Page 79 - Advanced New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Provenance and date

Ephesians is a prison Epistle (3:1; 6:20). Suggested locations include: Rome, Caesarea, or even Ephesus
itself (if it was a circular letter). If written from Ephesus, the letter likely was composed around AD 54–57.
If writing from Caesarea or Rome, then could have been written around AD 58–63. It seems that his
audience consisted mainly of non-Jewish Christians (2:11–22; 3:1, 6; 4:17–24). Paul emphasizes Christ’s
exaltation above all powers (1:20–23; 2:2) and instructs believers to stay strong in Christ against the
schemes of the devil (6:10–20). These believers may have been tempted by the notion that other
authorities could have some claim on them. 104

Recipients

Some scholars suggest that “The oldest copies of Ephesians do not name the city of Ephesus in the opening
verse.” 105 We can tell from Acts that Paul spent a lot of time there (Acts 19:8–10; 20:31). However, some
statements in the letter may suggest that he might not know the recipients (Eph 1:15; 3:2). Along with the
unusual style and emphasis, these statements could indicate that Ephesians was a circular letter, sent to
multiple churches in Asia Minor. In this view, the letter eventually came to be associated with Ephesus
because it was the most prominent city in the area. 106

Themes

Ephesians is about unity in Christ. Christ holds all things together (1:10). Christians are to resist all divisive
forces. They are to live as people who have been saved by Jesus and who speak the truth and avoid evil;
they are to seek unity with one another but avoid deceptive people (4:17–5:21). 107

God, in the Church has created one unified people from their previous hostility toward each other. Every
relationship is redefined, including those between Jews and non-Jews, and those within each household
(5:22–6:9). The Church itself is the household of God, built on Jesus as the cornerstone (2:19–22). Origin,
race, or status should not be a source of division. 108

The forces of evil are consistently seeking to divide people against one another and against God (6:12),
but Jesus enables believers to overcome evil and remain united. Unity and peace among God’s people are
signs of Christ’s supremacy: He can do what no one else can. The peace that Christ gives and His
incorruptible love is the answer to our conflicts and difficulties and must be boldly proclaimed (6:19–20,
23–24). 109

Purpose

As evidenced in the book, Ephesians gives a cosmic view of God’s plans for the world, explaining the
mystery of the gospel. Paul writes to demonstrate that because of Jesus’ death, all people can receive the
gift of forgiveness for their sins (Eph 1:3–10; 2:1–8). Through the sacrifice of Christ, God has brought

104 Barry, J. D., et al.
105 Ibid
106 Ibid
107 Ibid
108 Ibid
109 Ibid

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