Theological themes in the book of ephesians 6

Ephesians central theme is the unity of all things in christ, which was a. In the modern era, however, questions have been raised about whether paul actually wrote this epistle. A guide to key events, characters, and themes of the bible. It had a harbor that at that time opened into the cayster river see map, p. A third and less prominent theme of the epistle is that of fellowship. Noted new testament scholar frank thielman offers a substantive yet accessible commentary on ephesians in this latest addition to the awardwinning becnt series. A key theme of the letter is the mystery meaning a heretofore unrevealed truth, of the church, which is that the gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. Gods general purpose for the church and the believers. Book summary the words joy and mind are the words which summarize this book.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of god not by works, so that no one can boast. David guzik study guide for ephesians 6 blue letter bible. The current theological opinion that ephesians is nonpauline and well on the way leading to early catholicism friihkatholizismus 42 kasemann, interpretationsproblem, p. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the same. People of all nations are united to christ and to one.

Campbell divides the book into logical sections and highlights the key themes and focal points of each passage, concluding each section. Most bible surveys and handbooks simplify the message of ephesians as exhortations to the body of christ, the church. Cm382 preaching ephesians 6 hour course in preaching ephesians cm382, dr. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. One other major theme arises from the content of the ephesians correspondence that i feel compelled to address. But the view that jesus, the dynamic leader of the jerusalem church, should dispatch such a heterogeneous compilation of sermonic materials as his official message to his. Here, in a 12week format, are carefully wrought studies that will ignite the mind and the heart.

The book of ephesians survey introduces a list of themes and describes six of them. A guide to key events, characters and themes of the bible. Carver described the book of ephesians as the greatest piece of. Another theme which does justice to the content of the epistle and one that i. In this weeks lesson we will look at this word finally.

If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. Gods glory, the mystery, unity of the body, redemption, calling of the. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. Contrasted to that are the 40 commands paul gives them in chapters 4 6 thanks to dr. Themes and language common to other pauline letters abound in ephesians. Central to an understanding of pauls theology as it is expressed in. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Destination determining the precise destination for the ephesian letter. The book of ephesians is a survival manualit equips believers to thrive in a world that hates the message of jesus christ.

Gospel glimpses, wholebible connections, theology, practice, and more. He has imputed his righteousness to his body, for now we have been bought with a price and therefore no longer our own but all things are gods. Pauls letter to the ephesians is different compared to many of the other new testament letters he wrote. Paul probably wrote his letter to the ephesians while under house arrest in rome. On at least three occasions chapter 1, chapter 3, and chapter 6, paul either prays for the church or pleas for the church to pray for him.

Recent studies of ephesians have insisted that the traditional division between theology and ethics is artificial, especially the imposition of a kerygma chapters and didache chapters 46 polarity upon the literary structure. More than any other new testament letter, the doctrinal and hortatory. Accessible to anyone seeking to learn more from the new testament, units examine the biblical text in its original environment, with an emphasis on practical messages and episodes of great theological depth. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. The church as the fellowship of believers is the sphere in which christs reconciling work has been experienced and through which it will be extended. There is a distinctive emphasis in ephesians on christs exaltation above the heavens, his coronation at the right hand of god, and his subsequent cosmic lordship ephesians 1. Kittel gehard kittel, theological dictionary of the new testament, eerdmans, 19641974. Constantine campbell teaches how to interpret and preach the concepts communicated by paul to the church in ephesus.

The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Pauls words are therefore a comfort when masters order slaves to do good work. In ephesians, paul argues that theology is practical. Ephesians, then, is similar to romans and, at the same time, dissimilar. The peculiarities of ephesians and the ephesian address. Ephesians 1 6 new king james version nkjv greeting. 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. In this epistle, as is true of several of pauls other epistles, there is a fairly well defined doctrinal or theological portion of the epistle followed by a practical or applied section. Introduction to ephesians bible commentary theology of. 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. Mar 14, 2018 every book of the bible has a theme and a purpose, and that is true of the book of james as well. The epistle of ephesians but it is full of wisdom and things to be learned from it. And fellow partakers of the promise in christ jesus through the gospel 3.

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 equipping of gods people to do what god has appointed them. The spiritfilled life and two other special areas of submission. The bible is filled with countless stories that inspire and challenge. Historical and theological themes the first 3 chapters are theological, emphasizing nt doctrine, whereas the last 3 chapters are practical and focus on christian behavior.

Ephesians provides a unique insight into pauls theology. The cosmological nature of the church being the central emphasis of the theological section of the letter chap. Like the letter to the romans, ephesians provides a unique insight into pauls theology, for it was written when paul had the luxury of not addressing a critical, local controversy. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. Key verses and themes in galatians, ephesians, and.

The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Ephesians, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of. Learn theological themes with free interactive flashcards. Far too many people ignore theology and instead want to only discuss things that are practical. Paul is clearly indicating the necessity for the believer to be spiritually fit as the battle in which they are engaged is not for the faint at heart or. This book has been called the crowning jewel, or capstone, of pauls theology. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. Jesus is our joy and this joy is grained more and more into our lives as our minds our renewed into his image day by day. Key verses and themes in acts bible commentary theology. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. This makes obriens commentary an especially useful tool both for pastors who are concerned to delve into the important theological and pastoral themes raised in ephesians, as well as for theologians who are looking for a commentary that is more sympathetic to evangelical perspectives.

Ephesians is so broad, so sweeping in its content, that recognizing the underlying theme is easily missed. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the. It was a center of learning and was near several key land routes. Colossians was likely penned, as were ephesians, philippians, and philemon, during pauls first imprisonment at rome 1. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, it is not right that we should neglect the word of god in. Choose from 29 different sets of theological themes flashcards on quizlet. The passages listed below include some of the most familiar stories and passages from the old and new testaments. While this is certainly a major theme in pauls book, it seems to ignore what i would argue is the major underlying purpose of ephesians which is our position in christ and the life that flows from it. Perhaps, above all, this is a letter of encouragement and admonition, written to remind believers of their immeasurable blessings in jesus christ.

Render service with enthusiasm, as to the lord and not to men and women, knowing that whatever good we do. Apr 01, 2016 will wood develops a biblical theology of clothing, drawing a thread pun somewhat intended through the old testament to pauls discussion of the armor of god in ephesians 6. Now we get to live a life worthy of the calling we have received ephesians 4. The general consensus is that these epistles were written during pauls imprisonment at rome cf. It may be more challenging to discern the structure and theological message of 1 corinthians than any other new testament book. Ephesians 16 nkjv greeting paul, an apostle of jesus. People of all nations are united to christ and to one another in the church, through the working of the trinity. Heart of pauls theology of ephesians essay 1976 words. A truth completely hidden from the old testament saints compare 3. In 12 bible messages pastor art explores pauls letter to the ephesians and brings out key messages that emphasize that as. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. Ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. One thing that can be learned from this book is unity and peace. Paul the apostle writes to encourage believers to live wellweve been lifted from the graveyard of sin and called to shout the gospel into the darkened world.

The numerous parallels of vocabulary and matters discussed in ephesians and colossians link these epistles together. 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. Gods glory, the mystery, unity of the body, redemption, calling of the church, the heavenlies. A grand epistle like ephesians almost defies coming. Dominant themes of the epistle to the philippians word. Best commentaries and books on ephesians logos bible software. The theme and structure of philippians 235 eadie suggests, the transitions depend upon no logical train as the thoughts occurred they were dictated. There are 41 commands in ephesians, 1 of which is found in chapters. With extensive research and thoughtful chapterbychapter exegesis, this beautifully written commentary leads readers through all aspects of the book of ephes. With extensive research and thoughtful chapterbychapter exegesis, this lucidly written commentary leads readers through all aspects of the book of ephesianssociological, historical, and theological to help us better understand. Koinonia, according to thayer, includes the following shades of meaning. A study of ephesians will help to fortify and to establish the believer so one can fulfill the purpose and calling god has given. Ephesians is one of pauls four prison epistles eph 3.

Pauline authorship of ephesians does not appear to have been doubted in the early church. And we can never know what suggested to the apostle the order of his topics. As god used romans to instigate the reformation, he will use ephesians to reunite splintered churches and christendom. Praise be to the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in christ. At the beginning of ezra we see cyrus the king of persia permitting the jewish captives to return to there nation a man named by his name in the prophecy of isaiah 200 years before. Every book of the bible has a theme and a purpose, and that is true of the book of james as well. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. Paul had called these christians to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called 4. The book loosely follows the literary framework of ephesians, but it traces the theological themes and provides application of how the story in ephesians challenges believers today. The unifying theme of the epistle of james 223 the suggestion that the contents of this book originally had a sermonic origin is very probable. Themes in the book of ephesians christ has reconciled the whole of creation to himself and to god the father. So after laying out profound theological truths in the first half of the book, paul. What stands out about ephesians is the awe with which it contemplates the mystery of the church.

These are two common themes in the book that can be seen in every chapter. And this is what we have in the crossway bible study series knowing the bibleas the skilled authors and notable editors provide the contours of each book of the bible as well as the grand theological themes that bind them together as one book. Paul intended all those that long for christ to receive this writing. One of the reasons for the influence of ephesians is its rather remarkable balancing of theology and ethics. It is listed among pauls letters in the early manuscripts and cited as such by early christian authors such as irenaeus against heresies 5. The central organizing theological idea in ephesians is that through christs atoning work god has mightily brought about the churcha new humanity, i. Students can use gombiss work along with exegetical commentaries as a helpful synthesis of the book. The character and themes of pauls letter to the ephesians. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. Enclosed in the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into. The word fellowship in the kjv is so rendered from the greek koinonia.

Most important theological themes of the book of kings. The main theme of james is that of faith and actions, but there are also other themes and key topics addressed in this book. There are also differences depending on which translation is read. Themes in the book of james scripture confident living. Another major theme in ephesians is the keeping of christs body that is, the church pure. It is similar most of all to colossians, with which it shares common themes, structures, and even sentences eph. Ephesians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. Start a free trial of quizlet plus by thanksgiving. The finished work of redemption in christ is indeed the most glorious work of god. A theological commentary on the bible allen verhey, joseph s. Noted new testament scholar frank thielman offers a substantive technical commentary entitled ephesians in the latest addition to the awardwinning becnt series. 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. Long recognized as significant theological document and one from which the. The theme and structure of philippians gordon college.

Like romans, ephesians was not written so much to address problems in a particular church. The picture of an individual such as this fits quite well with the extended metaphor in ephesians 6. Paul develops his strong and wellarticulated spiritual philosophy and theology, which he presents in this letter to the people of ephesus. The book of ephesians is one of pauls writings, or at least attributed to paul.

The course includes passagebypassage lessons through the entire book of ephesians. I recently surveyed about two hundred commentaries and articles on 1 corinthians, and relatively few of them agree on either the letters precise structure or its theological message. In the period leading up to the american civil war 186165, ephesians 6. Maintain the unity practically which christ has effected positionally by his death. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Overview and outline of ephesians bible study deeper. Also, there are many personal references common to philemon and colossians. Both books have similar and exact words and phrases. The first three theological chapters are perhaps the most profound writing of the apostle on the theme of salvation.

Over onethird of the words in colossians are in ephesians. The letter itself is generally divided into two parts. Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. All of the great themes of paul started in galatians, developed in romans, and are now expressed in ephesians in a wonderful summary fashion. On average, then, a prayer is recorded every two chapters.