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St. Paul’s Letter to the St. Paul’s Letter to the EphesiansEphesians

Or is it St. Paul’s Letter Or is it St. Paul’s Letter ? ?

• ‘ ‘authorship’ in the time of Paulauthorship’ in the time of Paul Actually writes the letter himselfActually writes the letter himself Dictates letter to a secretaryDictates letter to a secretary Gives the gist of what is to be saidGives the gist of what is to be said

to a secretary, the secretary to a secretary, the secretary

composes the letter (ghost writer)composes the letter (ghost writer)

• In favor of St. Paul as authorIn favor of St. Paul as author

• One of the Captivity EpistlesOne of the Captivity Epistles

• Acts 28:16-31Acts 28:16-31

• Addressing only members of GentleAddressing only members of Gentle origin whom he did not know origin whom he did not know personally and were converted and personally and were converted and baptized after his final departure baptized after his final departure

fromfrom the citythe city

Reasons for Deutero-Pauline Reasons for Deutero-Pauline DocumentDocument

• Deutero-Pauline documentDeutero-Pauline document• Ephesians 2:19-20Ephesians 2:19-20• E. J. GoodspeedE. J. Goodspeed• Jewish Christian member of PaulineJewish Christian member of Pauline Community (Eph 2:11-22)Community (Eph 2:11-22)• No reference to the atoning death ofNo reference to the atoning death of Jesus or the nearness of His ParousiaJesus or the nearness of His Parousia

Was this letter written to Was this letter written to Ephesus?Ephesus?

• Differences from undisputed Pauline Differences from undisputed Pauline Letters Letters

VocabularyVocabulary Literary styleLiterary style TheologyTheology Time in Church History later than Time in Church History later than

PaulPaul Gentile equality in ChristianGentile equality in Christian

fellowship is no longer a fellowship is no longer a controversycontroversy

Universal ChurchUniversal Church

• The words “in Ephesus” are in brackets The words “in Ephesus” are in brackets in Eph 1:1in Eph 1:1• Lacks reference to a particular Lacks reference to a particular communitycommunity• Since Paul spent two years in Ephesus, Since Paul spent two years in Ephesus, why not a more personal note? why not a more personal note? (Acts 19:10)(Acts 19:10)• Perhaps the letter is written to churchesPerhaps the letter is written to churches in a wide region.in a wide region.

• Theories about the intended audience Theories about the intended audience are without proofare without proof

What is certain is:What is certain is: The recipients were predominantlyThe recipients were predominantly GentilesGentiles Eph 2:11 “Remember that at one Eph 2:11 “Remember that at one

timetime you, Gentiles in the flesh, …”you, Gentiles in the flesh, …” The author sometimes distinguishes The author sometimes distinguishes Jewish Christian associated with theJewish Christian associated with the

author FROM the Gentile recipients.author FROM the Gentile recipients.

“ “so that we might exist for praise of so that we might exist for praise of his glory, his glory, wewe who first hoped in who first hoped in Christ. In him Christ. In him youyou also, have heard also, have heard the word of truth …” Eph 1:12the word of truth …” Eph 1:12

WeWe = Jewish Christians = Jewish Christians

YouYou = Gentile recipients = Gentile recipients

When and Where was When and Where was Ephesians written?Ephesians written?

• For those who argue that Paul wrote For those who argue that Paul wrote thisthis

letter -letter - late in Paul’s career, probably late in Paul’s career, probably while Paul was in prison in Romewhile Paul was in prison in Rome

• For those in favor of deutero-PaulineFor those in favor of deutero-Pauline authorship –authorship –

around the time Colossiansaround the time Colossians was written since Ephesians has awas written since Ephesians has a close connection with Colossiansclose connection with Colossians dated probably C.E. 80-90dated probably C.E. 80-90 impossible to determine where it impossible to determine where it was composedwas composed

Nature and Nature and Purpose of the Purpose of the

LetterLetter

Some theories include:Some theories include:• To recognize that the tense relations To recognize that the tense relations between Gentile and Jewish Christiansbetween Gentile and Jewish Christians was a thing of the pastwas a thing of the past

• To summarize and interpret Paul’sTo summarize and interpret Paul’s teaching for a new generation. Theteaching for a new generation. The recipients of Ephesians should hear recipients of Ephesians should hear Paul’s voice, feel his presence and Paul’s voice, feel his presence and

gaingain his direction (Goodspeed)his direction (Goodspeed)

• It was written to respond to a particularIt was written to respond to a particular group of false teachers, a view that isgroup of false teachers, a view that is difficult to support.difficult to support.

• Clinton Arnold (1989) holds that theClinton Arnold (1989) holds that the location of the letter is Asia Minor, a location of the letter is Asia Minor, a center for magical practices. Argues the center for magical practices. Argues the recipients of Ephesians felt threatened recipients of Ephesians felt threatened

byby the influence of hostile spiritual powersthe influence of hostile spiritual powers and the author of the letter is reassuringand the author of the letter is reassuring the recipients of the supremacy of Christ the recipients of the supremacy of Christ over all such powersover all such powers

• Ephesians concentrates on the identity Ephesians concentrates on the identity

ofof the church. the church. • The universal church exists on the The universal church exists on the

basis basis of what God has accomplished throughof what God has accomplished through ChristChrist

• Ephesians establishes peace, love andEphesians establishes peace, love and unity as priorities of the church. unity as priorities of the church.

Literary StyleLiterary Style

• A LetterA Letter

• An encyclical – circular An encyclical – circular letterletter

• Ephesians follows the pattern of a Ephesians follows the pattern of a

Greco-Roman letter beginning with anGreco-Roman letter beginning with an

address (1:1-14) and ending with aaddress (1:1-14) and ending with a

conclusion (6:21-24)conclusion (6:21-24)

• It also follows a Pauline letter pattern It also follows a Pauline letter pattern

with an initial blessing or prayer in thewith an initial blessing or prayer in the

address and a conclusion adapted to aaddress and a conclusion adapted to a

liturgical assembly liturgical assembly

• These elements enclose the body of the These elements enclose the body of the

letter (1:15-6:20) which presents aletter (1:15-6:20) which presents a

teaching or doctrine on the church and teaching or doctrine on the church and

then applies this teaching to the daily lifethen applies this teaching to the daily life

of believers. Ephesians deals not so of believers. Ephesians deals not so

much with a congregation in Ephesus asmuch with a congregation in Ephesus as

with the worldwide church.with the worldwide church.

Letter OutlineLetter Outline

I.I. Address (1:1-14)Address (1:1-14)

II.II. Body of letter (1:15-6:20) Body of letter (1:15-6:20)

A.A. The teaching of the ChurchThe teaching of the Church

(1:15-4:24)(1:15-4:24)

1.1. Unity of the Church (1:15-Unity of the Church (1:15-4:24)4:24)

2.2. World Mission of the ChurchWorld Mission of the Church

(3:1-6:20)(3:1-6:20)

B.B. Ethical Applications (4:25-6:20)Ethical Applications (4:25-6:20)

III.III. Conclusion (6:22-24)Conclusion (6:22-24)

Two Major ImpressionsTwo Major Impressionsin Contrastin Contrast

• Attention to the Church in form as the Attention to the Church in form as the fulfillmentfulfillment

of God’s plan for salvationof God’s plan for salvation

• The usual Pauline Letter body is changed -The usual Pauline Letter body is changed -

between its “letter” opening (1:1-2) andbetween its “letter” opening (1:1-2) and

closing (6:21-24) it has two long partsclosing (6:21-24) it has two long parts An expansion of the usual thanks-An expansion of the usual thanks-

giving section (1:3-3:21) giving section (1:3-3:21) An area of ethical exhortation An area of ethical exhortation

(4:1-6:20)(4:1-6:20)

Thus the former tells of their privileges as Thus the former tells of their privileges as members and the latter of the conduct members and the latter of the conduct required of members of the first.required of members of the first.

Most General of all Most General of all LettersLetters

There is an impersonal tone lacking There is an impersonal tone lacking any personal greetings to a place any personal greetings to a place that he had lived for 2+ years.that he had lived for 2+ years.

Awkward AreasAwkward Areas

• 1:1 of some translations include the word1:1 of some translations include the word “ “and” (kai) what is generally given as “toand” (kai) what is generally given as “to the saints who are also faith filled in the saints who are also faith filled in

ChristChrist Jesus”Jesus”

• Possibility that two churches are beingPossibility that two churches are being addressed and thus: to the saints who areaddressed and thus: to the saints who are in in XX and and YY faith filled in Christ Jesusfaith filled in Christ Jesus

• This would be more in line with other This would be more in line with other addresses of Pauladdresses of Paul

• There is the possibility of the two places There is the possibility of the two places

being named, being deleted and the being named, being deleted and the

“ “and” being maintained in error by a and” being maintained in error by a

scribescribe

• This epistle is remarkable for the lengthThis epistle is remarkable for the length

of its sentences. of its sentences.

Some Aspects Possibly Some Aspects Possibly indicate the letter being indicate the letter being written after Paul’s written after Paul’s death by a follower of death by a follower of PaulPaul

• Written in long sentences with many Written in long sentences with many “ “participle clauses and prepositional participle clauses and prepositional phrases”phrases”

• Change in emphasis in the thought of Change in emphasis in the thought of this letter in comparison with thethis letter in comparison with the undisputed onesundisputed ones

Universal Church vs Local Universal Church vs Local ChurchChurch

Christ’s exaltation & Cosmic Christ’s exaltation & Cosmic lordship vs His deathlordship vs His death

• Ephesians reflects a setting possibly Ephesians reflects a setting possibly latter than Paul’s life. Gone is the latter than Paul’s life. Gone is the struggle over the admission of struggle over the admission of Gentiles and instead looks back on Gentiles and instead looks back on an achieved unity between Jew and an achieved unity between Jew and Gentile.Gentile.

Letters to Ephesians, Letters to Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon Colossians, Philemon are looked at together are looked at together for a number of for a number of reasonsreasons

• Destination – AsiaDestination – Asia

• All 3 written when Paul was All 3 written when Paul was imprisoned –imprisoned –

“ “Captivity Letters”Captivity Letters”

• Tychicus is being sent with the lettersTychicus is being sent with the letters

Language of EphesiansLanguage of Ephesians

• Similar to Paul’s other writingsSimilar to Paul’s other writings

• Has a number of new words and Has a number of new words and phrasesphrases

that do not occur in accepted Pauline that do not occur in accepted Pauline letters (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, letters (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, 1 Thessalonians)Galatians, 1 Thessalonians)

in the heavenly realm (1:3)in the heavenly realm (1:3) His Beloved (1:6)His Beloved (1:6) Graciously bestowed (1:6)Graciously bestowed (1:6) The first to set our hope (1:12)The first to set our hope (1:12) Community (2:12)Community (2:12) Dividing wall (2:14)Dividing wall (2:14) Dwelling (2:22)Dwelling (2:22) Tossed by waves (4:14)Tossed by waves (4:14) Devil (4:27) Devil (4:27)

Hapex LegomenaHapex Legomena• More than 80 words not found in other More than 80 words not found in other

Pauline letters occur in EphesiansPauline letters occur in Ephesians

• 4 are found exclusively in LXX4 are found exclusively in LXX

• 16 outside the LXX only16 outside the LXX only

• 38 are nowhere in NT38 are nowhere in NT

• 5 have not been traced to any Greek 5 have not been traced to any Greek document of the pre-Christian era. Many document of the pre-Christian era. Many do appear in the writings of the Apostolic do appear in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers, thus creating the impression Fathers, thus creating the impression that Ephesians was written in the post that Ephesians was written in the post apostolic ageapostolic age

• Some words are derived from roots Some words are derived from roots usedused by the Apostleby the Apostle and in and in comparing these hapex legomena comparing these hapex legomena one with the other, it is impossible to one with the other, it is impossible to recognize in them a characteristic recognize in them a characteristic vocabulary that would reveal a vocabulary that would reveal a distinct personality distinct personality

Most Pauline letters contain Most Pauline letters contain fewer verbs than nounsfewer verbs than nouns

• In Ephesians the ratio of verbs to In Ephesians the ratio of verbs to nounsnouns

is 231:158is 231:158

• In Galatians, the ratio is 139:202In Galatians, the ratio is 139:202

• In Romans, the ratio is 363:377In Romans, the ratio is 363:377

• The “hymnotic” liturgical style mayThe “hymnotic” liturgical style may

explain this featureexplain this feature

• There are thoughtsThere are thoughts – that various – that various sections of the letter have been sections of the letter have been edited over the years. The current edited over the years. The current translation that we have would have translation that we have would have been difficult to express in ancient been difficult to express in ancient Greek.Greek.

• Most interpretersMost interpreters – deem the – deem the epistle style as distinctively “un-epistle style as distinctively “un-Pauline” . Frequently synonyms are Pauline” . Frequently synonyms are employed, they are with preference employed, they are with preference combined by a genitive (-of) combined by a genitive (-of) construction or the conjunction “and” construction or the conjunction “and”

• Like Colossians, the two (2) letters Like Colossians, the two (2) letters share the same broad shape, with a share the same broad shape, with a first part that is doctrinal and a first part that is doctrinal and a second that is practical.second that is practical.

• Their theological ideas and Their theological ideas and vocabulary are similar and set them vocabulary are similar and set them apart from other Pauline letters. apart from other Pauline letters. Supporters of Pauline authorship call Supporters of Pauline authorship call the vocabulary Pauline.the vocabulary Pauline.

• They share a remarkable amount of They share a remarkable amount of wording although the common words wording although the common words are combined in different ways.are combined in different ways.

• Ephesians is different in that it has a Ephesians is different in that it has a greater tendency (especially Eph 1-3) greater tendency (especially Eph 1-3) to extremely long rambling sentences to extremely long rambling sentences (1:3-14, 15-23) but this may be due to (1:3-14, 15-23) but this may be due to the use of the language of prayer the use of the language of prayer rather than argument.rather than argument.

• Since Paul is not writing to a specific Since Paul is not writing to a specific congregation, he does not begin with congregation, he does not begin with a prayer that categorizes their a prayer that categorizes their spiritual progress but rather uses a spiritual progress but rather uses a general thanksgiving (Jewish general thanksgiving (Jewish BerakahBerakah) in which he thanks God for ) in which he thanks God for His gift of salvationHis gift of salvation

• Different words are used for familiar Different words are used for familiar Pauline expressions (e.g. the use of the Pauline expressions (e.g. the use of the word “devil” in 4:27)word “devil” in 4:27)

• Some words are used with slightly Some words are used with slightly different senses;different senses; “ “mystery” is used especially of God’s mystery” is used especially of God’s

purpose for the universe whereas purpose for the universe whereas elsewhere it is used in more varied elsewhere it is used in more varied waysways

““economy” is elsewhere the task of a economy” is elsewhere the task of a church leader but here it is God’s plan church leader but here it is God’s plan of salvationof salvation

In 1 Cor 12, the head was just one In 1 Cor 12, the head was just one part of the body now it is identified as part of the body now it is identified as ChristChrist

• Ephesians has many parallels with Ephesians has many parallels with Paul’s earlier letters suggesting that Paul’s earlier letters suggesting that Ephesians is the work of a person who Ephesians is the work of a person who knew these parallels and used them in a knew these parallels and used them in a new manner.new manner.

• There is a large degree of sharing of There is a large degree of sharing of phrases between Ephesians and phrases between Ephesians and Colossians. This would not be surprising Colossians. This would not be surprising were it not for the varied way in which were it not for the varied way in which the same words and phrases are used.the same words and phrases are used.

1)1) Col 2) “S” 3) Col (1) 4) PaulCol 2) “S” 3) Col (1) 4) Paul Eph Col Eph Eph Col Eph Col Eph Eph Col

EphEph

Col (2)Col (2)

Major Themes in Major Themes in EphesiansEphesians

• Church UnityChurch Unity• Conduct of ChristiansConduct of Christians• ChristChrist

• Church UnityChurch Unity Jewish Christians vs Gentile Jewish Christians vs Gentile ChristiansChristians

One in ChristOne in Christ 1 person from 21 person from 2 1 body through the cross1 body through the cross diverse gifts diverse gifts

• Conduct of ChristiansConduct of Christians Conduct of non-Christian Conduct of non-Christian GentilesGentiles

Actions of Christians in Actions of Christians in

imitation of Christimitation of Christ Importance of prayerImportance of prayer

ConductConduct of non-Christian of non-Christian GentilesGentiles

• Eph 4:17-25Eph 4:17-25

• Licentious behavior, deceit, giving in Licentious behavior, deceit, giving in toto

desiresdesires

• Called to put on “new self”Called to put on “new self”

Actions of Christians in Actions of Christians in imitation of Christimitation of Christ

• Eph 4:25-32Eph 4:25-32• Rules for new lifeRules for new life

Truth and honestTruth and honest no foul languageno foul language remove bitterness, fury, remove bitterness, fury, anger, anger,

shouting, revelingshouting, reveling add compassion, forgivenessadd compassion, forgiveness

• Eph 5:1Eph 5:1 Be imitators of ChristBe imitators of Christ

Importance of PrayerImportance of Prayer

• Pray constantlyPray constantly

Just how should we do this?Just how should we do this?

• ChristChrist Mystery of predestinationMystery of predestination

Eph 1:4Eph 1:4 Christ chose usChrist chose us Fulfillment of Divine PlanFulfillment of Divine Plan

How big is Christ?How big is Christ? Eph 3:14-21Eph 3:14-21 Eph 3:18 “…the breath and Eph 3:18 “…the breath and length and height and depth, length and height and depth, and to know the love of and to know the love of Christ …”Christ …”

Christian wisdomChristian wisdom Eph 1:17-19Eph 1:17-19 Perception of the love of Perception of the love of ChristChrist

Church as Christ’s Mystical Church as Christ’s Mystical

BodyBody Union of Jews and Gentiles in Union of Jews and Gentiles in ChristChrist

Riches of ChristRiches of Christ Assets of followers and Assets of followers and

implications for livingimplications for living being “in Christ”being “in Christ”

Pure GracePure Grace Riches of ChristRiches of Christ Gift of God’s plan for our Gift of God’s plan for our salvationsalvation

New LifeNew Life Most radical changeMost radical change New mindNew mind

GrowthGrowth Members of one anotherMembers of one another Three main relationshipsThree main relationships

Husband/wifeHusband/wife Father/ChildFather/Child Master/SlaveMaster/Slave Changes to relationshipsChanges to relationships

ReciprocityReciprocity

liberationliberation

obedienceobedience

Spiritual warfareSpiritual warfare Eph 6:12-17Eph 6:12-17 Most important sub-themeMost important sub-theme existence of forces of evilexistence of forces of evil faith as shield (verse 16)faith as shield (verse 16)

Controversy in EphesiansControversy in Ephesians

• Eph 5:21 – 33Eph 5:21 – 33

• Eph 6:1 – 9Eph 6:1 – 9 Household codesHousehold codes Change of statusChange of status Change of outlook and course Change of outlook and course ofof

actionaction

Thoughts ?Thoughts ?

Questions ?Questions ?