In The Heavenlies

Text: Eph. 1:1-2

  1. Ephesians often called the "Holy of Holies" of the NT
    1. One of 4 prison epistles
      1. Paul was a Roman prisoner when he wrote this letter (Eph. 3:1; 4:1).
        1. How he became a prisoner is recorded in Acts 21:15ff.
          1. While in Jerusalem, Paul went to the temple and was arrested on false charges. His "trial" was indecisive, but he was imprisoned for two years at Caesarea (Acts 21:27-26:32).
          2. When Paul appealed for a trial before the emperor, he was then sent to Rome (Acts 27-28).
          3. While a prisoner in his own house, Paul was free to receive visitors, and it was at this time that he wrote Ephesians.
          4. The letter was carried by Tychicus (6:21), who probably also helped to deliver the letter to Colosse, along with Onesimus (Col. 4:7-9).
    2. The 4 Prison Epistles
        1. Phillippians: Epaphroditus¾ Christ the power source
        2. Ephesians: Tychicus¾ Church as Christ’s body
        3. Colossians: Epaphras¾ Christ the head of the church
        4. Philemon¾ Onesimus
  2. Paul’s Visits to Ephesus
    1. Paid a brief visit to Ephesus on his second journey, leaving his associates Priscilla and Aquila there (Acts 18:18-28).
    2. He returned to Ephesus on his third journey and remained there for three years (Acts 20:31).
      1. He began his ministry in the Jewish synagogue
      2. When his countrymen rejected his message, he moved into the school of a teacher named Tyrannus (Acts 19:9) and preached and taught for about two years.
      3. His ministry had a tremendous effect on the city: those who practiced witchcraft turned to Christ and burned their books of magical incantations; many people were won to the worship of the true God; and the profits of the silversmiths (who sold shrines of Diana) were greatly undermined.
      4. Paul’s clear teaching and preaching of the Word of God so aroused the enemy that a riot resulted, and Paul was forced to leave the city.
      5. Later (Acts 20) he met the Ephesian elders while he was traveling back to Jerusalem.
  3. Ephesus the City
    1. 4th largest city at the time, behind Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch
    2. Past its "glory days"
    3. Located at the mouth of the Cayster River which was slowly filling with silt
    4. Went from a trade city, to a tourist and religious center
    5. Temple of Artemis (Roman Diana)
      1. 418 ft. by 239 ft.
      2. 4 times larger than the Parthenon
      3. artificial foundation of skins and charcoal to protect it from earthquakes
      4. Not the beautiful Diana of Greek mythology, but the grotesque, multi-breasted deity of oriental origin
      5. Temple was also used as a bank and was the commercial center for the city
    6. Population was 300,000 to 500,000
  4. Paul the Author
    1. Born In Tarsus
    2. Born a Roman citizen
    3. Taught by one of two foremost Jewish rabbis¾ Gamaliel
    4. Description:

    a man of little stature, thin haired upon the head, crooked in the legs, of good stature of body, with eyebrows joining, and nose somewhat hooked, full of grace: for sometimes he appeared like a man, and sometimes he had the face of an angel

  5. Key Subjects
    1. Grace of God (mentioned 12 times)
    2. The Church (mentioned 9 times)
      1. Metaphors for both Israel and Church
        1. flock
        2. family
        3. bride/wife
        4. branches/vineyard
      2. Only the Church is called Christ’s "body"
    3. Holy Spirit (mentioned 12 times)
    4. Riches (mentioned 5 times)
    5. Fullness (mentioned 6 times)
  6. Key Phrases
    1. "In heavenly places" (4 times)
    2. "In Christ" (15 times)
    3. "Mystery"
      1. Def. A truth that was previously unknown but that has now been revealed to us by God’s Spirit.
      2. 8 Bible mysteries
        1. kingdom (Mt. 13:11)
        2. Incarnation (Col. 2:2-3)
        3. Israel’s unbelief ( Ro. 11:25)
        4. Iniquity (2 Thess. 2:7)
        5. Babylon (Rev. 17)
        6. Unity of believers (Eph. 3:3-6)
        7. Church as a bride (Eph. 5:24-32)
        8. Rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-52)
  7. Purpose
    1. Didactic, not polemical
    2. Encourage us in the content and practice of our faith
  8. Outline
    1. Doctrine/Duty
    2. Belief/Behavior
    3. Heavenly Calling/Earthly Conduct
    4. Theological/Practical
    5. Position/Practice
  9. Salutation
    1. Paul writes with the authority of an apostle
      1. strict definition & duties
        1. preach (1 Cor. 1:17)
        2. teach & pray ( Acts 6:4)
        3. work miracles (2 Cor. 12:12)
        4. build up other leaders (Acts 14:23)
        5. lay the foundation/write Word (Eph. 2:20)
      2. Requirements
        1. seen the Lord personally
    2. "Saints"
      1. to be "set apart" and "made holy"
      2. all Christians are saints
      3. Two Sides to sainthood
        1. From God’s side "saints at Ephesus" implying God’s imputed righteousness
        2. From man’s side "faithful in Christ Jesus" implying practical righteousness
    3. Grace and Peace
      1. normal greeting in early church
      2. "Grace" is the unmerited favor to those who are undeserving.
      3. "Peace" is the result as we have
        1. peace with God
        2. peace of God