1. Introduction to Ephesians
October 15th, 2016

2. In groups of three, please work on the handout 15 minutes

3. Context of the Redemptive Plan
Creation
Fall
Redemption
Restoration
Glorified

4. Ephesus (Turkey) - (~55AD)
Capital of Roman province of Asia
Major commercial center; port city
200,000+ residents

5. Ephesus (Turkey) - (~55AD)
The “place” to be
Public squares (agoras)
Synagogue
Hall of Tyrannus
Lectures, philosophy and religious learning and debates
Theatre
Seats 25,000
Temple of the goddess Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders)

6. Theatre

7. Goddess Artemis 2-1 Combination Tourist attraction
Greek goddess, the virginal goddess of the hunt
Anatolian goddess Cybele, earth and fertility god
Tourist attraction
Generated income
Logging
Souvenirs for worshipers

9. Paul and Ephesus Acts 18 Paul visits Ephesus (18:18-22)
On his journey back to Jerusalem (second missionary trip)
Apollos the Jewish teacher (18:24-19:1)
Baptism of John
Priscilla and Aquila teach him
Heads off to Corinth

10. Paul and Ephesus Paul returns to Ephesus (19:1-7)
Finds disciples who were baptized into John’s baptism of repentance
Paul teaches them about Jesus, the fulfilment of John’s message
Disciples are baptized into Jesus’ name
Spirit descends on these twelve men
Paul presents the gospel message in the synagogue for three months (19:8-10)
Persecution arrives and Paul moves to the Hall of Tyrannus
Two years go by and “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord…”

11. Paul and Ephesus Paul’s ministry flourishes (19:11-20)
God is conducting miracles by Paul’s hands
Seven sons of Jewish high priest named Sceva
Name of the Lord Jesus is extolled
Worshiped and revered among the residents
Confession of sins; particularly among those of the magic dark arts
Spell books burned
Indicates wide-spread problem and we see wide-spread confession
Word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily

12. Paul and Ephesus Riot at Ephesus (19:21-20:1) Acts 20:17-38
Paul resolves to move on to Jerusalem and Rome
Silver shrines of Artemis
Demetrius, the silversmith
Riot at the theatre “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians”
Paul leaves (20:1)
Acts 20:17-38
Call the Ephesians elders to him at Miletus
Departs for Jerusalem, never to see them again

13. The Book of Ephesians New Testament Epistle; letter, book
Salutation, thanksgiving, exposition, exhortation, and closing
Considered the background and extent of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus
Who wrote it?
Pauline Authorship
Claims to be written by Paul (1:1)
The early church unanimously accepted this letter
Letter was evidently delivered by Tychicus (6:21)

14. Pauline Authorship
Modern analysis shows Ephesians has more similarities to Paul’s accepted style that was earlier recognized
Archaeological evident has shown that Ephesus controlled a large network of outlying villages and rural areas; up to 38km from the city
Acts 19:10 – preaching had radiated out to “all the residents of Asia”
Some scholars believe the letter was intended to be circulated; that’s why there are no personal greetings

15. When was it written? And to who?
Paul is in prison (3:1; 4:1; 6:20)
Dated to 62 AD
Acts 28:16-31
Prison epistle, written along with Colossians and Philemon
Written to the church in Ephesus
To the Jew and Gentile, all those in Christ – the believer
Those reconciled to God in one body (2:16)

16. Why was it written?
No specific occasion or problem that inspired this letter
Paul wants to update the church on his confinement and how he is doing (6:21-22)
Emphasis is on the church – Christ’s body
Both Jewish and Gentile believers are one
Promotes unity and love among the various members

17. Questions?

18. Group Exercise (20 minutes)
Summarize the following passages into one or two sentences.
What is the main idea Paul is conveying?
Group 1 - Ephesians 1:3-14
Group 2 - Ephesians 1:15-23
Group 3 - Ephesians 2:1-10
Group 4 - Ephesians 2:11-22
Group 5 - Ephesians 3:1-13
Group 6 - Ephesians 3:14-21
Group 7 - Ephesians 4:1-16
Group 8 - Ephesians 4:17-24
Group 9 - Ephesians 4:25-32
Group 10 - Ephesians 5:1-21

19. Breakdown Ephesians 1-3 Ephesians 4-6
Indicative - theory - “Know this”
General truths and instructions about the cosmic redemptive work of God in Christ
Orthodoxy (truth)
Ephesians 4-6
Imperative - practical - “Do this”
In light of the truths, you as the chosen people of God will be united and live accordingly
Orthopraxy (conduct)

20. Outline Introduction (1:1–14) Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (1:15–23)
Greetings (1:1–2)
Spiritual blessings in Christ (1:3–14)
Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (1:15–23)
Salvation by Grace through Faith (2:1–10)
Hopelessness and helplessness without Christ (2:1–3)
Hope in Christ (2:4–10)
Unity and the Peace of Christ (2:11–22)
Unity of Christ’s people (2:11–15)
Peace with God (2:16–18)
Implications of Christ’s peace (2:19–22)

21. Outline Revelation of the Gospel Mystery (3:1–13)
Paul’s apostolic ministry (3:1–7)
The mystery and wisdom (3:8–13)
Paul’s Prayer for Strength and Insight (3:14–21)
Unity of the Body of Christ (4:1–16)
Exhortation to unity (4:1–6)
The different gifts (4:7–10)
The gifts for edification of the church (4:11–16)
Paul’s Testimony of the New Life in Christ (4:17–24)

22. Outline Exhortation to an Edifying Lifestyle (4:25–32)
New Life in Love (5:1–20)
Exhortation to self-sacrificial love (5:1–2)
Instruction in holy living (5:3–20)
Submission to One Another (5:21–6:9)
Submission in general (5:21)
Wives and husbands (5:22–33)
Children and parents (6:1–4)
Slaves, bondservants, and masters (6:5–9)

23. Outline The Whole Armor of God (6:10–20) Conclusion (6:21–24)
The Lord’s strength (6:10–13)
Standing firm (6:14–17)
Being constant in prayer (6:18–20)
Conclusion (6:21–24)

24. Themes - Brief
God’s rich mercy in Christ has saved sinners; this free gift is by grace through faith alone.
1:7–8; 2:4–14
Christ’s reconciliation entails uniting all people, whether Jew or Gentile, into his one body, the church, as a new creation.
1:23; 2:10–22; 3:1–21; 4:1–6
Christ’s people are renewed to new lives of holiness in thought, word, and deed, and must reject their old, sinful lifestyles.
4:1–3, 17–32; 5:1–20
We are equipped and called to pursue maturity, to grow up into Christ
4:1–16

25. Focus for the Upcoming Term
Strangers and Aliens in this world
Reminds us of where are lives, minds and heart should be
Do we long for Christ’s triumphant return?
Fellowship and community
Marked by gospel love for one another
United and reconciliation at the heart of our relationships
What fuels this?
Grace - what Christ has done
This is our motivation

26. Message of Ephesians
When we embrace and truly understand the love of Christ, we will also embrace the way of life that Christ loves and has called us to live
Indicative
Imperative
We are either complacent or committed to Christ
We are either complacent or committed to one another
Remember why we are here:
Don’t be comfortable and don’t settle

27. Conclusion
Examining these themes and verses in much more detail over the course of the year
Encourage you all to read through the book
Devotions
Memory
Excited
Excitement for the word?
Does what we have in Christ trump what the world offers?