A Brief Introduction to Ephesians

Ephesians is part of what is referred to as “The Prison Epistles” written by Paul while imprisoned in Rome (around A.D. 62). This includes Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon and likely Philippians. Contrary to other epistles, Ephesians appears to be more of a general letter (or sermon) that was to be read in multiple cities throughout a particular region of Asia Minor (of which Ephesus was apart). Scholars point out that Ephesians is much more impersonal than any of his other letters and only mentions Tychicus as the one bearing the letter (6:21). The general tone would be odd for someone who spent three years in Ephesus prior to being imprisoned in Rome (Acts 20:31). Scholars also point out that the words “in/at Ephesus” in 1:1 do not appear in some of the earliest manuscripts, nor do any of the earliest church fathers seem to indicate that the letter was written specifically to the Ephesians.* Since Ephesus was the major hub of Western Asia Minor, the letter likely circulated there and was copied with the addition of “in Ephesus.” Constantine Campbell writes that Paul “adapted material from his letter to the Colossians in order to produce a general letter that was to circulate around the churches in the cities of Western Asia.” As a general epistle, Ephesians is unique in that it is not addressing specific issues in a specific church (unlike 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians and Colossians, for example), but Paul is explaining general truths of the work of God through Christ, to include uniting both Jews and Gentiles into one body under the rule of the Messiah. This includes the subjection of all things under the reign of King Jesus. Half of the letter is devoted to instruction on proper conduct as a united community; both as a church body and how to live within the home under the lordship of Christ. John Stott says it well when he writes, “The whole letter is thus a magnificent combination of Christian doctrine and Christian duty, Christian faith and Christian life, what God has done through Christ and what we must be and do in consequence.” 

*For further study see translation note on Eph. 1:1 in the NET Bible 

Bibliography:

Campbell, Constantine- The Letter to the Ephesians, PNTC, 2023

Stott, John- The Message of Ephesians, BST, 1979