Gods teaching for us in this letter will give us the doctrine we need to build our. The traditional idea, that god deals in one manner with the gentile christians and in another with the jewish christians, and that the races are identifiable in christ, has created havoc in the. This is a story about a man named eli, whos been sent a message, who hears voices from god that told him to take this book, the bible, across the country and to deliver it out west, washington says in a movie trailer posted on, which provides movie clips for churches and ministries to use in their teachings. 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. First, our text introduces the central theme of ephesians. If the words of demetrius are to be believed, she was worshipped by all asia and the world acts 19. A study in the book of ephesians fresh life series heitzig, lenya on. 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. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to god. Ephesians presents many significant themes which bring major contributions of thought.
Preface to the epistle of paul the apostle to the ephesians. A few weeks ago, i started a wednesday night series on the book of ephesians. Generation word bible teaching ministry enjoy fast paced verse by verse teaching of scripture with exegetical insight, historical information and relevant. Ephesians sets forth what no other book of the new testament describes so completely the nature of the body of christ, which is the true church. All 66 books of the bible in easy, onesentence summaries. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. The whole bible is a splendid book and its my prayer that youll. In this lesson, we will commence our study of the book of ephesians. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. To teach the christians at ephesus the wonder and practical implications of being the church in christ.
Purpose, background and structure posted on may 12, 2014 by matt dabbs 1 comment a few weeks ago, i started a wednesday night series on the book of ephesians. Each paragraph calls us to renewed thinking that leads to faithful godly lives. Into this world steps machetewielding road warrior eli a man on a. 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. The themes of ephesians theology lectures in 200 words. However, no matter what the arguments for ephesians not being penned by ap, it continually comes back to one main conclusion supported by a sub conclusion as to why the book was indeed penned by apthe main point being to anyone making the arguments that. The call of christ is a call to action, and ephesians lays out gods desire for your spiritual walk like no other book of the bible. Style and genre in ephesians q m t qdonovan the authorship of ephesians is an increasingly open question in current discussion. The entire book is divided into three sections with each section. 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. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. We therefore welcome all the more warmly the following contribution to the debate which is based on a paper given to the tsf group in oxford. The book of ephesians is a masterpiece of revelation that bridges the principles of grace and obedience into one solid irremovable form.
It is hard to overestimate the importance of the book of ephesians on this history of christs people. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. Life on doctrine a study in the book of ephesians power. The theme of the book of ephesians is found at chapter 1. The book of colossians is an important look into the mystery of christ which was hidden for generations and now disclosed to the saints col. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to. A general account of the blessings that the gospel reveals. An introduction to the book of ephesians related media. The book of eli has an incredible biblical message, which tells the story of. The fundamental principles of grace and mans responsibility to abide by gods laws are thoroughly revealed in the old testament. Bible biblestudytools video what is the purpose of the book of ephesians. Ephesus was a city of ionia, in asia minor, and once the metropolis of that part of the world. Paul founded a church, and which for a time flourished gloriously, was not the ancient ephesus. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon.
Therefore be imitators of god, as beloved children. 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. Essay rome, the most important city apostle paul ap bible dictionary wbd expounds in more details of the origins of those theories. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. The few survivors have clumped together into ramshackle settlements that are beginning to crumble from within. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. The theme of the book of ephesians is the church glorified. I chose to teach ephesians because i think christians today need some help with two things.
May 12, 2017 the main theme of ephesians is the church, which is the body of christ. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. 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. The overarching themes of ephesians are summarized nicely by bible. This includes the source of these blessings, the means by which they are attained, the reason why they are given, and their final result. So i went out with my bf last friday to watch book of eli. The old priest, eli, somehow failed to discipline his priestly sons and they. Overview of the book of ephesians reformed answers to bible. See why 1 corinthians is highly applicable for christians today. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 2. A study in the book of ephesians fresh life series.
The main theme of ephesians is the church, which is the body of christ. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Eli, the father of hophni and phinehas, is a prime and. 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. The book of ephesians is almost certainly one of four epistles that. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Focused in purpose, he puts on the armor of god ephesians. What the hell was the theme of the movie book of eli. The book of ephesians week six workbook eeonline biblestudy. Mar 22, 2020 eli goes through ephesians showing how spiritual warfare is a main theme throughout the book. It often takes several readings which is also a good thing to do to craft an outline of the book, titling the main sections with something that makes sense to you.
Eli goes through ephesians showing how spiritual warfare is a main theme throughout the book. 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. The book of eli has an incredible biblical message, which tells the story of elis unwavering faith as he honors god with his life and follows gods will no matter how hard the journey may be. Bible teaching online in audio, video, notes from the pauls epistle to the ephesians by galyn wiemers of generation word. Theme verse of ephesians therefore i, the prisoner of the lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. It was either that or legion ironically both have something to do with religion lol.
I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Ephesians overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in houston. And about the ninth hour jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, eli, eli, lama sabachthani. At grace church of mentor, you will primarily hear expositional preaching of a whole book in its parts and not many topical series. So after laying out profound theological truths in the first half of the book, paul made his purpose clear. The book of eli casts bible as a major theme baptist standard. Since it is unlikely that pseudepigraphy was practiced among early christians 3 and the book is ascribed to pauland since the letter abounds with terminology grace, adoption, holy, theology justification by faith and the place of the law, and style similar to other pauline letters say rom, 1 cor, 2 cor, gal, coupled with the fact. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Samuel taylor coleridge, the hymnwriter, wrote these words about the book of ephesians he said. Aug 04, 20 the call of christ is a call to action, and ephesians lays out gods desire for your spiritual walk like no other book of the bible.
After decades of teaching the book of ephesians, hoehners commentary is his. The traditional idea, that god deals in one manner with the gentile christians and in another with the jewish christians, and that the races are identifiable in christ, has created havoc in the interpretation of the scripturesparticularly the writings. It shows his supremacy over all things, explaining what our godly response should be. The church has been brought from death to life in christ. Once you know the main purpose of the book, it is extremely helpful to outline the book. The book of ephesians for the leavenworth church of christ pauls purpose. Verse by verse teaching through the book of ephesians. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in. Christ has reconciled the whole of creation to himself and to god the father. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to the strongs concordance numbers. The bible plays a starring role in the book of eli, a postapocalyptic action film starring denzel washington that opens in theaters jan. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. One thing is certain ephesus was a city in darkness blinded by idolatry and material wealth.
It is clear from the bible account that these mens lives were in danger. Some bible scholars call it the alps of new testament, the grand canyon of scripture, and the royal capstone because of its grand theme and the revelation about jesus. Ephesians 16 nkjv greeting paul, an apostle of jesus. The church has received wondrous blessings in union with christ. Ephesians pastor david legge 4 grace be to you, and peace, from god our father, and from the lord jesus christ. A grand epistle like ephesians almost defies coming up with one main theme. The book of eli is a 2010 american postapocalyptic neowestern action film directed by the hughes brothers, written by gary whitta, and starring denzel washington, gary oldman, mila kunis, ray stevenson, and jennifer beals. Marauding gangs haunt the ashen wastelands of america, preying on innocent passersby. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. The books of reference used for this study of the book of ephesians were the bible, king james version, called the companion bible, publisher kregel.
Includes jews which is what wed expect but also gentiles. Pauls purpose in ephesians is to promote a unified, growing, healthy church that fulfills gods purposes of being his vehicle for reconciliation in the world, and for growing in maturity and. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. 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. We see elis faith remain steadfast as he faces many trials and tribulations, including. 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. Mar 04, 2015 matthew jensencentral thememjs central theme. The book of ephesians the book of ephesians seems to encompass everything that the christian is, what he will experience, and how he is to overcome against the ancient foe, the devil. Book of ephesians ephesians chapter 1 ephesians chapter 2 ephesians chapter 3 ephesians chapter 4 ephesians chapter 5 ephesians chapter 6. The book covers a period of 115 years from the birth of samuel through the turbulent times of saul to the beginning of david, the king who god chose.
As we stand in the midst of the birth of jacobs well, i can think of no better place to build our lives together than in the book of ephesians. Enjoy the book of ephesians and start living in the heavenly places. Another major theme in ephesians is the keeping of christs body that is, the church pure and holy. March 4, 2015 july 29, 2015 kiwiandrew new testament chirstian living. Ephesians verse by verse teaching in the book of ephesians. This book begins the 500 year period of the kings of israel approximately between 1050 and 586bc. Harold hoehner begins his massive volume on ephesians with a long account of the thoughts and comments about the importance of ephesians to leaders throughout history.
As a result, pauls travel companions, gaius and aristarchus of macedonia, were dragged into the theater. An outline of ephesians intended to enhance and assist your study of gods holy word his letter to you. The concept that the elect jews and gentiles compose the one family of god, the one holy nation, is a central theme of the book of ephesians. With its exalted view of the church in gods plan of redemption. Understanding the structure of the new testament books of the bible. Like elis sons, children grow up to disrespect god if their parents.
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