The Epistle To The Ephesians

by Micky Galloway

The city of Ephesus lay in the Roman province of Asia, on the west side of what is modern Turkey, about three miles from the coast, near the mouth of the Cayster River. It had an artificial harbor that accommodated most ships and was connected by many highways with other major cities in the province. Ephesus was the most accessible city of Asia, both from land and sea. Commerce and manufacturing flourished there. It is possible that Priscilla and Aquila may have left Corinth for Ephesus (Acts 18:1-2, 26) because Ephesus was known for the manufacture of luxurious tents.

In Paul’s time the city of Ephesus was religiously like that of Rome. Diana was the patron goddess of the city. It was believed that the “mother-goddess” of the earth was born near there, and that her image had fallen from the sky from Jupiter. There was a magnificent and massive temple erected that is described as one of the wonders of the ancient world. It was 220 by 425 feet, and supported by 107 pillars, each 60 feet high. Worship was of man’s own invention and very vile. Her rituals included sacrifices and sensual indulgences, debauchery and ceremonial prostitution. It is no wonder that Paul warned the brethren in Ephesus about the dangers of their past. “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17-19). An annual festival was held in honor of Diana and people came from many places to celebrate. Generally these festivals lasted for a month and shrines of Diana were purchased by the thousands as souvenirs. It is easy to see why Paul would have trouble with Demetrius and the silversmiths in Acts 19:23ff who produced these objects of veneration.

The city of Ephesus was immoral, ungodly and certainly an unwholesome environment for the church to exist. The church there began during a brief visit in the closing portion of Paul’s second preaching journey about AD 53. Acts 18:18-21 says, “And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow. And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not; but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.” Paul later returned to Ephesus and preached for three years AD 54-57, (Acts 20:31). Here Paul baptized the twelve disciples who had received John’s baptism. He preached three months in the synagogue and, preached in the school of Tyrannus. Upon this visit, “Many also of them that had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. And not a few of them that practised magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed” (Acts 19:18-20). Perhaps most importantly it is said as a result of these efforts “all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). Paul noted that he had not kept back “anything that was profitable” and had declared “unto you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:20, 27). For a history of Paul’s relationship with the Ephesians the reader is referred to Acts 19-20.

The epistle was written to the “saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1). It was likely circulated around to brethren elsewhere. It was written at the conclusion of Paul’s third preaching journey after he was arrested and imprisoned in Rome around AD 62-63 before Timothy came to him (Ephesians 3:1, 4:1; 6:20). During this imprisonment Paul wrote three other letters, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Tychicus delivered the letter to the Ephesians and evidently delivered the epistle to the Colossians at the same time (cf. Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8).

The theme of the book of Ephesians is “The Church Is The Fulness Of Christ.” This is summed up in Ephesians 1:10 “unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth…” and Ephesians 1:22-23 “and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” Involved in this theme is the subject of reconciliation (Ephesians 2:12-16). This is accomplished in the one body, the church. The church is shown to be that by which the great wisdom of God is manifest (Ephesians 3:10). Paul speaks of “all spiritual blessings” in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and then goes on to show what these blessings are. He reminds them that they were once sinners, but now are the saved of God, through Christ (Ephesians 2). He exhorts them to spiritual adulthood, thus avoiding the evil of being led astray (Ephesians 4:11-16). He uses the marriage bond (Ephesians 5) to illustrate the type of relationship which exists between Christ and the church. He then deals with the duties of parents and children; slaves and masters (Ephesians 6:1-9). Finally, Paul’s great message on the “armor of God” is emphasized as the means by which Satan may be conquered (Ephesians 6:11ff).

Paul expressed concern over the future of the church at Ephesus as he spoke with the Ephesian elders at Miletus, “Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:28-30). Evidently, his concerns were warranted. In Revelation 2 it is said to the church in Ephesus, “But I have (this) against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love. Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:4-5).

May God help us to “know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might which he wrought in Christ…” (Ephesians 1:18-20).