EPHESIANS - INTRODUCTION

For the next six weeks, we will be studying Ephesians, posting verse by verse Bible study lessons on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday of each week, we will post devotional thoughts from Ephesians at www.susiesmusings-ksh.blogspot.com with occasional bonus posts. It is our sincere hope you will take the time to read both the Bible study and the devotionals as this will give you a well-rounded perspective and help you to internalize the word of God by repetition. You may wish to choose a key verse each week to memorize. We are excited to begin our journey through the rest of the Prison Epistles with Ephesians (We have already studied Philippians which is in our archived lessons on this blog). After Ephesians, we plan to study Colossians and Philemon, wrapping up the entire study of the Prison Epistles sometime in April or May.

Ephesians – Introduction

Author: The Apostle Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned in Rome somewhere around 60-62 AD. It may have been a letter circulated around all the churches in Asia Minor beginning with Ephesus since some manuscripts do not refer to Ephesus or the Ephesians directly. Ephesians along with Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon are known as “The Prison Epistles” since all four were written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome.

Recipients: As stated before this letter may have gone to all the churches in Asia. The church at Ephesus was most likely established by Priscilla and Aquila but was also led by Paul for a time and then after that by Timothy, Paul’s son in the faith. It was at Ephesus that Paul was accused of destroying the business of those who made idols honoring their goddess Artemis (Diana) (Acts 19).

Themes: The blessings that belong to believers in Christ. Throughout, we will emphasize the words in Christ, in him, in whom, in the Lord by making them red and bold. Another theme is the grace of God and salvation by grace alone. These references will also be made red and bold.  The first three chapters are theological, and the last three chapters give practical guidance for living as believers. The fourth chapter highlights unity of the Spirit, the interdependence among believers and the Lord, and the Christian’s walk with the Lord before men. The fifth chapter is known for discussing the mutual submission of believers to one another and the marriage relationship. In the sixth chapter, there is instruction concerning spiritual warfare and the armor of the Lord.

We hope you will join us each day in learning the wealth of wisdom the Holy Spirit will illumine to all of us as we study together. As always, we would love to read your comments and how the Lord uses Ephesians to impact your lives.