Ephesians

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Preface

Introduction  To The Book Of Ephesians

Outline Of The Book Of Ephesians

Section 1: Ephesians 1 (Text)

Section 2: Ephesians 1

Section 3: Ephesians 1 (Part 2)

Section 4: Ephesians 1 Review

Section 5 : Ephesians 2 – (Text)

Section 6: Commentary & Questions  On Ephesians 2 (Part 1)

Section 7: Commentary & Questions  On Ephesians 2 (Part 2)

Section 8: Ephesians 3— (Text)

Section 9: Commentary & Questions  On Ephesians 3 (Part 1)

Section 10: Commentary & Questions  On Ephesians 3 (Part 2)

Section 11: Ephesians 4 (Text)

Section 12: Commentary & Questions  On Ephesians 4 (Part 1)

Section 12: Commentary & Questions  On Ephesians 4 (Part 2)

Section 13: Ephesians 5 (Text)

Section 14: Commentary & Questions  On Ephesians 5 (Part 1)

Section 15: Commentary & Questions  On Ephesians 5 (Part 2)

Section 16: Ephesians 6 (Text)

Section 17: Commentary & Questions  On Ephesians 6

Conclusion

How To Become A Christian

Resoruces

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MJ@mjbiblestudy.org

PREFACE

Why this book?

There are many study options today on the New Testament Epistles. The question is, what makes this book different? Why would you want to commit to this study?

More than anything else, it is the approach that this book series takes that sets it apart from the many fine study resources available today. Similar to how Jesus addressed the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation, this study series will present the material as if Jesus is speaking the words to the Church—to believers today.

Jesus extended words of encouragement to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3, but the focus of His message is more exhortation than encouragement. More than comforting, He challenges. He speaks not as the gentle Shepherd in John 10, but as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah¹ and conquering King of the Book of Revelation.² This will be the tone of this study series.

1 Peter 5:8 encourages believers to

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Revelation 12:12 warns believers that

…The devil…is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.

These verses remind followers of Jesus Christ that this generation bears witness to the fulfillment of the last-days prophecies profiled in Ezekiel 37 and Matthew 24. Satan knows his time is short and is in a fury—prowling around, looking for someone to devour.  Church—it’s the fourth quarter and it’s the big game. It’s time to step up, to be all in for the Lord, and to be prepared to finish well for Jesus.

Through this study, I will draw on Scripture to exhort the Church today. Like a coach who wants to inspire a good team to overcome setbacks and finish well, I will share truth in love, but also in boldness.  A Drill Sergeant is not known for being politically correct or exceptionally gentle—a Drill Sergeant has a limited time to harden and equip his troops to survive the coming battle. That’s how I see my role.

Evil is on the rise, darkness is falling, governments are crumbling, and economic systems are crashing. And at this critical time in history, the church seems to have lost its way. More than being known as a center for good, prayer, renewed lives, missions, sacrifice, unity, love, wisdom, truth, and miracles, the Church is divided and marked by compromise, pettiness, selfishness, showiness, and infighting.

The stats are terrible:

In America, almost 100 evangelical churches close their doors, never to reopen, each week.

Sunday School/small group attendance is down 40% in the last 20 years.

Attendance at midweek or Sunday night prayer, worship, or study gatherings are 15% of what they were 70 years ago.

The number of yearly baptisms in America is down more than 50% from 40 years ago.

85% of Americans report spending less time in church than 2 years ago.

The projections show that in 20 years, the percentage of people attending church in America will be half of what it was in 1990.

Islam is growing at a much faster rate than Christianity.

The fastest-growing ‘religious demographic in the United States is unaffiliated with any church, denomination, or religion.

Church attendance in the UK is expected to decrease by 90% between 2010 and 2040.

The Church is in crisis. Pastors do not stay at their post, congregations are divided, sin and apostasy abound, and the Scripture is not known and taken to heart.

What would Jesus say to the Church today? Would He commend our technology, online ministries, and fine buildings?  Would He compliment or challenge us to improve?

Remember, we in this generation are to be the best of the best—we have more resources, more freedom, and more opportunities to learn than any generation that has gone before us. The Church of the west has been blessed beyond measure—but where is the fruit? What impact is the church having on government, media, and education sectors? What percentage of believers are active in deep study, witnessing, serving, mission trips, and giving?  The Church today should excel in all these areas, but that is not the case.

This study book will draw from the Epistles and present Jesus’ challenge to today’s Church as a coach would talk to a good but unperforming team at halftime. This is the fourth quarter. This is the big game. The stakes are high. Prophecy notes that in the last days, the Church will fall into apostasy—but there is always a remnant. There are always small but faithful bands of believers who remain true to the faith. These are the people that garner the smile of God.³ It is this group who will hear the LORD say

…Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.⁴

This deep dive study series will…

Consider the structure and context of the text

Explore the history and background of the text

Provide an analysis of key Greek words in the text

Present a review of what great commentators through the ages have noted about the text

Profile the promises and expectations embodied in the text.

INTRODUCTION

TO THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS

Paul wrote Ephesians while under house arrest as a prisoner in Rome. But though he refers to himself as a prisoner in 3:1 and 4:1, in 6:20 he refers to himself as an ambassador for the faith (albeit, an ambassador in chains). This dichotomy summarizes the book. Paul’s writing reminds believers that God’s magnificent blessings equip disciple to rise above—to be optimistic and full of hope even in the midst of adversity and oppression.

The difficulty of Paul’s work at Ephesus is referenced in 1 Corinthians 15:32. Yet, despite great challenges, Paul made Ephesus a base for ministry. Many wonder why Paul did not choose a city that offered more comfort and safety? The answer is provided in 1 Corinthians 16:9 as Paul writes that a great door…[was] opened unto me…⁵ Herein, we see a mark of spiritual maturity—Paul ensured that his plans were based on God’s leading, not his comfort. His faithfulness is remarkable, and greatly impacted the expansion of the new, New Testament Church. According to Acts 18, Paul stayed in Ephesus for three years.

A tradition dating back to Cir. 150 A.D, notes that Paul had an encounter with a lion at Ephesus. This story stems from oral tradition and references what we now cite as 1 Corinthians 15:32. Acts is silent on this point, but the level of oppression Paul experienced puts the story well within the realm of possibility.

Many believe Ephesians was a general, circular letter rather than a letter to a specific body of believers at Ephesus. This supposition is supported by the fact that not all manuscripts include the words in Ephesus in verse 1 of chapter 1. Also, the Sinaticus and Vaticanus⁶ families of manuscripts do not include the words in Ephesus.

The lack of references to in Ephesus by early church leaders, the lack of personal expressions in the letter, and because 1:15 seems to indicate that Paul did not know at least some of the leaders personally, lead many to suggest the letter was meant for the churches in Asia Minor, rather than for the church at Ephesus in particular.

The debate does not present any doctrinal issues—it is only a peripheral point that scholars have debated at some length over the last 200 years. But the wise will study issues skeptics may try to use to discourage or disparage faith.  If someone said, "Did you know that the church leader Marcion (Cir. 140 A.D) suggested that Paul did not write Ephesians and that