The Epistle to the Ephesians
Lesson 1
An Introduction to Ephesians
Introduction
You are beginning a detailed study of Ephesians. This is one of the most
remarkable books of the Bible. Dr. A.T. Pierson compared Ephesians
to a mountain top. In this book the Apostle writes about the greatest
truths concerning the Church. In Ephesians Paul ties eternity to time,
heaven to earth, and Christ to His Church.
Without question Romans is the masterpiece of sound reasoning in regard
to salvation and the Gospel of Christ, but Ephesians must be considered
the greatest summary of truth about the Church.
Old Testament prophets foresaw Christ’s birth and sufferings
and His coming to earth in power and great glory to reign over the whole
world. They did not foresee the Church or the time period of grace. God
revealed this truth to the Apostle Paul.
The Apostles Peter, James, and John wrote by inspiration of the Holy
Spirit concerning many remarkable truths. Only in the writings of the
Apostle Paul however, especially in his epistle to the Ephesians, do
we clearly see the doctrine of the Church. We also see what the church
is like. We see the position of the believer in Christ and how the
believer should live. This book also shows us the future of the believer.
(Note
especially Ephesians 3:3-6.)
Importance of this Lesson
- It is important to know something about Ephesus, the city in
which Paul worked for three years.
- Of course, we should also learn
who wrote the Epistle and the reason why he wrote it.
- In this lesson
you will learn to whom Paul wrote the book of Ephesians. You will
learn the purpose for which Paul wrote the Epistle. You will
learn what the Epistle to the Ephesians is like. You will also learn
about the most important verse, chapter, words and idea, which will
help you to understand the book. I will give you a few simple outlines
to
help you gain the general idea of the whole Epistle to the Ephesians.
The Lesson
I. THE CITY OF EPHESUS
At the time of Paul, Ephesus was a large city with many rich people who
loved pleasure. Ephesus was located on the shores of the Aegean Sea.
It was situated in the area of Ionia in the southwest corner of Asia
Minor. This area is called Turkey today. The weather in Ephesus was
very mild and the people were friendly and very polite. They loved
music, pleasure and riches. The historian Pliny described it as “The
Ornament of Asia.”
The city was famous for its worship of the goddess called Diana. People
said that this goddess was like the eastern goddess named Artemis.
People said that Airtimes fell from Heaven (Acts 19:23-41). People came
from
all the countries in that part of the world to worship in the beautiful
temple of Diana.
Ephesus was also the city where the Roman governor lived. The Court
of Justice for all of Asia Minor was also located in Ephesus.
II. THE AUTHOR OF EPHESIANS
For almost 2000 years Bible teachers
have agreed that the Apostle Paul wrote this Epistle. Evidence in the
Epistle itself shows that Paul
wrote the Epistle. In Ephesians 1:1 Paul himself said that he wrote
it – “Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will
of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful
in Christ Jesus.” In Ephesians 3:1 Paul says again that he
is the author. He writes, “For this cause I Paul, the
prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.” We can identify Paul’s
writings by the special phrases that only Paul uses. Some of these key
phrases are “in heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6; 3:10),
and “in Christ.” Paul uses these phrases many times throughout
this Epistle.
III. WHEN AND TO WHOM WAS IT WRITTEN?
- Time
of Writing – Ephesians is one of four books Paul
wrote when he was a prisoner in Rome awaiting trial before Nero.
The other books that make up what is called “the Prison
Epistles” are
Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Since Paul was imprisoned
about 59-60 AD, we must assume that he wrote Ephesians during
the early 60’s, probably about 64 AD.
- To Whom It Was Written – We
are not sure to whom Paul wrote this epistle. Some people believe
that the Epistle to Laodicea
is actually the Ephesians Epistle. The Bible mentions the Epistle
to Laodicea in Colossians 4:16. Other people believe that Paul
had in mind the readers of a much larger area. They believe this
for the following reasons:
- The phrase “to the Ephesians” is
not in the best manuscripts.
- There are no personal greetings
or farewells as we find in Paul’s
other letters.
- There is nothing in this letter about local
church order or discipline.
- There are those
who believe Paul’s intent was for this Epistle’s
influence to reach far beyond Ephesus. If this contention is
correct, and I personally believe it is, then the first verse
could read, “to
the faithful in Christ Jesus anywhere.”
IV. WHAT IS THIS EPISTLE LIKE?
Much of what Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, he addressed to
the Gentiles, because most of the members were Gentiles. Evidently
these Gentile believers were Greek and Roman converts.
Note the following verses:
Ephesians 2:11 – “Wherefore remember, that ye being
in time past Gentiles in the flesh…”
Ephesians 3:1 – “I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ
for you Gentiles…”
Ephesians 3:5-6 – “…as it is now revealed…that
the Gentiles should be fellowheirs…”(with believing
Jews).
Ephesians 3:8 – “Unto me…is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ...”
- In Galatians Paul asks the Jews to accept
Gentiles as Christians – in
Ephesians he urges Gentiles to accept Jews who believed in Christ.
V.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS EPISTLE
- Paul seems to have a double
purpose in Ephesians.
- First, God gave Paul a special responsibility
to let people know about His grace (Ephesians 3:2-3). It was
Paul’s enthusiastic
desire to tell people about that grace (Ephesians 3:7-8).
Note the following verses:
- Ephesians 1:7 – “…we
have…forgiveness…according
to the riches of His grace…”
- Ephesians 2:5,8 – “…by
grace ye are saved…”
- Ephesians 2:7 – God
is yet to show us “…the
exceeding riches of His grace…”
- Ephesians 3:7– “Whereof
I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of
God given unto me by the effectual working of His power.”
- Ephesians
4:7 – “But unto every one of us is
given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”
- Paul’s second purpose was to tell people about the mystery,
which God revealed to him. In other ages people did not know about
this mystery – “…that the Gentiles should be
fellow heirs and of the same body…” (Ephesians 3:6).
God made believing Jews and Gentiles one body. God considered this
body, of born again Jews and Gentiles, the true Church. Paul calls
this Church “…the mystery which from the beginning
of the world hath been hid in God…” (Ephesians 3:9).
It is God’s purpose, Paul’s purpose, and thus the
purpose of this Ephesian Epistle, that through this Church all
mankind
and all rulers and powers in the heavenlies might see this mystery.
Paul wants people to see the wisdom of God according to the eternal
purpose which he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord. Read Ephesians
3:2-11.
VI. KEYS TO EPHESIANS (Memorize these Keys for the exam)
The Key Verse – 1:3
The Key Chapter – 3
The Key Phrase – “in Heavenly” – 1:3
The Key thought – “in Christ.” This phrase is
found many times in the Epistle.
The Theme – The Church – 1:22; 5:25
VII. SHORT OUTLINES TO PROVIDE YOU
WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE ENTIRE EPISTLE
- Ephesians
1,2,3 – What to Believe
Ephesians 4,5,6 – How to Behave
- Ephesians 1,2,3 – Doctrinal
Ephesians 4,5,6 – Practical
- Ephesians 1,2,3 – The
Wealth of the CHURCH
Ephesians 4,5 – The Walk of the CHURCH
Ephesians 6 – The Warfare of the CHURCH
- Ephesians 1:1-2 – Introduction
Ephesians 1:3-3:21– The Calling of the CHURCH
Ephesians 4:1-6:9 – The Conduct of the CHURCH
Ephesians 6:10-18 – The Conflict of the CHURCH
Ephesians 6:19-24 – Conclusion
- (Memorize one of these outlines. You will be asked to write out
one on the exam)
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