Ephesians
“To the Ephesians”
Summary
Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, written during his Roman imprisonment, presenting the exalted themes of Christ's headship over the church and the unity of believers.
☩Authorship and Date
Paul identifies himself as the author at the beginning of the letter and refers to his imprisonment throughout. The epistle was written during Paul's Roman imprisonment (around AD 60-62), the same period that produced Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians. Tychicus carried the letter to Ephesus. The authenticity was universally accepted by the early church and is supported by both external testimony and internal evidence.
☩Major Themes
The epistle presents the 'mystery' of God's eternal purpose: uniting Jews and Gentiles in one body, the church, of which Christ is the head. The first three chapters expound doctrine—God's predestining grace, redemption through Christ's blood, the reconciliation of Jew and Gentile, and Paul's apostolic ministry to reveal this mystery. The last three chapters apply doctrine to life—walking worthy of the calling, unity in the body, putting off the old self, proper relationships, and the spiritual armor for warfare against evil.
