By exploring who the audience and the author of the book were, as well as delving into the characteristics of the book, the full depth of the Book of Ephesians is revealed. 2: 6-7 Pressure is put on good men to silence them. We have a teacher in Paul facing his earthly demise passing on potentially final thoughts to his most prized student in the church of Ephesus. It had a harbor that at that time opened into the Cayster River (see map, p. 2429), which in turn emptied into the Aegean Sea (see map, p. 2599). Ephesians chapter 6 is one of the most thorough treatments of the spiritual war in the New Testament, it is but one of many texts which sheds light on this subject. Ephesians 6:11-17 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. It was a center of learning and was near several key land routes. 3. Today Mike gives a deep dive into the background and meaning of Ephesians 6:10-20. Ephesians 6:15 talks about fitting our feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. On a battlefield or near a fort, the enemy might scatter barbed spikes or … Paul cautions us to pray for others as well. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians September 2, 2011 Some people used Ephesians 6:5-9 alongside Greek, Roman, and Arab discussions of slavery to support the kind of slavery practiced in the Americas, but a simple knowledge of the nature… In addition to the contribution of Ephesians chapter 6, we may add several other observations concerning the spiritual war which will help us in our study of Ephesians 6:10-20. There are 41 commands in Ephesians, 1 of which is found in chapters 1-3. By taking into account the audience, the author, and the characteristics, the context of the Book of Ephesians rounds into view. 1. Ephesians 6:4, ESV: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." c. a.d. 62 Ephesus was a wealthy port city in the Roman province of Asia. For example, in chapters 1-3 Paul depicts the birth and purpose of the church while in the later section, we get a picture of what the church is to look and function like. Can’t Do Nationalism Without Nationalists. So what makes the Book of Ephesus so special in relation to the other books of the New Testament that Paul penned? And lastly, the style of the writing is as Baptist missionary Wil Pounds describes as “the language of a lyrical prayer” and there is “nothing like this in Paul’s other letters”. Ephesians 6:4 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Ephesians 6:4, NIV: "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." First, the Book of Ephesians is not a personal letter such as those written to Timothy, Titus, or Philemon nor does it speak of Paul’s personal plans. Ephesians chapters 1-3 wonderfully expound the Gospel while Ephesians chapters 4-6 provide a clear picture of how those doctrines change our lives. A. Written in 62 A.D. Apostle Paul explains the identity of the newcomers in Christ both Jews and Gentiles having been brought together into one body with Jesus Christ at the head. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. with this epistle (Ephesians 6:21) and the one Paul sent to Colossae (Colossians 4:7). The Ephesians were familiar with the idea of the gods giving armor to mythical heroes: thus Paul's allusion would be appropriate. This was about the same time he wrote Ephesiansand Philemon. In Chapter 6 of Ephesians, Paul began by urging believers to be in harmony with their own family. 6 It is beyond the scope of this brief background study to evaluate the entire debate over authorship. THE NATURE OF THE WARFARE IS SPIRITUAL. Led by a silversmith named Demetrius, an angry crowd rioted and filled the theater in Ephesus that held 24,500 people shouting “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:28). Ephesians Historical Background We must understand Ephesus if we want to understand the Book of Ephesians. Paul first comes in contact with Ephesus when leaving Corinth to travel to Jerusalem in 53 AD. Do Americans Understand How Bad Trumponomics is Going to Be For Them? (n.d.). During this time “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” (Acts 19:11–12). For a brief time at the end of his second missionary journey, and then for more than two years on his third missionary journey, (Ephesians 6:10–17). 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Letﾕs see how these evils make up part of our society (Stott wrote a book on Ephesians ﾒNew Societyﾓ). N.T. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Retrieved from http://www.christianinconnect.com/ephesians.htm, Deffinbaugh, R. (2004). In Chapter 6 of Ephesians, Paul began by urging believers to be in harmony with their own family. By examining the characteristics of the epistle or letter, we gain insight into why it is held in lofty regard. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. On his return from Jerusalem, Paul travels to Ephesus and establishes there his longest ministry in any one location. Contrasted to that are the 40 commands Paul gives them in chapters 4-6 (thanks to Dr. Oster for initially pointing that out to me). Paul for everyone: the prison letters. Carver described the Book of Ephesians as “the greatest piece of writing in all history” and English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge called it “the divinest composition of man”. Wright states that “it offers a breathtaking view of the entire landscape” and Pastor Robert Deffinbaugh calls it the “high road of New Testament revelation”. This amazing mystery (a truth not previously revealed) of the church, is that “the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6). 5 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. In Ephesians 4 through 6, the members of the church doing good work on behalf of the unity of the church, for themselves, and in their relationship with others. One of the seven wonders of the world was in Ephesus. It was probably written c. a.d. 62, while Paul was in prison in Rome (Acts 27–28). For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in … Ephesians Historical Background for Passage Originally named Ephesians. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Clearly, Paul wanted to drive home the point of his imprisonment as he starts Ephesians 3 with “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus” and Ephesians 4 with “As a prisoner for the Lord”. The uniqueness of Ephesians among the epistles. All three letters were sent with Tychicus and Onesimus. Ephesians 6:4, KJV: "And, ye fathers, provoke not your … Additionally, the city of Ephesus was known as a center of pagan worship as the Temple of the Greek goddess Artemis (Roman goddess Diana), considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was located just outside of the city limits. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. I. Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Ephesians 6:16 ← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources "THE SHIELD OF FAITH" EPH 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. I. Paul may have been physically imprisoned, but his mind and spirit, as portrayed in the letter, were clearly free. Wright suggests that it may have been written as a circular letter to the church in Ephesus to be distributed to several young churches in the Ephesus region. 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