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 full quote as outlined in the king james bible, is from paul the apostles letter to the ephesians 6. Book of ephesians synonyms, book of ephesians pronunciation, book of ephesians translation, english dictionary definition of book of ephesians. Our old personality is a fragile, earthen vessel that by no means is able to contain the mighty christ of god. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Paul uses several word pictures to describe the church. The book of ephesians until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the son of god and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of christ. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. The tenth book of the new testament of the bible, an epistle to the people of ephesus which is attributed to paul the apostle. Book of ephesians definition of book of ephesians by the. Grace and peace to you from god our father and the lord jesus christ.
Ephesians definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Book of ephesians ephesians chapter 1 ephesians chapter 2 ephesians chapter 3 ephesians chapter 4 ephesians chapter 5 ephesians chapter 6. Pauls prayers for the believers of ephesus not only include praise for their success, but an appeal for their growth. 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. It does so perhaps better than any other words in scripture. Praise for spiritual blessings in christ praise be to the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in christ. When he does, record the verse number, what it is he seems to be saying to you and your response to him in this final step. Almost more than any other book of the bible, ephesians speaks to our situation with incisive wisdom and transforming power. Becoming a room in the eternal temple of god, which is one of the teachings of the book of ephesians, depends on our being strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man. 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. This passage heavily involves the supremacy of christ.
Only a few verses of ephesians deal precisely with the workplace and even these are directed at thieves, slaves, and masters. A new testament book containing the epistle from saint paul to the ephesians which explains the divine plan for the world and the consummation of this in christ. Style and genre in ephesians q m t qdonovan the authorship of ephesians is an increasingly open question in current discussion. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. 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 hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors, designed to ensure believers are living up to our heavenly calling. Bible functioning as singular a book of the new testament in full the epistle of paul the apostle to the ephesians, containing an exposition of the divine.
The other element is the fact that christianity did not start with this generation. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in houston. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger. Paul wraps up his practical teachings with a series of analogies, comparing aspects of the christian faith to the equipment carried by a soldier. A study in the book of ephesians fresh life series heitzig, lenya on. Paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, to the saints which are at ephesus, and to the faithful in christ jesus. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the.
Ephesians definition is a letter addressed to early christians and included as a book in the new testament. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the bible. They are differences of emphasis, not substance and reflect logical trajectories in pauls thought e. First, paul affirms our battle is indeed spiritual, not physical. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. The enemies we face, ultimately, are not people or objects. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Read ephesians prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for god to speak.
You will also learn about how we are members of one body in this second. 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. The book of ephesians, chapter 2 king james version. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus.
The church has been brought from death to life in christ. Based on the contents of the book, it appears as though pauls purpose for writing the book of ephesians was to remind the ephesian believers of their high calling in christ chapters and to exhort them to live up to that calling chapters 46. Our old personality is a fragile, earthen vessel that by no means is able to contain. Further, the differences between ephesians and other nondisputed pauline letters do not involve contradictions on the most critical readings. This letter, in many ways, is the crowning glory of the new testament. The book of ephesians is one of pauls prison letters, written during his time under house arrest in rome acts 28. First, paul refers to himself as the writer of the letter. Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2. Ephesians definition of ephesians by the free dictionary. The book of ephesians, chapter 1 king james version.
Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. Some bible scholars call it the alps of new testament, the grand canyon of scripture, and the royal capstone because. The other prison letters are philippians, colossians which contain 78 of the 155 verses found in ephesians with only slight variation, and philemon. I explained in yesterdays post that i am writing a commentary on ephesians. Ephesians definition, a book of the new testament, written by paul. The fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament. As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater.
To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. That means that previous generations of christians have become members of. Grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. Epistle to the ephesians a new testament book containing the epistle from saint paul to the ephesians which explains the divine plan for the world. We can know something of his great love, and it is definite knowledge, not just speculation. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Themes in the book of ephesians christ has reconciled the whole of creation to himself and to god the father. Ephesians colossians philippians philemon paul remained in ephesus for nearly three years on his 3rd missionary journey. Perhaps one of the greatest theological points paul makes in the book of ephesians is that it is only by grace you have been saved through faith. 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. And i pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all. People of all nations are united to christ and to one another in the church, through the working of the trinity.
As believers, we are not only followers of jesus, but also recipients of his blessings and power. I asked you to be my partner in discernment and discipleship as we work through this book together. He may not speak to you through every verse, but he will speak. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. Ephesians sets forth what no other book of the new testament describes so completely the nature of the body of christ, which is the true church. 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. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. A study in the book of ephesians fresh life series. This famous verse describes the spiritual battle that exists in the lives of believers. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. The book of ephesians is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will of god, to gods holy people in ephesus, the faithful in christ jesus. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Ephesians synonyms, ephesians pronunciation, ephesians translation, english dictionary definition of ephesians.
Pauls understanding of the church in the epistle of ephesians as a. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. Verses 10 through 20 are a famous and wellused portion of scripture. Ephesians definition of ephesians by merriamwebster. God has chosen him to be a leader in the church and to act with gods authority. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers.
883 1413 947 547 1510 398 1189 941 279 1296 48 462 1405 188 1071 1164 49 1230 55 309 1435 742 294 523 399 504 1352 1549 578 422 1118 382 886 101 418 287 626 1491 434 890 220