Ephesians

1
Ephesians

• Walk Worthy
• Written by Paul from prison about 60-62 A.D.
• Key Verses 41
• Myron G. Heavin

2
Ephesians Similarities

• Colossians Christ who is head of the church
• Ephesians The Church of Christ
• Fits well with Colossians and Philemon
• Similar teachings on family relations

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Ephesians - Themes

• Clearly tells us more about the church universal
  than do other writings in the Pauline corpus.
• God is supremely important,
• He brings salvation despite unworthy sinners
• The Greatness of Christ
• The Church occupies an important place in Gods
  working out of His great purpose.
• We probably know more about the Ephesian church
  than any other NT church
• Probably a circular letter original manuscripts
  do not include at Ephesus in the first sentence.

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Ephesians Interesting Facts

• Immediate Audience
• Somewhat Immature Christians (60-62 A.D.)
• Gentiles Jews
• Written from a prison in Rome
• A letter circulated to all the churches
• A letter specifically addressed to gentiles

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The Prison Epistles of Paul
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EphesusLocated in Turkey
Ephesus was a harbor city across the Aegean Sea
from Athens, Greece and 100 miles from Colossae
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Map of The Roman Empire
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Ephesians New Testament Time Line

• 38-41 Anti-Jewish Upheaval Alexandria ,
  Palestine, Judea
• 49 - 54 Claudius expels Jews from Rome
• 49 Church struggles, meets about Jews Gentiles
• Acts 15, Gal. 21-15
• 54 68 Nero becomes emperor, welcomes Jews back
• Claudius poisoned by Neros Mother
• Nero murdered Mother possibly half-brother
• Nero allows Jews back into Rome
• 57 Paul writes Romans
• 60-62 Paul arrested, writes Colossians /
  Ephesians
• 64 / 65 Rome burns Nero blames Christians
• 68 Siege in Jerusalem begins after Jewish
  rebellion
• 70 Rome burns Jerusalem, temple destroyed

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Ephesians Simple Outline (Dr. Martinez)

• The Spiritual Wealth of the Believer (1-3)
• The Spiritual Walk of the Believer (4-6)

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Ephesians Basic Outline (F.F. Bruce)

• Prescript (11-2)
• The New Humanity A Divine Creation (13-321)
• Introductory (13-14)
• Thanksgiving Intercessory Prayer (115-23)
• The Saving Grace of God (21-10)
• The Incorporation of the Gentiles (211-22)
• The Mystery of Christ (32-13)
• The Intercessory Prayer Concluded (314-19)
• The New Humanity in Earthly Life (41-620)
• Letter Closing (621-24)

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Ephesians Basic Outline (F.F. Bruce)

• Prescript (11-2)
• The New Humanity A Divine Creation (13-321)
• The New Humanity in Earthly Life (41-620)
• Exhortation to Unity (41-3)
• Confession of Faith (44-6)
• Provision for Spiritual Health and Growth
  (47-16)
• Christian Conduct (417-520)
• Be Subject (521-6-9)
• Be Strong in the Lord (610-17)
• Watch and Pray (618-20)
• Letter Closing (621-24)

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Ephesians - Basic Outline (Holman Bible
Dictionary)

• Salutation (11-2)
• Theology (13-321)
• The Plan of Redemption (13-114)
• The Blessings of Redemption (115-210)
• The Propagation of Redemption (211-321)
• Ethics (The Application of Redemption)
• In Church life (41-16)
• In Social life (417-521)
• In Domestic life (522-69)
• Conclusion (610-24)

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Ephesians I. Salutation (11-2)

• Same Prescript as 1 2 Corinthians, Colossians,
  2 Timothy
• An apostle under Gods will
• Original manuscripts do not identify letter as
  at Ephesus
• True grace and peace comes from God the Father
• The grace of God (Eph 32), or same as The grace
  of Christ (Gal 16)
• The peace of God (Eph. 214-17 615 same as the
  peace of Christ (Col. 315)

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)

• A Praise for Redemption (13-6)
• He chose us, He foreordained us, he has freely
  bestowed grace on us.
• God chose you (Divine election) (Eph. 13 Heb.
  43 1Pet 120)
• You then chose God (free choice)

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Ephesians - Theology (13-321) (Shedd -
Presbyterian)

• Divine Decrees
• Founded in Wisdom
• Eternal Known unto God are all his works from
  the beginning (Acts 1518) The Kingdom was
  prepared before the foundation of the world
  (Matt. 2534)
• Immutable (cannot change)
• Unconditional or absolute (execution does not
  depend upon anything that has not itself been
  decreed)
• Efficacious decree determines events by physical
  / material causes
• Efficacious - Surely will come to pass

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Ephesians - Theology (13-321) (Shedd -
Presbyterian)

• Gods decree of election respects man
• You have not chosen me but I have chosen you.
  (John 1516)
• God has chosen the foolish things of this world
  to confound the wise (1 Cor. 127-28)
• accordingly as he has chosen us in him before
  the foundation of the world (Eph. 14)
• The gifts and calling of God are without
  repentance (Rom 1122) whom he predestined
  them he glorified (832)
• The Permissive decree relates only to moral evil
• God allows but does not invent evil
• Mans voluntary acts are not a series for the
  divine mind but all of them are present at once
  and therefore certain to God.

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Ephesians - Theology (13-321) (F. F. Bruce)

• Believers are united today with Christ in the
  Heavenly Realm where Christ has been raised
• Christ chose His people before the worlds
  foundation.
• It denotes divine election in eternity before
  creation
• Our created world included created time, space,
  and matter
• in Him (Col 116) all things were created,
  i.e. the people of God were chosen.
• Those who he foreknew (Rom. 829) he also
  predestined to be conformed to the image of his
  Son ...
• Christ is the foundation, the origin, and
  executor all that is involved in election and
  its fruits depends on Him.
• (When we live forever, we will simply live
  outside this creation, and will someday live
  outside time itself.)

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Ephesians - Theology (13-321) (Other)

• All who dwell on the earth will worship him,
  everyone whose name has not been written from the
  foundation of the world in the book of life of
  the Lamb who has been slain. (Rev 138, NASB)
• The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is
  about to come up out of the abyss and go to
  destruction. And those who dwell on the earth,
  whose name has not been written in the book of
  life from the foundation of the world, will
  wonder when they see the beast, that he was and
  is not and will come. Rev 178)

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)

• Prayer for Redemption and Final Reconciliation
  (17-10)
• We are redeemed by Christs blood (Col. 114
  Rom. 325)
• We are redeemed with wisdom and understanding
• Grace requires personal relationships (also see
  Rom. 520)
• Mystery hidden in Old Testament is now revealed.
  (Col 127)
• The reconciliation in Colossians is man to God
  while the reconciliation in Ephesians is among
  fellow men (church)
• God works reveal the mystery of Christ, in the
  fullness of the times, i.e. at just the right
  moment

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)

• Praise for the Assurance of the Believers
  Heritage (111-14)
• God destined and appointed, foreordained us
  according to Him who works all things by the
  council of His will
• Christ claimed us as His portion
• The Holy Spirit seals us when we first believe
  the truth (Acts 192)
• The Holy Spirit guarantees our future inheritance
  (glory yet to come)
• You (gentiles) also are included in this
  inheritance (113)
• This section is remarkably similar to Acts 156-9
• God will redeem his own possession on
  resurrection day
• The purpose of all of this is so we can praise God

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)

• Introductory Thanksgiving Intercessory Prayer
  (115-19)
• Typically Paul places this near start of a letter
• Prayer for spiritual wisdom and revelation of
  knowledge of Him
• Prayer for spiritual eyes to know
• The hope of your calling (in Christ)
• The glorious wealth of his inheritance in the
  saints
• The surpassing greatness of his power in us

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)

• Gods Mighty Strength Shown in Christ (120-23)
• Raised Him from the dead
• Seated Christ at His right hand in the heavenly
  realm
• He is above all the various layers in Heaven
  (Eph. 410)
• Christ rules over all the spiritual and earthly
  leaders
• Psalm 8 110 Heb 11-28 Col 116
• Christ rules the church, which is His body (Col
  118)

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)The Saving Grace
of God (21-10)

• The New Life in Christ (21-7)
• You (gentiles) were raised to life, when you were
  dead thru sin
• We Jews also led our lives with fleshly desires
• We are all raised up with him and are seated with
  him in the heavenly realm, in Christ Jesus
• This is only place Paul says we are in the
  heavenlies now (today)
• Gods New Creation (28-10)
• God has graciously saved us through faith /
  salvation
• We humans can do no works for our salvation and
  cannot boast
• We are transformed into a new creation (2 Cor.
  517 Isa 6517, 6622)

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)The Incorporation
of the Gentiles (211-22)

• The Gentiles Former Plight (211-12)
• The Gentiles Present Access (213-18)
• Gentiles have been brought near by the blood of
  Christ (Heb. 1019-22)
• The barriers between Jews and Gentiles are
  removed
• The two groups now form one body, the church
• The Mosaic law of commandments, ordinances, and
  all is ended (215)
• But we both remain as different members of the
  body

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)The Incorporation
of the Gentiles (211-22)

• The Gentiles Membership in the House of God
  (219-22)
• Gentiles are first class equal citizens to their
  fellow Jews (Rom. 925-26)
• Gentile inclusion is built on foundation of
  apostles, prophets, and Jesus Christ as the
  chief cornerstone (Isa. 2816)
• Jesus binds the whole structure together
• You gentiles are being built together for Gods
  indwelling of the Holy Spirit

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)Prayer and the
Mystery of Christ (31-21)

• Intercessory Prayer Resumed (31)
• Continuation of Eph. 115-19
• Paul is a prisoner of Christ Jesus for you
  Gentiles
• Paul was arrested specifically for taking
  gentiles into inner temple (Acts 2117-36 Rom.
  1514-32) per F. F. Bruce
• The Mystery of Christ (32-13)

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)Prayer and the
Mystery of Christ (31-21)

• Paul revealed the Mystery of Christ (32-7)
• The gospel of faith was always there
• Previous generations did not know about Christ or
  that God cared about Gentiles and Jews equally
• God revealed the Mystery of Christ to Paul
• Gentiles are now fellow-heirs, members of same
  body, joint-partakers of the promise
• The Law which kept them apart was now gone
• Incorporation of Gentiles into the church is
  revealed

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)Prayer and the
Mystery of Christ (31-21)

• The Eternal Purpose (38-13)
• Paul was the one chosen to reveal the Mystery of
  Christ
• God had in mind from eternity to form a church, a
  third race, of men and women of faith for eternal
  salvation
• God revealed that mystery through Paul and the
  church to the angels in heaven as well as to
  those on earth
• This kept Satan in the dark about Christs
  sacrificial death until it was done
• Therefore do not lose heart everything is
  working for your good

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Ephesians Theology (13-321)Prayer and the
Mystery of Christ (31-21)

• Intercessory Prayer Concluded (314-19)
• Pray for knowledge that culminates in knowing
  love of Christ
• This knowledge comes from Christ being in your
  heart
• Indwelling of Christ and Holy Spirit in heart are
  same thing
• That you may be filled up with the fullness of
  God
• Doxology (320-21)

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Ephesians III. Ethics (41-620)

• Ethics (The Application of Redemption)
• Therefore transitions from doctrine to doing
• In Church life (41-16)
• Exhortation to Unity (413)
• General principals instead of specific rules
• Unity between Gentiles and Jews is implied
• Confession of Faith (44-6)
• Spirit Lord God expresses our experience
• In Social life (417-520)
• In Domestic life (522-69)

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Ephesians III. Ethics (41-620)

• Ethics (The Application of Redemption)
• In Social life (417-520)
• Provision for Spiritual Health and Growth
  (47-16)
• Each church member has distinct needed gifts
• (See Psalm 6818)
• Each is to use those gifts to build up the church
• Each is to be mature in their faith
• Each is to speak the truth with love
• Christ holds everything together
• Christian Conduct (417-520)

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Ephesians III. Ethics (41-620)

• Ethics (The Application of Redemption)
• In Social life (417-520)
• Christian Conduct (417-520)
• The Old Man and the New (417-24)
• You (gentiles) were once pagans
• You have been taught by Christ
• Therefore renew your mind change your ways
• Col 39 for mature Christians, this for new
  converts

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Ephesians III. Ethics (41-620)

• Ethics (The Application of Redemption)
• In Social life (417-520)
• Christian Conduct (417-520)
• Negative and Positive Precepts (425-32)
• Do not lie, steal, be angry, and watch your
  tongue
• People tend to see themselves with righteous
  anger but others as sinful angry. Put a lid or
  a cap on anger
• Clamor probably refers to shouting
• Husbands are forbidden to use harshness or
  bitterness towards wives (Col. 319)
• Build each other up, be kind, tenderhearted, and
  forgiving

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Ephesians III. Ethics (41-620)

• Ethics (The Application of Redemption)
• In Social life (417-520)
• The Imitation of God (51-2)
• These new Believers had no previous example
• Our youth today have few examples to follow
• From Darkness to Light (53-14)
• Walk the talk and talk the walk
• Be careful who you associate with what you do
• Be careful with empty arguments beliefs
• Col 35 also lists 5 categories of wrongs
• Secret deeds/rites will be exposed in the light
• People repeatedly sinning will face Gods wrath

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Ephesians III. Ethics (41-620)

• Ethics (The Application of Redemption)
• In Social life (417-520)
• Be Filled with the Spirit (515-20)
• Live as wise persons
• Discern what the Lords will is
• Dont get drunk (Prov. 2331)
• Be happy, joyous, of good spirit
• Always give thanks

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Ephesians III. Ethics (41-620)

• Ethics (The Application of Redemption) in
  Domestic Life (521-69)
• In Domestic life (Christ is our example head
  today act like Him
• Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

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Ephesians III. Ethics (41-620)

• Most of us daily fall into both columns below
• We need to treat each other with more love
• We need more reverence (fear) of God and others
• We will be judged and rewarded based on our
  actions

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Ephesians III. Ethics (41-620)

• Ethics (The Application of Redemption)
• Be Strong in the Lord (610-17)
• We are fighting against evil spiritual forces in
  the heavens
• We must be equipped with truth, righteousness,
  being prepared, faith, the Word, and salvation
• Watch and Pray (618-20)
• Pray at all times in the spirit
• Pray also for me that I am boldly speak the
  mystery of the gospel

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The Armor of God
44
Armor of God

• For we are fighting against spiritual forces
  located in the heavens, not against flesh and
  blood

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Ephesians IV. Conclusion (621-24)

• Personal Notes (621-22)
• Tychicus will inform and comfort you about my
  situation
• There is no list of greeters or those greeted
• This supports a circular letter rather than a
  specific one (as Ephesus 11 is not in earliest
  manuscripts)
• Final Benediction (623-24)
• Typical Paul Benediction of Grace

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Practical Applications

• Believers are chosen by God
• Then we freely choose God
• We are saved by faith, not by any works of us
• We need to better love those that report to us
• We need to respect those we report to (God)
• We need to walk the talk and talk the walk
• We are in spiritual warfare against dark forces
• Our weapons are truth, faith, righteousness,
  preparation, and salvation

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Bibliography

• Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to
  Philemon, and the Ephesians. The New
  International Commentary on the New Testament.
  Grand Rapids Eerdmans, 1984.
• Garland, David E. Colossians /Philemon. The NIV
  Application Commentary. Grand Rapids Zondervan,
  2000.
• Gundry, Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament.
  Grand Rapids Zondervan, 2003.
• Holman Bible Dictionary. Nashville Holman Bible
  Publishers, 1991.
• Arnold, Clinton E. Colossians. Zondervan
  Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary Vol 3.
  Grand Rapids Zondervan, 2002.
• Martinez, Ted. Talbot New Testament Survey
  Lectures, Talbot Theological Seminary, Summer
  2003.