Overview of the book of ephesians overview author the book of ephesians was written by the apostle paul 1. Ephesians 1, new international version niv the bible app. Overview and outline of ephesians bible study deeper. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. This epistle was not written to a specific church and could be themed the church, the fullness of christ. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. Overview of the book of ephesians third millennium ministries. Overview of the book of ephesians the letter opens with a sequence of statements about gods blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to gods wisdom, forethought and purpose. Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men, jews, gentiles, male female, bond, free, all are united in christ. Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. Call gods people to live in light of our heavenly calling in christ. Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. The church of jesus christ is now the spiritual body of believers who represent christ on earth. In lesson one, we look at an overview and outline of the book of ephesians.
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. In this first study, we do a big picture overview of the book of ephesians and give a simple outline of its contents. However, the letter to the philippians was to be delivered by epaphroditus, who had come to paul in rome with financial help from the church at philippi philippians 2. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. This is a lot to take in, so if you want to start with baby steps, check out this list of the shortest books of the bible. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. A general account of the blessings that the gospel reveals. Paul probably wrote his letter to the ephesians while under house arrest in rome. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include.
The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. 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. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. The church has been brought from death to life in christ. May 26, 2007 an overview of ephesians the book of ephesians is a favorite among many christians 1. Ephesians sets forth what no other book of the new testament describes so completely the nature of the body of christ, which is the true church. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament.
Overview of ephesians i was fascinated to read in pipers introduction how he had organized the material in his book. The first half of the letter focuses on the ephesians calling. The book of ephesians overview of the book of ephesians the book of ephesians is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form. Paul spent more time there than any other city about three years. It was the capital of proconsular asia, being about a mile from the sea coast, and was the great religious, commercial and political center of asia.
Ephesians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of ephesians for bible study or sunday school lessons. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. Jul 16, 20 the book of ephesians is a beautiful revelation of the church and the spiritual blessings we have in christ jesus. Its rich blend of salvation theology and christian practice, carefully balanced over six chapters, offers to readers a fullorbed view of the christian life. 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. We need to learn who we are in christ and what he has done for us. Paul sent the other three prison epistlesephesians, colossians, and philemonby the hand of tychicus, as their destinations were near one another. A disturbance created by some of the local idol makers finally forced. 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. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor. Ephesians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. Theyre listed in the order they show up in the protestant bible. If you want more, ive linked to quick, 3minute guides to every book of the bible, too. Book introduction the apostle paul, having reminded his readers of the glory and promise of god, our need for his grace and provision, our new standing before god, as both individuals and as a family of believers, the magnificence of god, a healthy perspective of suffering in the life of a believer, the love, power and provision of god, and his calling to a life of holiness, now described with.
Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Published on nov 10, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians. What was hidden throughout the ages was revealed to us when christ came. 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. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. This book emphasizes the preeminence of jesus christ as our means for salvation. While paul was in prison he had been thinking about his work as an apostle. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Ephesians summary christian life emphasis spokane bible. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul.
Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Overview of the book of ephesians deeper christian. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Apr 09, 2011 according to tradition, ephesians was written by paul when he was a prisoner in rome, around ad 62. Paul has one main desire in ephesiansfor you to know jesus christ and your. He realized that christ came to unite himself with man, and unity was the core purpose of the book of ephesians. View chuck swindoll s chart of ephesians, which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. This letter, in many ways, is the crowning glory of the new testament.
Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. Summary of the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. The book of ephesians is a beautiful revelation of the church and the spiritual blessings we have in christ jesus. It had a harbor that at that time opened into the cayster river see map, p. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur. There is no reference to ephesus, or to any individuals, despite acts recording that paul spent a long time there. An overview of ephesians then an outline of ephesians. Ive written a onesentence overview of every book of the bible. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ. The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus.
Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. The first six chapters speak of the pleasure of god in his own person, and in the outworking of his plans and purposes, especially in the sending of the son to provide salvation for lost sinners. 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. An indepth versebyverse bible study series of pauls letter to the ephesians. Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men.
Ephesians with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. A brief outline enables us to understand the whole book. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of.
Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. However, ephesians is generally believed not to be by paul it is a deuteropauline epistle. Paul has one main desire in ephesians for you to know jesus christ and your. The fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament. Before we dive into the book itself, it is important that we understand the context for why paul wrote ephesians and gain an overview of the book as a whole. The end result is that the gospel spread from ephesus throughout asia minor ac 19.
Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. 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. A more extensive outline after this one helps understand how the many parts form the whole. It was written to encourage believers to walk as fruitful followers of christ and to serve in unity and love in the midst of persecution. This summary of the book of ephesians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and. Eight of these book are letters to local churches like the one in ephesus. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. We are beginning our expositional study in the book of ephesians. Nov 03, 2017 in this first study, we do a big picture overview of the book of ephesians and give a simple outline of its contents. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. The book of ephesians gives practical, encouraging advice on living a life that honors god, which is why its still relevant in a conflictridden world. Overview of the book of ephesians safe harbor church. It was a center of learning and was near several key land routes.
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