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The city of Ephesus was located on the eastern coast of Asia Minor (present day Turkey). It was nearly 200 miles due east from Athens across the Aegean Sea. This very large metropolis, located on the Cayster river, was the capital of the Roman province called Asia. It\u2019s primary claim to fame was the presence of the magnificent temple to the goddess Dianna (the Greek goddess Artemis). This temple was one of the ancient seven wonders of the world. Today, only half buried ruins occupy the site of this once great commercial city.<\/p>\n
According to Ephesians 1:1<\/strong> <\/span>and 3:1<\/strong><\/span>, this letter was written by the Apostle Paul. The genuine Pauline authorship is attested to by many of the early church fathers including, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Valentinus, Hippolytus, Polycarp, Tertullian, and Ignatius.<\/p>\n Toward the end of his second missionary trip, Paul visited Ephesus for a short while where he disputed with the Jews in the synagogue of the city (Acts 18:19-21<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span>. After Paul left Ephesus the work was carried on by Apollos (Acts 18:24-26<\/strong><\/span>) and Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:26<\/strong><\/span>). On his second visit to Ephesus, Paul remained there more than two years (Acts 19:10<\/strong><\/span>), in fact for three years according to Acts 20:31<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span> During this time, he preached the gospel with such success that it affected the entire city and province (Acts 19:17-20<\/strong><\/span>). The conversion rate of Ephesians was so significant that it stirred up the fears of the local silversmiths who profited from the worship of Diana. They raised such a commotion that Paul was forced to leave the city.<\/p>\n On his last journey to Jerusalem, he sailed by Ephesus and summoned the elders of the Ephesian Church to meet him at Miletus, where he delivered a stirring farewell address to the people he loved so (Acts 20:18-35<\/strong><\/span>).<\/p>\n This letter is believed to have been written by Paul after his arrest in Jerusalem during his subsequent imprisonment in Rome. The most likely date of writing is AD 62 or 63.<\/p>\n We know that this letter was written while Paul was a prisoner (Ephesians 6:20<\/strong><\/span>), and hence must have been written either at C\u00e6sarea or at Rome. Some scholars relegate it to the first place, but the general consensus is that it belongs to the group of letters which were sent from his Roman prison. This letter was written to the Ephesians most likely during the early part of his imprisonment at Rome immediately after the letter to the Colossians, to which it bears a close resemblance in many passages. Tychicus was the messenger to whom, on the same journey, were entrusted both this (Ephesians 6:21<\/strong><\/span>) and the letter to Colosse (Colossians 4:7<\/strong><\/span>).<\/p>\n Paul\u2019s reason for writing this letter is based on his foresight that false teachers would spring up in the church after his death. He was concerned that their false doctrines would draw away disciples after them and do great harm in the church. Therefore, the design of this letter was to establish the believers in the doctrines of the Gospel so they might not be carried away with the errors of the deceivers.<\/p>\n Paul puts great care into establishing the doctrines of grace, predestination, election, eternal security, redemption by Christ, and salvation by the free grace of God completely apart from works. He also deals with the nature and usefulness of the Gospel ministry, of gifts necessary for it, and of the several duties of religion incumbent on Christians. He speaks to the Ephesians as a \u201ctype\u201d or example of the Church universal. Hence, \u201cthe Church\u201d throughout the Epistle is spoken of in the singular, not in the plural.<\/p>\n Ephesians 1:1, 2<\/span><\/strong> —\u00a0 Introduction<\/p>\n Ephesians 1:3-14<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Blessings to God for His work of mercy in saving us.<\/p>\n Ephesians 1:15-23<\/span><\/strong> —\u00a0 A prayer that we might fully avail ourselves of the advantages of God\u2019s eternal mercy.<\/p>\n Ephesians 2:1-3<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 Our former unsaved state, dead in sin<\/p>\n Ephesians 2:4-7<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 Regeneration through God\u2019s mercy<\/p>\n Ephesians 2:8-10<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 Salvation by faith apart from works.<\/p>\n Ephesians 2:11-22<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 The reconciliation of both Jews and Gentiles<\/p>\n Ephesians 3:1-12<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 The revelation of the mystery that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs of God with the Jews.<\/p>\n Ephesians 3:13-21<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 Paul\u2019s prayer that we might grow to know God better.<\/p>\n Ephesians 4:1-16<\/span><\/strong> —\u00a0 An exhortation to keep the unity of the body of Christ.<\/p>\n Ephesians 4:17-24<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 A challenge to quit our former manner of life and to develop a new way of living in righteousness and holiness.<\/p>\n Ephesians 4:25-5:20<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 Specific actions & attitudes to cease, with a challenge to be kind, tender hearted, and forgiving, giving thanks to God.<\/p>\n Ephesians 5:21-33<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 The responsibilities of husbands and wives.<\/p>\n Ephesians 6:1-3<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 The responsibilities of parents and children<\/p>\n Ephesians 6:4-9<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 The responsibilities of masters and servants<\/p>\n Ephesians 6:10-20<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 Conducting Christian warfare.<\/p>\n Ephesians 6:21-24<\/strong><\/span> —\u00a0 Closing remarks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen Was This Letter Written?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
From Where Was This Letter Written?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Why Was This Letter Written?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Outline of Ephesians<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Section 1 \u2013 Doctrine<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Section 2 \u2013 Practical Application<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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