Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the. Throughout this rich book, we will learn about the churchs inherited stewardship, multiethnic identity, distinct lifestyle, and spiritual opposition. Introduction from the niv study bible go to ephesians. Read ephesians introduction commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible.
Book of ephesians outline free online bible study lessons. Recall the opening scenes in the sound of music movie. Understanding the book of ephesians and bible study guide. 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. Some think that this epistle to the ephesians was a circular letter sent to several churches, and that the. Two theories, besides the ordinary one, have been held on the question, to whom the epistle is addressed. A critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians. Background to the book of ephesians chuck missler youtube. Obrien the letter to the ephesians pillar new testament commentary, 1999. Geographical background the city was situated on the western coast of asia minor at the mouth of the cayster river, one of the four major eastwest valleys that ended in the aegean sea. First, god has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace 2. This segment comes from the ephesians commentary published by koinonia house. Commentary on galatians and ephesians bible study guide.
When we study this book, it is as though we have climbed a high mountain peak, because the book gives us that kind of perspective on what god has created. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. 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. Introduction to ephesians by matthew henry blue letter bible. Commentary on the book of ephesians by matthew henry new. This makes for a readable commentary which will be very helpful for the busy pastor or student preparing to preach the text of ephesians. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Reference tools used eerdmans handbook to the bible new bible dictionary the zondervan encyclopedia of the bible 3. Best ephesians commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. For a full treatment, reference hoehner, ephesians, 261.
The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new testament. The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors. This morning we come for our bible study to a book that is indeed a treasure of mine and of every believer, the book of ephesians. In chapter 1 after giving the introduction and purpose of the book, paul surveys natural revelation via creation, noting that the creation rejected the creator for the satisfaction of baser instincts. Ephesians, colossians and philemon written at the same time. The book of ephesians clearly leaves its mark among other bible books by displaying the powerful impact of the gospel of christ jesus in the individual and corporate life of believers. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. Colossians, ephesians and philemon, paul bound, the. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. 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. Audience paul wrote to the network of house churches in western asia minor, in and near ephesus. Ephesians introduction commentary bible study tools.
The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. Interpreters have no right to isolate one aspect of truth by excluding others. The book of ephesians outline as shown below from the wycliffe bible commentary. Feb 16, 2018 its time for another book study on fridays. Ephesians 6 bible background research and commentary by. Of the account which paul gives the ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by god to be the apostle of the gentiles v. Additional additional background information from the new bible dictionary, second edition, tyndale house publishers, wheaton, il, pages 336. David guzik commentary on ephesians 1 talks about the work of the triune god, the father, the son, and the. Aug 23, 2012 date the letter to the ephesians was written during pauls roman imprisonment between 60 and 62 ad. The book of ephesians is held in great reverence by both biblical scholars and lay people. Ephesians is my favorite book in the bible, and this commentary has helped to solidify it in my mind.
If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. Ephesians small group series lesson 1 introduction to. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ephesians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Introduction to colossians bible exposition commentary. This is part 1 of a versebyverse bible study series in ephesians. Tyrannus no doubt held his classes in the early morning. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. In acts 19 we read about pauls trip to ephesus and how the city was full. A salutation, and an account of saving blessings, as prepared in gods eternal election, as purchased by christs blood. He also sent along the letter to the colossian church. Read the short background information for ephesians below. There is not one exhortation in the first three chapters. For a brief time at the end of his second missionary journey, and then for more than two years on his third missionary journey, paul ministered to the church at ephesus acts 18.
Having explained gods great goals for the church, paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. Christ should stand up in full functioning form in his body the church just as he did in his human body in his incarnation. The book of ephesians enables us to view gods creation from an alpine altitude. Of his devout and affectionate prayer to god for the ephesians v. A study of pauls epistle to the ephesians developed by matt hennecke. Because the name ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, some scholars believe the letter was an encyclical, intended to be circulated and read among all the churches in asia minor and was simply. Ephesians 1 background information with maps and images.
Feb 07, 2015 the book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Ignatius epistle to the ephesians, 12, which alludes to the frequent and affectionate mention made by paul of the christian state, privileges, and persons of the ephesians in his epistle. Ephesians and colossians were probably composed at the same time in rome. Study the bible online using commentary on ephesians and more. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the.
Ephesians and colossians have a number of parallels. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. For this reason, this study guide commentary is designed to provide an introduction to each book of the bible. In chapter 2 paul announces the judgment of god according to truth, explaining.
Intro to ephesians biblica the international bible society. Commentary on galatians and ephesians by john calvin. Ephesus was the most important city in western asia minor now turkey. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of gods redemptive work in christ. Public activity ceased in the cities of ionia for several hours at.
Ephesians 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Ephesians overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. Pauls letter to the ephesians is a wellloved book of the bible that teaches some of the most important lessons of faith. Ephesus was the third largest city in the roman empire population 250,000 in what is today the country of turkey. The first three chapters focus on the ephesians need to become more aware of gods love. To purchase this briefing pack in its entirety, go to our. It is interesting to note and observe that while the new testament often refers to the church, it does not speak of going to church. 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. Second principle the second principle is to identify the literary units.
Keep a notebook handy with pencil to jot down questions, ideas and applications as you study ephesians. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Read ephesians commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Paul is sending the slave onesimus back to his master philemon, in the care of tychicus. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Internationally renowned bible teacher joyce meyer provides a close study and commentary on ephesians, emphasizing the importance of living in christ and putting your relationship with god first. Dec 18, 2012 in this segment chuck missler discusses ephesians. Within this passage we discover how unworthy paul was to be called an apostle and we, christs disciples, to be called as saints. This time ive selected the amazing book of ephesians.
To really jump ahead in your study of ephesians, complete our how to study a book of the bible lesson using ephesians as your subject. While this book begins, paul, an apostle of christ jesus through the will of god, to the saints who are at ephesus, and the faithful in christ jesus 1. The letter to the ephesians pillar new testament commentary by peter t. Welcome to our study of ephesians, a book that highlights the high calling and conduct of the church, the corporate body of jesus christ. Because the name ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, some scholars believe the letter was an encyclical, intended to be circulated and read.
Early in the history of grace church, the history of john macarthur at grace church at least, it was obvious to me that god had something very special in mind for this church. For the next several fridays we will be going through this book one chapter at a time. The body must be whole and complete, and thats why in ephesians 4 it says, till we all come to the fullness of the stature of christ. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Bruce, in his commentary on the book of acts, provides us with some interesting information on the school of tyrannus.
Ephesians intro to ephesians biblica the international bible. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. The body of the commentary is based on the english text with greek commentary relegated to the footnotes, as is the style of the pillar series. This section is an exposition on the early part of genesis. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives.
The western text indicates that paul had the use of the building from 11 a. It reads like an academic or devotional book and i highly recommend it. Colossians, ephesians and philemon, paul bound, the gospel. Some have argued that paul wrote colossians from ephesus or caesarea, but most of the evidence favors rome as the place where paul penned all the prison letters ephesians, colossians, philippians and philemon. We may observe it to have been very much the practice of this apostle to intermix. Ephesians overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, produced by john wesley between 1754 and 1765, has stood the test of time. Swindolls living insights new testament commentary.
God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. Some liberal critics have attempted to raise doubts, yet the authorship of the book is solidly established both by the clear statement in the book itself and by the records of the early uninspired christian writers. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Ephesians introduction commentary commentary critical and. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. This audio sermon and transcript is entitled introduction and background, and is from the ministry of david legge, a christian preacher and bible teacher from belfast, northern ireland. Second, god has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, christ having broken down the barriers through his own death 2.