PURPOSE: To strengthen the believers in Ephesus in their Christian faith by explaining the nature & purpose of the church, and the body of Christ.
AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul
THE ORIGINAL AUDIENCE: The church at Ephesus, then circulated to neighboring local churches.
DATE WRITTEN: Approximately AD 60, from Rome during Paul’s imprisonment there.
THE SETTING: This letter wasn’t written to confront any heresy or problem in the churches. It was sent with Tychicus (Te’che-kus) to strengthen & encourage the churches in the area. Paul had spent over three (3) years with the Ephesian church. As a result, he was very close to them. Paul met with the elders of the Ephesian church at Miletus (my-lee’tus) (Acts 20:17-38) - a meeting that was filled with great sadness because he was leaving them for what he thought would be the last time. Paul may have intended this to be a circular letter to be read to all the churches in the area.
THE BLUEPRINT
1. Unity in Christ (Ephesians 1:1 - 3:21)
2. Unity in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:1 - 6:24)
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church, he explains the wonderful things that we have received thru Christ & refers to the church as a body to illustrate unity of purpose & show how each individual member is a part that must work together with all the other parts. In our own life, we should work to eradicate all backbiting, gossip, criticism, jealousy, anger, and bitterness, because these are barriers to unity in the church.
Random notes:
* The “church age” began at Pentecost (Acts 2).
* The first Christian church was birthed in Jerusalem.
* Paul & his associates established local assemblies in scores of Gentile (Non-Jewish) cities. * Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a letter of encouragement. In it Paul describes the nature & appearance of the church, and he challenges believers to function as the living body of Christ on earth.
Up next are the Mega Themes found in Paul’s letter. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.
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