Kevin's Kommentary: Ephesians

Ephesians Introduction

Ephesians is written to a church divided. In fact, it’s written to a world divided. We are divided from God and each other because we are ruled by the author of division, Satan. But Ephesians says that in Jesus, there is no more division, there are no more walls. Jews and Gentiles, male and female, rich and poor, can all be one through faith in Jesus. That’s because Jesus defeated Satan, made us one with God, and is working within us to bring unity where there was division.

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Note: Paul's letter to Ephesus was carried by Tychicus for Paul.

Prison Epistles -

Introduction

Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon

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This study series will consider those epistles the apostle Paul wrote during his first imprisonment in Rome: Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon. (Acts 28:30-31) There is a great deal of evidence that suggests these books were written about the same time:

· Tychicus delivered both Colossians and Ephesians. (Colossians 4:7-9; Ephesians 6:21)

· Onesimus accompanied Tychicus to Colosse (Col. 4:9) and delivered the letter to Philemon (Philemon 1:17).

· Philippians mentions imprisonment at the time of writing and the hope and expectation to be shortly released. (1:7, 12-18; 2:23) It refers to Caesar's household indicating Rome as the place of writing. (4:22)

· These books all belong to a period of the early 60's a.d.

This study series will introduce each book, we will look at suggested outlines for all four epistles. We will ask key questions on each book to better understand and apply the letters to today.

It is my prayer that this study will cause your knowledge and understanding of all four of the epistles it covers to increase. Also, the application of God’s teachings to live for Jesus in a greater way.

This week we will introduce Ephesians. Unlike several of the other letters Paul wrote, Ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand better the dimensions of God's eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church. We will look at the background in today’s study at the city and church.

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EPHESIANS

What is the world coming to? Is there any real direction or is the only difference between history and hysteria in the spelling? Paul, in this letter to the church at Ephesus, encourages us with the reminder that there is genuine purpose for mankind. Furthermore, not only can we know this purpose but also we can participate in it. "For He has made know to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of His will, according to His purpose which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him you also, who have heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." (1:9, 10, 13)

Is the church necessary? Yes, for it is the body of Christ. (1:20-23) Practical teachings concerning family and vocational life are found in 5:21-6:9. An appeal for unity is recorded in 4:1-6.

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (2:13)

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The City of Ephesus

A. Ephesus was the capital of the province of Asia.

1. It was located on the Cayster River about three miles from the seacoast.

2. It was the chief port of Asia.

3. Next to Rome it was probably the most important city Paul visited.

B. Origin and history.

1. It was colonized in the 11th century B.C. by the Athenians.

2. It was conquered, in succession, by the Persians, Macedonians, and the Romans.

3. Destroyed by fire in 356 B.C., it was immediately rebuilt because of:

a. The pride of its inhabitants.

b. The importance of its strategic location.

C. Two buildings that gave prominence to the city.

1. The Great Theatre of Ephesus which had a seating capacity of about 50,000.

2. The Temple of Diana.

a. It was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

b. Built of the finest marble, it took 220 years to complete.

c. It was 342 feet long and 164 feet wide.

d. It was supported by a mass of columns 56 feet high.

e. All that is standing today is one lone column.

D. Both the city and the province had a large Jewish population. (Acts 2:9; 6:9; 19:8, 10)

The Church in Ephesus

A. It was established by the apostle Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18-21).

1. Paul had earlier wanted to go into Asia but the Holy Spirit prohibited him (Acts 16:6).

2. After founding ministries at Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth, Paul came to Ephesus.

3. Paul preached to the Jews in the synagogue.

4. Aquila and Priscilla, who had accompanied Paul from Corinth to Ephesus, remained there after he left.

a. They taught Apollos the gospel in its fullness since he only knew of the baptism of John (Acts 18:24-28).

b. Apollos departed to Corinth to preach.

B. On his third journey, the apostle Paul returned to Ephesus.

1. He spent a longer time there, about three years, than in any other city on his missionary journeys.

2. He first taught 12 men who had been baptized only with the baptism of John (Acts 19:1-7).

3. He preached in the synagogue for three months until public opposition developed.

4. He then effectively preached for two years in the school of Tyrannus. (Acts 19:10)

5. Opposition came from pagan silversmiths led by Demetrius. (Acts 19:23-41)

a. They made their living through the manufacture of statues of Diana and replicas of her temple.

b. The opposition was such that it caused a riot and endangered Paul's life making it necessary for him to leave and go into Macedonia. (Acts 20:1)

C. On his return to Jerusalem, while at Miletus some thirty miles from Ephesus, Paul called the elders of the Ephesus church to meet him so that he could encourage them and warn them of apostasy. (Acts 20:16-38)

D. In the book of Revelation, Christ instructed John to write to the Ephesus church, one of the seven churches of Asia. (Revelation 2:1-7)

The Epistle to the Ephesians

Introduction and Overview of Ephesians

Ephesians: Unity in Christ

I. The Apostle Sends Greetings to the Church. (1:1-2)
II. Believers Who Make Up the Church Have a Great Potential in Christ. (1:3-3:21)
A. God has chosen believers to be His children. (1:3-6)
B. Christ in His death and resurrection has provided believers an inheritance that includes forgiveness and eternal life. (1:7-12)
C. The Holy Spirit has sealed the believers' inheritance. (1:13-14)
D. The apostle prays for the believers' full understanding of the power of Christ and their inheritance in Him.(1:15-23)
E. By grace believers have been delivered from death in trespasses and sin and have been given life. (2:1-10)
F. In Christ all believers are one, reconciled to both God and other persons. (2:11-22)
G. The grace of God is broad enough for Gentiles as well as Jews. (3:1-13)
H. The apostle prays for the believers to be strengthened spiritually. (3:14-19)
I. The apostle praises God and calls for the church through the ages to glorify Him. (3:20-21)

III. Believers Need to Practice Their Faith. (4:1-6:20)
A. Believers should humbly seek unity. (4:1-3)
B. Unity involves one body, spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and Father. (4:4-6)
C. God provided differing gifts to build the church in unity and maturity. (4:7-16)
D. A holy and separated life is necessary in Christ. (4:17-21)
E. Christ transforms the believers' attitudes and actions. (4:22-5:17)
F. Spirit-filled believers do God's will and worship together with joy, thanksgiving, and mutual respect. (5:18-20)
G. Husbands and wives should live in love and respect. (5:21-33)
H. Parents should teach their children about God, while children obey. (6:1-4)
I. On-the-job relationships and attitudes are governed by the believers' relationship to Christ. (6:5-9)
J. Christ equips believers for spiritual warfare. (6:10-17)
K. Believers are encouraged to pray for boldness. (6:18-20)

IV. The Apostle Concludes His Letter with a Personal Word of Encouragement. (6:21-24)

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A. Author: The Apostle Paul.

1. Internal evidence.

a. Paul identifies himself twice. (1:1; 3:1)

b. The style of writing follows the typical Pauline pattern: greeting, thanksgiving, doctrinal section, practical application of doctrine, exhortations, and personal matters.

2. External evidence.

a. Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Polycarp, Hermas, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Irenaeus, and Hippolytus all refer to it.

b. No New Testament book has stronger evidence or attestation.

B. The Date and Delivery of the Epistle.

1. The apostle Paul spent two years under house arrest in Rome around 59-61 a.d. (Acts 28:16-31). During this imprisonment, he wrote the four "prison" epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

2. Tychicus was Paul's messenger.

a. Tychicus was to take Onesimus back to Philemon and to Colossae.

b. Paul had him deliver the epistle to the church at Ephesus and/or the other churches of Asia. (Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7-9)

1) Some believe this letter was a general epistle.

2) "En Ephesoi" is not found in the Siniatic or Vatican manuscripts (4th century) or in the Chester Beatty Papyrus (2nd century).

C. The Purpose of the Epistle.

1. An exposition of the nature of the universal church, the body of Christ (1:1 -3:21), addressing its:

a. Sovereign calling.

b. Composition of saved Jews and Gentiles.

c. Eternal purpose.

2. An exhortation to proper conduct to the members of the universal church toward each other, the world, God, and members of their own earthly families. (4:1 - 6:9)

3. A warning for members of the church to be prepared for the spiritual conflict that results from putting into practice the principles of Christianity. (6:10-24)

D. The Themes of the Epistle: Drawing Near To God

1. The great epistle on Christ and His church.

a. The church is set forth as:

1) The body of Christ. (1:23)

2) The temple of God. (2:19-22)

3) The family of God. (2:19; 3:14-15)

4) The bride of Christ. (5:22-32)

5) "The fullness of Him who fills all in all." (1:23)

b. The attitude of Christ toward the church is seen in His:

1) Love for it. (5:25)

2) Sacrifice for it. (5:25)

2. The "walk" of the Christian.

a. Not according to the course of the world. (2:2)

b. In good works. (2:10)

c. Worthy of his calling. (4:1)

d. Not as the Gentiles in the vanity of his mind. (4:17)

e. In love. (5:21)

f. As a child of light. (5:8)

g. Circumspectly, thoughtful consideration or wisely. (5:15)

3. Unity.

a. No distinction exists between Jew and Gentile. (2:15)

b. All are reconciled in one body. (2:16)

c. All have access by one Spirit to the Father. (2:18)

d. All should be endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4:3ff)

Two Main Sections

The Foundation (Chapters 1-3) Know who you are before God through Christ
The Application (Chapters 4-6) Live Christ-centered lives because of your new identity

More Detailed Outline

1:1-2 Paul greets the saints.

1:3-14 Paul praises God for His pre-planned spiritual blessings.

1:15-23 Paul prays that we would understand these blessings.

2:1-10 Paul teaches the individual's new position because of God's blessings.

2:11-22 Paul teaches the group's new position because of God's blessings.

3:1-13 Paul explains his own mission: to proclaim God's blessings.

3:14-21 Paul prays that we would know God's blessings in our deepest being,

4:1-16 Paul urges unity based on the common foundation.

4:17-32 Paul urges holiness based on the common foundation.

5:1-20 Paul urges a walk in love, light, and wisdom based on the common foundation.

5:21-6:9 Paul urges submission based on the common foundation.