Grace, Salvation, the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians: Bible Trivia Quiz & Study Guide (BibleEye Bible Trivia Quizzes & Study Guides Book 10) - Kindle edition by BibleEye. For a brief time at the end of his second missionary journey, and then for more than two years on his third missionary journey, 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. In this lesson, we will look at Christ in the letter to the Ephesians. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. The Ephesians lived in a society that reveled in drunkenness, sexual excess, and idolatry. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery(U) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed(V) in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment(W)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. From information in the letter itself, it appears to have been written at the same time and from the same place as the letter to the Colossians, as is seen by comparing Colossians 4.7 8 and Ephesians 6.21 22; in fact, Collosains 4.8 and Ephesians 6.22 are identical in Greek. Eph 6:23). The letter to the Ephesians is divided into two sections. Some people used Ephesians 6:5-9 alongside Greek, Roman, and Arab discussions of slavery to support the kind of slavery practiced in the Americas, but a simple knowledge of the nature of the slavery Paul addressed would have disproved their understanding of the passage. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. 3 In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways. This type of salutation was the usual way of starting a letter in Paul’s day. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened(AO) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called(AP) you, the riches(AQ) of his glorious inheritance(AR) in his holy people,(AS) 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. In 2 Peter 3:15-16, Peter mentions Paul’s letters and the wisdom that they contain. 1. Paul uses a related expression in Ephesians 6:12, in the New King James Bible: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places [Greek: “epouranios,” lit. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[f] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. Tychicus was one of Paul’s special helpers. Ephesians 1: Paul’s Greeting to the Ephesians (Acts 19:8–12; Revelation 2:1–7) 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, a the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. World Mission of the Church (3:1–4:24), IV. 1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. 4 For he chose us(I) in him before the creation of the world(J) to be holy and blameless(K) in his sight. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. Paul said, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Signing the name of an influential person of the period was common practice from “the third century BC to the first century AD.” I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, * who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. KJV NKJV NLT NIV ESV CSB NASB. The epistle does not deal with the doctrine of Justification , which so dominates Romans and Galatians, but is an exposition of Christ’s supremacy over all cosmic forces ( 1: 21 ); he embodies God’s plan for the fullness (Greek, pleroma ) of time ( 1: 10 ) which is the goal of creation . Ephesians 1 New Living Translation (NLT) Greetings from Paul. The letter to the Ephesians is one of the most encouraging, instructive and inspiring books in the Bible. Ephesians 1 New Living Translation (NLT) Greetings from Paul. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, [] who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was divided into two parts: the first three chapters addressed doctrinal issues while the rest dealt with the practical matters. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Ephesians 4-6 give guidance about powerfully living in unity in the church, within families, and among individual Christians. Ephesians 1 TPT;NIV - Paul’s Introduction - Dear friends, - Bible Gateway. A study of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesian Church in Ephesus. … Ephesians 4:11-32, Growing Up — A verse by verse study. In the address of this letter, Paul identified the church in … 1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. 12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. The letter to the Ephesians is actually a letter that was designed to be distributed to all the “grandchildren” churches in the region in Asia. Lev 11:44; 20:7; 2Sa 22:24; Ps 15:2; Eph 5:27; Col 1:22. Ephesians 1 New International Reader's Version (NIRV) 1 I, Paul, am writing this letter. Ephesians 1:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT) Greetings from Paul. 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. The last 4 letters were written to individual people (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon). This letter was written to the believers in Ephesus in c.60AD while Paul was under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial before the emperor Nero (see Map 27).Paul is writing to the church he had nurtured for three years while staying at the home of Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus in 53-56AD during his third missionary journey (see Acts 19:1-10 and 2 on Map 25). NET RSV ASV YLT DBY WEB HNV. The passages which describe God’s great plan of salvation reach to the highest places in heaven, and the passages which instruct us on how we are to live godly lives here on … Daily Conduct, an Expression of Unity (4:25–6:20), New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE). All rights reserved worldwide. It deals, however, not so much with a congregation in the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor as with the worldwide church, the head of which is Christ ( Eph 4:15 ), the purpose of which is to be the instrument for making God’s plan of salvation known throughout the universe ( Eph 3:9–10 ). Others appeal to an earlier imprisonment, perhaps in Caesarea (Acts 23:27–27:2). Relationships, Work, Marriage, Church life. Ephesians 3 Modern English Version (MEV) Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles. That is why it has less of a personal flavor than most of Paul’s other letters. Choose a Title Below... Ephesians 1:1-14, We Are So Blessed! Rather, it is about building, maintaining and thriving in God's kingdom. Ephesians 1 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Copy Options. The Answer: Christ is the Powerful Head of the Church. However this epistle is not without controversy because there is no evidence of a Greek text. September 2, 2011. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is the tenth book in modern editions of the New Testament. Because Paul was under house arrest and imprisoned at the time, his letters have been called his imprisonment or captivity letters. 1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has been described as the Holy of Holies of the New Testament. Let’s find out how powerful Christ is and how His power works for us. Paul wrote his letters to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians and Philippians while under this house arrest in Rome. (AL) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,(AM) may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom(AN) and revelation, so that you may know him better. Because you belong to Christ Jesus, you are faithful. Eph 1:15–23; 3:14–19), indeed of liturgy and hymns (Eph 3:20–21; 5:14). I am sending this letter to you, God’s holy people in Ephesus. (AA) 13 And you also were included in Christ(AB) when you heard the message of truth,(AC) the gospel of your salvation. This deep, spiritual letter discusses our position in Christ, the Body of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, our Christian inheritance, unity of the church, prayer, ministry, ethical right living, and instructions to fathers, husbands, wives, children, masters, employees, and employers. Yet this ecclesiology is anchored in God’s saving love, shown in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:4–10), and the whole of redemption is rooted in the plan and accomplishment of the triune God (Eph 1:3–14). Ephesians 6:20 refers to his being an ambassador in bonds. The Holy Spirit guided Paul as he wrote this letter so it is a gift from God to us. Paul’s Introduction - Dear friends, My name is Paul, and I was chosen by God to be an apostle of Jesus, the Messiah. Ephesians 1 New Living Translation (NLT) Greetings from Paul. Yet the concern is not with the church for its own sake but rather as the means for mission in the world (Eph 3:1–4:24). 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. A Handbook on Paul's Letter to the Ephesians. More significantly, important early manuscripts omit the words “in Ephesus” (see note on Eph 1:1). 1 Paul, an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B). Yet there is a curiously impersonal tone to the writing for a community with which Paul was so intimately acquainted (cf. The custom was to give first the name of the writer, then to identify the reader and finally to express greetings. The Book of Ephesians in the Bible was originally a letter to the Christians in that city. Tap any title next to an arrow in the list below. Many aspects of the Mosaic Law served to safeguard and guide the Israelites until the arrival of Christ. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians —Verse by verse. Slavery in the Bible: Paul writes to the Ephesians. This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. He delivered several of Paul’s letters, including Ephesisans.He explains that this letter was written to the entire church in Ephesus, and talks about several key portions of the letter. Those are great ways to instantly communicate to someone you know and love. Let's look once more at the words of Ephesians 1:1: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus (Ephesians 1:1). Another letter Paul wrote was to a church in a town called Ephesus which is now part of the country of Turkey. Paul's letter to the Ephesians has a very important lesson to teach us today. 5 He Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture. Bible > Ephesians. 3 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 you have heard, haven’t you, about the administration of God’s grace that He gave to me for you? 3 For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. Since the early nineteenth century, however, much of critical scholarship has considered the letter’s style and use of words (especially when compared with Colossians), its concept of the church, and other points of doctrine put forward by the writer as grounds for serious doubt about authorship by Paul. The letter is seemingly addressed by Paul to Christians in Ephesus (Eph 1:1), a place where the apostle labored for well over two years (Acts 19:10). Intended for a wider audience it presents the Gospel against its background in eternity and stresses the sovereign purposes and power of God in its application. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Spiritual Blessings. “God placed all things under Christ's rule. Next part: Grace and peace (Ephesians 1:2) St. Paul visited Ephesus in Asia Minor with Priscilla and Aquila on his second missionary journey, and returned to Ephesus on the Aegean Sea during his third missionary journey, to live there for a total of three years (Acts 20:31). The principal divisions of the Letter to the Ephesians are the following: II. Spiritual Blessings There is treasure hidden in Paul’s thirteen letters, but the path to find it is not obvious. Many therefore regard the letter as an encyclical or “circular letter” sent to a number of churches in Asia Minor, the addressees to be designated in each place by its bearer, Tychicus (Eph 6:21–22). 3 The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written above. Advanced Options. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ethical admonition is not lacking either; all aspects of human life and relationships are illumined by the light of Christ (Eph 4:25–6:20). The relation between the two letters is difficult to understand, and there are many possible explanations. Traditionally this “Captivity Epistle” has, along with Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon, been dated to an imprisonment in Rome, likely in A.D. 61–63. The authenticity of Ephesians as a genuinely Pauline epistle has been doubted since the time of the Dutch Humanist Erasmus in the 16th century. I am an apostle of Christ Jesus just as God planned. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. CHAPTER 1. (AH), 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus(AI) and your love for all God’s people,(AJ) 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you,(AK) remembering you in my prayers. Paul says to them and to us: in Christ there is more power than anything else we can trust for good luck. Footnotes: Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus. Gain a concise, fundamental grasp of what the Bible is all about with our NEW "Know the Bible" series. The first nine in the list were written to churches (Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians). I am an apostle of Christ Jesus just as God planned. Others think that Ephesians is the letter referred to in Col 4:16 as “to the Laodiceans.”. Its author was Paul, who describes himself as ‘an apostle of Christ Jesus’. (Q) 7 In him we have redemption(R) through his blood,(S) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches(T) of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. The lessons have depth, yet the translation and comments are simple and you'll find them easy to grasp. Paul writes about the need for growth and maturity of all Christians, forever putting away their former conduct. Its authorship has traditionally been attributed to Paul the Apostle but starting in 1792, this has been challenged as Deutero-Pauline, that is, written in Paul's name by a later author strongly influenced by Paul's thought, probably "by a loyal disciple to sum up Paul’s teaching … (BA) 22 And God placed all things under his feet(BB) and appointed him to be head(BC) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(BD) the fullness of him(BE) who fills everything in every way.(BF). It deals, however, not so much with a congregation in the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor as with the worldwide church, the head of which is Christ (Eph 4:15), the purpose of which is to be the instrument for making God’s plan of salvation known throughout the universe (Eph 3:9–10). He wrote to tell the church that all Christians need to work together, and stand strong with their faith in God. All rights reserved. Light shed on God’s purpose. 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