Ephesians: Pauline Theology Overview

The letter to the Ephesians shows stylistic and theological differences compared to Paul's undisputed letters, leading to questions about authorship.

Some scholars argue that Ephesians lacks specific themes found in Paul's other letters, like justification by faith in Jesus.

Ephesians appears to emphasize a more immediate and complete fulfillment of God's plan, with less focus on the future return of Jesus (parousia).

The letter is addressed to "the saints who are [in Ephesus] and believers in Christ Jesus." However, manuscript evidence suggests that the original text might have omitted the reference to "Ephesus."

Ephesians may have been intended as a circular letter, addressed to multiple churches in a region.

Ephesians lacks a distinct body with clear references to an occasion, which is common in letters addressing specific situations.

Themes in Ephesians, like spiritual oppression and ethical conduct, seem to relate to issues addressed in Colossians.

A possible explanation for the features of Ephesians is that Paul wrote it to address a specific heresy spreading in the Lycus Valley churches.

The state of being set apart for a special purpose, dedicated to God’s service.

The act of God adopting believers as his children, granting them a special relationship and inheritance.

The praise given to God because of his incredible grace, undeserved favor, and overflowing blessings.

Redemption is the act of being bought back, set free, and rescued from the penalty of sin, through the sacrifice of Christ.

The ability to understand God's plan, truths, and mysteries, especially things that are hidden or difficult to grasp.

God's purposeful plan and arrangement, designed with a specific goal in mind.

The Holy Spirit, a person of the Trinity, who seals believers with the promise of God's presence and protection.

Praying with a sincere desire to understand God's will and receive the wisdom and revelation needed to see his abundant blessings.

The state of being spiritually dead, separated from God and His life.

The act of being made alive with Christ, experiencing spiritual resurrection and new life.

Being seated with Christ in heavenly places, signifying authority and victory over spiritual forces.

The act of being brought near to God through Christ, bridging the gap between God and humanity.

The removal of the barriers and divisions created by the Law, allowing both Jews and Gentiles to become one people.

The believers, both Jewish and Gentile, becoming one body of Christ, unified through faith and baptism.

The believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are the dwelling place of God, with Christ as the foundation and cornerstone.

Christ's victory over spiritual forces, his authority over all powers, and the believers' shared victory through their union with Him.

Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:1-19 continues from chapter 2, asking God to fully grant the audience comprehension of their identity in Christ, thus enabling them to live it out.

Paul's imprisonment prompts a pause in his prayer, leading to an explanation of how the gospel is both a grace to him and a source of inclusion for non-Jews in God's promises.

Ephesians 4:1-6:17 focuses on the practical application of the gospel, particularly regarding the ethical conduct of believers within the body of Christ.

The exhortation to 'walk worthy' (Ephesians 4:1) highlights the importance of aligning one's life with the teachings of the gospel.

Ephesians 4:1-3 emphasizes that the unity of the body of Christ is rooted in the single Spirit, highlighting the shared essence and purpose of believers.

Ephesians 4:4-6 presents a threefold declaration of the triune God's relational nature as a model for believers' unity, highlighting the Father, Son, and Spirit as interconnected entities.

Ephesians 4:7-16 emphasizes the role of the Spirit in distributing various gifts for the edification of the body of Christ, ensuring a complete and mature body.

The Spirit, as the gift of Christ, is seen as a post-resurrection manifestation of his presence, empowering believers and building up the church.

The idea that the Gospel is a force that can bring about a gentle, gradual change in a culture’s values and practices, while still respecting the integrity of that culture.

This refers to the unusual way the body of Ephesians is structured, which some scholars argue differs from typical Pauline letters. This could be due to the letter being intended for many different churches.

The fact that there is no clear reference to a specific occasion or event in Ephesians, which is uncommon in letters written for a particular purpose.

Scholars identify certain features in Ephesians that resemble Paul's style in other letters. But they also highlight other elements that seem less like Paul, leading to debate about Ephesians' authorship.

A characteristic of Ephesians that some scholars point to as evidence for non-Pauline authorship. This includes the use of long sentences and frequent participles, which they argue differ from Paul's typical style.

This refers to specific words and phrases in Ephesians that are not found in Paul’s undisputed letters, which some scholars consider evidence against Pauline authorship.

While some scholars see certain features as evidence against Paul's authorship, they also acknowledge that the number of unique words (hapax legomena) in Ephesians is within the expected range for other NT books.

The letter to Colossians shares similarities with Ephesians, like spiritual oppression and ethical conduct. This raises the question if both letters were written by the same author.

Ephesians, unlike some of Paul's other letters, focuses more on being raised with Christ, emphasizing the already-achieved reality of salvation, rather than the historical events of Jesus's life and death.

Some scholars claim that Ephesians highlights a new contrast - God's grace versus human effort, instead of the traditional Pauline contrast of grace versus following the Law.

The term "church" (ekklesia) in Ephesians often refers to a wider region of churches rather than just a local congregation. This might suggest a shift toward a more geographically expansive understanding of the early church.

Unlike other letters where Paul mentions secretaries or personal signatures, there’s no explicit mention of an assistant for Ephesians, and Paul's handwriting isn't used for a personal autograph. This can lead to questions about the letter's authenticity.