The Book of The Book of EphesiansEphesians

Be Strong in the Lord and the Be Strong in the Lord and the Power of His MightPower of His Might

The Epistle to the The Epistle to the EphesiansEphesians

Who Wrote the Book of Ephesians Who Wrote the Book of Ephesians and when?and when?

The Apostle Paul in about 62 A.D. The Apostle Paul in about 62 A.D. Eph. 1:1 It was delivered by Eph. 1:1 It was delivered by Tychicus about 62 A.D.Tychicus about 62 A.D.

Where was it written?Where was it written?

While Paul was a prisoner in Rome.While Paul was a prisoner in Rome.

Why?Why?

After Paul wrote the Colossians a letter After Paul wrote the Colossians a letter concerning the Colossian heresy, he then concerning the Colossian heresy, he then decided to write Ephesians as a follow up decided to write Ephesians as a follow up letter while the thoughts were still fresh in letter while the thoughts were still fresh in his mind. Paul wanted to spell out the fact his mind. Paul wanted to spell out the fact that Christ is the head of the church and as that Christ is the head of the church and as Christians we are members of his body. Christians we are members of his body. Also that believers enjoy an intimate Also that believers enjoy an intimate relationship with him and thus have a relationship with him and thus have a unique relation with one another.unique relation with one another.

Destination?Destination?

It is believed to be an “encyclical” or It is believed to be an “encyclical” or circular letter. It was not sent to just circular letter. It was not sent to just one church but many churches of Asia one church but many churches of Asia Minor.Minor.

This is based on four arguments:This is based on four arguments: 1. In some of the oldest Greek 1. In some of the oldest Greek

manuscripts the words Ephesus are manuscripts the words Ephesus are omitted. Perhaps a space was originally omitted. Perhaps a space was originally left vacant so each church upon reading left vacant so each church upon reading the epistle in its public worship services the epistle in its public worship services could fill in its own geographical locale. could fill in its own geographical locale.

2. There are no personal references as would 2. There are no personal references as would

be expected if went to only one church.be expected if went to only one church. 3. In 3:2 the language implies that not all the 3. In 3:2 the language implies that not all the

readers knew its writer personally but at readers knew its writer personally but at least heard of him.least heard of him.

4. The epistle addresses itself to no specific 4. The epistle addresses itself to no specific problem such as a particular church might problem such as a particular church might have; it speaks only of general problems that have; it speaks only of general problems that believers everywhere have in common.believers everywhere have in common.

Purpose?Purpose?

Paul seeks to present the church as Paul seeks to present the church as members of Jesus’ body, possessing members of Jesus’ body, possessing the closest relationship with him and the closest relationship with him and each other.each other.

Theme?Theme?

A twin theme runs through the letter. A twin theme runs through the letter. First: Believers compose the body of First: Believers compose the body of

Christ.Christ. Second: Both Jewish and Gentile believers Second: Both Jewish and Gentile believers

share the same common ground of grace. share the same common ground of grace. Jesus has made the Jewish and Gentile Jesus has made the Jewish and Gentile believers into “one new man” {2:15}.believers into “one new man” {2:15}.

The city of Ephesus is located halfway up The city of Ephesus is located halfway up the western coast of Asia Minor. Pergamum the western coast of Asia Minor. Pergamum was the capitol of the province of Asia but was the capitol of the province of Asia but Ephesus was the most important city.Ephesus was the most important city.

Ephesus was an impressive city with about Ephesus was an impressive city with about 300,000 people.300,000 people.

Ephesus was also home of the of the Ephesus was also home of the of the fertility goddess, Diana. The temple of fertility goddess, Diana. The temple of Diana was known as on of the seven great Diana was known as on of the seven great wonders of the world.wonders of the world.

During New testament times the city During New testament times the city of Ephesus experienced economic of Ephesus experienced economic decline as its harbor began to silt decline as its harbor began to silt itself shut. Today the city of Ephesus itself shut. Today the city of Ephesus lies in ruins.lies in ruins.

I. Greeting: Eph. 1: 1-2I. Greeting: Eph. 1: 1-2

II. Doctrinal: The Churches Wealth in II. Doctrinal: The Churches Wealth in Christ.Christ.

A. Praise for spiritual blessings. 1: 3-A. Praise for spiritual blessings. 1: 3-14.14.

B. Prayer for understanding these B. Prayer for understanding these blessings. 1: 15-23. V-18blessings. 1: 15-23. V-18

C. Grace and faith. 2: 1-10. V-8 C. Grace and faith. 2: 1-10. V-8 D. The unity of believers. 2: 11-D. The unity of believers. 2: 11-

22v14&1522v14&15

E. Revealing the divine mystery E. Revealing the divine mystery about the spirit. 3: 1-13 v3-5about the spirit. 3: 1-13 v3-5

F. Prayer for inner growth. 3: 14-21 F. Prayer for inner growth. 3: 14-21 v16-18v16-18

III. Practical: The church’s walk in III. Practical: The church’s walk in Christ.Christ.

A. The unity and growth of the Spirit. A. The unity and growth of the Spirit. 4: 1-16. v4-64: 1-16. v4-6 B. The conduct and character of the B. The conduct and character of the

church. 4: 17-32 v14-16, 22-23church. 4: 17-32 v14-16, 22-23 C. The ways of the believer. 5: 1-21C. The ways of the believer. 5: 1-21 v.14-15v.14-15

D. Relationship of believers to one D. Relationship of believers to one another. 5: 22 – 6:9. another. 5: 22 – 6:9.

1. Wives and husbands. V22-261. Wives and husbands. V22-26 2. Children and Parents. V6: 1-42. Children and Parents. V6: 1-4 3. Servants and masters. V6:5-93. Servants and masters. V6:5-9 E. Relationship of Christians to the E. Relationship of Christians to the

devil.devil. 6: 10-20 v10-13.6: 10-20 v10-13.

IV. The conclusion. 6: 21-24IV. The conclusion. 6: 21-24