Ephesians

Ephesians Background 

Paul briefly visited Ephesus on his second missionary journey as he purposed to go to Jerusalem (Acts 18:19-21). According to Acts 20:31, during his third missionary journey, he remained in Ephesus for three years. The book of Acts mentions several things that happened to Paul in Ephesus: Twelve disciples of John the Baptist were baptized in the Holy Spirit and with Christian water baptism (Acts 19:1-7). Paul preached boldly in the synagogues and taught disciples in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:8-10). Many special miracles were done by God through the hands of Paul (Acts 19:11-12). Evil spirits spoke of knowing Paul (Acts 19:13-17). Many practicing magic repented and burned their books and charms (Acts 19:18-20). Paul’s message caused a riot to break out because the worship of the goddess Diana was being forsaken (Acts 19:21-41). Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders and encouraged them to guard, oversee, and feed the church as he visited them for the last time (Acts 20:17-38). Later, in John’s letter to the seven churches of Asia, the Lord rebukes the pastor of the church in Ephesus for leaving his first love (Revelation 2:1-4).

Paul stated three times in this letter that he was a prisoner (Ephesians 3:1, 4:1, and 6:20). Most scholars believe that it was during his imprisonment in Rome that Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. For this reason, these letters are referred to as the Prison Letters.

 
Ephesians 1
Ephesians 2
Ephesians 3
Ephesians 4
Ephesians 5
Ephesians 6