The Letter to the Ephesians: Introduction

Intro:

I want to say thanks for Bible Club participation and volunteer help.

I want to take this opportunity to encourage you as a church for your desire and reception of expositional preaching. It is truly a gift to the elders of this church that you learn from and (I think ) long for the process of expository listening. I think it gives us a healthy structure to learn by and a clear look into the heart of the books we have been given in God’s word.

As always, when diving into a new study of a book of the Bible, it is important to look at some helpful components of the history, culture , geography and purpose of this letter. As a personal note, I really have looked forward to preaching this letter for a while in my ministry. Because of the doctrinal and practical issues that it presents, I know that the Spirit of God will use it in profound ways to shape us in greater ways into the image of the Lord Jesus.

Let’s start with the Biblical text and see how Ephesus is mentioned and how the church was formed there.

1. A Look at the Church of Ephesus

A. The short visit (Acts 18:19-21)

We begin with the mention of Ephesus by Luke in the book of Acts. The apostle Paul is on his second missionary journey, in the area of Asia Minor and it was then somewhere around 52 AD that Paul visits the Roman city of Ephesus. It was a short stay according to Luke’s account as we read in Acts 18:19-21

Acts 18:19–21 NASB95

19 They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but taking leave of them and saying, “I will return to you again if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.

It appears that Paul stayed the course with his normal method of ministry. He would enter a city and visit the synagogue to reason with Jews about the Lord Jesus Christ as the long awaited Messiah. One noteworthy aspect to this short visit by Paul is the phrase “he left them there.” If we back up a few verses, we see that it was his companions Aquila and Priscilla who had traveled with him from Corinth to Ephesus. There in Corinth, as we have already learned, Aquila and Priscilla were faithful companions in ministry to Paul. As they traveled to Ephesus with him, they continued their gospel ministry in Ephesus, even as Paul left to continue on his journey. We learned that it was in Ephesus, that Aquila and Priscilla met Apollos as they heard him teaching concerning Jesus. They spent time discipling Apollos and correcting some areas of his doctrine.

With the words of Luke recorded for us, “he left them there” we can infer that Aquila and Priscilla continued on in ministry at Ephesus for a time, which is confirmed with their later encounter with Apollos. Its seems fair then to attribute much of the work of the gospel ministry to the start of the Ephesian church to Aquila and Priscilla. Just like Paul said in 1 Cor “ I planted, Apollos watered” so we can say, Paul planted, Aquila and Priscilla watered, but God gave the growth. We see that their faithfulness to doctrinally accurate teachings of Christ not only was strengthened Apollos but also it was spread to the new disciples in Ephesus.

This instructs us as the church today just how the Lord calls those from the flock of God to step up and serve in leadership and gospel advancement. Paul trusted those whom he invested in spiritually to stay behind and lead for him as he continued on. This is a sign of good leadership to trust those to be the “next in line” and it reminds us God’s work in always growing those to the point of service for his kingdom in faithful ways. Men, perhaps you might be the next deacon or elder at RCC. Ladies, perhaps you might be leading the women’s Bible study and discipleship groups.

2. The transformational 2nd visit (Acts 19)

As Paul moves on from Ephesus around 52 AD, his time away from Ephesus is somewhat short-lived. He is back in Ephesus in Acts 19 in might be the most descriptive ministry narrative that Luke gives of any church in his historical account of Paul’s missionary journeys. In Acts 19, we read of Paul returning to Ephesus and encountering disciples of John who Paul instructed fully on the gospels. They came to faith in Christ and were baptized. Paul continued his ministry to the synagogues but began facing greater opposition by the Jews there.

Acts 19:9 NASB95

9 But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

Paul continued his efforts of preaching the gospel and healing infirmities of people in the city. A special movement of the Holy Spirit allowed Paul to heal in amazing ways in order to authorize the message of Christ that he was preaching in a span of over 2 years time. With all great movements of salvation that the Lord brings about, we can expect Satan and his evil underlings to raise the level of opposition to the gospel. We will learn in a few minutes more about the city of Ephesus but one important fact to bring about in this chapter is the influence of the occult and magic that permeated this city. The devil had built a great spiritual fortress among the Ephesians the rough their worship of false gods. But through the power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit, we see a great revival and transformation occur in the city.

Acts 19:18–20 NASB95

18 Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19 And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.

This 50,000 pieces of silver equates to 50,000 days wages worth of demonic incantations and spells that the people repent of practicing when they saw true power in Jesus name. This display of repentance and faith gives us a great example of the pathway that every believer in Christ follows if they truly come to faith in Jesus name.

But Satan was not giving up that easy. Because of the idolatry of that city, local businessmen became angry at the transformation of the citizens of Ephesus. Once patrons of the handmade idols to the goddess Artemis, these businessmen were losing money with citizens who no longer worshipped the gods of the Ephesians. They stirred up a riot in the great Theatre of Ephesus until it was squashed by the local governmental authorities.

What chapter 19 shows the church today is how the power of the Lord Jesus Christ can overcome all evil and idolatrous practices in a large city like Ephesus. It gives the church hope that if an entire city of 250K people were seeing the effects of the Christian witness and many were being saved, than why would we expect anything less today for our city and community. Let us be people who pray for and hope in Christ to permeate the city limits of Bartlett and Memphis so that the glory of Christ overwhelms all evil practices that might occur today.

3. The final meeting (Acts 20)

There is a final meeting connected to Ephesus, although it was not a visit to the city. After leaving Ephesus in 57 AD after his 3 year ministry there, Paul moves on through Asia Minor and arrives in Greece. He makes his way north by land, around the Aegean Sea, visiting churches like Philippi and Berea a final time, and then back down towards Ephesus. He never actually visits the city but instead calls for the elders of Ephesus to meet him in Miletus, which is northern coastal city. There in Acts 20 we see these established elders of the Ephesian church whom Paul encourages an exhorts in their ministry. The account by Luke details Pauls pastoral words of his love for this church, his encouragement for the gospel ministry there and his warning of dangers of ministry moving forward.

Acts 20:31–32 NASB95

31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Their response to Pauls words and prayers led to weeping with Paul before he left them, knowing they would not see him again. What a passionate display of affection for those who ministered to them. We all can recount those spiritual fathers and mothers in our lives who we have such a deep love and admiration for. We know how they tirelessly put the gospel always before us. Question #1: have to reached out to thank them for their influence in your life. Question #2; are we doing the same for others? Are we investing in the next ones who need to see Christ as Lord in all aspects of their life and conduct. We must continue to pass the torch of the Christian faith as Paul and his companions did in Ephesus.

Now that we have looked at the biblical account of the start of the Ephesian church, lets briefly look at the historical city and culture to better understand Paul’s environment for writing.

2. A Look at Ephesus as a City and Culture

A. Geographical

Ephesus was a major port city for the Roman’s during Paul’s day. It was a massive city by population with an estimation of around 250-300K people living in Paul’s day. Like all port cities, it was a city with great trade and economic power in the Asia province. Once ruled by the Greeks and now the Romans, its diversity was common. There were Jews living there dispersed by the Persians during their times of prominence. This is why Paul had synagogues to visit while ministering there. This its prominent landscape, Ephesus had some beautiful features of its day. Two most particular to note was the massive THEATRE mentioned in Acts 19. This well known theatre stills remains partially intact today in the modern city of Itzmir, Turkey. Carved out of a enourmous side of Mt Pion, the half-circle theatre that measured 450 feet wide, with its marble structure, had the seating capacity of 24,000 people. This is where the culture of Ephesus.

The second major geographical feature of Ephesus was the the Temple of Artemis or so named the Artemision. This structure was of great religious significance to the city and considered one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. It was so large that it was 4 times the size of the Parthenon in Athens, with over 120 marble pillars that outlined the structure. The legends of Ephesus was that the gods sent a meteor to the earth to mark where the temple to Artemus should be built. This rock served as a spiritual marker and the temple was built near it to honor Artemis.

B. Religious

With the worship of many gods in Ephesus, Paul’s proclamation of the One True God was not met with acceptance as we previously read. The worship of Artemis was primary but not exclusively the pagan religion of Ephesus. Artemis, which the Romans called Diana, was the daughter of Zeus and was depicted as the goddess of fertility, a huntress and protector of evil spirits.

Its believed that the worship of Artemis was connected greatly to the practice of magic arts. With that practice, the goddess Artemis was the one considered Lord of the underworld who kept evil spirits at bay. The practice of magic was to use spells and incantations to play a part in warding off these spirits with the power of Artemis. The amazing revival of Acts 19 where the Jewish exorcists fail to cast out the demon from the man, reveal that the power of Jesus Christ was being understood as the only true source of escape from evil. The efforts of the Jews and followers of Artemis had not effect on such evil.

This points us to Pauls words to the Ephesians in chapter 6

Ephesians 6:10–12 NASB95

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Just like daily spiritual struggles with our old lives, Paul reminded the Ephesians, many who had burned their magic books and repented of the occult magic, that their true source to overcome evil was only found in the strength of the Lord. Eph 4:17-19

Ephesians 4:17–19 NASB95

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

3. A Look at the Components of the Letter to the Ephesians

With the time that I have remaining, let us look at the components of this letter that Paul wrote to the Ephesians.

A. Authorship

It has been the predominant view that Paul wrote Ephesians. Verse 1 makes it very clear for us that Paul is the author as he gives us the normal salutation where he declares not only his name as the author, but his authority to write to the church as an apostle of Christ Jesus and by the will of God. Paul makes clear here and in his opening to the Colossians, that it was the purpose and plan of God that he would be called out as an apostle with authority to teach the churches by the power of God’s grace.

It is most widely accepted that Paul wrote this letter while in prison in Rome. This letter along with Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon are referred to as the Prison Epistles because of the imprisonment Paul faced as he wrote these letters.

In Ephesians 4:1, Paul refers to himself as a “prisoner of the Lord.” In Ephesians 3:1 and Philemon 1, Paul calls himself a “prisoner of Christ Jesus.” Finally, biblical evidence revels in Colossians 4:10 that Paul had a fellow prisoner with him named Aristarchus, whom the church of Colosse was familiar with. In all we see that Paul used his time of imprisonment wisely. He didn't sulk or feel sorry for himself. Instead, we can see him using that to instruct, warn, and encourage the churches.

B. Date

We know from Acts that Paul ended his missionary journeys by returning to Jerusalem. It was there that he was arrested by angry Jews and eventually sent to Caesarea where he was confined for 2 years. He then appealed to have an audience before Caesar and eventually he spent two years in prison in Rome from 60-62 AD. This means that the dating of the prison epistles can be placed between 60-62 AD.

C. Purpose

As to the purpose of Ephesians, we can first identify what Ephesians does not seem to do. It does not seem to be addressing one local body of believers in the city of Ephesus. It is assumed that Ephesians, being such a populated city of Paul’s day, that many house churches came into being during the ministry of Aquila, Priscilla and Paul. Therefore, instead of Paul teaching on issues related to one church, Paul teaches more generally to all the churches of that area in ways to instruct them. If we could draw some themes from his writings in Ephesians, they would be the following:

The Blessings of God’s great salvation in Christ where undeserving sinners are redeemed by Grace alone through Faith alone for the glory of God alone

Ephesians 2:4–10 NASB95

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Our Union with Christ and one another as Christ saves us in Him and unites us to one another in the Bride of Christ, his church.

Ephesians 4:1–6 NASB95

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul will spend some time describing the mystery of the church which is the way that God brings about Jews and Gentiles to be one body in Christ.

3. The Call to Purity in Christ in all our relationships, with emphasis on marriage, family and our work.

Ephesians 4:20–24 NASB95

20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

4. Dependence on Christ to gain victory over evil in this world

Ephesians 6:10–12 NASB95

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This leads us then to our outline:

D. Outline

The letter to the Ephesians is structured the same as Colossians: one half is theological instruction and the second half is practical application of that truth. We can simply outline the letter in this way:

Chapters 1-3: Christian Doctrine

Chapters 4-6: Christian Conduct

Charles Spurgeons writes regarding Ephesians:

“The Epistle to the Ephesians is a complete Body of Divinity. In the first chapter you have the doctrines of the gospel; in the next, you have the experience of the Christians; and before the Epistle is finished, you have the precepts of the Christian faith. Whosoever would see Christianity in on treatise, let him "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" the Epistle to the Ephesians.”

My prayer for us all in this study echos Spurgeon’s words that we would read, mark, learn and inwardly digest this letter to be better equipped for the work of ministry and are led to a deeper compassion for our Lord Jesus Christ and His church!