Book of ephesians overview

This letter, in many ways, is the crowning glory of the new testament. Overview of the book of ephesians deeper christian. Overview of ephesians i was fascinated to read in pipers introduction how he had organized the material in his book. The first half of the letter focuses on the ephesians calling. Paul sent the other three prison epistlesephesians, colossians, and philemonby the hand of tychicus, as their destinations were near one another. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. However, the letter to the philippians was to be delivered by epaphroditus, who had come to paul in rome with financial help from the church at philippi philippians 2. There has been some debate about whether this book was written to the ephesians or was a circular letter to various churches, because not all manuscripts include the words in ephesus. Overview of the book of ephesians third millennium ministries. While paul was in prison he had been thinking about his work as an apostle. Overview of the book of ephesians overview author the book of ephesians was written by the apostle paul 1.

Here we have yet another letter from the apostle paul. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. Ephesians 1, new international version niv the bible app. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. Overview and outline of ephesians bible study deeper. Before we dive into the book itself, it is important that we understand the context for why paul wrote ephesians and gain an overview of the book as a whole. Book of philippians 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 is in the bibles new testament. What stands out about ephesians is the awe with which it contemplates the mystery of the church. You may remember him from such new testament letters as romans and 1 corinthians. He realized that christ came to unite himself with man, and unity was the core purpose of the book of ephesians.

What was hidden throughout the ages was revealed to us when christ came. Ephesians niv paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the. Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing in. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. Most books attribute the authorship to that of the apostle paul. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers. They are included in the body of the text so the reader can see them as he reads the book without having to page over to a separate outline. However, ephesians is generally believed not to be by paul it is a deuteropauline epistle. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.

God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. The church has been brought from death to life in christ. Like the letter to the romans, ephesians provides a unique insight into pauls theology, for it was written when paul had the luxury of not addressing a critical, local controversy. Eight of these book are letters to local churches like the one in ephesus. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. A brief outline enables us to understand the whole book. Theme verse of ephesians therefore i, the prisoner of the lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. Epistle to the ephesians read the bible online bible study tools. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men. An indepth versebyverse bible study series of pauls letter to the ephesians.

The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. Paul explains the mystery of the church and gives practical insight into living as believers. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. All too often those who teach from this book bypass all the foundational instruction and go directly to the closing chapter.

In depth description of the book of ephesians overview. We are beginning our expositional study in the book of ephesians. Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. The book of romans is a masterfully written exposition on gods grace and the righteousness that comes by grace through faith. Before we dive into the book itself, it is important that we understand the context for why paul wrote ephesians and gain an overview of.

It is therefore critical to understand the nature and calling of the church that we might be effective members of the one body that is called to bear witness to gods grace in this world. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. 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. Paul was excited about gods good gifts ephesians 1. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Call gods people to live in light of our heavenly calling in christ.

Oct 19, 2016 in depth description of the book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Book introduction the apostle paul, having reminded his readers of the glory and promise of god, our need for his grace and provision, our new standing before god, as both individuals and as a family of believers, the magnificence of god, a healthy perspective of suffering in the life of a believer, the love, power and provision of god, and his calling to a life of holiness, now described with. Ephesians clearly states that the foundation for living the christian way of life is the believers unchangeable relationship with christ, in christ, called position in christ or positional truth. This book a letter is the foundation of the entire christian faith and has changed the hearts of many as they read and understand the wonderful truths nestled inside. 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. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. 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. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. The book of ephesians is a letter written to the christians at ephesus. In ephesians, paul shows how the good news should create ethnically diverse communities that are unified by devotion to jesus and to each other. In lesson one, we look at an overview and outline of the book of ephesians. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing in christ, and the remainder of it affects our condition. It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger.

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. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. Ephesians with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Paul wrote this letter to the church at ephesus, which he had led for over two years acts 19. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians.

Throughout the book of ephesians, we will read about our position in christ as a result of his finished work on the cross who we were befor. 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. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. Aug 04, 20 the call of christ is a call to action, and ephesians lays out gods desire for your spiritual walk like no other book of the bible. The purpose of this paper is to give a brief overview the new testament book, ephesians. There is no reference to ephesus, or to any individuals, despite acts recording that paul spent a. It was written around 60ad during pauls house arrest in rome. Ephesians overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians. Paul spent more time there than any other city about three years. The book of ephesians is a beautiful revelation of the church and the spiritual blessings we have in christ jesus. A more extensive outline after this one helps understand how the many parts form the whole.

Unlike several of the other letters paul wrote, ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. When christ redeemed us from sin and death, he incorporated all believers into his body. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of. The first six chapters speak of the pleasure of god in his own person, and in the outworking of his plans and purposes, especially in the sending of the son to provide salvation for lost sinners. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. Overview of the book of ephesians safe harbor church. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in houston. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men, jews, gentiles, male female, bond, free, all are united in christ. When paul wrote the book of ephesians, paul was in prison.

An outline of ephesians intended to enhance and assist your study of gods holy word his letter to you. 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 summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of ephesians for bible study or sunday school lessons. Headings throughout the following book of ephesians.

Unlike other epistles written to specific churches, this epistle does not deal with specific problems in a local congregation. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor. 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 ministered to the church at ephesus acts 18. According to tradition, ephesians was written by paul when he was a prisoner in rome, around ad 62. Overview of the book of ephesians the letter opens with a sequence of statements about gods blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to gods wisdom, forethought and purpose. This epistle was not written to a specific church and could be themed the church, the fullness of christ. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus. Listen to chuck swindoll s overview of ephesians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. 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. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Paul doesnt specify a specific heresy but does seem to want them to be identified with christ and one in a sense of purpose.

This summary of the book of ephesians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and. To the saints in ephesus, a the faithful in christ jesus. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. The church of jesus christ is now the spiritual body of believers who represent christ on earth. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a.