Introduction Much like a father desires to see his newborn child grow and live a healthy life, the Apostle Paul desires to see his audience of newborn believers grow and live a spiritually healthy life. In Ephesians 1:15-23, the Apostle prays his audience would grow in godly wisdom, and in revelation in the knowledge of Christ; he also desires for his audience to be used by God and to know their value in Him, which was brought about through the death and resurrection of Christ. In essence, Paul’s prayer consists of three parts: thanksgiving, petitions, and praise. Authorship, Date, and Purpose
The text names Apostle Paul as the author (Eph. 1:1). Although the text is clear, some scholars have questioned Pauline authorship; however, these claims are insufficient in comparison to the claims of the text and the general acceptance of Pauline
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1:19). This passage contains a contextual detail affected by the circular hypothesis. According to Merida, many Ephesian believers formerly participated idol worship, the practice of magic, astrology (as it relates to one’s personality), and emperor worship. Therefore, if one subscribes to original Ephesian recipients, one is likely to understand this phrase as a statement of God’s power over false gods and believers. However, if one subscribes to the circular hypothesis, one is likely to interpret this phrase to mean the author desires for the audience to experience the power of God working in (and through) them. While both interpretations can be true regardless of the recipients, the latter fits best within the immediate context and the context of the Paul’s writing throughout the epistle. Therefore, the focus is on the Paul’s desire for the audience to understand God’s power working in a spiritually inanimate object to bring about the consummation of His eternal
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).
The author of the book is Zechariah, he whom the lord remembers. The book was written to the Jews in Jerusalem that had returned from their captivity in Babylon. The book was written in and around 520 B.C.
When one reads the New Testament, a contradiction appears in reading Paul and James’ teachings concerning ‘faith’ and ‘works’. There is also question about the word ‘justified’ as to its meaning. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Paul writes this “16 yet we know that a person is justified[a] not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.[b] And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ,[c] and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law,” in 2:16. (NRSV) And in Galatians 3:6-7 says this, “6 Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” 7 so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham.” (NRSV) Paul also stated in Romans a similar idea, “28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law,” in 3:28. In chapter 4 of Romans, Paul uses Abraham as an example from
Paul and Jesus both have similar topics they teach. Not only that, but Paul and Jesus have very similar teaching styles, with the key difference being how they react to mistakes made by their pupils. Paul and Jesus both lose their temper at points and get very angry, but Jesus transforms his anger into forgiveness, where Paul does not. These similarities and differences presented allow us to better understand what Jesus taught by referencing Galatians as a guide. Overall, we see that Mark and Paul’s letter to the Galatians show the similar beliefs Paul and Jesus had, but also show how they react when those beliefs are
Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck, and Harnold W. Hoehner. "Ephesians." The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor, 1983. 613-45. Print.
In my passage Ephesian 1:15-23, this is Pauls prayer to Jesus of giving thanks, God has given us so much, and when God gives us a lot our perception can be changed based on how much we get from God, but we are blind because we can never be satisfied so we ask for more. We can build a wall of ungratefulness and never see the “light of God”.
The author goes on to say that God has “made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5). The author states that God’s mercy is a gift “not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). The audience was previously “far off” but has since been “brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). The author talks about the “Law of commandments contained in ordinances” (Ephesians 2:15). He speaks of the audience now being a part of “God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 2:19-20). In summary of Ephesians Chapter 2, the author speaks of the knowledge of what is right, God’s gift of mercy, the Law, and God’s foundation to build knowledge of Him and His Son through apostles and
There are many introduction issues pertaining to Colossians authorship. Along with arguments and issues there are a few debates and questioning pertaining to the date, location, and the occasion, but overall all agree. Many scholars have come to the conclusion that Paul indeed is the author of Colossians, but there are some debates and questioning. There are two main arguments that deal with the authorship of the epistle. There is much debate on the literary usage in Colossians and the style in which it is written. Along with the vocabulary and style many argue with the theology behind the epistle as well. An example for concerning the argument towards the style is found in Colossians 1:27 where the unusual genitival words are used. Donald Guthrie does argue however that, “stylistic differences are generally attributable to changing circumstances or subject matter” (Guthrie 553). With arguing that Colossians is not written by Paul then Ephesians should also be questioned. It is said that either Ephesians is dependent on Colossians or Colossians is dependent on Ephesians. Guthrie also claims that, ““The strongest arguments in support of its authenticity are the indisputable nature of the external evidence and the inseparable connection of the epistle with Philemon” (Guthrie). There are also arguments that claim that the heresy in Colossians is second century Gnosticism. Despite all of the arguments it is evident that Paul is the author and evidence of this is shown in Colossians 1:1, 1:23, 4:18 where he speaks of himself in first person. There is evidence that Tychicus is the carrier of both Ephesians and Colossians. Not only does Paul refer to himself like he does in all of the epistles, but Colossians...
2 Thessalonians was written to a group of Christians who were enduring persecutions and trials because of their faith. It was written to assure the Thessalonians that they would be given relief of all their suffering when Christ returned, if they remained faithful. Also, After receiving 1 Thessalonians, many members of the church believed that the Lord’s return would occur immediately so they “quit their jobs” and “those who kept their jobs were having to feed those who had not”(Ehrman, 268). Even more, it was written to underline that “the end was not yet to come”(Ehrman, 267). 1 and 2 Thessalonians were written bearing the name of the apostle, Paul. Even though 1 Thessalonians is an undisputed work of Paul, scholars are divided on the authenticity of authorship of 2 Thessalonians. Many scholars believe that 2 Thessalonians is a pseudepigrapha. However, its acceptance into the canon, the eschatological theme, and its similarity in context to 1 Thessalonians supports authenticity of the Pauline authorship.
...ty in the world that even remotely resembles it”. (p91) Going forward what is needed is for the Corinthians is to stop being self-centered and repent. The church is God’s sanctuary. Paul’s portrayal of the church expands upon the role of the “Father Son and Holy Spirit in relation to the church”(p91). Which minimizes the role of its leaders, the leaders are not to be put on a pedestal. Because all the glory goes to God the leaders are mere servants of their flock and servants of God. The growth in God’s field is caused by God not humans as for God’s building the only foundation is that of Jesus Christ, and God’s temple is where the Holy Spirit dwells. According to Romans 8:17 what is Jesus’s is ours 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
The books of I and II Thessalonians, which are in the New Testament, are both letters to a church that Paul the apostle helped establish in the city of Thessalonica. First Thessalonians is agreed by biblical scholars to be written by Paul. The author of II Thessalonians, however, is still being debated about.
Paul has given an extraordinary of example of humbleness to those who preach and teach the Gospel. Although, the Apostle Paul was well known prepared on any theological subject, he went to Jerusalem to meet with other apostles to verify that his message was alienated with the Gospel. Therefore, pastors and church leaders should look intentionally for spiritual mentors that help them to grow in their knowledge of the Gospel. (121, Habermas)
The Apostle Paul is known as the greatest missionary of the early church. Paul, who once vowed to wipe out belief in Jesus Christ, was later converted to do the work of Christ. He would author almost half of the 27 books in the New Testament. He endured sickness, rejection, and repeated attacks on his life to bring the message of God's grace and forgiveness to Gentiles. Paul was the apostle largely responsible for the solid inception and growth of Christianity. He spoke before Jews, Greeks, and Romans. Paul is known as the apostle to the Gentiles. He defended God's Word before kings and emperors of this world. By the end of his life, much of the Mediterranean world had been reached with the gospel.
Analysis of biblical writings has helped us to better understand the challenges and mysteries of scripture. In studying Ephesians 1: 15-23, research will help us draw out the bigger picture of what the writer intends to convey in his message. This passage is a prayer of thanksgiving and intercession in which Paul expresses gratitude to God upon hearing of the Ephesians “faith in the Lord Jesus and love toward all the saints” (1: 15 NRSV). This leads Paul to pray intensively that the Ephesians will gain an expanded awareness of the extraordinary and unsurpassed power of God manifested on their behalf. Paul writes this as encouragement and support to the readers.
When faced with obstacles, it may be easy to doubt and question the choice made initially to humbly follow the lead of someone else, even if that is God. This difficulty often arises in times of waiting, because of the uncertainty of the unknown and lack of control, the desire is to try to regain power and a sense of command from God. However, in the times of ambiguity and feelings of powerlessness, the response is not to shift the choice back self-control but to trust even more in God to keep his promises. The early Christians in Thessalonica wrestled with their decision when Christ’s return seemed delayed, and they faced greater persecution. In response, Paul wrote the urgent epistle to the Thessalonian community to encourage them to maintain their current choice to follow Christ. Biblical commentator, James Draper explains Paul plea in 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 as an encouragement for the community “to have the kind of faith that trusts God to keep his word, to do what he promised to do…not to try to rush him or slow him down or try to chart his course for him.” Conversely, hope is maintained and bolstered when it is strengthened by faith and trust that the one in whom trust has been placed is worthy of that trust even in the darkest of times. The difficulty for the body of Christ to sustain joyful anticipation in the