The introduction to the whole epistle, which is much the same as in others v. True peace, just like true grace, comes from the father and the lord jesus christ. The following section explains more of this mighty power and what it did. 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 others are philippians, colossians, and philemon.
Commentary for ephesians 1 this epistle was written when st. Paul probably wrote his letter to the ephesians while under house arrest in rome. Some modern translations have chosen to omit or mark the word in ephesus as being dubious. He filled them all with patience, wisdom, and strength. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by apostle paul while he was in prison in rome around ad 62, but more recently, it has been suggested that it was written between ad 80 and 100 by another writer using pauls name and style.
Introduction and chapters 12 greeting and the unity of the church in christ bibliography ephesians study list next almighty father, today, as in the time of st. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Ephesians 1 bible commentary matthew henry concise. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at the. In ephesians chapter 1, paul told the people that they should all be holy and free from blame as they were in jesus mercy and had his love. This is part 1 of a versebyverse bible study series in ephesians. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. A study guide for the book of ephesians answers chapter one. As it is sometimes expressed, history is simply the outworking of his story, which has already been planned and prewritten in eternity. He blesses god for calling the gentiles to the adoption of children by jesus christ, by whose sacrificial death both they and the jews find redemption, ephesians 1. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Ephesians 1 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the. Paul spent the first three chapters of the letter discussing gods creation of a holy.
Paul names himself as the author of the epistle to the ephesians ephesians 1. It was during this time that paul sat in rome undergoing his first roman imprisonment ephesians 3. The apostles salutation to the church, ephesians 1. He shows that it was through the great abundance of gods wisdom and goodness that the gentiles were called into a state of salvation, and that. 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. Ephesians 1 1 paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, to the saints. The design appears to be to strengthen the ephesians in the faith of christ, and to give exalted views of the love of god, and of the dignity and excellence of christ, fortifying their minds against the scandal of the cross. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. Let us consider, then, the characteristics of the book of ephesians.
The apostles thanksgivings and praises to god for his inestimable blessings bestowed on the believing ephesians. If we are going to properly understand the book of ephesians, we need to understand its immediate context. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. 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.
Blessed and worthy of praise be the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in christ, 4 just as in his love he chose us in christ actually selected us for himself as his own before the foundation of the world, so that we would be. Most early writers spoke of the epistle as having been addressed to the ephesians. I did not put the questions by verse, because the written test normally has the questions by chap. Paul asked these things because they were important to ask for. Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. Ephesians chapter 1 in the greek verses 314, comprise one sentence and encompass the past, present, and future of gods eternal purpose for the church. He does want the blessings and favor of god to fall upon these people. These are the only disputed words in the text of ephesians. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives.
Paul further describes the inheritance of believers ephesians 1. Pauls readers shared in this inheritance when they heard and believed in the gospel ephesians 1. In the first chapter you have the doctrines of the gospel. Whether pauls intended audience in this passage was jewish christians or gentile christians, or perhaps an integrated mixture of both, is difficult to discern because paul clearly begins the chapter by addressing the gentiles in the second person see ephesians 3. We will not be extensive here, but reading and meditation on acts 1920 and revelation 2. Gods one eternal purpose is to unite one body of believers through christ, the church, which is his body, the fulness of him who filleth all in all ephesians 1. According to new testament scholar daniel wallace, the theme may be stated pragmatically as christians, get along with each other. 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. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of. The bible, the old testament and new testament, is addressed to gods people. The book of ephesians gives practical, encouraging advice on living a life that honors god, which is why its still relevant in a conflictridden world. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by.
Since they had trusted in jesus, followed his will, and believed in his gospel, he sealed them. 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. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Questions for ephesians chapter 1 flashcards quizlet. Paul said they were chosen by god to be adopted by jesus as he redeemed them from their sins with his sacrifice on the cross. It was written around 60ad during pauls house arrest in rome.
Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. The spirit is the guarantee of the believers future heavenly hope ephesians 1. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Ephesians 1 in the picture study bible, with maps and background. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same time. 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 1. Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey.
This great apostle was wont to abound in prayers and in thanksgivings to almighty god, which he generally so disposes and orders that at the same time they carry with them and convey the great and. With our daytoday failings, its easy for us to forget that god is on our side. Next, paul talked about the inheritance that the believer will have. Those are not saints, who are not faithful, believing in christ, and true to the profession they make of relation to their lord. With extensive research and thoughtful chapterbychapter exegesis, this lucidly written commentary leads readers through all aspects of the book of ephesianssociological, historical, and theologicalto help us better understand its meaning and onging relevance.
When the word says we are part of his body, it means that literally. Ephesians 1 is the first chapter of the epistle to the ephesians in the new testament of the christian bible. To the saints who live in ephesus, the faithful in christ. Ephesians 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the.
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 was a center of learning and was near several key land routes. The book is address by paul to the church at ephesus. It had a harbor that at that time opened into the cayster river see map, p. Ephesians 1, new international version niv the bible app. And while we dont have time in this article to cover every blessing afforded you as a believer, lets take a few moments to study ephesians 1, so we can better understand what it means to be in christ.
Just as grace was the key word in galatians, it is prominent in all of pauls letters. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the bible. The idea of unity can be seen clearly in the first chapter of ephesians ephesians 1. Develop 1 2 questions about this chapter that you can ask of the other class members to test their knowledge of the chapter. The history of rome brief overview of roman history from her dawn to the first punic war. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. Ephesians chapter 1 discover the 66 books of the bible.
The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Several of the early church writers site the book of ephesians. The book of isaiah kjv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 23 duration. This exposition consisted of readings from 1 corinthians. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. This letter is one of pauls four imprisonment letters. It is pauls outline of gods master plan for salvation. A chapter on unity in the midst of the diversity of gifts among believers. Issues of authorship, and the history the text are also covered in detail. Ephesians chapter 1 summary archives the devotional. 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. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon.
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. Paul spent more time there than any other city about three years. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Paul, the forces of evil continue to test the strength of faith and the commitment to sound doctrine of the household of god that is your church. As we begin our study of the book of ephesians, i would like to draw attention to some of its characteristics, and then to attempt to identify its unique identity and contribution to the revelation of the scriptures. The bible mentions being in christ, in him or in whom 4 times. Jun 16, 2011 the book of isaiah kjv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 23 duration.
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. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by apostle paul while he was in prison in rome around ad 62, but more recently, it has been suggested that it was written between ad 80 and 100 by another writer using pauls name and. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. I did not put the questions by verse, because the written test normally has the questions by chapter. In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to. David guzik commentary on ephesians 1 talks about the work of the triune god. Ephesians 1 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of.
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