Major themes of the book of ephesians

For those wanting to dig deeper into bible book paragraph summary themes go here. The book of ephesians exploring the treasure house of. What follows is an attempt to capture these themes its simplest form. Themes in the book of james scripture confident living. A grand epistle like ephesians almost defies coming up with one main theme. The books beginning with isaiah and ending with malachi belong to a section of the christian bible called the prophetic books. If jesus is a real person, we should expect to meet him in all of life. Ephesians has a unique focus in its first chapter on how all the persons of the triune god, father, son and holy spirit are active in.

Ephesians and colossians were probably composed at the same time in rome. In an effort to drive home his main point act on your faith, james gives. Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. Another major theme in ephesians is the keeping of christs body that is, the church pure and holy. This letter is one of pauls four imprisonment letters. Render service with enthusiasm, as to the lord and not to men and women, knowing that whatever good we do. This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he is shown to be the one who becomes our life. Ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. The major themes that show up in the letter to the ephesians are those of building the body of christ and christian practice, unity, holiness in life, and responsibility in the household bowker, 429. In light of this, this article will examine the treasure house of riches in jesus christ from the book of ephesians by exploring background information to the book, by outlining the content of the book, by identifying the themes of the book and by discussing one major theme and how it relates to the contemporary scene. The end result is that the gospel spread from ephesus throughout asia minor.

Each book has a major theme that emphasizes an aspect of gods character or a. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. Ephesians has a unique focus in its first chapter on how all the persons of the triune god, father, son and holy spirit are active in the saving work of the gospel. The book of ephesians is a letter from paul to christians at ephesus. The emphasizing of this contradiction, that christ has overcome evil yet evil exists, is one of the major themes of the late swiss theologian karl barth. Ephesians major themes introduction to the book of. Introduction to ephesians bible exposition commentary. In this article, i have addressed five themes to consider as you preach through this book. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf. Ephesians consists of a series of statements about god, christ and salvation, followed by exhortation urging readers to reflect gods truth and will in their lives. A guide to key events, characters and themes of the bible. There is not one exhortation in the first three chapters.

According to new testament scholar daniel wallace, the theme may be stated pragmatically as christians, get along with each other. The importance and style of prayer needed for the welfare of the church. Pauline authorship of ephesians does not appear to have been doubted in the early church. Now let us move to some of the major theological themes found in the book. The theme and purpose of ephesians ephesians is so broad, so sweeping in its content, that recognizing the underlying theme is easily missed. Paul walks a fine line when it comes to society and class. Finally, be strong in the lord and in his mighty power. Apr 17, 2009 now let us move to some of the major theological themes found in the book. Themes of the books summarized in paragraph form on each. This bible study lesson focuses on the 3 themes of the book of james, which are all found in the first chapter. Themes in the book of ephesians christ has reconciled the whole of creation to himself and to god the father.

It is listed among pauls letters in the early manuscripts and cited as such by early christian authors such as irenaeus against heresies 5. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. It describes gods blessings upon his people, reconciliation of their ethnic differences, and prototypical values for a godly lifestyle in familial and communal. Jesus did away with the need for all social norms and class distinctions. Major themes pauls second missonary journey to ephesus map chronology chart of pauline letters ephesians 1 ephesians 1. Because ephesus was the leading city of the region, and the main center of pauls. God has shown these to the ephesians, and paul calls the readers to be imitators of god eph 5. Its authorship has traditionally been attributed to paul the apostle but starting in 1792, this has been challenged as deuteropauline, that is, written in pauls name by a later author strongly influenced by pauls thought, probably by a loyal. The purpose of this essay is to explore the book of ephesians by commenting on critical issues, such as date, authorship, and setting, major theological themes, the purpose of the letter, and to offer an outline of the book itself. Major themes in epistle to the ephesians, also called letter. The apostle paul wrote this letter to the churches in ephesus and the surrounding region c. Aug 04, 20 paul calls attention to three major themes. And only through the good news and love of jesus can we learn how to thrive in the midst of our mess. People of all nations are united to christ and to one another in the church, through the working of the trinity.

Paul spent more time there than any other city about three years. Introduction to the book of ephesians book of ephesians survey. Based only on ephesians, how do calling and conduct relate to one another. A guide to key events, characters, and themes of the bible. This printable reference identifies one main theme for each book of the bible. Introduction as one begins to read the letter to the ephesians, he is intrigued not only by the many topics that the letter mentions, but also the fact that there are some major differences between this book and pauls other writings. The book of ephesians clearly leaves its mark among other bible books by displaying the powerful impact of the gospel of christ jesus in the individual and corporate life of believers. He also sent along the letter to the colossian church. The passages listed below include some of the most familiar stories and passages from the old and new testaments. He overcame all things hostile to creation, put them to public shame, and led them in a triumphal procession analogous to those of conquering generals in the ancient world col. One thing is certain ephesus was a city in darkness blinded by idolatry and material wealth. He has imputed his righteousness to his body, for now we have been bought with a price and therefore no longer our own but all things are gods. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. Themes of bible books simplified in one or two sentences.

Key verses and themes in colossians and philemon bible. A brief look at some of the unique teachings about jesus in ephesians. Like the troubles reported to paul, many of these issue are related to living out their new. View chuck swindolls chart of ephesians, which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. The city of ephesus was a large commercial port city in asia minor present day turkey located at. These books record gods messages to the people of israel and judah in the form of speeches or sermons, visions, and life experiences of. Comprised of jews and nonjews, these followers form the covenant family god promised to abraham. In the book of ephesians, we see how the gospel story affects believers everyday lives. Daniel fusco, a pastor and jazz musician, riffs on the major themes o f the book of ephesians to help each of us find god in the midst of our mess. On one hand, he understands that its kind of crazy the way we separate ourselves out and set one group up as.

Put on the full armor of god so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. Another theme which does justice to the content of the epistle and one that i suggest for this study is that. The author identifies himself as paul, the apostle of christ jesus, in the salutation and again in 3. Ephesians is a 1stcentury ce new testament letter in which a jewish writer applies the memory of jesus and pauline thought to christfollowers from different ethnic backgrounds. Gods glory, the mystery, unity of the body, redemption, calling of the. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new testament. Each book has a major theme that emphasizes an aspect of gods character or a way he is working to carry out his perfect plan. The main theme of james is that of faith and actions, but there are also other themes and key topics addressed in this book.

The book of ephesians survey introduces a list of themes and describes six of them. God the father planned throughout history for jesus to create a multiethnic community of followers. During this time he also wrote colossians and philemon. Most bible surveys and handbooks simplify the message of ephesians as exhortations to the body of christ, the church. The idea behind the word for mystery is that this truth was. Holy bible ephesians sentence block diagram method of the. In chapters 716 paul deals with questions from the church on marriage ch. This infinite eternal powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal, he. This books of the bible list printable is perfect for keeping folded inside your bible for reference. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new. The main theme of the letter to the ephesians is to explain the mystery of the church. Asked in books and literature, new testament, jesus christ. The two preceding paragraphs rephrase the person and work of christ in colossians. It was written to encourage believers to walk as fruitful followers of christ and to serve in unity and love in the midst of persecution.

The purpose of the book of ephesians was to warn the church elders about the false teachers that were teaching a false gospel and to maintain their first love that they held when they first became believers. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Every book of the bible has a theme and a purpose, and that is true of the book of james as well. Jun 21, 2012 a brief look at some of the unique teachings about jesus in ephesians. Each paragraph calls us to renewed thinking that leads to faithful godly lives. Prayer for ephesians strength, praise to god ephesians 3. Ephesians and colossians have a number of parallels. Written in 6162, when paul was a prisoner in rome cf. Ephesians chapters wonderfully expound the gospel while ephesians chapters 46 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. Were saved by gods gracehis favor which we could not deserve eph 2. Destination determining the precise destination for the ephesian letter. These 3 themes of the book of james are covered twice in the first chapter of the book. Book summary colossians shows jesus christs divine characteristics.

Ephesians presents many significant themes which bring major contributions of thought. It describes gods blessings upon his people, reconciliation of their ethnic differences, and prototypical values for a godly lifestyle in familial and communal contexts. The letter to the ephesians essay example graduateway. The creator, the one from whom all things consist, the all powerful one, the master of time and space, the head of the church. The book opens with the israelites in the land that god has promised to them, but worshiping foreign gods instead of yahweh, the god of israel, and with the canaanites still present everywhere. Key verses and themes in galatians, ephesians, and. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus.

Another of pauls themes is the deliverance from darkness into the kingdom of god eph 2. Ephesians essays essays and papers online mega essays. Ephesians executable outline study resources blue letter bible. Whereas the gentiles were once controlled by the powerful prince of the air, they are now in the kingdom of christ and free from trespasses and sins eph 2. The worship of god because of redemption unfortunately, what has often been missed in ephesians chapter 1, especially verses 1 through 14, which has become a battleground for the debate over election, specifically, and reformed versus nonreformed. The apostle paul wrote the letter to the ephesians while in prison.

Specific instructions for christian living ephesians 4. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. Book summary ephesians reveals to us the great mystery of the church which is the body of christ. Ephesians, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of. Now that you have read through the entire book, what are pauls purposes in writing it. Mar 14, 2018 every book of the bible has a theme and a purpose, and that is true of the book of james as well. What are the major themes or big ideas in this book.

The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors, designed to ensure believers are living up to our heavenly calling. The tenth book of the new testament and the fifth of the pauline epistles. The book of ephesians in the bible was written in rome. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. Ephesus was the chief city of the coastal area of asia minor.

Maintain the unity practically which christ has effected positionally by his death. Ephesians is so broad, so sweeping in its content, that recognizing the underlying theme is easily missed. It was written around 60ad during pauls house arrest in rome. Overview and outline of ephesians bible study deeper. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Once again, colossians must drive christendom to the affirmation of radical freedom col. While this is certainly a major theme in pauls book, it seems to ignore what i would argue is the major underlying purpose of ephesians which is our position in christ and the life that flows from it.

Introduction to the book of ephesians summary of hebrews. The book of ephesians was written to gods holy people in ephesus ephesians 1. Believers are expected to be clad in the spiritual armor of god as mentioned in ephesians 6. The book of ephesians tells how the gospel affects our. Some are obvious and some are a little more difficult to see but are clearly seen in the linking of greek catch words in the original text. Books of the bible list printable elizabeth george.

Mar 06, 2020 in this article, i have addressed five themes to consider as you preach through this book. The bible is filled with countless stories that inspire and challenge. Essay about letter to the ephesians 1186 words bartleby. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 6061, around the. With its exalted view of the church in gods plan of redemption, it is common to suggest the theme as the church, the fullness of christ.