Introduction to the book of ephesians juli camarin february 24, 2015 introduction. Ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church. In his introduction to this wholly admirable and comprehensive commentary, hoehner enters a vigorous defense of paul as author of ephesians. View chuck swindoll s chart of ephesians, which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning.
One cannot step over the threshold of this letter into the book of ephesians without being inundated with thoughts of gods mercy and grace. It had a harbor that at that time opened into the cayster river see map, p. Introduction to colossians bible exposition commentary. This epistle purports to have been written to the saints in ephesus, and to the faithful in christ jesus, though, as we shall see, the fact of its having been directed to the church at ephesus has been called in question. Rather than focusing on the needs of one particular congregation, the letter to the ephesians presents an expansive theological perspective on the work of god in the universe and the central role of the church of jesus christ within that work. Grace is behind all of this lavishness that god pours out. Lexham press is the publisher of a more recent commentary series called evangelical exegetical commentary eec. Introduction, translation, and commentary on chapters. The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. The situation of ephesus, and the character of its people. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. An introduction to a verse by verse commentary on the book of ephesians by allan turner a study of the book of ephesians.
Ephesians bears much the same relation to colossians that romans does to galatians, a fuller treatment of the same general theme in a more detached and impersonal manner. I would have loved to have the entire ephesians text as translated by the author as part of the text. And they have been induced the rather to think this because it is the only one of all pauls epistles that has nothing in it peculiarly adapted to the state or case of. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and.
The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. 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. Hoehner harold hoehner has taught biblical exegesis to thousands of students over the years. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. The contents are much akin to those of colossians, but also differ greatly from them. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Critical students of the new testament are not in agreement concerning the epistle upon the study of which we now enter. Richison value of ephesians ephesians, more than any other book, presents the purpose and plan of god for the church this book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. He may not speak to you through every verse, but he will speak. Some think that this epistle to the ephesians was a circular letter sent to several churches, and that the. That can be a formidable task when writing a commentary on ephesians, but carson selected one of the best in peter t.
Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical. Samuel coleridge called it the most divine composition of man 2. This book sets forth one of the clearest presentations on the relation between positional truth and experiencing positional truth in ones life. The book of ephesians is almost certainly one of four epistles that. This is why letters such as the one to the ephesians are incredibly important.
The purpose is to assist the student in gaining a greater comprehension of the biblical teaching contained in. If you are leading this study on ephesians, i would encourage you to complete our guide for bible study. Following a structural analysis, the commentary takes the book section by section, drawing out its main themes, and also comments on individual verses and problems of interpretation. Some say that ephesians reads like a commentary on the pauline letters and probably it has been best termed the crown of paulinism. Of all forms of literature, letters are more personal.
So, together with a bible to look up crossreferences, you have everything you need for your journey of discovery in ephesians. Does include some short authors translation portions, but the text is not part of the book. The introduction to each book gives a concise but thorough treatment of its authorship, date, original setting, and purpose. Obrien does an excellent job of drawing from other scholars who previously written or commented on the book especially lincoln, bruce, and clinton arnold.
A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Ephesians overview matthew henrys complete commentary on. Paul probably wrote his letter to the ephesians while under house arrest in rome. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. These studies will guide you through this lifechanging book of the bible and give you practical application to help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with jesus, experience the victorious christian life, and. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. This web page contains lesson plans for a tenweek bible study.
In ephesians, paul shows how the good news should create ethnically. Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur. Introduction paul was one of a long list of godly men and women. David guzik commentary on ephesians 1 talks about the work of the triune god, the father, the son, and the. Ephesians encourages us to take a new perspective on our lives, one in which our work is an outgrowth of gods own work of creating the world and redeeming it from sin. Dec, 2008 ephesians is a profound book, and our own dr. Overview and outline of ephesians bible study deeper. He now brings that experience to bear on this important work.
I recommend this volume to anyone who is not familiar with the basic themes of this epistle. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same time. Although colossians is similar to ephesians, it is brief while the book of ephesians is much more articulate and extensive. The following steps will be helpful in getting the most from your ephesians bible study. Their difference is not concerning its right to a place in the sacred scriptures, nor concerning its authorship, but whether it was addressed by paul to the church at ephesus, or to some other church. And they have been induced the rather to think this because it is the only one of all pauls epistles that has nothing. The deeper christian bible study series on ephesians is an indepth versebyverse study of pauls letter to the ephesians. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians.
Ephesians introduction verse by verse bible commentary. Sproul has himself written a very helpful introductory level commentary on it titled the purpose of god. Les painter bible text by cynthia green this commentary has been through advanced checking. Introduction to ephesians by matthew henry blue letter bible. Introduction to the book of ephesians one cannot step over the threshold of this letter into the book of ephesians without being inundated with thoughts of gods mercy and grace. Study the bible online using commentary on ephesians introduction and more. It reads like an academic or devotional book and i highly recommend it. John eadie, a commentary on the greek text of the epistle of paul to the ephesians outline. Sprouls work, the following are five of the most helpful commentaries on the book of ephesians. This course is designed as an expository study of the epistle to the ephesians, taking the student through the entire epistle with cross references to other portions of scripture. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry. A critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians.
A verse by verse examination of gods eternal purpose in and through jesus christ. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the. Ephesians overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. In the seventh chapter of the third book of his testimonies, he speaks of the apostle paul writing to the ephesians and then proceeds to quote ephesians 4. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp.
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. Ephesians bible studies the gospel of john and the book. Read ephesians prayerfully, objectively, thoughtfully, and attentively as you listen for god to speak. Introduction to the book of ephesians faithlife sermons. It was famous for its trade, art, and science, but it was even more renowned for its temple of diana greek artemis, which was considered one of the seven wonders of the world. He centers his attention on the meaning of the words and their relationship to one another and on the grammar and structure of each sentence. The word grace is used 12 times, and the word grace means gods unmerited, undeserved kindness and favor. The elevated themes of ephesians make it highly praised and prized by commentators. He begins with a helpful introduction to the letter of ephesians in which he.
John eadie, commentary on the epistle to the ephesians, p. I asked and you voted, so welcome to the study of ephesians. John calvin called it his favorite book of the bible. There is nothing more interesting in the new testament than the letters of paul. Gospel glimpses, wholebible connections, theology, practice, and more. It was a center of learning and was near several key land routes. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. 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. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary.
Study ephesians using john darbys synopsis to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. John calvin called ephesians his favorite book of the bible. Read ephesians introduction commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. Introduction to ephesians bible commentary theology of.
In other words, god is unloading all of his riches in the book of ephesians. A salutation, and an account of saving blessings, as prepared in gods eternal election, as purchased by christs blood. Ephesians overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the bible. Ephesians, colossians and philemon written at the same time. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical and. Baugh, the wellknown and highly respected new testament scholar at westminster theological seminary. The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors. Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus. Book introduction the apostle paul had reminded his readers of the glory and promise of god, our need for his grace and provision, our new standing before godas 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, and greater. The truths of this book have impacted the lives of many saints. 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. 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. Ephesians has been called the queen of the epistles, the quintessence of paulinism, the divinest composition of man and even the waterloo of commentators.
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. Ephesians introduction commentary peoples new testament. Doctrinal, chapters 1 3 the heavenly callingof the church vocalization a. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry st. Introduction to the book of ephesians introduction. John knox asked that calvins sermons on ephesians be read to him on his deathbed. Ephesians is my favorite book in the bible, and this commentary has helped to solidify it in my mind.
I am so thankful that these letters, such as this letter to the ephesians, have been carefully preserved and passed down to us. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. In this message, alistair begg provides an overview of ephesians and encourages us to let its essential truths impact our lives so that we become what we are in christ. Some think that this epistle to the ephesians was a circular letter sent to several churches, and that the copy directed to the ephesians happened to be taken into the canon, and so it came to bear that particular inscription. 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. Public activity ceased in the cities of ionia for several hours at. We work in response to gods call to follow jesus in every aspect of our lives eph. The fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament. They give usan arsenal forremaining true to the pillars of our faith. Read ephesians introduction commentary using peoples new testament. 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. 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. Ephesians introduction critical students of the new testament are not in agreement concerning the epistle upon the study of which we now enter. This book is divided into 12 lessons, each of which contains the full niv text of the scripture passage, several study and discussion questions, and a versebyverse commentary.
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