As open the letter to the Ephesians, we can jump right into it without much introduction and through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we we will be so blessed by the power and beauty of this letter. But we would probably prefer at least some background information to use as on ramp tonight to the book of Ephesians.
Paul is and in the early church fathers is recognized as the author of Ephesians. Practically speaking is one of the Epistles, a letter to the church similar to Galatians, Philippians and Colossians. It most similar to Colossians and some modern scholars have used those similarities to question whether or not Paul is actually the author of Ephesians. For full disclosure, the debate of Paul’s authorship rises over a few issues that some scholars have made a big deal over.
Some of the early copies of Ephesians that we have do not have the name “Ephesians” in the title.
It was likely an encyclical letter - sent to all the churches.
We know Paul used an amanuensis and copies of the letter were made at the time of writing the original.
Many of the copies we have do include the title Ephesians.
The letter seems to read more generically to the church and does not focus on some specific controversy or rebuke such as in Galatians or the Corinthian letters.
It seems like a fake argument to me. Paul wrote letters to the churches based of the needs of those churches. His emphasis on the unity between Jews and Gentiles through the cross of Christ would have been specific to Ephesus but was probably a very common theme in many of the Greek and Roman communities where Paul preached the Gospel.
Colossians has similarities to Ephesians in a way that some insist the author of Ephesians leaned on Colossians to write Ephesians.
While I know that smarter men than me have studied these ideas in greater detail, I agree with the commentaries that take on these questions and recognize that there is no evidence, even with the shared similarities, that indicates which epistle was written first or why similar language between the letters would cause us to question Pauline authorship.
Some of the language the author uses, vocabulary and phrases, is unique to the letter to the Ephesians.
Once again, the uniqueness of some of the phrases or theological points made in Ephesians does not require a different author. We would recognize that Paul explains the gospel from different angles and does so based on his audience which would require using different words, phrases, or even different concepts that work to explain God’s mystery of the Cross to us.
Apostleship: An Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.
Paul has the title of Apostle. An apostle by definition is “a sent one”. And this would make Paul An Apostle of Jesus Christ because Paul encounters Christ on the road to Damascus and Jesus saves him and through Ananias, gives the call on Paul’s life “he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” Acts 9:15.
There were three qualifications to be considered an apostle in the early church.
A disciple of Jesus.
An eye witness to the resurrection.
Called and commissioned directly by Christ.
We will discuss Paul’s calling and ministry more when we get to chapter 3.
Audience: The Church in Ephesus
In modern day Turkey, ancient Ephesus was ruled first by the Greeks and then by the Romans. Paul would have been in Ephesus under Roman rule. It was a relatively large city with all of the Greek and Roman traits; wealth, multicultural community, amphitheater, temples, idolatry, immorality, etc.
The Big Picture
Paul’s letter has been divided up into 6 chapters and there are a few different ways we can outline his letter and the main ideas that Paul was teaching.
From the Bible Project: Two Main sections C. 1-3 and then C. 4-6.
Chapter 1-3 are much more theological, describing how we are saved or laying out for us SOTERIOLOGY. And Paul explains our unity in Christ between Jews and Gentiles.
Chapters 4-6 Paul teaches us about the church
Chapter 4-6 are explaining how our salvation should then change our lives, how God calls us to serve him, treat one another in the home and our community, and the spiritual resources we have in Jesus to stand firm on our faith.
One way to see how this unfolds in the book is by seeing how some of the terms Paul uses changes through the latter.
The opening of Paul’s song emphasizes the worship of God and reminds of the position of God the Father and Jesus the Son as well as the Lordship of Jesus and his office of Messiah. Paul is praising God in this Jewish way similar to the Schema - “Hear O Israel The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Through this prayer he has reminded us of the trinity with the role of the Holy Spirit coming just a few verses later.
Spiritual Blessing in the Heavenly Places - What are the spiritual blessings we are given for which Paul is giving thanks?
We were chosen in Jesus before the world was created. PLEASE DON’T PANIC OVER THE WORD CHOSEN.
2. We were chosen by his grace and not based on our own good works. It is obvious in the text that God chose us knowing that we need a Savior and subsequently with the plan to send the Savior all along. He did not pick us because of something we would do or because of our class or our potential. In fact it reads to me that He chose us because we are sinners and we would need a savior.
3. We are adopted to part of God’s family through Jesus. IN LOVE - The placement of this phrase could point back to “chosen” or it could point forward to predestined - either way these action are done as a result of God’s love.
4. We are blessed by this Salvation according to God’s will, by his glorious grace, and through the Beloved - Jesus Christ.
Let’s pause here for just a minute - two tracks in scripture. Chosen and whosoever will. Ephesians 1:3 and John 3:16. There is no contradiction.
We are called to witness, be missionaries - which is what Paul was doing - and while I am doing that work I know it is only Jesus that saves.
Our salvation only comes through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Jesus went to the cross and shed his blood for us. Let’s remember our Hebrews study - Jesus is the final sacrifice. He is the Lamb of God who tales away the sins of the world. But all the animals and the blood that was spilled for atonement were a shadow - an imperfect offering looking to the things ahead - until Jesus could offer the perfect, fulfilling sacrifice.
It’s out of the riches of his Grace! The imagery here is of wealth and opulence. But God does not here offer something that will rust be lavishes on us his Grace.
The idea of the mystery of God’s plan or his will has finally been revealed through Jesus Christ. Where we can understand in part through reading the prophecies of the Old Testament, we are now on the other side of the cross and see more fully - certainly not all - but the mystery of God’s plan.
We have an inheritance that comes to us through Jesus Christ. In Him! Spiritual Blessing. We are heaven bound.
Do you remember when you were saved? Not a date or moment. Do you remember when you heard the truth? Do you remember when you believed? It is then that you were sealed.
