Ephesians: A Letter to All the Saints
Ephesians: A Letter to All the Saints • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 32:43
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Malachi taught us that God showed love for His people & that the people did not return that love.
Ephesians will follow a similar path and exhort the church to recognize God’s love.
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Author: Paul
1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God...”
Apostles are appointed by Jesus
Paul is the only apostle to not be taught by Jesus directly, but is still called by Jesus in Acts 9 and confirmed by Ananias (Acts 9:10-19) and Barnabas (Acts 9:26-27).
His position is by the will of God alone.
3:1 “For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles...”
Paul has spent 3 years in Ephesus. ~52-57 A.D.
Paul is now under house arrest in Rome ~62 A.D.
Within the next 5 years he would be martyred in Rome.
Audience: The saints in Ephesus
The words “in Ephesus” do not appear in three of the earliest manuscripts, but there are far more manuscripts, gathered from a wide geographical area, that do include these words. It is typical of Paul to mention the destination. The title “To the Ephesians” appears in all manuscripts.
No references to specific saints nor enemies of the faith, as would be found in many other epistles.
Likely a letter passed around for a few local congregations & then it would have been circulated over a larger area.
16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
Content:
Chapters 1-3 affirm doctrine
Chapters 4-6 practical application
Context:
Written to a church that has been encouraged to reject false & evil teachers. (Acts 20:17-35)
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Written to a church that has heard the “whole council of God.”
27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
Comparison:
Many similarities to other Epistles. (We will see these verse by verse!)
Some important differences. (This highlights important subjects.)
How we will study:
We may be in 1:1-2:10 for ten weeks. There is tremendous depth that is worthy of close consideration!
There will be small group study & discussion.