Ephesians: A Greater Mission

Part 1: Mission begins with identity (1:1-14)
Part 2: Mission is powered by prayer (1:15-23)
Part 3: Mission is dependent on grace (2:1-10)
Part 4: Mission is about unity and reconciliation through the cross (2:11-18)
Part 5: Mission requires God's presence (2:19-22)
Part 6: Suffering must be seen through the lens of God's mission (3:1-9)
Part 7: Mission is lived out in public (3:10-13)
Part 8: Mission is activated through prayer (3:14-21)
Part 9: Mission includes relational unity in the church (4:1-6)
Part 10: Mission requires that every member builds up the church with their spiritual gifts (4:7-16)
Part 11: Mission is motivated by inner transformation (4:17-5:14)
Part 12: The Spirit empower the mission in everyday life (5:15-6:9)
Part 13: Mission is constantly under spiritual attack (6:10-24)

1. Ephesians is written by Paul. Knowing Paul is the author of Ephesians will help interpret it by comparing its words to other letters written by Paul. Comparing and contrasting the contents of Ephesians to other books by Paul will help further clarify its meaning.
2. The letter was written between AD 60 and 62. The AD 60-62 time period will help interpret the letter by considering relevant historical events and details pertaining to this time period. The date helps give clues into the state of the church, the author’s situation, and more.
3. The letter was written when Paul was under house arrest. Paul’s imprisonment and subsequent time to sit and think could help interpret the text by providing a reason as to why the letter is a less personal, comprehensive theology of the Body of Christ. 
4. Ephesians is a general letter and was likely circulated. The generality of the letter allows for a more face-value interpretation for today’s church. Because the letter was less situational, it conveyed a more general truth for the larger body of Christ rather than a specific answer to a specific problem.
5. Ephesus was a large, influential, and affluent city. Ephesus’ status and size could help the interpreter understand the opportunities and challenges the recipients faced. Knowing the dynamics of the city might reveal Paul’s purpose for writing and the theme of the letter.
6. The worship of Artemis dominated Ephesus. The Ephesians’ worship of Artemis may help the interpreter see the significance of turning from paganism to Christianity. It shows the radical nature of their conversion and might give clues into why Paul includes certain parts of the letter.
7. Ephesus is filled with magic and spiritual warfare. Knowing this information allows the interpreter to understand why Ephesians emphasizes the victory of Christ in the spiritual realm. The prevalence of folk magic shows why one of Paul’s themes was a battle against spiritual forces rather than earthly things.
8. Ephesians is written in a different tone than other books written by Paul. The unique tone of Ephesians may help the interpreter see the difference in this letter compared to others by Paul. The different writing style could convey an important point and should alert the interpreter to consider why Paul chose to write in a different voice.
9. The Ephesian church was composed of Jews and Gentiles. Understanding the tension that results from Jews and Gentiles in the same church helps give the interpreter clues into the problems the church could be facing. It gives new value to the unity of believers expressed in the epistle and how that message might apply to a divided church today.
10. There is a strong literary connection between Ephesians and Colossians. The strong connection between the two allows for a close comparison that may help clarify or expound on certain parts of Ephesians. The crossover between the books could help the reader understand repeated ideas that are really important to the author.

Check out these complementary commentaries to our study in Ephesians:

• Ephesians : Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament by Clinton E. Arnold
• Ephesians : An Introduction and Commentary by Darrell L. Bock
• The Letter to the Ephesians by Lynn H. Cohick
• Exalting Jesus in Ephesians by Tony Merida, David Platt & Dr. Daniel L. Akin
• The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians by Ben Witherington

LISTEN TOOLS

#1

• Mark up the passage by visually identifying the following specific elements:
• Underline all verbs. A verb is a word or group of words used to indicate either that an action is taking place (“we will reign with Him”) or that a state or condition exists (“we are faithless”). Verbs are often the most significant indicators of the author’s flow of thought.
• Circle key words or phrases. These are words or short phrases that are important theologically (like “gospel”) or thematically (they set the theme or main idea for the passage)
• Highlight repeated words or phrases. Also, include words and phrases that are closely related even if not exact duplicates (such as “suffer hardship” and “endure suffering”). You’ll also want to highlight things that are repeated from previous passages 
• Box connecting words. These important words indicate the logical connection between words, phrases, and clauses. Here are eight types of common connecting words to look for:
  • Comparison either points out similarities between two or more related ideas or simply joins like ideas. Comparison words include and, like, as, just as, also, so also, even so.
  • Contrast points out dissimilarities between ideas. Contrast words include but, rather, yet, however.
  • Purpose indicates the intended goal of an idea or action, whether or not it was realized. Purpose words and phrases include that, so that, in order that.
  • Result is similar to “purpose,” but indicates the actual consequence, whether or not it was intended. Result words and phrases include that, so that, as a result, with the result that.
  • Cause expresses the basis or cause of an action. Cause words include because, since, and sometimes for. 
  • Explanation is what follows further explains the previous idea, giving reasons why it is true, why it occurred, or simply adding additional information. Look for the key word for.
  • Inference provides a logical consequence, conclusion, or summary to the previous discussion. Inference words and phrases include therefore and for this reason.
  • Condition presents a condition that must occur before a certain action or conclusion can occur. The statement may or may not reflect reality (i.e., it could be hypothetical). The key word is “if.” 

#2

List 2-3 primary themes you see in the passage each week.

A primary theme is the big idea, the central truth, or command that the passage focuses on. After reading the passage, write your themes as single words or short phrases. Identifying these themes at the beginning of your study will help you develop a good overall grasp of the passage.

#3

Write two or more observations per verse. Our observations might identify people, places, or events, point out repeated words or key terms, record important connections between words and sentences, or even point out something missing that we expected to see.

#4

Ask your own interpretive questions. Here are a few examples:

• Who is...
  • the author talking about?
  • accomplishing the action?
  • benefiting from the action?
• What is the...
  • meaning of this work?
  • significance of this phrase?
  • implication of this statement?
  • relationship between these phrases?
• Why did the author...
  • choose this word?
  • include this phrase, statement, or command?
  • not say _______?
• How...
  • was this action accomplished?
  • will this situation occur?

LEARN TOOLS

#1

Look for important clues in the sentences and paragraphs that come before and after the verse in question. Try to follow the author’s flow of thought through the whole chapter. This may take you to the previous lesson, so have it handy as a review. You may need to read ahead in the book for clues.

#2

This study uses the NLT translation. You can often find helpful interpretive clues by comparing this translation with other translations. NASB and ESV are fairly word-for-word translations of the Greek text. The New International Version (NIV) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) are excellent phrase-to-phrase translations of the Greek and thus often easier to read. Another excellent phrase-to-phrase Bible, which includes extensive translation notes, is the New English Translation (NET) available online for free at netbible.org. You can find and compare numerous translations of any Bible passage at www.biblestudytools.com.

#3

Your goal is to discern the author’s intended meaning to the original audience. Unfortunately, most people begin their Bible study by asking, “What does this passage mean to me?” While there may be multiple possible applications to my life, there is only one meaning, the author’s intended meaning, and we must first seek this out. This involves three important steps:

1. Always start your study with prayer, asking the same God who composed Scripture through these ancient authors to give you insight to understand His intended meaning.
2. Avoid inserting your 21st century circumstances and theological issues into the text as they can skew understanding.
3. Work diligently to see the text from the point of view of the original readers. To do this: (a) dig into the historical and cultural background using Bible dictionaries and commentaries, and (b) spend a few moments thinking about the original audience’s religious understanding by asking, “What books of the Bible did they have access to? What did they know about God? About Jesus? About salvation? Etc.”

LIVE

List potential principles from your passage. 

A “principle” is simply a fact or command stated or implied in a particular passage that is practically relevant to our lives. Legitimate principles are not specific to a particular person (e.g., 1 Timothy 5:23 is just for Timothy) nor a particular time (e.g., “do not leave Jerusalem” in Acts 1:4). It is often helpful when listing principles to consider the following questions:

• Is there something to worship or thank God for?
• Is there a promise for me to claim or a truth for me to believe?
• Is there something I am convicted about that I need to change or begin doing?
• Is there something or someone I need to pray for specifically this week?
• Is there any relationship I need to work on?