Disclaimer
There is a big difference between Scripture and commentary.
Scripture is God’s Word. Commentary is man’s word.
Most of the content in this lesson is from the Scripture. Some of the content is from commentaries.
Introduction to Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:1-2 NLT
Greetings from Paul1
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus,
who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
2May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Examine the scriptures:
Ephesians 1:1-2 NLT
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul,
Also Ephesians 3:1 NLT
When I think of all this, I, Paul, …
- Written by Paul – about 60-62 A.D. – while in prison in Rome – one of the Prison Epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon)
There are some differences in dates and locations in other commentaries. (5 of the commentaries I used support the above bullet point.)
chosen by the will of God
A sovereign God fulfilling His plan.
God’s sovereignty, a theme throughout the book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:5 NLT
5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Ephesians 1:9 NLT
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.
Ephesians 1:11 NLT
11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Other scriptures:
Psalm 139:16 NLT
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
Apostle: The word means “Messenger” or “send forth” and served as official title for Paul and the twelve disciples, who were eyewitness of the resurrected Jesus and were chosen by God to lay the foundation for the church.
- It was God’s plan, not Paul’s plan, for Paul to be an apostle.
- Commissioned and sent by God with the gospel message.
- Paul’s authority comes from God.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (written by Paul) tells us that all of Paul’s writings were inspired by God.
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
I am writing to God’s holy people (saints) in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
God’s holy people described in the book of Ephesians:
Ephesians 1:15 NLT
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere …
Ephesians 1:18
18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Ephesians 2:19
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
Ephesians 3:18
18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
Ephesians 4:12
12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
Ephesians 5:3
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
- Paul is writing this letter to God’s holy people.
- God’s holy people (Saints) are set apart for God’s use.
- The recipients of this letter are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
- The recipients of this letter are “believers” in Christ Jesus.
1:1 The most ancient manuscripts do not include in Ephesus.
Because the name Ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, and because there are no personal greetings in this letter, some scholars believe the letter was meant to be circulated and read among all the churches in Asia Minor and was simply sent fist to the believers in Ephesus.
Ephesians may have been a letter intended for other churches in addition to the church in Ephesus.
- To the Ephesians, but may also have been intended to be circulated among other churches.
- The book of Ephesians is also written for us.
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us …
Romans 15:4 NLT
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Psalm 119:105 NLT
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Interesting facts about Ephesus:
Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia.
Ephesus was an important port city.
Ephesus was located at an intersection of major trade routes.
At this time was the 4th largest city in the Roman Empire, with an estimated population of 500,000 people.
Known for its temple of Artemis, (or Diana to the Romans).
This temple was regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
Important political, educational, and commercial.
Why is all of this significant? (Not much different than many cities in America.)
Paul visited Ephesus:
Acts 18:18-23 NLT
Paul Returns to Antioch of Syria (second missionary journey) A.D. 49-52 (51-53)*
18 Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.
19 They stopped first at the port of Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. While he was there, he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. 20 They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. 21 As he left, however, he said, “I will come back later, God willing.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 The next stop was at the port of Caesarea. From there he went up and visited the church at Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch.
23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.
(third missionary journey)19:1
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers.
8 Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. 9 But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
18 Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices.
Acts 20:17 & 31 NLT
Third missionary journey A.D. 54-57
17 But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.
31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.
- Paul was very familiar with the believers in Ephesus.
The first three chapters are theological, emphasizing New Testament doctrine,
while the last three chapters are practical and focus on Christian behavior.
- The book of Ephesians challenges the reader to focus on Christ and the Church and teaches practical Christian living.
Example of focusing on the church.
Ephesians 6:18 NLT
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
- Jews and Gentiles make up the church.
Ephesians is a letter of encouragement and admonition. The book talks a lot about the church, God’s grace, and who we are in Christ.
Unlike Galatians and Corinthians, Ephesians was not written to address a specific concern or concerns within the church. Instead, it was written to emphasize all that we receive when we become a Christian, and to appreciate the high goals God has for the church.
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
These words are more than just a “greeting”.
Grace and peace are major themes in the book of Ephesians.
Paul uses the word “grace” 12 times and “peace” 7 times in Ephesians.
Grace can even be defined by the acronym God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.
In Christianity, God’s grace and God’s mercy are often confused. Although they are similar expressions of God’s favor and love, they possess a clear distinction. When we experience God’s grace, we receive favor that we do not deserve. When we experience God’s mercy, we are spared punishment that we do deserve.
Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.
Grace expresses God’s steadfast love toward man.
Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 NLT
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Both are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1-2 NLT
5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
- Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.
- God’s saving grace is a theme found throughout the book of Ephesians.
- The Good news of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ is for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews.
- Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.
