Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Historical background of Ephesians
Essay on Ephesians
Who is paul writing to in the book of ephesians
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Historical background of Ephesians
Context
The letter of Ephesians is the tenth book in the New Testament, its authorship is attributed to Paul after his conversion from a persecutor of Christians to apostle. The legitimacy of his authorship is still debated by scholars. Harold Hoehner in his book “Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary,” lists a number of reasons why many scholars reject Paul as the author. But, for the purposes of this exegetical Paul is considered the author of the letter.
It is estimated that the letter was written in A.D 60-61 (Arnold, 3). It is thought that it was also meant for many other churches located in that area. Accordingly, during this time Paul was a prisoner in Rome for two years. (Hoehner, 92).
Paul wrote the letter to the church in Ephesus which was located in Western Asia Minor. It was an important city in the Roman Empire because it represented a multi-ethnic commercial region, and it was largely populated. Ephesus was also filled with many pagans customs like the cult to Artemis, gods, and magic practices (Arnold, 3-5). Still, because they had heard the gospel that Paul had shared to them, many Jews and Gentiles converted to Christianity.
Like most of Paul's letters, Ephesians is very structured and it consist of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Ephesians can be divided into two, which separates the theological basis for Christian unity, and the practical instruction for its maintenance (Patzia, 228).
The progression of the letter starts with an introduction by Paul where he greets and bless his audience, the church of Ephesus, and introduces himself. It follows on explaining that they have been predestined in God's plan for His glory. It continues by stating that we have dead because of our sins but now we ar...
... middle of paper ...
...aims God's greatness.
Paul declares the power and supremacy of God (v.6b)
Who is over all and through all and in all.
God is over all things, He has a transcendent sovereignty (Gaebelein, 56) His absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure; over heaven, earth, and all the so called gods and goddesses (Arnold, 26); and, also, over people. God is through all things which describes His omnipresence (Patzia, 234) an attribute particular of God to be in every place at the same time. He is in everything (Arnold, 26) And, God is in all things, omnipotence of God over all creation (Arnold, 26) unlimited extent of the divine power
Works Cited
Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.
Hoehner, Harold. Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002
Paul the Apostle is the central figure in many New Testament writings. Many historians have attributed fourteen New Testament letters to Paul’s writing; seven of these letters are uncontested meaning historians are sure that Paul wrote them, the remaining seven are contested. Paul was not always a Christian; in fact, he persecuted Christians before Christ came and temporarily blinded him. Upon seeing Christ, Paul devoted his life to Christianity and set out to spread the teachings of Christ. Scholars often credit Paul’s leadership to the ability of the Church to become Hellenistic in one generation. Paul also answered specific worries and questions that his converters may have had in many of his writings; one of these writings is 1 Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians, Paul set out to deal with the many believers in Corinth who are divided into the followings of Paul or Apollos rather than Christianity as a whole. The converts of Paul in 1 Corinthians 12-14 were divided during times of worship because of jealousy invoked by the spiritual gifts received from the “Spirit”; the worships and the church became a place to boast who is closest to God, instead of a place of worship, interpretation, and love. In 1 Corinthians 14:26-33, Paul set guidelines in times of worship to heal the divide among his converts present in 1 Corinthians 12-14.
Scholars of the Pauline writings have divided them into the following categories: (1) those unquestionably by Paul: Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, I Thessalonians, and Philemon; (2) a letter that was probably written by Paul, but has had serious questions raised about its' authorship: II Thessalonians; (3) letters that were not actually written by Paul but were developed from his thought: Colossians and Ephesians; (4) letters that bear Paul's name but clearly come from another time and different set of circumstances in the church: I and II Timothy and Titus (the so-called Pastoral Letters); (5) a letter not bearing Paul's name and which evidences a wholly different thought and religious vocabulary from that of Paul: the Letter to the Hebrews (Kee, 5th Ed. 224).
Throughout many of Paul’s letters there are many debates pertaining to the authorship, destination, date, and the purpose. In the book of Ephesians many scholars debate on the authorship and if Paul actually wrote the letter, or if it was a scribe. Although there are some debates on whether Paul actually wrote it or not, he does refer to himself twice in the letter. In 1:1 and in 3:1 Paul states himself, 1:3 states, “For this reason, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles” (NIV) In verse 1:3 Paul states that he is a prisoner, therefore it is debated that he did not specifically write this because he was imprisoned in Rome at this time. According to Wallace “This, of course, is not to say that the letter must be by Paul, but it is to argue that without such internal testimony, no such claim could be made” (Wallace). Many scholars also debate on the vocabulary usage and the structure of the letter. Some believe that the structure is similar, but the vocabulary seems to be different than his New Testament epistles. Hoehner claims that,” Though the book has a close affinity with Colossians, critics claim that Ephesians is uncharacteristic of Paul” (Hoehner 613). The destination of Ephesians is somewhat debated, but many do believe that the letter was sent to the church of Ephesus. “Some to claim that Ephesus is a better starting point, others suggest Caesarea.” (Wallace) Although this is an argument that has many valid points, it is obvious that Paul was imprisoned in Rome while he wrote Ephesians. It is said by Hoehner that “Ephesians was probably delivered by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21-22), who also took Paul’s letter to Colossians (Col. 4:7-9)” (Hoehner 613). As for the date goes m...
As one begins to read the letter to the Ephesians, he is intrigued not only by the many topics that the letter mentions, but also the fact that there are some major differences between this book and Paul’s other writings. The purpose of this essay is to explore the book of Ephesians by commenting on critical issues, such as date, authorship, and setting, major theological themes, the purpose of the letter, and to offer an outline of the book itself.
The letters to Timothy and Titus the letters wasn't addressing the church with these particular letters. the letters were written and different textual way. The letters were written pseudonymity so they from another source written. The letters talk about how the church should conduct business orderly Fashion in the church and still carry out the ministry of Pauls Gospel.
2 Timothy was written from Paul to Timothy, while Paul was in prison in Rome. It is considered to be be Paul’s last letter and final goodbye because he seems to know that he is going to die. He encourage Timothy who is still in Ephesus to be faithful, though there will be suffering and persecution for there is a great reward.
The church of Ephesus was a very spiritual church and was certainly a church that was very active in the work of God. They endured for the Lord and suffered from persecution. But they were guilty of a sin that is sometimes hard to detect. But the Lord, who knows our hearts as well as our...
When Paul was released from the Roman prison where he had been for two years, he had
Grayston, Kenneth. The Letters of Paul to the Philippians and to the Thessalonians. CBC. London: Cambridge U.P., 1967.
This book is a letter from Paul and is among the Pauline Epistles that was written in about 56 A.D. The book provides information about the Apostle Paul, Timothy, and the household of Chloe. The letter was addressed to the church of Corinth and it mainly outlines the immorality and the apparent divisions among them. Chapters 1-4 are about how Paul receives reports of the problems in the Corinth church. He responds by telling them that God had chosen them.
In approximately 50 A.D. Paul had traveled to Philippi and then to Greece for the first time. During this time, he and two traveling companions, Timothy and Silas, they spread the word about Jesus to the Thessalonians. They formed a community of believers there and Paul was the founder of this new Christian community. He, Timothy, and Silas exercised authority over the Thessalonians according to 1 Thessalonians 4:7. “we were able to impose our weight as apostles of Christ”. The three stayed with the newly founded community for quite a while and it was not specifically stated as to how long they stayed all the book said was that “they stayed for a time to be”.
Jesus and Paul are two crucial characters in the New Testament. They both depict the Gospel on which Christianity is based upon, but there is debate about rather these two versions of the Gospel are complementary. Scholars like George Shaw claim that Paul is “anti-Christian,” and he “produced a fantastic theology” (Shaw 415-416). On the other hand, I believe that even though Jesus and Paul may present the Gospel different at times, they are still advocating the same religion. Through the understanding of the Gospels and Paul’s letters it is clear that Jesus and Paul have the same underlining goals and values.
Carson, D, & Moo, D. (2005) An introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Paul summarizes all this preaching in seventeen stanzas by referring to the "Spirit" and the "Flesh." We are first introduced by Paul of these topics/words in his letter to the Galatians. Paul contrasts the two ways of living in a community in chapter five of Galatians. "Spirit" is the caring of others and builds interpersonal relationships within a community. The "Flesh" is a self centeredness and a natural way to live of only caring for oneself. The "works of the flesh" will break apart a community.
Talbert, Charles H. Ephesians and Colossians. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007The New Interpreter's Bible: General Articles and Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections for Each Book of the Bible, Including the Apocryphal deuterocanonical Books. Vol. XI. Nashville: Abingdon Press, ©1994-2004.