Making time in a busy schedule to focus on god through his word is a vital part of the christian life. To help folk learn what the bible is all about, i wrote a book called briefing the bible in which i attempted to give a helpful outline of every book in the bible. Daily bible reading disciple for life smallgroup bible studies include a daily reading plan for each week. The bible, the old testament and new testament, is addressed to gods people. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. 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.
Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. The book of ephesians is charged with weighty doctrines that reveal the glory of the triune god. If youre unable to do anything else provided in your bible study book during a certain week, try to spend a few minutes in gods word. Picture study bible ephesians bible history online. 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. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus.
The end result is that the gospel spread from ephesus throughout asia minor ac 19. This helps explain pauls emphasis on the power of god over all heavenly authorities and on christs triumphant ascension as head over the church and over all. This epistle was not written to a specific church and could be themed the church, the fullness of christ. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from resources like the niv study bible, the nkjv macarthur study bible, and the abridged expositors bible commentary. 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. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. 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. That colossians is a genuine letter of paul is usually not disputed. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible society. The author describes himself as one who has personally heard of the readers 1. Perhaps more than any other book of the bible, the book of ephesians emphasizes the connection between sound doctrine and right practice in the christian life. Ephesus forms an appropriate background to the book of ephesians because of this citys fascination with magic and the occult acts 19.
To the saints who live in ephesus, the faithful in christ. 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. They should not regard themselves as secondclass citizens in gods kingdom in any regard. A study guide for the book of ephesians answers chapter one. To the saints in ephesus, a the faithful in christ jesus. Epistle to the ephesians read and study the bible online. Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. Ephesians background information fbc seguin students.
Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. For other books, devotionals and bible studies by anne graham lotz. Father, son, and spirit are seen in pauls epistle to the ephesians as operating from before the foundation of the world for the redemption of the church. Reference tools used eerdmans handbook to the bible new bible dictionary the zondervan encyclopedia of the bible 3.
Read the short background information for ephesians below. In the 19th century, however, some thought that the heresy refuted in ch. 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. 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. He also sent along the letter to the colossian church. Sixweek bible study book with group and personal components. 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. This is part 1 of a versebyverse bible study series in ephesians.
Ephesians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. The author claims to be paul in the body of the letter in 3. Several of the early church writers site the book of ephesians, for example irenaeus and clement of alexandria both state that paul was its author. The apostles design is to settle and establish the ephesians in the truth, and further to acquaint them with the mystery of the gospel, in order to it. 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. As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. Ignatius epistle to the ephesians, 12, which alludes to the frequent and affectionate mention made by paul of the christian state, privileges, and persons of the ephesians in his epistle. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh. Additional additional background information from the new bible dictionary, second edition, tyndale house publishers, wheaton, il, pages 336. Unlike a typical commentary, which interprets the meaning of each text, keeners book offers insights. Demolish the habits of lazy spirituality to live in the vibrant reality of your identity in christ. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. It analyzes the historicalcultural background of every passage of the new testament in clear, nontechnical language, making it especially useful for those without expertise in greek or ancient history.
A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Ephesians bible study the christian church in the world. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Blue letter bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the bible easy and rewarding. Intro to colossians biblica the international bible. It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger. Join us for this 31day free online bible study of ephesians and together we will learn how gods work empowers our walk. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers.
The central organizing theological idea in ephesians is that through christs atoning work god has mightily brought about the churcha new humanity, i. If you dont wish to do your study online at simply choose a chapter from the links below to start your ephesians bible study book of ephesians chapter one chapter one of ephesians tells us that we are spiritually blessed. 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 other major theme of this letter includes the riches of spiritual blessings for the believer. Feb 16, 2018 its time for another book study on fridays. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Paul wrote this letter we know as the book of ephesians to settle or establish the ephesians in the truth, and to acquaint them with the mystery of the gospel. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the. Pauls doctrine of the church shines in ephesians unlike any other epistle. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. David guzik study guide for ephesians 2 a new version of this page can be found here. In ephesians, paul argues that theology is practical.
But paul explains it all so beautifully in the book of ephesians. 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. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of authorship ascribe it to paul. Easyenglish questions 2800 word vocabulary on pauls letter to the ephesians. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham.
Individual study opportunities for ongoing spiritual growth. In this ephesians bible study we learn that paul tells of the great privilege of the ephesians. Ephesians 1 in the picture study bible, with maps and background information on ephesians 1 bible history online toggle navigation. It was written to encourage believers to walk as fruitful followers of christ and to serve in unity and love in the. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the.
Another theme which does justice to the content of the epistle and one that i suggest for this study is that offered by warren wiersbe. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. 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. 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. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. 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. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. As i was doing this, i found that ephesians and revelation were the two easiest books in the bible to outline. 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. To really jump ahead in your study of ephesians, complete our how to study a book of the bible.
For the next several fridays we will be going through this book one chapter at a time. This time ive selected the amazing book of ephesians. This audio sermon and transcript is entitled introduction and background, and is from the ministry of david legge, a christian preacher and bible teacher from belfast, northern ireland. Paul names himself as the author of the epistle to the ephesians ephesians 1. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Aug 23, 2012 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. 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.
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. Feb 07, 2015 originally submitted on 9314 for the bib203a interpreting the bible class taught by robert marquardt at colorado christian university, cags references. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to. Introduction to ephesians by matthew henry blue letter bible. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. The book of ephesians outline as shown below from the wycliffe bible commentary. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to whom the epistle is addressed. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives.
Keep a notebook handy with pencil to jot down questions, ideas and applications as you study ephesians. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. 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. New book study background to the book of ephesians. 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. Originally submitted on 9314 for the bib203a interpreting the bible class taught by robert marquardt at colorado christian university, cags references.
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. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our. The letter opens with a sequence of statements about gods blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to gods wisdom, forethought and purpose. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Here are all of the main inductive tools you need to complement the ephesians study or you to use to get the most out of your bible studies. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same time. Pray before beginning the days assignment, asking god to speak to you through his word. Book of ephesians outline free online bible study lessons. Ephesians in the picture study bible the book of ephesians. This webpage provides a book of ephesians outline as provided by the wycliffe bible commentary. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. Feel free to make copies of this for your personal use.
Far too many people ignore theology and instead want to only discuss things that are practical. 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. View chuck swindoll s chart of ephesians, which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. This helps explain pauls emphasis on the power of god over all heavenly authorities and on christs triumphant ascension as head over the church and over all things in this age and the next. Write out your answers for each step of the worksheets in sequence do not skip a step. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible.
In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. The letter abounds with statements in the first person d. Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master philemon, in the care of tychicus.
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