Additionally, ephesians is regularly included among the other pauline letters labeled as his prison epistles. The book of ephesians grace given and grace applied an introduction and outline authorship. The church has long accepted that paul was the author of the letter to the ephesians. A more extensive outline after this one helps understand how the many parts form the whole. Both jew and gentile spiritually dead by nature, 2. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. Gods grace through worship, bible study, book reading, and other faith practices. Lest we become the spiritual equivalent of hetty green, we begin a series devoted to the epistle. One expressed purpose of the book is that we might know what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints cf. The book of ephesians purpose and outlines shows why paul wrote this epistle and how he developed his messsage. Here is a short and succinct outline of the book of ephesians.
In this first study, we do a big picture overview of the book of ephesians and give a simple outline of its contents. These expository bible studies on the book of ephesians cover a letter that is regarded by many as a summary of the apostle pauls writings dealing with his most important teachings. Pound for pound ephesians may well be the most influential document ever written, says one author. A brief outline enables us to understand the whole book. The general theology of ephesians is direct, unambiguous, and presents no ideas or interpretations whose meanings are seriously contended. Outline the book, identifying major and minor divisions introduction, 1. Doctrinal, chapters 1 3 the heavenly calling of the church. The argument against ephesians authenticity, however, rests exclusively on. Broken down in a way to gleam the main topics and themes of this book. Life without god is intellectually frustrating, useless and meaningless see ecclesiastes 1. The epistle to the ephesians introduction author the apostle paul 1. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians.
Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same time he wrote colossians and philemon, as he sent all three letters by the hand. Three major questions that relate to the study of the book ephesians in the bible are. 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. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Ephesians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. A salutation, and an account of saving blessings, as prepared in gods eternal election, as purchased by christs blood. Greetings 1, 2 spiritual blessings 37 gathering all things in the christ 814 an administration at the appointed times 10 sealed with the spirit as a token in advance, 14 paul thanks god for the ephesians faith and prays for them 1523 2. Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. One thing is certain ephesus was a city in darkness blinded by idolatry and material wealth.
These bring unity, maturity, and defense against the devil and his allies 4. Bible study questions on ephesians and philippians introduction. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. Paul uses the same words here power, strength and might. Ephesians about these expository bible studies on ephesians. The end result is that the gospel spread from ephesus throughout asia minor ac 19. Sermon outlines on ephesians alliterated, expository sermon. And i pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all. For a series of condensed or simplified outlines repeated in expanding detail, the reader is directed to the authors brief outline of ephesians.
If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. 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. As the pastor develops these outlines through further research and personal. While these fully developed outlines are designed to be used in series preaching, most can be adapted for standalone sermons. Paul then moves to the principle of submission to one another eph 5. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf.
A disturbance created by some of the local idol makers finally forced. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Ephesians, expository sermons from the executable outlines series by mark a. It was the power that god used to raise jesus from death. In our study of ephesians, weve come to one of the two great prayers in this book. While this book begins, paul, an apostle of christ jesus through the will of god, to the saints who are at ephesus, and the faithful in christ jesus 1. Sermon outlines on the book of ephesians beacon sermon.
There are, however, some texts that require careful thought to rightly interpret, namely. After attempting to fathom the pauline thought of ephesians through a careful consideration of the epistle itself, as well as through the various interpretations of leading new testament scholars, one finds it quite easy to agree with john mackays suggestion that this letter is the most contemporary book in the bible. Scholars typically hold to the assertion that the book of ephesians was written by paul during his imprisonment in rome around the year a. Book of ephesians outline free online bible study lessons. Wed probably listen to johnny cash read the phone book, but its way more fun to hear him read the bible instead. Ephesus was located in asia minor where the cayster river emptied into the aegean sea. 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. Bartsch, chain, he might boldly speak the mystery of the good news about jesus eph. 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. Ephesians zondervan exegetical commentary on the new. These two great prayers of the apostle paul are like two big fingers pointing out two big problems we have today. The book of ephesians grace given and grace applied an.
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. Doctrinal, chapters 1 3 the heavenly calling of the church vocalization. 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. The book of ephesians grace given and grace applied. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Ephesians is one of the most succinct, powerful, lifeshaping books in the bible. Saved by grace the classic hymn is inspired by ephesians 2. So often we can identify with the ethiopian eunuch who had trouble understanding the prophet isaiah acts 8. Study guide for the book of ephesians by coleman and peace. The purpose and plan of ephesians preaching source.
Tom constables expository notes on ephesians this is also available in the net. The argument against ephesians authenticity, however, rests exclusively on internal evidence, for as even kummel admits, without question ephesians was extraordinarily well attested in the early church. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. Miles oneill welcome to the letter written to the church of ephesus. The natural tendency of human beings is to think their way away from god leaving them hopeless and confused. An introduction to the book of ephesians an argument of the book of ephesians selected bibliography on the book of ephesians. A general account of the blessings that the gospel reveals.
Im hungry for more id love to read him on any other nt book as well. On the hunt professor john dominic crossan talks about his book in search of paul on fresh air. The book of ephesians outline as shown below from the wycliffe bible commentary. There has been some debate about whether this book was written to the ephesians or was a circular letter to various churches, because not all manuscripts include the words in ephesus. The book of ephesians uses love more than any other book in the new testament except for 1 corinthians and 1 john. An outline of ephesians intended to enhance and assist your study of gods holy word his letter to you. The book provides historical depth wherever it is needed to illuminate the text of ephesians. Every sermon outline is directed to the needs of todays congregantsto challenge, inspire, and motivate to service for christ and his kingdom. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. Call gods people to live in light of our heavenly calling in christ.
Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings. Copeland hundreds of free sermon outlines and bible study materials available for online browsing and downloading. Ephesians overview albert barnes notes on the whole bible. The author except for the pastorals, ephesians has the worst credentials for authenticity, in critical circles, among all of pauls epistles.