USING THIS GUIDE FOR PERSONAL OR GROUP STUDY

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2 USING THIS GUIDE FOR PERSONAL OR GROUP STUDY

3 HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE This booklet has been designed with your personal Bible study in mind. Our hope is that you might explore the riches of each passage prior to the weekend message covering that text. HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE These steps will help guide your study time, but even more important than that, ask the Lord to prepare your heart to hear and respond. OBSERVATIONS First, write down as many observations about the passage as you can. Observation describes the act of taking notice. The main question here is, What does it say? Answer the questions: Who, what (literary genre, important ideas), when (historical setting/context), where (location, setting of passage), and why (purpose of author; key issues). Focus on the details of the text what words are repeated? Are there any comparisons, contrasts or instructions given? Look for grammatical structure (important information like subject, object and main verbs). Are there any cause and effect relationships revealed? Read the verses several times you ll be surprised at the many things you ll discover.

4 INTERPRETATION The second step is that of interpretation, which answers the question, What does it mean? What questions arise in you? Write them down. Consider the larger context of the passage; are there historical and cultural clues that shed light on the text? Are there word studies that might give clarity? Are there other passages (cross-references) in the Bible that provide background and correlation? A few good commentaries or a study Bible are often helpful at this point, providing information to help determine meaning. Write key themes and passage summary of the big idea of the passage. APPLICATION The third step is application, What does this mean to me? This is where things get personal. Is there an example to follow? A sin to be avoided? A promise to claim or a command to obey? What timeless principle from this text does God impress upon your heart as you study? In what related ways do you want God to change you and your circumstances? Ask Him to do so as you pray each day. 2

5 HELPFUL RESOURCES Several helpful, free resources are available on the web: - Online Bible in the English Standard Version (ESV), along with study Bible notes and articles. - Online Bible with study Bible notes, plus ways to record and share your notes. - Access to the New English Translation (NET) along with many articles and resources. 3

6 EPHESIANS 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4

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8 EPHESIANS 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 6

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10 EPHESIANS 1:7-10 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. 8

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12 EPHESIANS 1:11-14 In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God s own possession, to the praise of His glory. 10

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14 EPHESIANS 1:15-19a For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. 12

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16 EPHESIANS 1:19b-23 These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. 14

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18 EPHESIANS 2:1-3 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 16

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20 EPHESIANS 2:4-7 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 18

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22 EPHESIANS 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 20

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24 EPHESIANS 2:11-18 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by the so-called Circumcision, which is performed in the flesh by human hands 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 22

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26 EPHESIANS 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. 24

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28 EPHESIANS 3:1-13 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. 26

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30 EPHESIANS 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 28

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32 EPHESIANS 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. 30

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34 EPHESIANS 4:1-6 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 32

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36 EPHESIANS 4:7-13 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ s gift. 8 Therefore it says, WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN. 9 (Now this expression, He ascended, what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 34

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38 EPHESIANS 4:14-16 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. 36

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40 EPHESIANS 4:17-24 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 38

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42 EPHESIANS 4:25-32 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. 40

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44 EPHESIANS 5:1-5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. 3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 42

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46 EPHESIANS 5:6-14 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, AWAKE, SLEEPER, AND ARISE FROM THE DEAD, AND CHRIST WILL SHINE ON YOU. 44

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48 EPHESIANS 5:15-21 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. 46

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50 EPHESIANS 5:22-33 PART 1 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. 48

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52 EPHESIANS 5:22-33 PART 2 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. 50

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54 EPHESIANS 6:1-9 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. 9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. 52

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56 EPHESIANS 6:10-17 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 54

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58 EPHESIANS 6:18-20 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 56

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60 EPHESIANS 6:21-24 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. 58

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62 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF EPHESIANS FROM THE ESV STUDY BIBLE 60

63 AUTHOR AND TITLE Pauline authorship of Ephesians was universally accepted until modern times. Today a number of scholars claim that it was written in Paul s name by an unknown follower or imitator of Paul, and they give two main reasons: (1) the letter s style and thought does not strike everyone as characteristically Pauline; and (2) the author of Ephesians does not seem to be familiar with the letter s recipients (see 1:15; 3:2; 4:21), which seems odd given Paul s extended stay at Ephesus (Acts 19:10). However, there are sound reasons to affirm that Paul wrote Ephesians. First, the letter explicitly claims to be Paul s (1:1; 3:1), which should weigh heavily in the debate unless there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The early church which rejected other spurious letters unanimously accepted this letter to Ephesus as being written by Paul, and this was a city with a reputation for discernment regarding false apostolic claims (Rev. 2:2). Furthermore, letters in antiquity were usually transmitted through a person known by both author and recipient(s) who would have guaranteed the original copy s genuineness and elaborated on its details see note on Ephesians 6:21-22 regarding Tychicus. Second, analyses of an author s style are often subjectively based on incomplete evidence. With the aid of more sophisticated computer analysis, further careful study has shown that Ephesians has more similarities to Paul s accepted style than was earlier recognized. In addition, recent research suggests that the role of secretaries in the composition of ancient letters should be given greater consideration than it has been given in the past. Ephesians does indeed demonstrate close similarity with Paul s forms of expression and thought. Critics have used this evidence to ascribe authorship to someone Paul had influenced, but it is more likely that these marks of Pauline thought and writing style confirm that he himself wrote the book. 61

64 The question of Paul s apparent unfamiliarity with his readers can easily be explained. Ancient archaeological evidence has shown that Ephesus controlled a large network of outlying villages and rural areas up to 30 miles (48 km) from the city. Also, Acts 19:10 reveals that reports of Paul s preaching during his stay at Ephesus had radiated out to all the residents of Asia. Hence, Paul would not have been personally acquainted with newer pockets of believers in the Ephesian villages and rural farms that had sprung up since his stay in the city a few years before the writing of this letter. Moreover, many have suggested that Ephesians in its present form stems from the Ephesus copy of a circular letter to several Asian churches that Tychicus was delivering in the course of his journey to Colossae, along with the letter to the Colossians (Col. 4:7-9). Therefore, the absence of personal greetings is no cause for surprise. Finally, it would be extraordinarily odd for someone to write so forcefully that his readers should speak the truth and put away falsehood (4:15, 25) in a letter he was deceptively forging! Consequently, it can be affirmed with good confidence that Paul wrote Ephesians. The title to the Ephesians is found in many early manuscripts (see note on 1:1). It indicates that the letter was written to the churches in Ephesus and the surrounding dependent region. DATE Because Paul mentions his imprisonment (3:1; 4:1; 6:20), this letter should be dated to c. a.d. 62 when Paul was held in Rome (Acts 28). Critics who date Ephesians later in the first century do so from doubts about Paul s authorship rather than from strong evidence against the earlier date. 62

65 THEME There are two main themes of Ephesians: (1) Christ has reconciled all creation to Himself and to God, and (2) Christ has united people from all nations to himself and to one another in His church. These great deeds were accomplished through the powerful, sovereign, and free working of the triune God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and are recognized and received by faith alone through His grace. In light of these great truths, Christians are to lead lives that are a fitting tribute of gratitude to their great Lord. PURPOSE, OCCASION, AND BACKGROUND There was no specific occasion or problem that inspired this letter, though Paul does mention that he desired the Ephesians to know how he was faring in confinement (6:21-22). Ephesians articulates general instruction in the truths of the cosmic redemptive work of God in Christ; the unity of the church among diverse peoples; and proper conduct in the church, the home, and the world. Unity and love in the bond of peace mark the work of the Savior as well as Christians grateful response to His free grace in their lives. Ancient Ephesus forms an appropriate background to the Book of Ephesians because of this city s fascination with magic and the occult (see Acts 19:19, and below). This helps explain Paul s emphasis on the power of God over all heavenly authorities and on Christ s triumphant ascension as head over the church and over all things in this age and the next. The Ephesians needed to be reminded of these things in order to remain resolute in their allegiance to Christ as the supreme power in the world and in their lives. 63

66 TIMELINE A.D Death, resurrection of Christ (A.D. 33 [or 30]) Paul s conversion (33/34*) Paul s first Jerusalem visit (36/37*) Paul s second Jerusalem visit (famine relief) (44-47*) Paul s first missionary journey (46-47) Paul s third Jerusalem visit (apostolic council) (48-49*) Paul s second missionary journey (48/49-51*) Paul s third journey (incl. 3 years in Ephesus) (52-57*) Paul, under house arrest in Rome, writes to Ephesus (62*) Paul martyred in Rome (64-67*) *denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or The Ancient City of Ephesus An important port city on the west coast of Asia, Ephesus boasted the temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world). Just a few decades before Paul, Strabo called Ephesus the greatest emporium in the province of Asia Minor (Geography ; cf ). However, the silting up of the harbor and the ravages of earthquakes caused the abandonment of the harbor city several centuries later. Today, among the vast archaeological remains, some key structures date from the actual time of the NT. The grandiose theater, where citizens chanted great is Artemis of the Ephesians (Acts 19:29-40), had been enlarged under Claudius near the time when Paul was in the city. It held an estimated 20,000 or more spectators. The theater looked west toward the port. From the theater a processional way led north toward the temple of Artemis. In the fourth century b.c. the Ephesians proudly rebuilt this huge temple with their own funds after a fire, even refusing aid from Alexander the Great. The temple surroundings were deemed an official refuge for those fearing vengeance, and they played a central part in the economic prosperity of the city, even acting at times like a bank. A eunuch priest served the goddess Artemis, assisted by virgin women. Today very little 64

67 remains of that once great temple beyond its foundations and a sizable altar, although the nearby museum displays two large statues of Artemis discovered elsewhere in Ephesus. Ephesus in the Time of Paul (c. a.d. 60) The city plan shows those features of the city of Ephesus that archaeologists have so far identified as dating from the time of Paul. Many of the notable buildings uncovered in the excavation at Ephesus date from later periods. Harbor Baths Harbor Gymnasium Athletic field Theater Street Stadium Ancient Harbor Arcadian Way Theater Agora Curetes Street - Embolos Basilica Stoa ft Temple of the Divine Caesar and the goddess Roma State Agora m 65

68 Other archaeologically extant religious structures include a post-new Testament temple of Serapis and several important imperial cult temples. Before Paul s day, Ephesus had proudly obtained the right to host the Temple of the Divine Julius [Caesar] and the goddess Roma. The city later housed memorials to the emperors Trajan (a.d ) and Hadrian (a.d ); and it possessed a huge temple of Domitian (a.d ), which may have been constructed during the time the apostle John was in western Asia. Luke testifies to Jewish presence in Ephesus (Acts 18:19, 24; 19:1-10, 13-17), and this is confirmed by inscriptions and by literary sources (e.g., Josephus, Against Apion 2.39; Jewish Antiquities ). Civic structures during the time of Paul included the state agora (marketplace) with its stoa, basilica, and town hall. This spilled out onto Curetes Street, which contained several monuments to important citizens such as Pollio and Memmius. Curetes Street led to the commercial agora neighboring the theater; this large market square could be entered through the Mazaeus and Mithradates Gate (erected in honor of their patrons Caesar Augustus and Marcus Agrippa). Shops lined this agora and part of Curetes Street. A building across the street from the agora has frequently been called a brothel, although some have questioned this. On the way to the Artemis temple from the theater, one would have passed the huge stadium renovated or built under Nero (a.d ). The wealth of some residents of Ephesus is apparent in the lavish terrace houses just off Curetes Street. Later inscriptions mention a guild of silversmiths and even give the names of specific silversmiths (cf. Demetrius the silversmith, mentioned in Acts 19:24). However, as in most Roman cities, many people would have been in the servant class, and others would not have claimed much wealth. By the end of the second century (after the New Testament period) many other monumental structures were added, including some important gymnasia and the famous Library of Celsus. Remains of the giant Byzantine Church of Mary remind one that this former pagan town later hosted an important church council (the Council of Ephesus,a.d. 431). 66

69 History of Salvation Summary Christians have experienced in Christ the salvation and blessings that God promised through the ages, and look forward to the consummation of God s purposes in Christ. Key Themes 1. All people are by nature spiritually dead, transgressors of God s law, and under the rule of Satan. 2. God predestined His elect to redemption and holiness in Christ according to the free counsel of His will. 3. God s rich mercy in Christ has saved sinners; this free gift is by grace through faith alone. 4. Christ s earthly work of redemption was part of His cosmic reconciliation and exaltation in this age and the next. 5. Christ s reconciliation entails uniting all people, whether Jew or Gentile, into His one body, the church, as a new creation. 6. Christ s people are renewed to new lives of holiness in thought, word, and deed, and must reject their old, sinful lifestyles. 7. Holiness of life entails submission to proper authorities, and loving and considerate care for those in submission. 8. Christ has given powerful gifts to His church to bring about her unity, maturity, and defense against the onslaughts of the devil and his allies. 1:7; 2:1-3, 5, :3-14; 2:4, 8-9 1:7-8; 2:4-14 1:15-23; 3:1-13 1:23; 2:10 22; 3:1-21; 4:1 6 4:1-3, 17-32; 5:1-20 5:21-6:9 4:7-16; 6:

70 Literary Features Ephesians exemplifies the genre of the New Testament epistle, with its salutation (including sender, recipients, and greeting), thanksgiving, exposition, exhortation, and closing (including final greetings and benediction). The main argument of the letter is punctuated by several prayers and an interior benediction (3:20-21) that marks the transition from doctrinal affirmations to practical exhortations. Chapter 2 takes the form of a spiritual biography, in which Paul recounts the saving work of Christ in the life of every Christian, and especially in the lives of Gentiles who are now included in the one new people of God. In chapter 3 the apostle takes an autobiographical turn as he testifies about his calling to the Gentiles and his prayers for the Ephesian church. The paraenesis (series of moral exhortations) consists mainly of instructions for household conduct, both for the church as the household of faith and for individual believers in their domestic relationships. The famous description of the complete armor in the last chapter is an extended metaphor. Paul also catalogs the blessings of salvation in a lofty and exhilarating lyrical style. Ephesians finds its central unity in the work of Jesus Christ and in the community of people (both Jews and Gentiles) who are corporately united in Him. The strong opening statement of praise and the absence of any theological polemics make Ephesians pervasively positive in tone. The clear division of the epistle into two halves of nearly equal length (namely, the doctrinal section in chs. 1-3 and the practical section in chs. 4-6) also provides a strong sense of structural unity. 68

71 THE SETTING OF EPHESIANS (c. a.d. 62) Ephesus was a wealthy port city in the Roman province of Asia. It was a center of learning and was positioned near several key land routes in western Asia Minor. Paul probably wrote his letter to the Ephesians while under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28). Chalcedon Abydos Cyzicus Nicea Troas Assos Mitylene Pergamum Thyatira Smyrna Sardis Philadelphia Ephesus Priene Miletus Halicarnassus Laodicea Hierapolis Colossae Cnidus Rhodes Patara 69

72 OUTLINE I. Introduction (1:1-14) A. Greetings (1:1-2) B. Spiritual blessings in Christ (1:3-14) II. Paul s Prayer of Thanksgiving (1:15-23) III. Salvation by Grace through Faith (2:1-10) A. Hopelessness and helplessness without Christ (2:1-3) B. Hope in Christ (2:4-10) IV. Unity and Peace of Christ (2:11-22) A. Unity of Christ s people (2:11-15) B. Peace with God (2:16-18) C. Implications of Christ s peace (2:19-22) V. Revelation of the Gospel Mystery (3:1-13) A. Paul s apostolic ministry (3:1-7) B. The mystery and wisdom (3:8-13) VI. Paul s Prayer for Strength and Insight (3:14-21) VII. Unity of the Body of Christ (4:1-16) A. Exhortation to unity (4:1-6) B. The different gifts (4:7-10) C. The gifts for edification of the church (4:11-16) VIII. Paul s Testimony (4:17-24) 70

73 IX. Exhortation to an Edifying Lifestyle (4:25-32) X. New Life in Love (5:1-20) A. Exhortation to self-sacrificial love (5:1-2) B. Instruction in holy living (5:3-20) XI. Submission to One Another (5:21-6:9) A. Submission in general (5:21) B. Wives and husbands (5:22-33) C. Children and parents (6:1-4) D. Slaves, bondservants, and masters (6:5-9) XII. The Whole Armor of God (6:10-20) A. The Lord s strength (6:10-13) B. Standing firm (6:14-17) C. Being constant in prayer (6:18-20) XIII. Conclusion (6:21-24) 71