Introduction To The Epistle To The Ephesians
Overview
Paul's letter to the Ephesian Church is full of some of the most wonderful revelations about the believer's union with Christ found anywhere in scripture. Paul says that the truths he is presenting in this letter were mysteries, previously unknown (Eph. 3:3-6). For this reason, Paul includes two prayers (Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21) in this letter, asking the Lord to grant the readers wisdom.
In contrast to Paul's letter to the Romans which masterfully expounds the method of salvation (see INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ROMANS), this letter reveals the benefits of salvation by grace through faith. The letter to the Galatians was harsh (see INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS); this letter is uplifting. The two letters to the Corinthian church were personal, addressing specific problems and questions; this letter is impersonal, advancing doctrine in much the same way a book would do.
The impersonal nature of this letter might be explained if Paul intended this letter to be circulated among other churches. He clearly stated that this was to be done with the letter to the Colossians (Col. 4:16) and the letter to the Thessalonians (1 Th. 5:27). Therefore, there is some reason that this letter is nonspecific, with Ephesus being mentioned because it was the principal city from which Paul spent three years evangelizing. This could possibly make this letter the unknown letter to the Laodiceans mentioned in Colossians 4:16.
The letter to the Colossians and this letter are remarkably similar. Just a few of the many similarities are: Ephesians 1:1-2 and Colossians 1:1-2; Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14; Ephesians 1:9 and Colossians 1:26; Ephesians 1:10 and Colossians 1:20, 25; Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:22-6:4 and Colossians 3:18-21; and Ephesians 6:5-9 and Colossians 3:22-4:1.
The overall message of Ephesians and Colossians are basically the same with some differences. This provides Paul with a good reason to have the Colossians and Ephesians share their letters with each other. The same message with different emphases would help them understand the points even better. This would further strengthen the argument for this letter to the Ephesians being the same letter that Paul referred to in Colossians 4:16 as the letter to the Laodiceans.
The first three chapters of Ephesians deal with our position and calling in Christ. The last three chapters (4-6) are practical and speak of our life in this world which demands a conduct inspired by this new calling of grace. It has been said that on the practical side, the book of Ephesians is "the gospel walked out in shoe leather," for it talks of relationships between husbands and wives, masters and servants, parents and children, etc.
On the doctrinal side (Chapters 1-3), we find that everything has been done and is complete IN HIM. A true understanding of Christianity does not begin by DOING, but begins with what has been done. We are invited to sit down and enjoy all that God has done for us in Christ. We are to rest in Him. It's only from this revelation that true works of faith spring, otherwise practical Christianity can turn to the works of the law--a danger that Paul himself warns us about. (Eph. 2:15; Gal. 3:3).
Background
Paul briefly visited Ephesus on his second missionary journey as he purposed to go to Jerusalem (Acts 18:19-21). According to Acts 20:31, he remained in Ephesus three years during his third missionary journey. The book of Acts mentions several things which happened to Paul in Ephesus: (1) twelve disciples of John the Baptist were baptized in the Holy Spirit and with Christian water baptism (Acts 19:1-7); (2) Paul preached boldly in the synagogues and taught disciples in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:8-10); (3) many special miracles were done by God through the hands of Paul (Acts 19:11-12); (4) evil spirits spoke of knowing Paul (Acts 19:13-17); (5) many practicing magic repented and burned their books and charms (Acts 19:18-20); (6) Paul's message caused a riot to break out in Ephesus because the worship of the goddess Diana was being forsaken (Acts 19:21-41); and (7) Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders and encouraged them to guard, oversee, and feed the church as he visited them for the last time (Acts 20:17-38). Later, in John's letter to the seven churches of Asia, the Lord rebukes the pastor of the church in Ephesus for leaving his first love (Rev. 2:1-4).
Authorship
Ephesians was indisputably accepted in the history of the early church to have been penned by the Apostle Paul. Two times in this letter Paul claims to have been its author (Eph. 1:1; 3:1).
Recipients Of The Book Of Ephesians
Ephesus was a leading seaport city on the Aegean Sea. Ephesus was famous in the ancient world for its worship of the idol goddess Diana, the goddess of fertility. It was in this setting of Greek culture that Paul was able to build a strong Christ-honoring church. Some extra-biblical sources estimate that as many as 100,000 Christians may have been in the Ephesian church of which Timothy became the first bishop (2 Tim. 4:22). See note 3 at Acts 18:19, p. 683 for more background on the city of Ephesus.
Date And Place Of Writing
Paul states three times in this letter that he is a prisoner (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20). Most scholars believe that it was during his imprisonment in Rome that Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. For this reason, these letters are referred to as the “Prison Epistles.”
About The Author
Some facts about Paul’s persecution of the church, his conversion, and the intervening time until the beginning of his ministry have been dealt with in note 4 at Acts 7:58, p. 612; note 1 at Acts 9:1, p. 619; and note 1 at Acts 9:26, p. 625. Information about Paul’s life after the close of the book of Acts is included in note 1 at Acts 28:30, p. 737. Many notes about Paul’s exploits, character, and hardships are found throughout the book of Acts.
