Study The Bible With Me | The Book of Ephesians
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
Ephesians 1 & 2
Acts 19
SHOW NOTES:
The Book of Ephesians–one of the many letters written by Paul – was written to the church of Ephesus while Paul was being held in a prison cell. The Word of God is for all generations, so the letters even have a personal takeaway for today. Understanding who wrote the scriptures, why they were written, to whom they were addressed, and the context of what was going on during the time they were compiled helps to glean application and revelation from them. It helps the Bible come alive and stirs up a love for the Word of God within us.
At the time of its composition, Ephesus was a thriving, prosperous town, a port city filled with hustle and bustle. However, the people worshiped many gods in Ephesus. They had a polytheistic view of worship, and their main god was the god of protection and fertility, Artemus. Though the Ephesians were spiritually minded people, they were putting their beliefs in the wrong things. In doing so, they lived in a constant sense of fear–never secure in the gods they were serving.
Earlier in the Bible in Acts 19, Paul traveled to Ephesus to do ministry where he remained for just under three years. During his stay, he established an amazing work. The people were having a revelation that they could have a relationship with the one true God through Jesus Christ. So many people in Ephesus were getting saved that the attention the god of Artemus once received was dwindling. Sacrifices had lessened and people were not going to the temple as frequently. A shift in the culture had occurred.
Fast forward six years, and Paul is in prison writing to the church of Ephesus during a time of contention between Gentiles and Jewish believers, little acceptance, and some mingling of beliefs. The purpose of Paul’s letters? Guidance and reminding the people who they are in Christ.
The Book of Ephesus is divided into two parts with the first part being gospel in poetic verbiage and the second half of Ephesians explaining the God of “therefore,” packed with beautiful metaphors.
Taking a closer look at the first chapter, we see an expression of the many blessings we have through Jesus Christ, and we are reminded that each of us is a son or daughter of God. Ephesians 1 teaches us that spirituality isn’t one-sided; we have a relationship with the Father through His son Jesus. He works all things according to His will. Paul stressed to the church of Ephesus that all other gods they had served were nothing compared to our God. Though we don’t worship other gods, we can still fall into worshiping other facets of life. Whether it’s fear, stress, anxiety, or feeling like we will never measure up…ask yourself what is it that you may be subconsciously worshiping in your own life.
In the second chapter of Ephesians, Paul focuses on how we were created for a purpose, on purpose! We are God’s masterpiece, and He intentionally calls us to the things He has planned for our lives. Following in Ephesians chapter 3, Paul unravels the mystery of the Gospel, and how through Jesus we all dwell in fellowship together. He urges us to seek unity through the love of Christ.
Next week will continue the study of Ephesians, diving into the latter half of Paul’s letters to the church of Ephesus.