35: Ephesians: Introduction
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In this episode, we introduce the book of Ephesians, exploring its authorship, historical context, and central message. Written by the apostle Paul, during imprisonment, Ephesians emphasizes the unity of all believers in Christ and the practical implications of that unity for daily life. We also examine its close relationship to Colossians, the possibility that it was a circular letter intended for multiple churches, and its unique, sermon-like style. Finally, we consider how Paul’s call to unity remains relevant for Christians today. Join us as we lay the foundation for our study of this powerful book!
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- 00:04
- Welcome to the Ready for Eternity podcast, a podcast and blog dedicated to inquisitive
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- Bible students exploring biblical truths that might not be fully explored in typical sermons or Bible studies.
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- My name is Eddie Lawrence. I'm kicking off a new series on key themes from Ephesians.
- 00:28
- In this episode, we're setting the stage with a quick introduction to the book, its purpose, its message, and why it matters.
- 00:41
- Who wrote Ephesians, when, and where? Paul likely wrote
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- Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon around the same time. In each letter, he identifies himself as a prisoner, though he doesn't specify his location of imprisonment.
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- Scholars debate the timing, but some suggest Paul wrote these letters between 57 and 59
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- AD. If this is true, Paul composed them during his two -year imprisonment in Caesarea Maritima following his arrest at the temple in Jerusalem.
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- Ephesians and Colossians share many similarities, likely because Paul sent them to churches in the same region.
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- Both letters emphasize Christ's supremacy and the unity of the church as his body.
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- While Colossians focuses on Christ as the head of all creation and the church,
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- Ephesians highlights the church's role in God's plan to unite all things in Christ.
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- Many words, phrases, and ideas are present in both books.
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- Klein Snodgrass, in his commentary, noted that approximately 34 % of Colossians is paralleled by about 25 % of Ephesians.
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- In fact, Ephesians 6, 21, and 22, and Colossians chapter 4, verses 7 through 8, are so similar in composition that Ben Witherington notes that some scholars are certain that the scribe had
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- Colossians before him while composing Ephesians. Who is the intended audience for the book of Ephesians?
- 02:36
- Surprisingly, some scholars believe that Ephesians was a circular letter intended for multiple churches in the region, not just the church in Ephesus.
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- They base this on the fact that the letter lacks personal greetings, which are common in Paul's other letters, and it discusses broad theological themes rather than addressing specific local issues.
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- The oldest manuscript copies omit the words in Ephesus from the opening verse.
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- This suggests that Paul intended the letter for a broader audience. However, an early scribe may have removed it to accommodate churches in different locations.
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- If it was a circular letter, it would be similar to Revelation, which was sent to seven
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- Asian churches, making its message relevant to multiple congregations.
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- Also, Ephesians is more like a written sermon than a typical letter.
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- Most of Paul's letters address specific individuals or churches. They include personal greetings and respond to local issues.
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- Ephesians, however, focuses on broad theological themes. It explores
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- God's plan for salvation, the unity of the church, and practical Christian living.
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- Because Paul might have intended it for multiple churches, Ephesians lacks the specific personal details typical of his letters.
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- The homiletic style, aimed at teaching, exhorting, and encouraging believers, makes
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- Ephesians more like a sermon delivered to a wide audience, similar to the book of Hebrews, which also serves as a sermon rather than a personal letter.
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- The main message of the book is the unity of believers in Christ. This was especially important for the original readers, where divisions between Jewish and Gentile Christians were significant.
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- These groups struggled to accept each other due to their different cultural backgrounds, religious practices, and histories.
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- Paul reminds them that Christ's sacrifice reconciles both Jew and Gentile to God, uniting them as one body.
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- In Ephesians 4, Paul highlights seven aspects of this unity.
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- One body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one
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- God and Father of all. These seven ones emphasize that the foundation for Christian unity is not agreement on every doctrinal issue, but shared faith in Christ.
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- Today, this message of unity challenges modern Christians to set aside differences, whether cultural, denominational, or personal, and focus on the common bond of faith in Christ.
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- It's a call to work together, build each other up, and reflect the unity we have in Christ, especially in a world marked by division and conflict.
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- Thanks for listening to the podcast. We hope this episode has deepened your understanding of Scripture.
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- If you found this content valuable, please share it with your friends. For more biblical studies, visit our website at ReadyForEternity .com.
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- That's the word ready, the number four, and the word eternity. ReadyForEternity .com.
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- Be sure and leave a comment on the Ready for Eternity Facebook page or reach out on Twitter. That's all for now.
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- Keep studying your Bible, growing closer to God, and getting ready for eternity.