There are 41 commands in ephesians, 1 of which is found in chapters. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. 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. A guide to key events, characters, and themes of the bible. Amazing facts 247 television station featuring the best in bible study streamed lived and ondemand. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
In ancient greek the language paul originally wrote in, ephesians 1. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. Jesus is our joy and this joy is grained more and more into our lives as our minds our renewed into his image day by day. A grand epistle like ephesians almost defies coming up with one main theme.
Some are obvious and some are a little more difficult to see but are clearly seen in the linking of greek catch words in the original text. Its lengthy, packed full of characters, and sometimes difficult to tie into daily life. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Two significant prayers of paul are found in this book eph 1. Ephesians has a unique focus in its first chapter on how all the persons of the triune god, father, son and holy spirit are active in the saving work of the gospel. 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. There is not one exhortation in the first three chapters. Pauline authorship of ephesians does not appear to have been doubted in the early church. Out of the 155 verses in ephesians, about half are also found in colossians in varying degrees. 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. Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master philemon, in the care of tychicus. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same. It was during this time that paul sat in rome undergoing his first roman imprisonment ephesians 3. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers.
The cross is complete, nothing can be added to it, to think you can add something to the cross is to insult the spirit of grace because grace means underserved favor. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. The studies are practical, challenging, and revealing and will empower readers to live at a new level of spiritual maturity. A guide to key events, characters and themes of the bible. 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. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Destination determining the precise destination for the ephesian. This book covers the spiritual wealth of the believer, helping christians discover the rich themes in the book of ephesians.
In this post, the bible project breaks down the book of ephesians into digestible pieces so we can understand and apply its truths. This bible study lesson focuses on the 3 themes of the book of james, which are all found in the first chapter. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. It is listed among pauls letters in the early manuscripts and cited as such by early christian authors such as irenaeus against heresies 5. The theme and purpose of ephesians ephesians is so broad, so sweeping in its content, that recognizing the underlying theme is easily missed.
The first half of the study focuses on who we are and our identity in christ, and. Mar 14, 2018 every book of the bible has a theme and a purpose, and that is true of the book of james as well. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. Ephesians has a unique focus in its first chapter on how all the persons of the triune god, father, son and holy spirit are active in. Key verses and themes in galatians, ephesians, and. The words joy and mind are the words which summarize this book. In my library are many commentaries on the book of ephesians.
Paul passionately defends the gospel of grace, fervently declaring that it is only by faith in god that can save. Pauls main emphasis in ephesians is the mystery of the church age where god has chosen for there to be jew and gentile in one body and on the same level before god. The first half of the study focuses on who we are and our identity in christ, and then the second half of the book looks at how we should li. The first half of the letter focuses on the ephesians calling. The book of ephesians is charged with weighty doctrines that reveal the glory of the triune god. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. 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. These 3 themes of the book of james are covered twice in the first chapter of the book. Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. In the book of ephesians, paul reminds us that jesus longs for the day he will be united with the churchhis bride in all her beauty. The book of colossians is very similar to that of ephesians, in fact both books have passages with similar themes and phrases.
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 god s. Ephesians is written to a group of believers whom paul served alongside aquila and. Pauls doctrine of the church shines in ephesians unlike any other epistle. This 2004 selfhelp book is based on pauls advice to husbands and wives in ephesians 5. Each paragraph calls us to renewed thinking that leads to faithful godly lives. The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors. Students of the word will want the complete set of six. Themes in the book of james scripture confident living. 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 book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. T he book of ephesians is 6 chapters of solid christian teachings. But whereas colossians focuses on christ of the church, ephesians focuses on the church of christ.
The main theme of james is that of faith and actions, but there are also other themes and key topics addressed in this book. One of the apostle pauls books, 10th book of the new testament. Ephesians and colossians were probably composed at the same time in rome. Contrasted to that are the 40 commands paul gives them in chapters 46 thanks to dr.
We know we are walking in the spirit if tasks of life are done in a rejoicing attitude. One thing is certain ephesus was a city in darkness blinded by idolatry and material wealth. Render service with enthusiasm, as to the lord and not to men and women, knowing that whatever good we do. The importance and style of prayer needed for the welfare of the church. 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 equipping of gods people to do what god has appointed them. A new version of this page can be found here gods ultimate plan. The passages listed below include some of the most familiar stories and passages from the old and new testaments. For what its worth, when i studied ephesians with students, we found the christians new identity in christ as a helpful lens to look at the book. Now let us move to some of the major theological themes found in the book. Pauls letter to the ephesians is different compared to many of the other new testament letters he wrote. In this epistle there are no two ways, or multiple ways, in which man knows of god or is known of him. Ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of 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. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. Ephesians, for example, details the entire message of the gospel and challenges christians to walk in obedience to christ. One of four prison epistles, along with philippians, colossians, and philemon.
Colossians aims at presenting the head of the church christ, ephesians focuses on the body of christ the church. Sabbath school study hour helping you get the most out of your sabbath school quarterly every week. Though the teachings found in ephesians were surely occasioned by something in the church it was addressed to, it seems to be more neutral and theologicallyprone. The bible is filled with countless stories that inspire and challenge. Every book of the bible has a theme and a purpose, and that is true of the book of james as well. We are not surprised to discover that gods glory will be seen in christ jesus. The message of ephesians for the global church is that in christ god has reconciled to himself all things by his free grace, and in so doing he has enabled humans all over the world to be reconciled with one another. Ephesians gives us wonderful examples and basic overviews of a christian life. This 7 week study takes a verse by verse walk through the book of ephesians. Ephesians, then, is similar to romans and, at the same time, dissimilar. Ephesians presents many significant themes which bring major contributions of thought. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. As an opera has an overture, setting the tone for all the melodies that will follow, so ephesians 1.
The character and themes of pauls letter to the ephesians. Ephesians definition of ephesians by the free dictionary. Now id like to conclude this introductory message by sharing with you the best outline of ephesians ive ever found. In light of these two great reconciliations, christians worldwide are empowered to live a new life of light and love. Ephesians synonyms, ephesians pronunciation, ephesians translation, english dictionary definition of ephesians. Ephesians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. The central organizing theological idea in ephesians is that through christs atoning work god has mightily brought about the churcha new humanity, i. Eight of these book are letters to local churches like the one in ephesus. With its exalted view of the church in gods plan of redemption, it is common to suggest the theme as the church, the fullness of christ. This was the first ephesians, colossians, philemon, philippeans of what are often referred to as the prison epistles because they were written during pauls 1st imprisonment in rome which lasted 2 years acts 28.
Purpose and themes 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 summary this book shows how we are saved by faith alone. The others are philippians, colossians, and philemon. The fullness, the wisdom, the knowledge, the image of god and the new creation he desires are found simply and finally in one place. Ephesians and colossians have a number of parallels. Apr 17, 2009 now let us move to some of the major theological themes found in the book. Ephesians, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. 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. Themes of ephesians studies in the word thoughtshades. The book of ephesians survey introduces a list of themes and describes six of. The end result is that the gospel spread from ephesus throughout asia minor ac.
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