Because the name ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, some scholars believe the letter was an encyclical, intended to be circulated and read. Well, remember, this is paul who is writing, and he lived about 2000 years ago during the peak of the roman civilization. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook. Doctrine occupies the greatest portion of the book of ephesians. I offer the following commentary and summary for ephesians in this article. Everything in these three chapters spells out what is involved in christians walking worthily of their calling. There is a majesty in the concept of the church here which transcends anything else in the new testament. Paul had called these christians to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called 4. The book of ephesians chapter four workbook eeonline bible this bible study workbook is designed to facilitate your study of chapter four of the book of ephesians. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the. The only way for us to stand strong, as we are instructed to do in ephesians 6, is to continually be feeding on the word. The final aim of the predestination to become gods heritage is that the subjects we should be unto the praise of his glory. The purpose of the book of ephesians was to warn the church elders about the false teachers that were teaching a false gospel and to maintain their first love that they held when they first became believers. In this passage, paul uses the allegory of a roman soldiers basic equipment to show how the components of christianity work together as we strive to serve god.
Does it not appear, philosophically speaking, a somewhat violent assumption to decide that man is really the highest being in the created universe, or, at least, that between man and his maker there are no gradations with different moral colourings of. Ephesians chapter 1 discover the 66 books of the bible. Lest we become the spiritual equivalent of hetty green, we begin a series devoted to the epistle. Verse by verse bible study on through the book of ephesians, covering chapter 1 and verses one to thirteen by robert breaker. Consequently, no jesus equals no forgiveness, no eternal life, no way to avoid hell, no hope. As you may remember, there is a major emphasis in these verses on standing. Jamar, i applaud your eagerness to understand this chapter, because it contains one of the most important keys a christian has for understanding and overcoming during times of storms and assaults.
It is to the invisible realm of earth not to that which you can see, hear, taste, or feel but to that spiritual kingdom which surrounds us on all sides and which constantly influences and affects us, whether for good or evil, depending upon. Paul wrote this letter while enduring his first roman imprisonment in house arrest. Therefore, take up the full armor of god, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. First, paul affirms our battle is indeed spiritual, not physical. Can you explain ephesians 6 12 in the bible spiritual kingdoms and rulers. Old testament books of the bible index new testament books of the bible index the book of 1 timothy outlines gospelcentered living. One expressed purpose of the book is that we might know what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints cf. The more clearly any book of scripture, as this, treats of the economy of the. Note that the mind is always in the middle, if my flesh is ruling, then i have what is termed in the scripture as. Ephesians verse by verse teaching in the book of ephesians. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities. E phesians is one of the most encouraging books in the new testament. What is ephesians chapter 6 verse 12 in the bible talking. The indication is that the epistles to the colossians, philemon and the ephesians were carried to their destination by tychicus and onesimus cf.
The letter is addressed to the church in the city of ephesus, capital of the roman province of asia asia minor, modern turkey. We are going to go back now to verses 12 and because they help us put a perspective on our unseen enemy. Read commentary on this popular bible verse and understand the real meaning behind gods word using john gills exposition of the bible. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote ephesians around 6163 a. It does so perhaps better than any other words in scripture. This famous verse describes the spiritual battle that exists in the lives of believers. God only funnels his spiritual benefits to us through christ. Ephesians is the goto book in the new testament for an understanding of gods sovereignty in salvation by grace, and therefore it shares much in common with pauls other masterwork. Now lets go back and look at what our enemy is all about. Grace is not named here, showing that glory is the prominent idea. The book of ephesians free online bible study lessons. The main idea is to be strong in the lord and in his mighty power so you can stand in the face of spiritual warfare. The word struggle is only used here in the new testament.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Half of the teaching in this epistle relates to our standing in christ, and the remainder of it affects our condition. Ephesians 1 paul, an apostle of christ jesus by the will. Ephesians lessons for youth every child ministries. Our conflict is not with men, here denoted by flesh and blood, which is usually a symbol of weakness, therefore denoting that our opponents are not weak mortals, but powers of a far more formidable order.
As you start this study, ask the holy spirit to help you understand what god has said through paul. Wear gods armor so that you can fight against the devils evil tricks. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this worlds darkness. If such is truly the case, then paul wrote colossians around 6163 a. Bible teaching online in audio, video, notes from the pauls epistle to the ephesians by galyn wiemers of generation word. Verse 12 describes the condition of the unsaved whether in old testament times or today. Ephesians 6, international childrens bible icb the. There can be no doubt that the doctrine of the church in ephesians represents a special problem in a study of the new testament. All too often those who teach from this book bypass all. Sharper than any doubleedged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.
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