What is the main message of Ephesians?
- Understand your spiritual position and eradicate fear or doubt!
- Realise how much GOD really loves you.
- Understand the key teachings within the book.
- Know who GOD says you are as a Believer.
- Apply these truths to your life in a practical way.
- Transform your life through application of the truths learnt.
What does the Bible say about Ephesians?
The first three chapters of Ephesians are doctrinal, while the last three are practical. Chapter 1 establishes Paul's view on the value of our salvation in Christ, and the blessings we obtain from it. He does this in the form of praise, directed at God, and describing in detail what it means to have an inheritance in heaven.
How to understand Ephesians?
This quartet of men and their respective places of abode can be identified:
- Epaphroditus was from Philippi, and he had the Epistle to the Philippians (see Phil. ...
- Tychicus was from Ephesus, and he had the Epistle to the Ephesians (see Eph. ...
- Epaphras was from Colosse, and he had the Epistle to the Colossians (see Col. ...
- Onesimus was a runaway slave from Colosse, and he had the Epistle to Philemon who was his master (see Philem. ...
Where is Ephesians in the Bible?
Ephesians is the great Pauline letter about the church. It deals, however, not so much with a congregation in the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor as with the worldwide church, the head of which is Christ ( Eph 4:15 ), the purpose of which is to be the instrument for making God’s plan of salvation known throughout the universe ( Eph 3:9 – 10 ).
What did Paul write to the Ephesians?
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is one of the most comprehensive letters written by Paul to explain to us the nature of God and God’s great plan and purpose for His creation, especially the future of mankind.
What is the main message of the book of Ephesians?
Ephesians teaches that the Gospel makes way for a new multi-ethnic family of God, transforming how we live as a new humanity unified in love. Ephesians teaches that the Gospel makes way for a new multi-ethnic family of God, transforming how we live as a new humanity unified in love.
What is the key verse of Ephesians?
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
What is Paul's message in Ephesians?
The letter declares that the Christian mystery (gospel) of salvation, first revealed to the Apostles, is the source of true wisdom (perhaps an indirect repudiation of Gnostic claims to esoteric knowledge of the supernatural) and that salvation through Christ is offered to Jews and Gentiles alike.
What is the meaning of the Ephesians?
Ephesians. / (ɪˈfiːʒənz) / noun. (functioning as singular) a book of the New Testament (in full The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians), containing an exposition of the divine plan for the world and the consummation of this in Christ.
What are the two main divisions in Ephesians?
Thus, the two main divisions of the book are: the position of the Christian (chs. 1–3), and the practice of the Christian (chs. 4–6). The wonderful news of salvation in Ephesians is directed toward the goal of “the praise of His glory” (1:6, 12, 14).
What was wrong with the Church of Ephesus?
The Decline of Ephesus Emperor Theodosius erased all traces of Artemis during his reign. He banned freedom of worship, closed the schools and temples and forbade women many of the rights they'd enjoyed before. The Temple of Artemis was destroyed, its ruins used to build Christian churches.
What is the background of the book of Ephesians?
The Book of Ephesians was written to “God's holy people in Ephesus” (Ephesians 1:1, NIV). The city of Ephesus was a large commercial port city in Asia Minor (present day Turkey) located at the mouth of the Cayster River near the Aegean Sea.
Who was Ephesians written to?
the saints whoWhile most English translations indicate that the letter was addressed to "the saints who are in Ephesus" (1:1), the words "in Ephesus" do not appear in the best and earliest manuscripts of the letter, leading most textual critics, like Bart Ehrman, to regard the words as an interpolation.
What does the letter to the Ephesians have to say about the church?
The majestic chapters of Ephesians emphasize the unity in the church of Christ that has come about for both Jews and Gentiles within God's household (Eph 1:15–2:22, especially Eph 2:11–22) and indeed the “seven unities” of church, Spirit, hope; one Lord, faith, and baptism; and the one God (Eph 4:4–6).
What happened in Ephesus in the Bible?
Ephesus was recipient city of one of the Pauline epistles; one of the seven churches of Asia addressed in the Book of Revelation; the Gospel of John may have been written there; and it was the site of several 5th-century Christian Councils (see Council of Ephesus). The city was destroyed by the Goths in 263.
What is the first chapter of Ephesians about?
This section contains the thanksgiving and prayer for the receivers of this epistle, concerning their "faith in the Lord Jesus" and the love of all believers, followed by a hope in "the working of the great might of God".
What is the key verse in Ephesians chapter 1?
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
What is the purpose of the study of Ephesians?
Furthermore, a study in Ephesians will help to fortify and to establish the believer so he can fulfill the purpose and calling God has given. The aim of this epistle is to confirm and to equip a maturing church. It presents a balanced view of the body of Christ and its importance in God’s economy. Key Verses:
What does Paul say about theology in Ephesians?
In Ephesians, Paul argues that theology is practical. In order to live out God’s will for us in our lives practically, we must first understand who we are in Christ doctrinally. Return to: New Testament Survey. Summary of the Book of Ephesians.
What is the primary link to the Old Testament in Ephesians?
Connections: The primary link to the Old Testament in Ephesians is in the startling (to the Jews) concept of the church as the body of Christ ( Ephesians 5:32 ).
What does Ephesians 1:3 mean?
Ephesians 1:3: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.".
What is the purpose of Paul's writing?
Purpose of Writing: Paul, writing from a Roman prison, intended that all who long for Christlike maturity would receive this writing. Enclosed within the Book of Ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of God.
What do followers of Christ need to know?
First, as followers of Christ, we must fully understand who God declares us to be. We must also become grounded in the knowledge of God’s accomplishment for all humanity. Next, our present existence and walk must become exercised and strengthened.
What did the Israelites believe?
The Israelites who were true followers of God always believed they alone were God’s chosen people ( Deuteronomy 7:6 ). Accepting Gentiles on an equal status in this new paradigm was extremely difficult and caused many disputes among Jewish believers and Gentile converts.
What is the book of Ephesians about?
Book Summary. Ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of Christ. We are the body of Christ and Christ is our head. He has imputed His righteousness to His body, for now we have been bought with a price and therefore no longer our own but all things are God’s.
Why is the abundant life of Christ a life of righteousness?
Therefore the abundant life Christ gives us is a life of righteousness because He has given us His life – His life is a righteous life. This eternal life of righteousness is what Christ gives to all who ask – this is the life that God now has predestined us to grow into as we grow out from the grace that is in Christ.
Why are we predestined to be conformed to God?
We are predestined to be conformed into His image because He will finish the good work He has started , this good work is having a people living in the fullness of God, – the fullness of a relationship, the fullness of His holiness, His righteousness, His life.
What is the summary of the book of Ephesians?
This summary of the book of Ephesians provides information about the title, author (s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Ephesians.
Why did Paul write Ephesians?
Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand better the dimensions of God's eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church.
How long did Paul make Ephesus a center for evangelism?
Paul made Ephesus a center for evangelism for about three years (see note on Ac 19:10), and the church there apparently flourished for some time, but later needed the warning of Rev 2:1-7.
What does Paul say about God's blessings?
Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to God.
Why did the ascended Lord give gifts to the members of his church?
The ascended Lord gave "gifts" to the members of his church to enable them to minister to one another and so promote unity and maturity ( 4:1-16 ). The unity of the church under the headship of Christ foreshadows the uniting of "all things in heaven and on earth" under Christ ( 1:10 ).
When will the times have reached their fulfillment?
The climax of God's purpose, "when the times will have reached their fulfillment," is to bring all things in the universe together under Christ ( 1:10 ). It is crucially important that Christians realize this, so in 1:15-23 Paul prays for their understanding (a second prayer occurs in 3:14-21 ).
What is the book of Ephesians about?
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. 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 did Paul write the Ephesians?
Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon, as he sent all three letters by the hand of Tychicus, accompanied by Onesimus ( Ephesians 6:21 ; Colossians 4:7–9; Philemon 1:10–12 ).
Where did Paul go on his third missionary journey?
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 18:18–21; 19:1 –41 ). During his time in this city that housed the famous temple to the Greek goddess Artemis, Paul saw many converted to faith in Jesus Christ ...
