What is the context of Ephesians 2?
Ephesians 2:1-10 speaks of how God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins and trespasses. If we break down this sacred text down verse by verse we are able to identify the ideas of Christ as our saviour and God’s mercy and grace.
What do we learn from Ephesians 2?
“In Ephesians 2:8–10, Paul discussed the relationship between grace, faith, and good works. Ultimately, salvation comes through the merits of Jesus Christ’s work, not on our own. Paul called followers of Jesus Christ ‘[God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works’ (Ephesians 2:10).
What is the history of the church at Ephesus?
The church at Ephesus had aligned itself with the powers of darkness and embraced the vile nature of corrupt politics. For this, Christ warns the church in Revelation, that their prominence and blessing will be removed. The book of Ephesians further addresses the immoral decline of the church in Ephesus.
Why did Paul wrote to Ephesus?
That’s what life was like for the early Christians in Ephesus. So, the Apostle Paul wrote an impassioned letter to encourage the Ephesian Christians and energize them in their faith.
Who is Paul addressing in Ephesians 2?
Ephesus served as Paul’s headquarters during his third missionary journey (see Acts 19:9–10; 20:31), and he had great affection for these people (see Acts 20:17, 34–38). In this letter, Paul addressed Gentile members of the Church (see Ephesians 2:11) who were perhaps recent converts (see Ephesians 1:15).
Who was Ephesians written to?
the saints who
While most English translations indicate that the letter was addressed to “the saints who are in Ephesus” (1:1), the words “in Ephesus” do not appear in the best and earliest manuscripts of the letter, leading most textual critics, like Bart Ehrman, to regard the words as an interpolation.
What are the good works in Ephesians 2?
Ephesians 2:10 tells us why: “…God prepared [our good works] beforehand, so that we would walk in them.” Any and every good work that we have done has been prepared by God. It has been ordained by His sovereign will. All true good works are God-planned, God-empowered, and God-superintended.
What can we learn from the church of Ephesus?
The believers in Ephesus were doing all the right things but their love for God was missing. They lost their first love. The foundation of the church was based on faith in Christ….
- We will avoid sin.
- We will not run after false teaching.
- We will not forsake our first love.
What is the meaning of Ephesus in the Bible?
Ephesus Add to list Share. Definitions of Ephesus. an ancient Greek city on the western shore of Asia Minor in what is now Turkey; site of the Temple of Artemis; was a major trading center and played an important role in early Christianity. example of: city, metropolis, urban center.
What was the purpose of the Letter to the Ephesians?
The letter declares that the Christian mystery (gospel) of salvation, first revealed to the Apostles, is the source of true wisdom (perhaps an indirect repudiation of Gnostic claims to esoteric knowledge of the supernatural) and that salvation through Christ is offered to Jews and Gentiles alike.
What is the major purpose of the book of Ephesians?
Therefore, this thesis concludes that Paul’s primary intention of writing Ephesians is to inform the recipients of the ultimate purpose and goal of Christ’s bestowal of at least one of the four (or five) gifts upon each believer: The body of Christ must be built (ultimate purpose) up to perfection (goal) by equipping …
Who wrote Ephesians 2?
Apostle Paul
Traditionally, it is believed to have been written by Apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome (around AD 62), but more recently it has been suggested that it was written between AD 80 and 100 by another writer using Paul’s name and style.
What is the main purpose of the book of Ephesians?
Who were the Ephesus people?
Ephesus was inhabited from the end of the Bronze Age onwards, but the location was changed owing to floods and the whims of various rulers. While Carians and Lelegians were among the city’s first inhabitants, Ionian migrations began around 1200 BCE and Ephesus is chiefly known as a Ionian Greek city.
What does Ephesians 2/10 mean?
Explanation and Commentary of Ephesians 2:10 This powerful verse shows the interplay between our good and free will to do things, especially good things, and the role God plays behind our will. We are created by God, for God, and in God. We are created for the purpose of action.
What is the significance of Ephesus?
Ephesus was an ancient port city whose well-preserved ruins are in modern-day Turkey. The city was once considered the most important Greek city and the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region. Throughout history, Ephesus survived multiple attacks and changed hands many times between conquerors.
Who was Paul speaking to in Ephesians?
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he speaks to Jews and non-Jews, two groups that were divided by so many factors it would have taken an act of God to unite them. In the first three chapters, Paul teaches about the great measures God took in order to make these two groups into one new humanity in Jesus.
What are the ‘good works’ of Ephesians 2?
Genuine salvation involves a new creation that is entirely God’s doing.
Could you explain Ephesians 2?
– Blind ( 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 ). – A slave to sin ( Romans 6:17 ). – A lover of darkness ( John 3:19-20 ). – Sick ( Mark 2:17 ). – Lost ( Luke 15 ). – An alien, a stranger, a foreigner ( Ephesians 2:12, 2:19 ). – A child of wrath ( Ephesians 2:3 ). – Under the power of darkness ( Colossians 1:13 ).
What is the summary of Ephesians 2?
Summary of Ephesians 2. Paul explains in Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are saved by grace, not by works, but then he clarifies in Ephesians 2:10 that works are still important when he says, “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”
What does Ephesians 2 verse 10 mean?
What Does Ephesians 2:10 Mean? For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. We are God’s masterpiece; God’s workmanship; God’s handiwork; God’s creatures – we are God’s new creation in Christ Jesus. We were born spiritually dead in our sins.