Introduction to Ephesians

Authorship: Paul

1. Some scholars argue Eph was not written by Paul but by a later disciple from the Pauline school, after Paul’s death.

   1. The unique vocabulary and Greek style
   2. The high degree of borrowing from Colossians
   3. Its developed theology
      1. The Cosmic Christ (1:9-10, 21-22)
      2. Realized eschatology (2:6)
      3. The universal Church (1:22; 3:10, 21; 5:23-25)
   4. Few personalia and no greetings

2. Response

   1. Differences in vocabulary and style are explainable due to the different circumstances and the use of a secretary.
   2. Col and Eph are similar because written at same time, during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment.
   3. The theology of Eph isn’t that unique—it can be documented in the undisputed letters.
      1. The Cosmic Christ (Col 1:16-17; Phil 2:9-11).
      2. Realized eschatology (Rom 6:11; Col 2:12-13).
      3. The universal Church (1 Cor 10:32; 15:9; Gal 1:13; Col 1:18).
   4. There is one personal reference
      1. It is a recommendation for the letter-bearer (Tychicus) who will give an oral report on Paul’s circumstances in prison: “So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts” (Eph 6:21-22; cp. Col 4:7-8).
   5. The early church rejected pseudonymous writings (falsely bearing an apostle’s name) as deliberately deceptive and inconsistent with the Christian faith.
      1. Serapion, apud Eusebius, H.E. 6.12.
      2. Tertullian, On Baptism 17 (the presbyter who wrote fictional Acts of Paul was deposed, even though he claimed to have done it out of love for Paul).
      3. Origen, Hom. on Luke 1.
      4. Eusebius, H.E. 3.25.

Date: AD 61–62

Place of writing: House arrest in Rome

See “The Prison Epistles” for defense of the traditional location of this imprisonment—Rome.

Addressees

“To the saints who are [at Ephesus]” (1:1) - “at Ephesus” missing in some early and important manuscripts. This has led to the suggestion that Eph may have been a circular letter intended for multiple churches, but that is now increasingly rejected by most scholars.

Purpose

1. There is no hint of false teaching being combatted
2. Paul wants to instruct and build up the church
3. Focus on the cosmic scope of the gospel (1:9-10, 20-23)

Outline of Ephesians

1. 1:1-2: Letter Opening

2. 1:3–6:20: Letter Body

   1. 1:3–3:21: God’s eternal purpose in Christ and the Church
   2. 4:1–6:20: Walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called

3. 6:21-24: Letter Closing

Key Contributions

1. The doctrine of predestination (1:3-5)

   1. God chose us “in Christ” (v 4)
   2. Before the foundation of the world (v 4)
   3. Predestined that we should be holy, not because we are holy (v 4)
   4. He predestined us to receive adoption as sons, through Christ (v 5)
   5. To the praise of his glorious grace (v 6)
   6. Predestination, one part of God’s sovereignty over all things (v 11)

2. The doctrine of effectual calling

   1. Through the preaching of the gospel (1:13)
   2. We were dead in our sins (2:1-3)
   3. But God made us alive (2:4-7)
   4. Even faith is a gift of God (2:8)
   5. We are not saved by good works, but for good works (2:9-10)

3. The doctrine of the universal church

   1. Church as body - Christ as the head (1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
   2. Church as temple - Christ as the cornerstone (2:19-22)
   3. Jews and Gentiles reconciled in one body (2:11-16)
   4. Unity of church based on one Lord, one faith, one baptism (4:1-6)
   5. Exalted Christ has given gifts to church—pastors and teachers (4:7-16)
   6. Children included as members of the church (6:1-4)

4. What is God’s ultimate purpose? “The mystery” (7x)

   1. To unite all things in Christ (1:8-10; cp. Col 2:2-3)
   2. The mystery was made known to Paul “by revelation” (3:3)
   3. The mystery of Christ—once hidden, now revealed (3:4-5; cp. Col 1:26-7; Rom 16:25-6)
   4. The mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs through the gospel (3:6)
   5. The unsearchable riches of grace displayed in the church (3:8-11; cp. 2:7)
   6. The mystery of Christ and his bride (5:32)
   7. The mystery of the gospel (6:19; cp. Col 4:3)

5. Husbands and wives (5:22-33)

   1. Wives should submit to and respect their husbands, as church does to Christ (5:22-24)
   2. Husbands should love their wives, as Christ does the church (5:25-31)

6. The whole armor (panoplia) God (6:10-20)