Ephesians Flashcards
What was Ephesus?
Big, important city
Capital of Asia
Seat of Roman power
Population of Ephesus
200-250 thousand
Economy
Wealthy, mouth of Cayster river, harbour to the Aegean sea
Ephesus religion
Various cults and temples (Hestia, Serapis, Zeus)
Mostly Artemis
Temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world (destroyed in 401AD)
Paul’s first visit to Ephesus
52-53AD during second missionary journey
Paul’s return to Ephesus
53-54AD, teaches daily for two years, great suffering during this time
Authorship of Ephesians
Paul, sort of disputed, like Colossians and 2 Thessalonians
Big reason for doubting Pauline authorship
Impersonal character and writing towards a church he knew very well
Date and Provenance of Ephesians
Roman house arrest in 60-62AD (likely the beginning)
What is missing at the beginning of the earliest manuscripts?
In Ephesus
What type of letter is Ephesians?
Circular, to all the churches in Asia Minor
Purpose of Ephesians
To Gentiles for reconciliation and unity in the church, against false teachings
Who told Paul about the false teachings having an impact on the church?
Tychicus and Epaphras, from Colossae
Heart of Chapter
Jesus!
Length of opening
Short 2 verses, compared to Philippians 17
Written to
Saints in Ephesus
Greeting is rooted in…
Jesus (mentioned 3 times in two verses)
Big feat of a sentence
Longest sentence in the NT (250 words)
Order of praise and prayer
Praise, then grounds for praise, then prayer
Use of prefix (ch. 1)
Pro - before
God’s plan from the beginning
To bless all people through Jesus
Length of thanksgiving
Short and concise (impersonal again)
Language present
BIG picture terms, power
Chapter 2
Centre/heart of the letter
Layout of Ephesians
Doxology, prayer, chapter 2, prayer, doxology
First part
Vertical reconciliation