The first chapter was about who god is and what he has done on our behalf. This whole chapter is a prayer, but between the first and second words of it, paul made a characteristic digression in which he gave further teaching on the mystery of redemption ephesians 3. The first three chapters focus on the ephesians need to become more aware of gods love. 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. If you recall from the historical background material, paul was in prison in rome. How does ephesians chapter 3 fit with the surrounding context. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. 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. Colossians is somewhat tense to be more specific and concrete, while ephesians is more general and abstract. Aug 23, 2012 date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf.
In the book of ephesians, we learn how the gospel creates a new multiethnic, covenant family of god, and affects our story and how we live every day as a body of new humanity unified in love. Originally submitted on 9314 for the bib203a interpreting the bible class taught by robert marquardt at colorado christian university, cags references. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. Your learning comes from reading and studying the bible. Study ephesians 3 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Paul, whose original name was saul, was of the tribe of benjamin and probably was named after israels first king and her most prominent benjamite. A study of pauls epistle to the ephesians developed by matt hennecke. Ephesians chapter 3 reveals to us the mystery that was kept secret since the beginning of time. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. For other books, devotionals and bible studies by anne graham lotz. Ephesians chapter 3 the primary reemphasis is on the great mystery now revealed by god that gentiles and jews are one in christ and that there is no longer any distinction. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the. The book was written to the saints of christ in colosse and was requested to be read to the. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible.
Since clement of rome cites ephesians, it must be dated earlier than ad 95. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. 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. It is possible that paul could have written the letter when he was imprisoned at caesarea 9 acts 24. Of the account which paul gives the ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by god to be the apostle of the gentiles. The revelation of the mystery is discussed in verses. As if that wasnt enough, we learn about the deepest riches of gods loving grace.
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. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Saul was well educated in what today are called the humanities, but his most extensive. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. After pauls release from his first roman imprisonment, he left timothy at ephesus i timothy 1. Since it is unlikely that pseudepigraphy was practiced among early christians 3 and the book is ascribed to pauland since the letter abounds with. Ephesians 3 new international version niv gods marvelous plan for the gentiles. The aim of this epistle is to confirm and to equip a maturing church. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to.
Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. 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. Read the short background information for ephesians below. The book of ephesians bible study and ministry resources. 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.
Christ should stand up in full functioning form in his body the church just as he did in his human body in his incarnation. 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. Ephesians 3 background information with maps and images. Ephesians 3 is the third chapter of the epistle to the ephesians in the new testament of the christian bible. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus.
The second chapter is about who we are as a result and how we come together as gods holy people. 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. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by. Audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Paul instructs the church that christianity is for all men, jews, gentiles, male female, bond, free, all are.
A letter to the church at ephesus is included inthebookofrevelationrevelation2. The epistle to the ephesians chapter four objectives in studying the chapter 1 to see the importance of walking in unity and purity 2 to appreciate the gifts christ has given the church for our edification, and the need for each one to do their share summary beginning with this chapter and proceeding through the rest of the epistle, paul. 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. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. A verse by verse inductive and exegetical bible study series into the book of ephesians. A study guide blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in christ. Background of the book of colossians 1 who is considered the author of the book and why. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. 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 body must be whole and complete, and thats why in ephesians 4 it says, till we all come to the fullness of the stature of christ. Ephesians chapters 1 3 wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. Ephesians 3 commentary the bible study new testament. 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. 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. 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. David guzik commentary on ephesians 3, where paul explains to the church the revealing of gods mystery and. Ephesians 2 ephesians 3 ephesians 4 read all of ephesians 3 the whole of chapter 3 is a parenthesis unfolding the mystery. Someone has spoken of pauls habit of going off at a word.
The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. The second chapter is about who we are as a result and how we come together. Read all of ephesians 3 the whole of chapter 3 is a parenthesis unfolding the mystery. Of the account which paul gives the ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by god to be the apostle. 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. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. New book study background to the book of ephesians. The mood of colossians is argumentative and controversial, that of ephesians clam and peaceful. 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. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. When we consider pauls personal history, we see that his calling really was all of grace. However, this was probably a circular letter, intended for other churches. Ephesians 3 commentary james burton coffman commentaries.
Feb 07, 2015 originally submitted on 9 3 14 for the bib203a interpreting the bible class taught by robert marquardt at colorado christian university, cags references. For this cause, i paul, the prisoner of christ jesus in behalf of. Translate, according to the greek order, i beseech you, therefore seeing that such is your calling of grace, the first. We may observe it to have been very much the practice of this apostle to intermix, with his instructions and counsels, intercessions and prayers to god for those to whom he wrote, as knowing that all his instructions and teachings would be useless. Of his devout and affectionate prayer to god for the ephesians. Blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in christ. While in ephesus, timothy received the epistles known to us as first timothy and second timothy. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. 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. 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. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ephesians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork.
The former is a letter of discussion and the latter is a letter of reflection. Chapter introduction context from ephesians 1 and 2 the apostle paul reminded his readers of the glory and promise of god, our need for his. Ephesians chapter 3 discover the 66 books of the bible. Reference tools used eerdmans handbook to the bible new bible dictionary the zondervan encyclopedia of the bible 3. 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. Ephesians chapter 3 free online bible study lessons. 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.
Whether pauls intended audience in this passage was jewish christians or gentile christians, or perhaps an integrated mixture of both, is difficult to discern because paul clearly begins the chapter by addressing the gentiles in the second person see ephesians 3. Paul identifies himself as a prisoner at the time of his writing ephesians 3. Now the two key verses in both of these sections are found at the start of each of the sections look at chapter 1 and verse 3, this is the key verse in the first doctrinal section of the book of ephesians. Ephesians 3 commentary william barclays daily study bible.