Ephesians: Introduction

Background of the Book of Ephesians:

The City of Ephesus was the capital of Proconsular Asia, second only to Rome. The city was consecrated to the false goddess Artemis, a.k.a. Diana. The temple took 220 years to build, being 418 ft. x 239 ft; with 127 56 ft. columns; it was four times larger than the Parthenon and stood until 262 A.D. when it was ruined by the Goths. The Theater, which was excavated on the west side of Mt. Croesus, was the largest in the Hellenic world, seating 50,000 people. It was colonized mainly from Athens. There were great painters and educators in Ephesus. The Great harbor was gradually ruined by the silting of the River Cayster. Note that Paul stayed longer in Ephesus than in any other place. We may assume that the Gospel may have been more effective in this area than any other place or time in the history of the world.

About A.D. 51, Paul visited Ephesus (Acts 18:18-21), bringing Aquila and Priscilla and leaves them there. Paul’s 2nd visit lasts 3 years; A.D. 54-57; and Ephesus emerges as the headquarter church in Proconsular Asia (Acts 29:20-31). There were 14 key churches: the seven of Revelation, plus Troas, Assos, Adramyttium, Miletus, Trogyllium, Hierapolis and Colossae. 1 Corinthians was written here; this period closed with the tumult raised by Demetrius (Acts 19:19-41).

Paul lands at Miletus, 30 miles south of Ephesus in A.D. 58; meeting leaders away from the crowd and presents the pathetic yet noble charge of Acts 20:18-35. The Pastoral Epistles A.D. 63 where Paul exhorts Timothy to stay on at Ephesus (1Tim. 1:3) Ephesus is twice mentioned in 2 Timothy. Paul may have been seized here at Ephesus and taken back to Rome.

Paul arrived in Rome in the spring of A.D. 61, nearly 10 years after his first visit. Paul spent two years in “house arrest” chained to a Praetorian sentinel (Acts 28) Also see (Phil. 4:21, 22.) The following people visited him in prison and carried the “Prison Epistles” to Asia in the year A.D. 62: Tychicus, who brought this epistle. Epaphras, from Colossae, who brought the Epistle to the Colossians (col 4;12). Epaphroditus, from Philippi who carried the Epistle to the Philippians; (Phil 4:18). Onesimus, the fugitive Colossian slave who brought the Epistle to Philemon, his master. John’s Epistles may have also been written near here. Patmos was within 60 miles of Ephesus. Note that John wrote first to Ephesus: See Rev. 2: 1-7.

Ephesians Overview

God’s unconditional Love is shown by His sacrifices on our behalf. Love pours forth in this book with an emphasis on how we receive and enjoy His love, becoming increasingly rooted and grounded in Jesus.

Ephesians 1-3: Doctrine: Our position through God’s Grace ~ what we are in Christ; what He did.

Ephesians 4-6: Duty: Our responsibilities and privileges ~ what we should do in response. Notice responsibilities and privileges go hand in hand.

Paul emphasized balance ~ Doctrine with Duty. We inherit the wealth of Christ by Faith, and we invest the wealth by works. Believers are urged to enter by Faith into the possession of their promised inheritance. Note that what you truly Believe is shown by your Faith; Faith is proved by your actions according to what you claim to believe. Remember, Faith without Action, is dead. James 2:14-20.

Salvation: Justification is being made right with God through the sacrifice on the cross made by Jesus, (Jesus actually died for us, we are forgiven!); then Sanctification (our lifelong calling ~ living out our Faith since sin no longer has power over us); then Glorification, (Perfection, our final inheritance in Heaven with Jesus!)