Ephesians Part 1

Background of Ephesians (before the Study Series begins)

Read Eph 1:1-2

Let us determine the authorship, recipients and purpose of this epistle.

Ø Authorship

The author begins by identifying and announcing himself as the apostle Paul. However, Pauline authorship of Ephesians not only has the earliest attestation of any book of the NT, but this attestation continued until last two centuries. There are few reasons why scepticism of Paul’s authorship of Ephesians is widespread. To name a few: Firstly, Paul spent many years in Ephesus to be so impersonal in this letter, which is inconsistent with most Pauline writings. Secondly, Ephesians’ language and style contains too many unique words by Paul. Thirdly, there exists the possibility of a pseudonymous writer. Fourthly, the literary relationships are too similar to the book of Colossians which is widely accepted as genuine Pauline writing, and finally, there are some theological distinctions which is not connected with the rest of the Pauline writings existed in Ephesians. However, although it differs from other Pauline literature, the differences do not sufficiently argue for the rejection of Pauline authorship of this letter. Variations can be accounted for, due to differences in content, character and needs of the recipients. We must make allowances for Paul’s development in his own thinking, and should not limit his style and vocabulary based on the canonical writings.

Ø Recipients

Traditionally it is understood that this letter was written to believers in Ephesus of Asia Minor (note the ‘saints’ and the ‘faithful’ in 1:1). However, the earliest manuscript omit the words ‘in Ephesus’ and the impersonal tone of the letter, some doubt that it was written just for Ephesians. Some suggest that this letter was most probably encyclical and possibly the city name was omitted so that anyone who read the letter could fill in the city’s name. This is highly speculative, and for those who choose to retain it is directed to Ephesus, it might had been directed not to one large church but many house churches in the vicinity. The recipients were primarily Gentiles (even though there were Jews), and a mixture of young and old believers.

Ø Purpose

There has been much discussion over the years on the purpose of Ephesians. Some suggested this letter is a theological tract, a wisdom discourse and a baptismal or Eucharistic liturgy. As we begin our series of study together, we will discover the whole letter is a combination of Christian doctrine, Christian duty, Christian faith and Christian life. Certainly one theme which most commentators agree is unity. This word ‘unity’ is used nowhere else in the NT except Ephesians (4:3, 13). The term ‘one’ expresses unity and is used fourteen times. The phrases ‘in Christ’, ‘in whom’, ‘in the Lord’ or similar expressions occur thirty-eight times and indicate the means by whom or the sphere in whom the unity is achieved. Unity, then, is a very prominent theme in Ephesians. True unity is accomplished when people love one another. The theme ‘love’ is also dominant in Ephesians. Love, both in the verb and noun forms, is found twenty times. The verb itself occurs ten times in Ephesians out of thirty-four times in all of the Pauline letters. Hence, nearly one-third of all its occurrences is in Ephesians. The frequent use of love seems to furnish the key to the purpose of this book. Apparent are both God’s love for people and the believer’s love for one another within the new community. Love in action within the community of believers then, would foster unity, the other prominent theme.

Ephesians 1:3-23
Theme: God’s Spiritual Blessing and a prayer for wisdom and revelation.
Session goal: To discover the spiritual blessings God blessed his saints with, and the hope to which He has called us.
Target Group/ No of People: Young working adults (23-35 years old)/ 15 people

Outline: (Notes for Bible Study Facilitator are in Italics)

Introduction:

Paul firstly praises God for what He has done for the believers (1:3-14) and then gives his thanksgiving (1:15-23). For the first part of the prayer, we notice a progression from a pronouncement of praise to God (1:3), to a description of God’s great plan and action (4-12), and its application to the believers (13-14). Having completed the magnificent eulogy, Paul prays for the believers. It is a prayer for those who have possessed every spiritual blessing; that their relationship with God would be deepened, and they can experience the spiritual benefits in a deeper way.

1. Eph 1:3 says that we are blessed with every ‘spiritual blessing’. What are the spiritual blessing mentioned here? And when did we receive them? As children of God adopted into his family, what would your responsibility be?

Direct them to read Eph 1:4-14. The spiritual blessing: Election, Adoption, Redemption, revelation of the mystery of His will, the seal which is the promised Holy Spirit. Elaborate with their proper meaning of each spiritual blessing. We received them during conversion because we need to appropriate and gain the spiritual blessing. Also point out the singular ‘blessing’. It is a collective noun, which means when God blessed, you have

2. Every blessing of the Holy Spirit has been given to us by the Father if we are in the Son. No blessing has been withheld from us. Does this mean we do not need to do anything beyond our belief in Christ?

No. Even though a believer is promised with the spiritual blessing, one still needs to grow into maturity in Christ, be continually transformed into his image and journey to explore the riches of our inheritance in him.

3. Share what you understand with the term ‘spiritual’. Does that mean the blessing cannot be ‘material’ or ‘worldly’?

Explain the opposite of ‘spiritual’ not necessary always be ‘worldly’. Rather, it is the things of the spirit.

4. Eph 4:10 says a time is coming when all things would be brought under one head. Does this advocate universalism? If not, as Christians, what should our response be towards the non-believers, especially to our neighbours in Malaysia?

Explain universalism. Explain what Paul meant in this verse. Await their response, and direct them to think mission, and proclaiming the good news at every opportunity.

5. Paul prays that God will give the believers the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. What is the purpose of his prayer? Compare and contrast our prayer with that of Paul. Have we been praying for our brothers and sisters in the same way? Are we convinced of that great power that is at work in us? Does this power affect any of the areas of your life, and to what extent?

That their eyes would be enlightened to see: 1) the hope to which he has called, 2) the glorious wealth of his inheritance, 3) God’s incomparably great power for us who believe. Stop for a time of reflection.

Summary/Conclusion As children of God, we are promised with the blessings which God has blessed us in Christ. We have the past blessing, the ‘election’, the present blessing, the ‘adoption’ as sons and daughters of God, and the future hope, to be united with Christ. God chose us before the creation of the world, and predestined us to be His children. This thought alone should send us to our knees, giving thanks to Him for his love. We are God’s possession by His will, yet we have responsibility to respond to His gracious will to save. Therefore, we need to be reminded that only because God is sovereign and He is gracious, our faith is possible and our mission to evangelise has any rate of success to extend the kingdom of God. We are to live ‘for the praise of His glory’. Paul’s desire is for believers to deepen their relationship with God who enriched us with every spiritual benefit. He prays that the believers would know God more personally and intimately. The purpose of this knowledge is that they might know three things: 1) the hope of his calling, which looks in the past; 2) the wealth of his glorious inheritance, which looks into the future; and 3) the greatness of his power, which looks at the present. That greatness of the power was already demonstrated when He raised Christ and seated with him, subjected all things under Christ, and gave him as the head of the church.