Background study on the book of ephesians chapter 20

The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. Ephesus was a city that had a lot of magic and idolatry acts 19. The traditional idea, that god deals in one manner with the gentile christians and in another with the jewish christians, and that the races are identifiable in christ, has created havoc in the interpretation of the scripturesparticularly the writings. The majestic chapters of ephesians emphasize the unity in the church of christ that has come. Ephesians 2 background information with maps and images. Many of the same expressions occur in the epistle as in pauls address to the ephesian elders. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. This is part 1 of a versebyverse bible study series in ephesians.

This summary of the book of ephesians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ephesians. Paul identifies himself as a prisoner at the time of his writing ephesians 3. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. For the next several fridays we will be going through this book one chapter at a time. This audio sermon and transcript is entitled introduction and background, and is from the ministry of david legge, a christian preacher and bible teacher from belfast, northern ireland. However, this was probably a circular letter, intended for other churches. Book of ephesians outline free online bible study lessons. Gods grace, our position in christ, christ as the mediator 314.

Be very careful, then, how you livenot as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Some have argued that paul wrote colossians from ephesus or caesarea, but most of the evidence favors rome as the place where paul penned all the prison letters ephesians, colossians, philippians and philemon. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. There are a huge number of sites on the internet that offer pictures of ephesus as it looks today and other background information. The former is a letter of discussion and the latter is a letter of reflection. Colossians is somewhat tense to be more specific and concrete, while ephesians is more general and abstract. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Now all glory to god, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. Paul had called these christians to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called 4. Verses 20 and 21 conclude pauls prayer in this passage, which began in verse 14.

Introduction to the epistle of paul the apostle to the ephesians. Ephesus was a big, prosperous harbor city in asia minor. Reference tools used eerdmans handbook to the bible new bible dictionary the zondervan encyclopedia of the bible 3. Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to colossians, among other reasons, as grounds for doubting authorship by the apostle paul. It is interesting to note and observe that while the new testament often refers to the church, it does not speak of going to church in the way we. New book study background to the book of ephesians. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. If we are going to properly understand the book of ephesians, we need to understand its immediate context.

In short, the best solution to the problem is that the letter was sent to many pauline churches and others throughout asia minor with the port. Read the short background information for ephesians below. The purpose of the book of ephesians was to warn the church elders about the false teachers that were teaching a false gospel and to maintain their first love that they held when they first became believers. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey.

The mood of colossians is argumentative and controversial, that of ephesians clam and peaceful. In church history, adoniram judson was a great man of faith, who gave his life to reaching the. While this book begins, paul, an apostle of christ jesus through the will of god, to the saints who are at ephesus, and the faithful in christ jesus 1. We will not be extensive here, but reading and meditation on acts 1920 and revelation 2.

Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Lesson 2 ephesians 2 members of gods household read ephesians 2. When we have concluded revelation, we will start over again in genesis, so if you are with us for five years you will not miss any part of the bible. This pattern is very obvious in ephesians, where the first three chapters deal with. The concept that the elect jews and gentiles compose the one family of god, the one holy nation, is a central theme of the book of ephesians. Translate, according to the greek order, i beseech you, therefore seeing that such is your calling of grace, the first. Everything in these three chapters spells out what is. The salutation contains pauls introduction of himself to the original recipients of this letter and his greeting to them. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group.

The book of ephesians page 3 what we possess in christ our possessions the believers blessed life ephesians 1 key verse. Ephesians 1 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of. The first chapter was about who god is and what he has done on our behalf. Because the name ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, some scholars believe the letter was an encyclical, intended to be circulated and read among all the churches in asia minor and was simply. Ephesians 6 background information with maps and images. Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. The book of ephesians along with philippians and colossians, was written by the apostle paul while in prison in rome. Ephesians 3 new international version niv gods marvelous plan for the gentiles. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. No matter how bold our requests may seem, god can do all we ask and much more 1 corinthians 2. Since clement of rome cites ephesians, it must be dated earlier than ad 95. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ephesians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. The epistle to the ephesians chapter three objectives in studying the chapter 1 to understand the mystery so long hidden that is now revealed, and the role of the church 2 to examine pauls prayer for the ephesians enablement, what it means for us today summary in this chapter paul reminds his readers of gods grace that has been shown.

This exposition consisted of readings from 1 corinthians. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. Ephesians 4 background information with maps and images. To really jump ahead in your study of ephesians, complete our how to study a book of the bible lesson using ephesians as your subject. It is possible that paul could have written the letter when he was imprisoned at caesarea 9 acts 24. Practical ways to fulfill gods purpose in the church 4. The second chapter is about who we are as a result and how we come together as gods holy people. Paul gives thanks and prays for the ephesians ephesians 1. Develop 1 2 questions about this chapter that you can ask of the other class members to test their knowledge of the chapter. This morning we come for our bible study to a book that is indeed a treasure of mine and of every believer, the book of ephesians.

Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. For a brief time at the end of his second missionary journey, and then for more than two years on his third missionary journey, paul ministered to the church at ephesus acts 18. Keep a notebook handy with pencil to jot down questions, ideas and applications as you study ephesians. Timothy and erastus also spent some time with paul in ephesus, but he eventually sent them on into macedonia acts 19.

We will not be extensive here, but reading and meditation on acts 19 20 and revelation 2. Author the apostle paul date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Geographical background the city was situated on the western coast of asia minor at the mouth of the cayster river, one of the four major eastwest valleys that ended in the aegean sea. Thru the bible takes the listener through the entire bible in just five years, threading back and forth between the old and new testaments.

E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. As soon as he did this, there arose a great commotion over diana of the ephesians. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. Mcconkie, doctrinal new testament commentary, 3 vols. According to new testament scholar daniel wallace, the theme may be. This page provides a background study to the biblical book of ephesians that is part of a series of pages on how to study the bible. The books of ephesians, philippians, colossians, and philemon are believed to have been written by paul while he was a prisoner under house arrest in rome a. This time ive selected the amazing book of ephesians. These small group studies of ephesians contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur at grace church at least, it was obvious to me that god had something very special in mind for this church.