Historical background of book of ephesians

Aug 23, 2012 date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. Ephesians, written around the same time as pauls epistle to the colossians, remains an. Purpose, background and structure posted on may 12, 2014 by matt dabbs 1 comment a few weeks ago, i started a wednesday night series on the book of ephesians. Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. Arnolds book is one of the most influential dissertations written on ephesians in recent pauline studies. Furthermore, i think the letter has to be kept in its historical context as a companion letter with colossians and philemon.

Date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. Mystery of gentiles as fellow members of the church. The concept of power in ephesians in light of its historical setting by. During his third missionary journey in 5556 ad, he wrote corinthians, galatians and romans which all clearly defined the meaning and purpose of the cross. The author claims to be paul in the opening address much like galatians, 2 corinthians, and colossians 1. In order to explore the full richness of the book of ephesians, it is necessary to not only examine the literary text of the book, but to examine the historicalcultural context of the book as well. Ephesus is mentioned multiple times in the new testament, and the biblical book of ephesians, written around 60 a. The church of jesus christ is now the spiritual body of believers who represent christ on earth. Reference tools used eerdmans handbook to the bible new bible dictionary the zondervan encyclopedia of the bible 3. 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. Epistle to the ephesians study 1 historical context acts 19. This helps explain pauls emphasis on the power of god over all heavenly authorities and on christs triumphant ascension as head over the church and over all things in this age and the next.

Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new testament. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. They were to the thessalonians and chiefly centered on jesus return. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. The phrase armor of god is derived from ephesians 6. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical. The general theology of ephesians is direct, unambiguous, and presents no ideas or interpretations whose meanings are seriously contended. Ephesians, written around the same time as pauls epistle to the colossians, remains an important piece of historical evidence that also preserves some important doctrinal concepts. To analyze this letter fully, it is important to consider it in conjunction with colossians and in. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to whom the epistle is addressed. Prior to writing his epistle to the ephesians in 6061 ad, paul had an established ministry in ephesus. The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors, designed to ensure believers are living up to our heavenly calling. Although caesarea and ephesus have been suggested as possible locations of authorship, the bulk of.

Introduction to colossians bible exposition commentary. Yes, we want to know how god sees the world, but beyond that, we want to then live according to that new knowledge. The book of ephesians clearly leaves its mark among other bible books by displaying the powerful impact of the gospel of christ jesus in the individual and. Notes 1 pauls epistle to ephesus may have been written during his imprisonment at caesarea maritima as described at the end of acts. The temple and streets were lined with immoral goddess prostitutes. Begin your study of the book of james with some preliminary work. 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. Ephesians historical background 950 words bartleby. He also sent along the letter to the colossian church. Ephesians was written by paul when imprisoned in rome. Shaul shaaool, by gods will an emissary of the messiah yeshua. Cultural and historical background for ephesians in order to understand the radical nature of the message of ephesians or even some of pauls harsh language toward gentiles, it is important to provide some cultural and historical context for the jew gentile relationship in the ancient world. The others are philippians, colossians, and philemon. Historical background on the book of ephesians 1 historical.

The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the. Some assumptions about ephesians itself and the role of this passage in this letter. To the saints in ephesus, a the faithful in christ jesus. There are, however, some texts that require careful thought to rightly interpret, namely. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. Ephesians towers over pauls thirteen known epistles in its exaltation of the glory of god and his grace toward the church. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical and. And well take time this evening, were going to look at the introduction of this little epistle and the salutation that we find in verses 1 and 2, were only going to look at these two verses because its important as we look at any book that we lay are historical and contextual foundations of the. Feb 07, 2015 in order to explore the full richness of the book of ephesians, it is necessary to not only examine the literary text of the book, but to examine the historical cultural context of the book as well. While paul was in prison he had been thinking about his work as an apostle.

The church in ephesus was also not one large church, but a. 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. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Ephesians was written by paul a prisoner in rome ephesians 4. It was a large temple dedicated to a goddess named diana artemis. Audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. His ministry may have appeared to have been hindered.

Ephesians shows an apostle at the end of his life trying to maintain the purity of the gospel that he had worked so hard to promote and preach. Its authorship has traditionally been attributed to paul the apostle but starting in 1792, this has been challenged as deuteropauline, that is, written in pauls name by a later author strongly influenced by pauls thought, probably by a loyal. As a biblical reference, the metaphor may refer to physical armour worn by god in metaphorical battles, or it may refer to vigilant righteousness in general as bestowed by the grace of god romans. Ephesians background information fbc seguin students. This would further seem to suggest, as i have believed, that not only did paul write the book of colossians, but that he wrote colossians before writing the book of ephesians. Ignatius epistle to the ephesians, 12, which alludes to the frequent and affectionate mention made by paul of the christian state, privileges, and persons of the ephesians in his epistle. The author of the book of ephesus was the apostle paul. The evidence here is negative rather than positive. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. Historical background ephesians the letter to the ephesians was written probably during pauls imprisonment in rome between 60 and 62 ad.

The author of ephesians claims to be the apostle paul with personal knowledge of his readers. There are 41 commands in ephesians, 1 of which is found in chapters. Pauls first imprisonment in rome at which time he wrote ephesians it follows that this is a relatively young church even if there were believers there prior to pauls visit. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. The historical and cultural context of the book of. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ.

While there is not much that is needed to be known here, there are some things to know. As we continue in our faith from day to day, month to month, and year to year, the temptation to get comfortable will always exist. When you start studying any book of the bible, you should start by collecting some background information. Ephesians 2 background information with maps and images. So after laying out profound theological truths in the first half of the book, paul. Gods people living in ephesus, that is, those who are trusting in the messiah yeshua. Arnold argues that the power language that fills the book of ephesians is connected to the local fears of the demonic powers associated with pagan idols in ephesus like the cult of artemis.

If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. Doing a historical background study is helpful in understanding the specific situation and setting of the author and the reader of biblical literature. The first step of studying any book of the bible, especially epistles, is to answer some. The letter seems to have been written to the church that he founded in ephesus, and it seems that he intended for it to circulate around the churches in western asia minor present day turkey. 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. Mar 05, 2018 the book of james, in general, challenges us to live out our faith.

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. Philemon was a citizen of colossae and an upright leader in that church. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding. Therefore, prior to carefully exegeting ephesians, it is important to gain an understanding of the epistles authorship, its recipients, its historical background, and its themes and central message. Contrary to what is probably the majority opinion in current new testament scholarship, i think the ephesian letter is by paul.

Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master philemon, in the care of tychicus. The historical background of the book of ephesians plays an important reality of what the author is intending in the writings. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ephesians in his audio message from the. The full quote as outlined in the king james bible, is from paul the apostles letter to the ephesians 6. Turn with me in your bibles to pauls epistle to the church at ephesus, the book of ephesians. Put on the whole armour of god, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians colossians philippians philemon paul remained in ephesus for nearly three years on his 3rd missionary journey. Its also important to discover the authors intended meaning of the text in order to interpret it. The book of ephesians is about the letters of paul and how he overcame hardship by being faithful to god and following his commands. Historical, cultural, and literary background exegetical. Arnold argues that the power language that fills the book of ephesians is connected to the local fears of the demonic powers associated. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. The book of ephesians clearly leaves its mark among other bible books by displaying the powerful impact of the gospel of christ jesus in the individual and corporate life of believers. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. Ephesus forms an appropriate background to the book of ephesians because of this citys fascination with magic and the occult acts 19. Throughout history, ephesus survived multiple attacks and changed. To analyze this letter fully, it is important to consider it in conjunction with colossians and in light of the jerusalem council recorded in acts 15. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment.

Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. Ephesians 4 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. The below chart will help underline and point out these similarities. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. What where the circustances paul wrote this epistle from prison, as he did ephesians, philippians, and philemon. It was during this time that paul sat in rome undergoing his first roman imprisonment ephesians 3. Julian colorado christian university ephesians historical background we must understand ephesus if we want to understand the book of ephesians. The historical context a daily devotion for june 26, 2014 as we looked at the literary context yesterday, today the goal is to look at the historical context of colossians. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Translate, according to the greek order, i beseech you, therefore seeing that such is your calling of grace, the first. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey.

So, lets see what the bible tells us about the background of the book of james. His character and perhaps even his teaching seem to have been questioned by some, as a result of his imprisonment philippians 1. He also was a slaveholder whose slave onesimus had escaped, had later encountered the apostle paul, and had responded to the gospel message about jesus. In the letter to the colossians, paul addresses how our relationship to god through jesus christ affects us in the. He calls us to not only learn more about god intellectually by to put that knowledge into practice. The church has been brought from death to life in christ. The historical background of the book of ephesians 805. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. We can do this by learning the historical situation of the author and his reader. One of the seven wonders of the world was in ephesus. He realized that christ came to unite himself with man, and unity was the core purpose of the book of ephesians.