THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW 9/30/2012 HOWARD BUCK
Per Wikipedia: The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World it was second in importance and size only to Rome. Ephesus has been estimated to be in the range of 400,000 to 500,000 inhabitants in the year 100, making it the largest city in Roman Asia and of the day. Ephesus was at its peak during the 1st and 2nd century AD. The city had one of the most advanced aqueduct systems in the ancient world, with multiple aqueducts of various sizes to supply different areas of the city, including 4 major aqueducts.
Ephesus was an important center for early Christianity from the AD 50s. From AD 52 54, Paul lived in Ephesus, working with the congregation and apparently organizing missionary activity He wrote between 53 and 57 AD the letter 1Corinthians from Ephesus (possibly from the "Paul tower" close to the harbor, where he was imprisoned for a short time). Later Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians while he was in prison in Rome (around 62 AD). Roman Asia was associated with John, one of the chief apostles, and the Gospel of John might have been written in Ephesus, 90 100. Ephesus was one of the seven cities addressed in Revelation (Revelation 2:1 7), indicating that the church at Ephesus was strong at one point.
Ephesus contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. Only an estimated 15% has been excavated Library of Celsus Theater Odeon (small theatre) Gate of Augustus Temple of Hadrian 1500 seats
Curetes Street Temple of Hadrian
The goddess herself
Temple of Artemis (Diana) Used as a worship center and marketplace
The Temple Today, 1 and ½ of the 127 columns remains!!!
Author: The Apostle Paul Date: A.D. 60-62 Location of writing: Roman Prison Delivered by : Aquila and Priscilla The church of Ephesus was started by Aquila and Priscilla, firmly established by Paul on missionary journey # 3 where he pastored the church for about 3 years. Timothy succeeded Paul While addressed to the Ephesians, it was circulated throughout the entire region
Because of the size, location and importance of the city it was a perfect location to establish a church From Ephesus, the gospel spread rapidly throughout Asia including the seven churches mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3 along with: Troas, Assos, Adramyttium, Miletus, Trogyllium and Hierapolis
The purpose of the letter: Paul s mind was now free for one supreme exposition, noncontroversial, positive, fundamental of the great doctrine of his life that doctrine into which he had been advancing year by year under the discipline of his unique circumstances the doctrine of the unity of mankind in Christ and the purpose of God for the world through the church J.A. Robinson Additionally, Paul sought to relate his vision to the practical demands of Christian living in a hostile society A.S. Wood
In essence then, this letter is very different than the letters of Paul we have studied in the past Per Tyndale: it speaks of Paul, as a minister of the gospel of grace, his imprisonment, Tychicus as the letter bearer (but) there are no other personal references, no greetings, no reminiscences, no messages to or from individuals Furthermore, there are apparently no specific problems either doctrinal or practical In many respects Ephesians reads more like a sermon in some parts more like a prayer or a mighty doxology Vary much like our guest teachers, open subject
Chapters 1-3 are doctrine and 4-6 are application Doctrine and ethics are interwoven throughout the book Paul speaks of the riches of: God s grace 1:7 Christ 3:8 His glory 3:16 Paul calls us to be: filled with the Spirit 5:18 filled up to all the fullness of God 3:19
(Per MacArthur) The word: Riches 5 times Grace 12 times Glory 8 times Fullness, filled up or fills 6 times In Christ or In Him 15 times (key phrase)
Our riches are based on Christ s: Grace, 1:2, 6-7; 2:7 Peace 1:2 Will 1:5 Kind intention 1:9 Purpose 1:9, 11 Glory 1:12, 14 Calling 1:18 Inheritance 1:18 Power 1:19 Love 2:4 Workmanship 2:10 Spirit 3:16 Gifts 4:11 Sacrifice 5:2 Strength 6:10 Armor 6:11, 13 Where then shall or praise be!!!!!!!! (in Christ for His blessings given to us)
We will talk a lot about the church (of Christ) You will note that Paul presents the church in 3:3 as a mystery? Why? Because it was a mystery in OT times that because of the work of Christ, Jew and Gentile are one in His body, the church It is also the mystery of the church being the bride of Christ 5:24-32
Paul says hi and praise be to God in 1:1-3 and then jumps into some of the deepest Biblical theology the Bible offers Election, (work of the Father) predestination, our inheritance, adoption, redemption, (work of the Son) mystery of His will, the planned future, revelation, reconciliation, sealing, (work of the Holy Spirit) From there, Paul prays a 9 verse prayer!!! After his prayer, we will delve into how we are saved by grace, united into one body (Gentile/Jew) and; equal in that body
As chapter 4 opens, we will see the shift from theology to practical application of Biblical principles starting with our relationship to others followed by; Spiritual gifts, our walk as believers and the comparison of how we are not to walk (as the spiritually dead) In chapter 5, Paul really brings down the hammer as he challenges us to be imitators of God and of course the beautiful verses (5:22-33) on how husbands and wives are to be in marriage, just like the relationship of Christ and the church
Closing out the letter in chapter 6 with the admonition on how we are to be with our employer. And, on the fact of the bitter and very real battle with the schemes of the devil by putting on God s armor 6:13-18 Put on Christ Belt - The Doctrine of Christ Breastplate - The Righteousness of Christ Shoes - The Gospel of Christ Take up Christ Shield The Faith of Christ Helmet - The Salvation of Christ Sword The 'Rhema' Word of Christ. The book closes with the familiar phrases: peace, love and grace
Outline I Greetings 1:1-2 II The Position of Believers 1:3-3:21 A. Chosen and Sealed 1:3-23 B. Saved by Grace 2:1-10 C. United in One Body 2:11-22 D. Equal in the Body (the Mystery) 3:1-21 III The Practice of Believers 4:1-6:9 A. In relation to Other Believers 4:1-6 B. In Relation to Spiritual Gifts 4:7-16 C. In Relation to the Former Life 4:17-32 D. In Relation to Evil 5:1-17 E. In Relation to the Holy Spirit 5:18-21 F. In Relation to Home Life 5:22-6:4 G. In Relation to Slaves and Masters 6:5-9 IV The Protection for Believers 6:10-20 A. Against Whom? 6:10-12 B. With What? 6:13-20 V Concluding Words 6:21-24
This isn t going to be an easy study Getting past ELECTION will be the biggest challenge and it is the first doctrine Paul hits us with! Why the quandary? Reconciling God s sovereignty with man s responsibility isn t an easy study for those forced to use only a human brain Then we look at predestination adoption the good pleasure of God s will, etc. The first 3 chapters will stretch our brain a bit while the last three will hopefully help us perfect our walk..
Some Paul facts (originally covered in Philippians): Born around the same time as Christ Born in Tarsus to a Roman, Pharisee father Pharisee by birth and choice (resurrection) Freeborn Roman Tentmaker by trade Received a good education finishing under Gamaliel Studied in Jerusalem Studied and memorized scripture and Jewish history Persecuted Christians
Paul (continued): Was not one of the original 12 Paul s calling was different and unique Converted on the road to Damascus Was set apart for the gospel Preached the gospel in Damascus for 3 years Visited Jerusalem seeing Peter and James Conducted 3 missionary journeys Was a tremendous church builder (not buildings!)
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Who is the author?... Paul What is his position?... Apostle (Apostolos) How did he obtain this position?... It is God s will!! Who is it written to?... The faithful saints (church) at Ephesus
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus Saints = The: Holy ones (hagioi), made holy by God Set apart ones Privileged ones Ones responsible because they are privileged All of this is the work of God
Israel was separated from the other nations by God s calling and election It was to be a holy nation as an example to the other nations Because we are IN Christ Jesus as Paul states, we too are holy and we are called out and separated from the rest of the world..
1:1 Continued: To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus Faithful (pistoi) in Christ Jesus Those that exercised faith to become believers These will become known as Christians Much of this book is about saints, or as sometimes referred to, the faithful and the living Lord!!!!
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace (Charis) is God s great kindness to those who are underserving of His favor but who have placed their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ (MacArthur) (The) free spontaneous, unmerited love of God to sinful humanity (Ralph Martin) Peace = Inner assurance and tranquility that God ministers to our hearts, the fruit of grace! Hebrew: shalom, Greek: eirene = A state of wholeness and security embracing both the physical and spiritual dimensions
From MacArthur: Grace is the fountain of which peace in the stream Because we have grace from God we have peace with God and the peace of God (which surpasses all comprehension Phil 4:7) Peace is the equivalent of the Hebrew Shalom, which, in its highest connotation, signifies spiritual prosperity and completeness
Eph. 1:2 (continued) from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Both gifts, grace and peace are provided by God (Trinity) The Father and Jesus Christ. God, through the Father provided grace and Jesus through the cross provided the peace. God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are connected here by the word kai in the Greek which is a connective word It shows that both are in authority and that both are God In verse three, the Holy Spirit is mentioned (spiritual blessing)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Verses 3-14 are actually one sentence in the original Greek text with dialog about past/present/future There is an interesting division here that becomes clear once we look more intently: Verses; 3-6a = Past (election), Work of the Father 6b-11 = Present (redemption), Work of the Son 12-14 = Future (inheritance), Work of the Holy Spirit
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, The blessed one = God (because only He is good) The one blessing = God (only God can provide spiritual blessing) The blessed ones = Believer's (those IN Christ) The blessings = All things spiritual (the source is God) The location of the blessing = Heavenly places (God s supernatural realm) The blessing Agent = Jesus Christ (God s children/heirs are blessed again, because we are IN Christ)
What Do I Take Home As a Christian, I am given grace from God even though I don t deserve it As such, I am at peace with God Because I am IN Christ, I am spiritually blessed from/by God