Overview and Background
The Objective of the Commentary
The purpose of any Bible commentary is to assist the reader in understanding a book or a section of the Bible with the goal to better acquaint themselves with the ultimate author, God Himself. This commentary on the Book of Ephesians will require at times the examination of other books of the Bible. Hopefully this will aid, you the reader, in two ways, the first is to begin learning the whole counsel of God and secondly to become comfortable reading from various books of the Bible. Even though physically written by several people, the Bible really only has one true author, the Holy Spirit.
The Biblical references noted as ‘Read’ denote critical information that probably should be looked up to aid in understanding the primary passage being commented on. The reference that states ‘See’ is generally a reference that would be helpful in learning more, however the information would not be critical. The ‘See also’ references are those that support the same basic thoughts or convey the same meanings as the primary verse found elsewhere in the Bible. If a reference to a verse says something like ‘remember’ and you don’t remember what the verse is about, then you should probably look it up to refresh your memory.
Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus provides a quick but thorough overview and summary of what Christianity is all about followed by an equally thorough summary of what it means to be a Christian. As Christians we must learn to be true followers of Jesus (not our idea of how to follow but truly follow His way) and not just simply “walk the walk” or “talk the talk.” In this regard Ephesians is an excellent book to either begin our walk with Jesus or to help, as Peter would say it, “stir us up by way of reminder” (2 Peter 1:13b, ESV) to bring us back to Him. The first three chapters of Ephesians summarizes what Christianity is all about followed by three chapters that emphasizes how to live as a Christian.
The book was written by the Apostle Paul approximately A.D. 62 while he was in prison at Rome. Unlike most of the epistles (letters) Paul wrote, he does not admonish anyone nor does he mention any error or any specific problem. It has been suggested by some scholars that the absence of any admonishment and no real personal greeting that this letter was a “circular” letter intended for this and several other churches in the region.
Ephesus was a very important trade center as well as a culturally rich city in Asia Minor. Not only did it have a harbor that opened into the Cayster River (which emptied into the Aegean Sea), it was the center of all Asia Minor for occultism, spirit magic, and the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis (also known as the Roman goddess Diana, the Temple of Artemis is considered to be one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World). The city ruins are still in existence today near Selçuk, in the Izmir Province of Turkey. However the city is now over over a mile from the sea today.
Besides Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, Jesus had the Apostle John write a letter to this church too (see Revelation 2:1-7). Jesus warned the church that they had lost their first love (referring to their love for Jesus) and that they should return to Him, repent and go back doing what they were doing at first. If they would not return to God He said He would remove their lamp stand (remove His presence). Interestingly the church of Ephesus no longer exists, apparently they did not return to Jesus and repent.
About the Author (the Apostle Paul)
Background and Family
Paul was born in Tarsus with the name of Saul (see Acts 22:3) and called himself a Benjamite (from the Tribe of Benjamin, see Romans 11:1). He studied with one of the top Rabbis of his time known as Gamaliel I (see Acts 22:3) and learned how to make tents to provide an income wherever he went (see Acts 18:3). Paul and his father were both Pharisees (a conservative sect of Judaism, read Acts 23:6). We know a little about his family but we know nothing about his mother. He was a Roman citizen (see Acts 22:23-28) and had a sister that lived in Jerusalem (see Acts 23:16) whose son at times helped Paul (see Acts 23:16).
Before Accepting Jesus
One of Paul’s greatest regrets is that before his conversion he was a persecutor of Christians (at that time they were known as “The Way,” considered a wayward sect of Judaism, read Acts 9:1-3 and Acts 22:4). He was present and perhaps was in charge of Stephen’s execution (see Acts 7:58). Paul prided himself that he was able to comply with all required elements of the Law (commandments, rules and procedures found in the first five books of the Bible written by Moses, see Acts 26:5).
Jesus Had Other Plans
On the road to Damascus to continue his persecution of those of “the Way,” Paul saw a great light and was blinded (see Acts 9:3, 8 and 22:6) and heard a loud voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 22:7, ESV) Paul responded, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ (Acts 22:8a, ESV) and Jesus told him, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” (see Acts 22:8b, ESV) Paul was led into the city of Damascus where he fasted and prayed (read Acts 9:9-11 and 22:11). Ananias was sent to Paul and Paul ultimately accepted Jesus (see Acts 9:11-12, note how the fact that he prayed was important to God), his sight returned and was baptized (see Acts 9:18).
Now On Fire
Paul immediately started to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior (see Acts 9:20). He went to Arabia (it is speculated that he went there to learn from God) and then returned to Damascus (see Galatians 1:17). Three years later he visited Jerusalem (see Galatians 1:18) where he attempted to join some of the other disciples but they were highly suspicious of him (see Acts 9:26). He was befriended by Barnabas who finally convinced the other disciples to accept Paul (see Acts 9:27-28). Shortly afterwards, since Paul and the others were preaching about Jesus, the Hellenists (Greek speaking Jews) started to persecute him (see Acts 9:29). He was warned in a vision to leave Jerusalem quickly (see Acts 22:17-21) and was able to escape to Tarsus by way of Caesarea (see Acts 9:30). Barnabas went to Tarsus looking for Paul and brought him to Antioch where they both taught and worked (see Acts 11:25-26). Paul took three round-trip missionary journeys where he planted churches, preached the Word and helped people find Jesus as their Savior. He also took a fourth trip as a prisoner to Rome where he was thought to be executed.
First Missionary Journey
Paul, Barnabas and John-Mark were sent to the island of Cyrus and visited cities from Salamis to Paphos (see Acts 13:4-6a). Even though they encountered some difficulty with a local false prophet and magician, they were still able to convert Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Paphos, to Christ (see Acts 13:6b-12). Saul’s name was then changed to Paul (see Acts 13:9). They then went off to Perga in Pamphylia where John-Mark left them to return to Jerusalem (see Acts 13:13). Paul and Barnabas went on to preach in Antioch in Pisidia (see Acts 13:14-41). They continued on to Iconium (see Acts 13:51) and then to Lystra where Paul was stoned and left for dead (see Acts 14:8-19). They went on to Derbe before turning back to go home through Pamphylia (see Acts 14:20-26).
Second Missionary Journey
Shortly after the Jerusalem Council meeting where Christian leaders from all around came together to discuss important doctrine (see Acts 15:1-35), Paul and Barnabas split up (see Acts 15:36-40). Paul and Silas next went North through Syria into Cilicia (see Acts 15:41) and then to the cities of Derbe and Lystra (see Acts 16:1). While in Lystra, Timothy joined Paul (see Acts 16:1-3). They go on to through the regions of Phrygia and Galatia (see Acts 16:6) but were not allowed by Jesus to speak in the region of Asia. So they went on to Troas, where Paul receives a vision of a man in Macedonia (see Acts 16:9-10), concluding that they are to preach the gospel to the people of Macedonia, they cross the Aegean Sea to the island of Samothrace and then on to Philippi, a leading city in Macedonia and stayed there for a few days (see Acts 16:11-12).
While there they helped a woman from Thyatira, named Lydia and her family accepted Jesus and were baptized. Afterwards Paul ran into a slave girl who had brought great fortune to her owners in fortune telling. After several days of constant yelling at Paul and Silas, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation,” (Acts 16:17, ESV) Paul, tired of the outbursts, responded by calling the demon to come out of her, which it did, making her owners very upset and had Paul and Silas arrested (Acts 16:16-24).
After being arrested and tortured, they led a Philippian jailer and his family to Christ shortly after a large earthquake (see Acts 16:25-40). They were released the next day and they traveled on to Thessalonica where they started a church (see Acts 17:1-4). Unfortunately, the Jews were so upset by their teachings in Thessalonica that they attempted to have Paul and his group arrested (see Acts 17:5-9). The local Christians sent them away at night to Berea, who received them favorably (see Acts 17:10-15). They went South to Athens from there and when Paul arrived he spoke to them from Areopagus (Mars Hill) while being surrounded by pagan temples of all shapes and sizes (see Acts 17:16-34, note how he got their attention). From Athens, Paul went to Corinth where he received another vision and another church was planted. Many people came to Christ while they were in Corinth including Crispus, the ruler of the local synagogue (see Acts 18:1-18). Paul traveled across the Aegean Sea with Aquila and Priscilla (a married couple that were forced out of Rome due to an edict that all Jews were to leave Rome, see Acts 18:1-2) to Ephesus for a brief period (see Acts 18:19-20) and then sailed to Caesarea returned back to Antioch (see Acts 18:22).
Third Missionary Journey
After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back to many of the previous cities and regions in order to strengthen and offer encouragement to all of the church leaders and disciples. Paul arrived in Ephesus and stayed for two and a half years (see Acts 19:1-18). Many were converted and many who practiced magic arts brought their books out and burned them (see Acts 19:19-20). Since the temple of Artemis (also known as Diana) was located in the city of Ephesus, much of the city’s trade was from tourism and the selling of small idols of the goddess Artemis. Apparently the Christian movement started to adversely impact some of the local merchant’s sales, so a local tradesmen started a city-wide riot that was later peacefully dismissed by the city’s proconsuls (see Acts 19:21-41). After things settled down Paul set out for Macedonia and then south to Greece for three months (see Acts 20:1-3).
Returning through Macedonia and crossing over the sea, they stayed in Troas for seven days. On the last day Paul spoke well into the evening and a young man, by the name of Eutychus, was sitting on a window sill listening to Paul when he fell asleep and fell down three stories and died, however, Paul by taking the youth in his arms was able to revive him (see Acts 20:6-12). Wanting to get back to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost they headed back home. A large group of church leaders from Ephesus met with Paul as he was returning (see Acts 20:17-38). They sailed towards Tyre where Paul was warned not to go to Jerusalem (see Acts 21:1-6). Paul arrived in Caesarea to the house of Philip and stayed with him for several days (see Acts 21:8).
Headaches in Jerusalem
Paul did go to Jerusalem and was warmly received by his fellow Christians there (see Acts 21:17), however he was soon afterward seized by the Temple guards (see Acts 21:27-36) and arrested. Paul offered his testimony as a defense, but as soon as he said that he was sent to preach to the Gentiles the Jewish leadership had him taken away by the Romans (see Acts 22:1-29). However, since Paul was a Roman citizen the Roman Triune wanted to know more as to why he was arrested, so he was sent to appear in front of the Jewish Council (see Acts 22:30-23:10). God told Paul that night, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:11, ESV) The very next day the Jews involved with Paul’s arrest made a vow to kill him (see Acts 23:12-15). The officials heard about the plot to kill Paul and had him moved to Caesarea (see Acts 23:16-35).
While in Caesarea
The High Priest Ananias traveled to Caesarea with some elders and a spokesman to lay out a case against Paul (see Acts 24:1-9). Paul offers a brief defense before Governor Felix beginning with his testimony (see Acts 24:10-21). The governor decides to wait before deciding his fate, so Paul remains imprisoned for two more years (see Acts 24:22-27). Shortly after Porcius Festus replaced Felix as governor, the Jews asked that Paul be moved to Jerusalem, as they were planning on ambushing and killing him on the way (see Acts 25:1-5). Festus refused to allow Paul to be moved, requiring them to instead bring their charges to him (see Acts 25:6-10). Seeing that the Jews wanted him dead, Paul asks to appeal to Caesar and Festus agrees (see Acts 25:11-12). After several days, King Agrippa arrives and Paul offers his testimony and defense again (see Acts 25:13-26:29). After listening to Paul, the king decides that Paul did not do anything to deserve death and that if he had not requested to appeal to Caesar he would have been a free man (see Acts 26:30-32). So Paul was sent to Rome.
Voyage to Rome
Paul’s voyage to Rome is one that would make any travel agent cry. Paul first encounters an intense storm where they end up jettisoning the ship’s cargo. Paul was able to preach to those onboard and bring them comfort while adrift. After several days the ship is wrecked on the island of Malta (see Acts 27:13-44). While on the island gathering wood for a fire one day, a highly poisonous snake bites Paul. The local people expect Paul to die but since he does not die they consider him a god. Paul finally convinces them he is not a god but does offer prayers for a sick man and many others on the island where they are all healed (see Acts 28:1-10).
While in Rome
Paul finally arrives at Rome (see Acts 28:11-15) and he was allowed to stay by himself (no prison), however, a guard was assigned to be with him at all times (see Acts 28:16). He lived in Rome for two more years, “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:31, ESV) While in Rome Paul wrote his letters to the Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians and to his friend Philemon.
Last Days
There is no official mention in the Bible as to where and how Paul died. It is believed by many that Paul was beheaded in Rome. Other scholars point out that since his second letter to Timothy appears to be his final epistle “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8, ESV) and that in his closing of that epistle he sounds like he might be somewhere other than Rome, they believe that he may not have been executed in Rome.
Summary of Paul’s Life
Paul was truly transformed on that road to Damascus. A change that allowed him to persevere beatings, multiple shipwrecks, snake bites and a long list of things that would challenge anyone’s faith, “with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:23b-28, ESV) Paul knew first hand the need to have trust and faith in Jesus. He also knew firsthand that we cannot do anything of real value, especially for God’s Kingdom, without being fully transformed ourselves (read Romans 12:1-2).