In the first part (Chapters 1-3), Paul instructs the church where they stand in Christ. THE NATURE OF THE WARFARE IS SPIRITUAL. Copyright © 2021 by Craig Keener. 3. 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. Trump is a “Test,” Not Their Savior. Audience – Paul wrote to the network of house churches in Western Asia Minor, in and near Ephesus.It is interesting to note and observe that while the New Testament often refers to the church, it does not speak of going “to church” … It was a large temple dedicated to a goddess named Diana (Artemis). Dad should take the initiative to make sure that plans and processes and people are in place to build a vision of God and truth and holiness into the lives of the children. Ephesians 6:15 talks about fitting our feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. As noted in Acts 18:18–22, Paul stopped off in Ephesus, visited the synagogue in the city, and left his acolytes Priscilla and Aquila there before traveling on towards Jerusalem. (Originally submitted on 9/3/14 for the BIB203A Interpreting the Bible class taught by Robert Marquardt at Colorado Christian University, CAGS), An overview of the book of Ephesians (2001). 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 high places” (Ephesians 6:11–12; emphasis added), encourages the Saints to guard themselves on several fronts in order to keep the tide of apostasy at bay. 6 It is beyond the scope of this brief background study to evaluate the entire debate over authorship. The author of the Book of Ephesus was the Apostle Paul. There are 41 commands in Ephesians, 1 of which is found in chapters 1-3. The uniqueness of Ephesians among the epistles. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. A. The gospel had continued to advance in Asia, Macedonia, and Greece. 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. Ephesians gives no hint of Paul’s release from prison as do Philippians (1:19-26) and Philemon (22); therefore, it may well have been written in the early part of his stay, or around AD 60. Retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/08/letters-to-the-church-ephesians/, Pounds, W. (2006). 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. 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…. Ephesians 6:21-22 Tychicus (too-key-kos'), the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. Retrieved from http://www.thescripturealone.com/EphIntro.htm. Introduction from the NIV Study Bible | Go to Ephesians Author, Date, and Place of Writing. Ephesians 6:11-17 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. In Chapter 6 of Ephesians, Paul began by urging believers to be in harmony with their own family. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. Do Americans Understand How Bad Trumponomics is Going to Be For Them? 5:16; Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents; Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family. As Robert Deffinbaugh notes, the church in Ephesus was one of “the most well taught churches that ever existed” with Paul ministering there for nearly three years and Timothy, Paul’s close aide, ministering there after Paul left. Keep in mind that, even though both mother and father work together in raising the children (“children obey your parents,” v. 1), fathers are the special focus of verse 4. For a full treatment, reference Hoehner, Ephesians , 2-61. For instance, children were urged to follow the commandment of obeying their parents in the Lord. 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 … 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. 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). This means that in this epistle the teachings and thoughts of the Apostle Paul reach their loftiest form. 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). 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. 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”. Paul stated that this was the first commandment with a promise, which says that honoring one’s mother and father will lead to a happy and long life. The Ephesians were familiar with the idea of the gods giving armor to mythical heroes: thus Paul's allusion would be appropriate. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. First, when Paul says, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4–6), he may be speaking to members of the Church who struggled with seeing Gentiles and Jews as one. That command is found in 2:12 – “remember”. 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. God has orders for us, through his Word and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. This was about the same time he wrote Ephesiansand Philemon. THE NATURE OF THE WARFARE IS SPIRITUAL. Ephesians is pretty clearly divided into two sections – Ephesians 1-3 & 4-6. Ephesians 6:10-12 . Retrieved from https://bible.org/seriespage/1-uniqueness-ephesians-among-epistles, Letters to the church: Ephesians (2012). 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 … 8 Things Millennials Say Would Bring Them Back To Church. Today Mike gives a deep dive into the background and meaning of Ephesians 6:10-20. Retrieved from http://www.christianinconnect.com/ephesians.htm, Deffinbaugh, R. (2004). It was probably written c. a.d. 62, while Paul was in prison in Rome (Acts 27–28). The apostle Paul wrote this letter to Christians living in the small city of Colossae. 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. Because it was also at an intersection of major trade routes, Ephesus became a commercial center. 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). show. This is a natural extension of the headship of the wife in Ephesians 5:23-25. ***** INTRODUCTION. Paul probably wrote his letter to the Ephesians while under house arrest in Rome (). Ephesians 6:11-17 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The Book of Ephesians is held in great reverence by both Biblical scholars and lay people. 1. Ephesians is placed in this time period because of its close association to Colossians-Philemon and the probability that Tychicus delivered both letters (Eph. Ephesians 6:4, ESV: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." For instance, children were urged to follow the commandment of obeying their parents in the Lord. As Acts 19 describes, one of Paul’s first works was to re-baptise twelve disciples in the name of Jesus who had been baptised by the Jewish-Christian Apollos in the name of John. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Paul stated that this was the first commandment with a promise, which says that honoring one’s mother and father will lead to a happy and long life. Ephesians September 2, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.abideinchrist.com/messages/ephintro.html, Timeline of the apostle Paul (n.d.). 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