The purpose, subject matter, recipients and occasion explain the use of new words. Swindolls living insights new testament commentary. Twice in this epistle paul referred to himself by name as the author of the book eph. Isaiah 6 niv isaiahs commission in the year bible gateway. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities. Paul the author of this letter, realizing that the ephesians were starting to forsake their first love, wrote this epistle to encourage them to love both god and their fellow saints. And although many dates have been given, it was probably written between 6063 a. Paul intended that all who long for christlike maturity would receive this writing. Now viewing scripture range from the book of ephesians chapter 6. Third, paul discusses the armor of god ephesians 6. What is the breastplate of righteousness ephesians 6. Training is the same word translated chastening in hebrews 12. The duty of servants is summed up in one word, obedience.
The new testament book of ephesians was written to the christians in ephesus and explains what the christian church is and how its members should behave. The apostle proceeds in the exhortation to relative duties which he began in the former, particularly he insists on the duties of. Ephesians ivp bible background commentary institute of biblical. For surely no child is called to obey any parent if he give unreasonable or unscriptural commands. Verses 10 through 20 are a famous and wellused portion of scripture. If chapter four and five of ephesians were to be summarized, they would be summed up as, walk in a. However, paul presented the gift of god in christ and the benefits we. Ephesians chapter 6 matthew henry concise commentary on. As any invaded people would, they see themselves as rising to defend their home and territory despite the fact that they probably know that god has given this earth to us as an inheritance this is a spiritual parallel of israel coming out of egypt. This is the meaning of the insistence on unity in 4. He is reminding them that their true enemy is a spiritual enemy. Isaiah 6 new international version niv isaiahs commission. This verse tells us that our warfare is against demons, and theyangels who rose up against godlook upon us as invaders.
Therefore put on the full armor of god, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after. Chapter 6 offer four primary points closing out pauls letter to the church in ephesus. 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. Dont just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as christs servants doing what god wants you to do.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. This commentary will join hoehner and obrien as the first references on ephesians to which i turn. Aug 14, 2019 the new testament book of ephesians was written to the christians in ephesus and explains what the christian church is and how its members should behave. Its authorship has traditionally been attributed to paul the apostle but starting in 1792, this has been challenged as deuteropauline, that is, written in pauls name by a later author strongly influenced by pauls thought, probably by a loyal. The grace of god is everything that he has chosen to show us about himself. Does it not appear, philosophically speaking, a somewhat violent assumption to decide that man is really the highest being in the created universe, or, at least, that between man and his maker there are no gradations with different moral colourings of. The combat for which we are to be prepared is not against ordinary human enemies, not barely against men compounded of flesh and blood, nor against our own corrupt natures singly considered, but against the several ranks of devils, who have a government which they exercise in this world. Paul wrote this letter while enduring his first roman imprisonment in house arrest. The argument against ephesians authenticity, however, rests exclusively on internal evidence, for as even kummel admits, without question ephesians was extraordinarily well attested in the early church.
First, ephesians is one of the socalled deuteropauline epistles. The epistle to the ephesians, also called the letter to the ephesians and often shortened to ephesians, is the tenth book of the new testament. Can you explain ephesians 612 in the bible spiritual. One is hard pressed to see how these usages are mutually exclusive, and it is not shown that or how they are. Sep 08, 2016 jamar, i applaud your eagerness to understand this chapter, because it contains one of the most important keys a christian has for understanding and overcoming during times of storms and assaults. Enclosed within the book of ephesians is the discipline needed to develop into true children of god. The apostolic benediction and farewell, ephesians 6. Paul speaks of apostles and prophets in i corinthians 12. What is the meaning of ephesians chapter 2 answers. Verse 1 children, obey your parents this is a duty with which god will never dispense. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, youre really serving god. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. The author except for the pastorals, ephesians has the worst credentials for authenticity, in critical circles, among all of pauls epistles.
Verse 6 all this makes us praise him for his wonderful grace. Soldiers knew one hit to the head could mean disaster in battle. Ephesians is the great pauline letter about the church. This is because most scholars agree that paul didnt actually write it.
And the very scripture you used about the breath returning to god it actually says spirit not breath returns back to god but remember the breath is the spirit. Ephesians 6 bible commentary matthew henry complete. The hypostasis of the archons, written sometime in the third century, cites the same verse and attributes the book of ephesians to paul. Paul wraps up his practical teachings with a series of analogies, comparing aspects of the christian faith to the equipment carried by a soldier. In the book of ephesians chapter 1 verse 4 says that we are a chosen people by god, even before god created the world. Parents should be tender towards their children, ephesians 6. In this verse, he simply states what the main purpose of spiritual warfare and the armor of god is. David guzik commentary on ephesians 6 explains how the believer is. Paul, an apostle of jesus christ by the will of god, to the saints which are at ephesus, and to the faithful in christ jesus. The book of ephesians hits on a wide range of moral and ethical behaviors, designed to ensure believers are living up to our heavenly calling. Jamar, i applaud your eagerness to understand this chapter, because it contains one of the most important keys a christian has for understanding and overcoming during times of storms and assaults.
The apostle proceeds in the exhortation to relative duties which he began in the former, particularly he insists on the duties of children and. Servants should show all obedience and fidelity to their masters, ephesians 6. Objections to pauls authorship the first objections to pauls authorship of ephesians arose among scripture scholars in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century on the basis of internal evidence, that is, content that seemed inconsistent with pauls authorship. What is ephesians chapter 6 verse 12 in the bible talking. It is not as though god had only one secret or mystery to reveal, or as if any matter has exclusive rights to the word. Its authorship has traditionally been attributed to paul the apostle but starting. Paul spent the first three chapters of the letter discussing gods creation of a. Ephesians 6, new international version niv the bible app. Eph has 155 verses, 73 of which are similar to ones from col. All should be strong in the lord, and be armed with his armor, because of. The book of ephesians was very likely written between a. Moo, wheaton college ephesians has been described as both the crown of pauls letters and a waterloo for commentators. The book of ephesians is a prison epistle letter written while in prison.
It was written to encourage believers to walk as fruitful followers of christ and to serve in unity and love in the midst of persecution. Moreover, he gave us this in the son that he loves jesus. The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. Chapter four and five of ephesians identify what chapter in this epistle you will focus on. Calvins favorite epistle, it joyfully celebrates the grace of god and the love of christ in all their fullness. Nov 27, 2009 to deny pauline authorship of a book in the bible is to challenge its authority as scripture. Commentaries for ephesians chapter 6 the duties of children and parents. Ephesians places the burden of proof on contrary hypotheses. The syriac, arabic, and ethiopic versions, and some copies, read you, instead of we. A helmet can protect against stones, hand weapons, projectiles, fists, impacts with the ground or other attacks aimed at the head.
Second, he provides instructions for the relationship between masters and servants ephesians 6. Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings. These schemes refer to the tricks or stratagems of the devil that are intended to ensnare and deceive compare the clear warning of god recorded in genesis 2. Answering bible contradictions, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations. Yet the pauline authorship of ephesians has been greatly disputed in recent years.
Mar 31, 2020 what does it mean to be strong in the lord in ephesians 6. The great duty of children is, to obey their parents. Ephesians chapter 3 coffmans commentary of the new. So take everything the master has set out for you, wellmade weapons of the best materials. This whole chapter is a prayer, but between the first and second words of it, paul made a characteristic digression in which he gave further teaching on the mystery of redemption ephesians 3. Because the name ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, some scholars believe the letter was an encyclical, intended to be circulated and read. As we continue in our faith from day to day, month to month, and year to year, the temptation to get comfortable will always exist. The terms used in verse 12 cannot be arranged in any definite rank or. Because the name ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, some scholars believe the letter was an encyclical, intended to be circulated and read among all the churches in asia minor and was simply. In these verses as many as eleven different terms used for israel in the. Ephesians chapter 6 verse by verse bible commentary. The letter to the ephesian church is regarded as one of the masterworks of the nt, but it is also one of those books that the critics like to say wasnt authored by paul.
Book of ephesians overview insight for living ministries. The author has earlier explained the gospel of peace 6. It deals, however, not so much with a congregation in the city of ephesus in asia minor as with the worldwide church, the head of which is christ, the purpose of which is to be the instrument for making gods plan of salvation known throughout the universe eph 3. New international dictionary of new testament theology zondervan, ed. The ephesians were familiar with the idea of the gods giving armor to mythical heroes. The apostle proceeds in the exhortation to relative duties which he began in the former, particularly he insists on the duties of children and parents, and of servants and masters, ephesians 6. Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians sometime in ad 60 61, around the. First, he provides instruction regarding children and parents ephesians 6. These verses form a powerful and eloquent conclusion to the letter.
What does it mean to be strong in the lord in ephesians 6. He is reminding them that their defensive armor, as well as their offensive weapons, are both spiritual. Ephesians chapter 6 matthew henry concise commentary. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the devil throws your way. I dont think opponents to pauline authorship come close to putting ephesians with the apocryphal books, so i cant deny its pauline authorship. This summary of the book of ephesians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ephesians. Endunamoo, to become able to function or do something, become strong bdag 333. The key personalities of ephesians are the apostle paul and tychicus. All christians are to put on spiritual armour against the enemies of their. Some critics think that the book reflects aspects of vocabulary, style, and doctrine that differ from pauls writings. Most commentators credit the apostle paul with authorship, but there is some debate about that. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. What is the readiness of the gospel of peace ephesians 6.
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