An Introduction to Ephesians

1. Authorship
a.) 80% of critical scholars do not believe that St. Paul is the author.
b.) The Orthodox Church holds that St. Paul was the author and that differences in style and vocabulary could be due to dictation.

2. Setting:
a.) Paul is a prisoner (3:1;4:1;6:20) and Tychicus is being sent to tell the recipients about him (6:21-22). There is no information on Paul’s past dealings with the community. (Brown, Raymond, An introduction to the New Testament, p. 620)

3. Date: in the 61-63 AD as recorded in Acts 28:16-31

4. Tychicus (Dec 8) Acts 20:4, Eph 6:21, Col 4:7, 2 Tim. 4:12, Titus 3:12

5. Major Themes (Orthodox Study Bible)

a.) The riches of Christ in the Church
b.) The work of the Holy Trinity in our salvation
c.) Our response to God’s grace
d.) God’s strength for spiritual warfare

6. The purpose of Ephesians (Orthodox Study Bible)

a.) Paul continue over seeing the Church
b.) Paul is encouraging the Church in evangelism
c.) Sacramental Theology

i. Baptism
ii. Chrismation
iii. Eucharist
iv. Marriage
v. The nature of the Church

Chapter 1
Translation: The Orthodox New Testament, Holy Apostles Convent, Buena Vista, Co, 1999

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. To the Saints

Holy means not of the earth

Prayer of Entrance in the Divine Liturgy
Master and Lord our God, You have established in heaven the orders and host of angels and archangels to minister to your glory. Grant that the holy angels may enter with us that together we may serve and glorify your goodness…(Silent prayer said as priest comes forth with the Gospel then he says…)

“Blessed is the entrance of your saints - Holy Ones) always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.”

Historically, this prayer was read at the doors of the Church as the faithful entered. The “sanctuary” meant not just the altar but the entire Church. All are initiated; all are saints, holy ones called out of the world and into the kingdom of heaven.