|
|||||||||||
|
Author |
Paul the Apostle |
||||||||||
|
Date |
Between A.D. 60 and 61 |
||||||||||
|
Title |
Named after the addressee of this letter: the church at Ephesus. However, this letter to the Ephesians was passed along to other congregations as well. |
||||||||||
|
Background |
Jewish converts in the early churches were separating themselves and excluding their Gentile brethren. Paul uses this occasion to stress the unity of believers. Ephesians is one of the 4 "Prison Epistles" (with Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon). It is written during Paul's two?year imprisonment in Rome; he sends the letter to Asia by his friend Tychicus. Paul has visited Ephesus before, and on his third missionary journey, he stayed there about 3 years preaching Christ. It is during this time Paul develops a special concern for the people, as revealed in his letter. |
||||||||||
|
Where |
From a Roman prison |
||||||||||
|
To Whom |
To the Christians at Ephesus |
||||||||||
|
Content |
Ephesians does not address specific problems, Instead, it is written to encourage the Body of Christ to maturity. Paul presents an overview of the plan and purposes of God from the beginning of time. The privileges and unity, which Christ gives believers, prepare them for daily spiritual warfare. Practical guidance is given for relationships between husbands & wives, parents & children, and masters & slaves. Paul shares that for a Christian to be successful, he must first understand his position in Christ and put on the full armor of God. |
||||||||||
|
Themes |
|
||||||||||
|
Key |
"Riches"; "One." All believers in Christ are heirs of the "riches" of Christ and of His grace and glory. Ephesians seeks to unify the Body by emphasizing that there is "one" Lord, "one" faith, and "one" baptism. |
||||||||||
|
Outline |
|
||||||||||
|
More |
|||||||||||
