Authorship of the book of ephesians explained

A key theme of the letter is the mystery meaning a heretofore unrevealed truth. So we need to have a backdrop for this book of ephesians to understand all the truths that are held therein. Essay about letter to the ephesians 1186 words bartleby. Furthermore, a study in ephesians will help to fortify and to establish the believer so he can. The purpose and plan of ephesians preaching source. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. The style of hebrews, except in the closing verses. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey.

Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2. The clear external evidence pointing to paul as the author of ephesians places the burden of proof on contrary hypotheses. Most books attribute the authorship to that of the apostle paul. There are four commonly espoused views concerning authorship and dating of the epistle of james. The author of the book of ephesus was the apostle paul. Some critics think that the book reflects aspects of vocabulary, style, and doctrine that differ from pauls writings. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible. 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, the purpose of which is to be the instrument for making gods plan of salvation known throughout the universe eph 3. Sprouls work, the following are five of the most helpful commentaries on the book of ephesians. Some think that this epistle was written in response to an overzealous.

First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2. Ephesians introduction new testament matthew henry. Sproul has himself written a very helpful introductory level commentary on it titled the purpose of god. Peter includes father and children, ephesians does not who does ecs say is the most probable author of the book of revelation. Prior to writing his epistle to the ephesians in 6061 ad, paul had an established ministry in ephesus. Ephesians and colossians have a number of parallels.

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. Paul founded a church, and which for a time flourished gloriously, was not the ancient ephesus. Bible dictionary project book the book of ephesians is an epistle written by paul to the church in ephesus. A salutation, and an account of saving blessings, as prepared in gods eternal election, as purchased by christs blood. 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. Watch our overview video on the book of ephesians, which breaks down. While manuscripts vary on the destination, all agree that paul is the author. Summary of the book of ephesians story of the bible. The author names himself as john, but modern scholars consider it unlikely that the author of revelation also wrote the gospel of john. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. Thus placed on an equality with the prophets, the apostles are not the chosen twelve but, as indicated in the letters of st. 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. Ephesians does indeed demonstrate close similarity with pauls forms of expression and thought. Pauls most exalted writing is ephesians, according to robertson, and this writing reveals the dignity of the church, the body of christ, of which christ is the head.

Practical insights for everyday christian living provides a comprehensive biblical commentary from renowned bible teacher joyce meyer. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. The hypostasis of the archons, written sometime in the third century, cites the same verse and attributes the book of ephesians to paul. Ephesians also contains two of the most memorable passages in the new testament. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Paul, those who have seen christ and been commissioned by him. Christian scriptures final exam flashcards quizlet. The book of ephesians kjv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 49 duration. The book of ephesians is a letter written to the christians at ephesus. 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. The style is different because paul had time to think when writing ephesians while in prison. A roman postal route which included ephesus and the lycus river valley can be seen in revelation 23.

On the other hand, in the vatican, as well as in all other most valued manuscripts, the heading is the epistle of paul to the ephesians. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. Goodspeeds epochmaking book, the meaning of ephesians. Critics of pauline authorship point out subltle difference in emphasis or theological perspective as proof that the writer of galatians did not write ephesians, when a far more natural explanation is that the recipient and the subject matter are radically different. This letter is one of pauls four imprisonment letters. The pauline authorship of ephesians was never questioned until the last century. They are differences of emphasis, not substance and reflect logical trajectories in pauls thought e. Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. The ancient city was situated at the mouth of the river cayster, on the shore of the aegean sea, about 50 miles south of smyrna. Colossians was likely penned, as were ephesians, philippians, and philemon, during pauls first imprisonment at rome 1. The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus.

Ephesians places the burden of proof on contrary hypotheses. The author exhorts his readersparents and children, masters and. The book of ephesians is an epistle written by paul bartleby. The author of ephesians claims to be the apostle paul with. 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. Get this book on amazon using its exact isbn interview. The epistle to the ephesians is the most mystical of pauls epistles. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. While early lists of new testament books, including marcions canon and the. Biblical scholars are divided over the authorship of ephesians and colossians.

Nov 27, 2009 to deny pauline authorship of a book in the bible is to challenge its authority as scripture. The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. Public activity ceased in the cities of ionia for several hours at. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same time he wrote colossians and philemon, as he sent all.

Ephesians towers over pauls thirteen known epistles in its exaltation of the glory of god and his grace toward the church. The internal evidence presented by the book of hebrews itself indicates an author other than paul. The intention of the letter to ephesus is to help them understand gods purpose for their lives, unity of the church, and the spiritual realm of the christian life. 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. Outline of ephesians chapters 1 3 our position in christ what we are before god 1. Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. 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. It was written around 60ad during pauls house arrest in rome.

But this doesnt interfere with the quality of the commentary very often. To deny pauline authorship of a book in the bible is to challenge its authority as scripture. Paul uses the same words here power, strength and might. Further, the differences between ephesians and other nondisputed pauline letters do not involve contradictions on the most critical readings. Some liberal critics have attempted to raise doubts, yet the authorship of the book is solidly established both by the clear statement in the book itself and by the records of the early uninspired christian writers. Foster, there is little consensus as to the genre, structure, dating, and authorship of the book of james.

It was the power that god used to raise jesus from death. Ephesians introduction commentary peoples new testament. It is likely that the gospel was first brought to ephesus by priscilla and aquila. I dont think opponents to pauline authorship come close to putting ephesians with the apocryphal books, so i cant deny its pauline authorship. It takes the form of a letter aimed at addressing the christian congregation. The book of ephesians teaches you who you are in christ, how to live as his follower, and how to gain victory in the spiritual battles you face. 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. This is a lengthy commentary on ephesians over 900 pages, but well worth the purchase.

The early church was in almost universal agreement that this epistle was addressed to the. Commentary on the bible and the jerome biblical commentary recognize the. Hoehner also probably gives the most robust defense of pauline authorship of ephesians of any commentary over 100 pages. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. Paul wrote the letter, along with several other epistles, while incarcerated in a roman prison. The absence of a personal greeting is explained by the fact that ephesians was a cyclical letter that was to be sent to many churches in the area. The letter to the ephesian church is regarded as one of the masterworks of the nt, but it is also one of those books that the critics like to say wasnt authored by paul. 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. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Unlike other books like romans or 1 and 2 corinthians which are undisputedly pauline, it has been debated whether ephesians and colossians along with 2 thes.

These important questions are answered in the book of ephesians. Ephesus was a city of ionia, in asia minor, and once the metropolis of that part of the world. The purpose of this essay is to explore the book of ephesians by commenting on critical issues, such as date, authorship, and setting, major theological themes, the purpose of the letter, and to offer an outline of the book itself. Paul spent more time there than any other city about three years.

Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. Letter of paul to the ephesians work by saint paul britannica. Aug 21, 2012 external evidence for pauline authorship of ephesians i was recently visiting a church on a beautiful sunday morning when the pastor made an assertion in her sermon to which i felt i should respond. The early church was in almost universal agreement that this epistle was addressed to the church at ephesus, and every known manuscript, without exception, bears the title to the ephesians.

Lohfink argued the theology of the pastoral epistles agreed with pauls, but took this as proof someone wishing to enjoy the authority of an apostle copied the famous church. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. Ephesians says that husbands should also be submissive to their wives. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. External evidence for pauline authorship of ephesians. This instructional letter is packed with practical advice, all given in an encouraging tone. Ephesians and colossians were probably composed at the same time in rome. He was a jewish christian prophet, probably belonging to a group of such prophets, and was accepted by the. 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. Twice in this epistle paul referred to himself by name as the author of the book eph. The essence of goodspeeds theory is that toward the end of the first century pauls letters were collected, and ephesians was written by. For example, with the same epistles mentioned above, b. 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.

The name revelation comes from the first word of the book in koine greek. Also, there are many personal references common to philemon and colossians. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. Each chapter includes the scripture reference being taught along with commentary emphasizing the. Yet the pauline authorship of ephesians has been greatly disputed in recent years. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Finally, the usage is easily explained if ephesians is an encyclical. Robertson also notes the similarities to colossians, insisting that the two epistles are vitally related to the same problem and subject matter. Baughs comments are invariably measured, judicious, the product of informed and careful scholarship, lightly worn. The numerous parallels of vocabulary and matters discussed in ephesians and colossians link these epistles together. Ephesians is regarded by many as the loftiest pinnacle of the new testament, and yet is also a practical manual for personal combat.

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. Therefore, prior to carefully exegeting ephesians, it is important to gain an understanding of the epistles authorship, its recipients, its historical background, and its themes and central message. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings. It is regarded by some as the highest conceptual ground in the new testament. Prior to writing his epistle to the ephesians in 6061 ad, paul had an established. 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.

Karl barth on the authorship of ephesians and colossians. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor scholars have increasingly questioned pauls authorship and attributed the letter to an. The apostles and prophets, always mentioned together, in the epistle to the ephesians, play a like part, being the founders of the church ephesians 2. 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. I recommend this volume to anyone who is not familiar with the basic themes of this epistle. Objections to pauls authorship the first objections to pauls authorship of ephesians arose among scripture scholars in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century on the basis of internal evidence, that is, content that seemed inconsistent with pauls authorship. But in order to get the context of what were going to be looking into the weeks that lie ahead, lets look and read the whole of chapter 1 of the book of ephesians. Metzger, a textual commentary on the new testament, p. John eadie, commentary on the epistle to the ephesians, p.

Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. Its authorship, origin and purpose, published in 1951, in which he basically agreed with goodspeeds hypothesis. Ephesians ivp bible background commentary institute of biblical. There is no indication that the authorship of paul should be in. 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. She stated that paul did not write the book of ephesians. Ephesians commentary the book of ephesians introduction 1. Two significant prayers of paul are found in this book eph 1. 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. And i pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all. Letter of paul to the ephesians, new testament writing once thought to have been. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. It is highly possible that ephesians was written primarily to expagan christians who had made their way out of a pagan past but needed to be taught why and how in that order to live for christ and to the jewish christians there in ephesus to explain to them the mystery 1.

Critics have used this evidence to ascribe authorship to someone paul had influenced, but it is more likely that these marks of pauline thought and writing style confirm that he himself wrote the book. Answering bible contradictions, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus.