls teaching about gods astonishing grace that enables us to walk in love, holiness. Ephesians, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of. The book of ephesians this course is designed as an expository study of the epistle to the ephesians, taking the student through the entire epistle with cross references to other portions of scripture. Made alive in christ, believers have received a bountiful inheritance from god. 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 is interesting to note and observe that while the new testament often refers to the church, it does not speak of going to church in the way we. Also, since ephesians lacks the personal references found in many of pauls letters, many believe it was written to be circulated to various congregations in the area.
Unlike several of the other letters paul wrote, ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. Students will gain a greater knowledge of this book as well as what it teaches about christs church, foster a heightened appreciation of the privilege of being added to the lords. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at the mouth of the cayster river near the aegean sea. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur. Ephesians, theology of pauline authorship of ephesians does not appear to have been doubted in the early church.