Introduction to Ephesians
26 January 2014 PM – Ephesians 1:1-2 – Eph 14 – Scott Childs
Introduction: Warren Wiersbe tells of a woman named “Hetty” Green who died in 1916 leaving an estate worth over 100 million dollars. Though she was very rich, she chose to live like a pauper. “Hetty Green is an illustration of too many Christian believers today. They have limitless wealth at their disposal, and yet they live like paupers. It was to this kind of Christian that Paul wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians.” The Bible Exposition Commentary: Ephesians
Six times in the book of Ephesians, we read about God’s riches. God is rich in grace, in mercy, in glory, and in eternal, spiritual wealth in Christ. Christianity is not a second-class way of life. You do not need to live like a spiritual pauper. In the book of Ephesians, we will learn how to become spiritually rich in things that will last for eternity. You can enjoy spiritual riches if you will apply God’s word to your life.
Transition: As we begin our study in this great book, the first two verses introduce us to the recipients, the author, and the greeting. In these verses we will find valuable principles.
I. The Letter is to the Church at Ephesus
A. The city of Ephesus
1. Ephesus was an excellent port city on the west coast of Asia Minor that was famous for its trade, art, and science.
2. Not only was Ephesus a popular port, but it was the hub of several main roads making it the highway into Asia from Rome.
3. Its port, major trade routes, and population of about 250,000 made Ephesus the fourth greatest city in the Roman Empire.
4. Ephesus also had a huge theatre. According to the Eastman’s Bible Dictionary, “The ruins of this theatre at Ephesus still exist, and they show that it was a magnificent structure, capable of accommodating some 56,700 persons. It was the largest structure of the kind that ever existed.”
5. It is to the temple of Diana, however, that its great wealth and prominence are largely due.
a) This temple was known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
b) It was 425 feet long and 220 feet wide.
c) The roof was supported by one hundred and twenty-seven marble columns that were sixty feet high.
d) The temple honoured the goddess Diana (Greek Artemis), a many-breasted idol that they claimed fell from heaven.
B. The church at Ephesus
1. It will benefit us to know the history of this church.
a) Paul first preached in Ephesus in about 53 A.D. while on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:19).
b) Paul left Priscilla and Aquila, a faithful Christian couple, in Ephesus as a witness. Before long, Apollos, another preacher, joined them (Acts 18:24).
c) Paul returned to Ephesus during his third missionary journey 54 A.D. and made it his base for preaching the gospel in Asia (Acts 19:10).
d) During this time many were saved out of idolatry and witchcraft (Acts 19:19).
e) The effectiveness of the gospel angered the craftsmen who made images of Diana and they caused a riot that threatened Paul’s life (Acts 19:28-29).
f) After the uproar, Paul went on to Macedonia (Acts 20:1).
g) On his trip back to Jerusalem, Paul met with the Ephesian church leaders and challenged them to remain faithful (Acts 20:17-38).
2. The recipients are called the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus (v.1).
a) The word “saint” means “holy one”. Being redeemed by the blood of Christ makes every true Christian is a saint. The blood of Christ cleanses from all sin. God sees us as set apart for His service. It is our duty to live out what God has done in us by separating from sin and serving God.
b) The word “faithful” is used here in the sense of one full of faith or a believer. All believers are saints and all saints are believers.
II. The Author is the Apostle Paul
A. The missionary preacher
1. Paul identifies himself as the author.
a) He calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ. A requirement of an apostle was that he see Christ which Paul did the day of his conversion.
b) He was an apostle, not of his own doing, but by the will of God. God sent him out to preach.
2. The book of Ephesians is one of the 13 Pauline epistles included in the New Testament. Paul wrote at least six of his letters before writing this book, including Galatians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Corinthians, and Romans.
B. Written from his Roman prison in about 62 A.D.
1. Paul wrote this during his first Roman imprisonment while he was under house arrest. He lived in his own rented quarters under guard by Roman soldiers.
2. Because Paul wrote from prison, the epistle of Ephesians is found within a group of Pauline writings formally called the Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
3. Because he likely wrote Ephesians at the same time as the book of Colossians, these books have many themes, words, and phrases in common.
III. The Greeting is Spiritual
A. It is a typical Pauline greeting (2)
1. Paul greets the believers with a prayer that the grace and peace of God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ would rest on them.
2. Paul opens all 13 of his epistles with a greeting that includes grace and peace.
B. The greeting has significant meaning
1. The words are not just shallow greetings
a) He uses the word “grace” 12 times in this letter alone. Grace refers to “unmerited divine enablement.” We need God’s grace for all that we do.
b) Peace is the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ. Paul mentions peace seven times in the book.
2. This grace and peace comes from two sources that are united.
a) It comes from God the Father. The Father is the source of grace and peace.
b) It also comes from the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the provider of grace and peace. If Jesus had not died for our sins and rose again for our justification, we could never have grace and peace.
c) Thus, the Triune Godhead work together to give us the grace needed for salvation, service, and sanctification.
Conclusion: Even in the introduction to this book we get a taste of the spiritual riches God has for us. Ephesus was a wicked city ruled by idolatry, yet the Gospel saved many of the Ephesians and it can still save people in our culture today. Once saved, God calls us saints. He wants to enable us to live up to that title, but we must cooperate with Him. The fact that Paul wrote this letter while in prison for preaching ought to encourage us in the face of opposition. Even in prison, Paul was in the will of God. Then, just as God’s grace and peace enabled and calmed the Ephesian believers, they can do the same for us today if we will let God have His way in our lives.
Song: Have Thine Own Way – 388