Ephesians Background

When did Paul write this letter?

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Place and Date

Paul wrote this letter while he was imprisoned in Caesarea (Acts 24:27) in A.D. 57–59, or in Rome (28:30) in A.D. 60–62

Paul probably wrote this book around the same time he wrote, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon (which scholars call the prison epistles)

Paul probably wrote this earlier then the other prison epistles around 60AD.

Show video of Ephesians manuscript

Romans to Philemon: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Volume 3 Ephesians

1. Christ is supreme over all of creation, especially the powers of darkness.

2. Believers participate with Christ in his death, resurrection, and fullness.

3. The church is the one body of Christ and is composed of Jews and Gentiles.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Purpose

Therefore, of the 107 times Paul used the verb or noun “love,” 19 are in Ephesians. Thus more than one-sixth of his references to “love” appear in this small epistle to the Ephesians. This letter begins with love (Eph. 1:4, 6) and ends with love (6:23–24).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Purpose

Also Ephesians teaches that Jewish and Gentile believers are one in Christ, which is demonstrated by their love for one another

Paul visited the Ephesian church leaders at the end of his 3rd missionary journey. When Paul saw them

Ephesus Fun Facts

Paul visited the Ephesian church leaders at the end of his 3rd missionary journey. When Paul sees them he tells them to beware of false teachers ()

Acts 20:29–30 NLT

I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.

Then in we read

Revelation 2:2 NKJV

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

1 out 6 times that Paul mentions love in the whole NT it is in Ephesians. This letter begins with love (, ) and ends with love ().

However we read in Revelation.

Revelation 2:4 NKJV

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Up to 50 gods in Ephesus - mainly Artemis. (others like Zeus, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollos)

Artemis was the most important god in Ephesus. She was the god of hunting, and childbirth.

Artemis was the most important god in Ephesus. She was the god of hunting, and childbirth.

The temple of Artemis was is considered by ancient writers as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world

Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to Philemon., vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 303.

Ephesus was also known around this time for witchcraft and magic.

Theme of Ephesus

Romans to Philemon: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Volume 3 Ephesians

1. Christ is supreme over all of creation, especially the powers of darkness.

2. Believers participate with Christ in his death, resurrection, and fullness.

3. The church is the one body of Christ and is composed of Jews and Gentiles.