Ephesians (18)
Adoption is the more specific idea introduced here and was a very significant concept in the ancient world, employed by Paul with intent. Under Roman law, adoption bestowed all the privileges of naturally born children, with one very famous example: Gaius Octavian Thurinus was adopted by Julius Caesar and became Augustus Caesar—the first Roman emperor. The ancient world could hardly imagine a greater endorsement of adoption than that. But Paul did.Pillar Commentary
The main theme of Ephesians is easy to summarize with the phrase unity in the inaugurated new creation. Paul starts out teaching at some length on the church's unity as it is rooted in God's counsel and then in his redemptive accomplishment in the incarnate Son sealed to believers in the Holy Spirit. We see throughout Ephesians the rich, biblical teaching of a full and free salvation accomplished by the triune God and received by faith alone. But biblical faith is a living faith, which necessarily manifests its presence through loveEphesians, Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015), 35
we cannot fashion our own identities in a vacuum according to our own self-determination. Our identity is inextricably grounded in the fatherhood of God.
Paul reminds his readers that the one to whom he prays is more than able to do what is asked. He goes out of his way to stress how far beyond our comprehension God is able to act with the use of phrases such as "above all," and "far beyond" what we might ask or think to ask. The CSB captures it neatly with the contemporary idiomatic translation—God is able to go "above and beyond." Indeed, he is able to do more than we can even imagine asking. Remembering this about God inspires prayer since we know how powerful he is to grant our requests.Pillar Commentary
The modern western focus on individual identity is not shared by Paul or his readers and there is no a priori reason why we should assume that Paul refers to a group in which all individuals could be specifically identified. However, this reading does call into question the notion that God would identify a group without deciding the individuals who constitute the group. That is, would God elect a group without at the same time electing the individuals who constitute that group?Pillar Commentary
Union gathers up faith union with Christ, mutual indwelling, trinitarian, and nuptial notions. Participation conveys partaking the events of Christ's narrative. Identification refers to believers' location in the realm of Christ and their allegiance to his lordship. Incorporation encapsulates the corporate dimensions of membership in Christ's body.Paul and Union with Christ
"Believers partake in these central Christ-events, so what is true of Christ in his resurrection and ascension is true also of those who believe in him.Paul and Union with Christ
f there is one theological theme to which Ephesians contributes more than any other Pauline letter, it would be his theology of union with Christ. While it is prevalent in his other letters, especially Colossians, the theme of union of Christ is deeply woven into the fabric of Ephesians. It is central to every other major theme in the letter, such as salvation, Jew and gentile reconciliation, the church, walking in the light, and spiritual warfare. Indeed, it could be argued that union with Christ is the single most essential theological ingredient for the argument of Ephesians. 2 Corinthians 13:11Pillar Commentary
Ephesians shares with Colossians its interest in the cosmic supremacy of Christ over all competing supernatural powers and all creation (e.g., Eph 1:20–22; Col 1:15–17). While other Pauline letters demonstrate a high Christology, none are so bold in their christological claims as Ephesians and Colossians. The two letters also share a strong interest in believers' union with Christ, especially the notion of having been made alive and raised with ChristPillar Commentary
though the practice of magic was illegal in the Roman Empire, and was regarded socially deviant, it nevertheless flourished in Ephesus. As such, Ephesus has been described as a "metropolis for magic," with a reputation in the ancient world for its widespread magical practicesPillar Commentary
Ephesus was the "mother city" (metropolis) for Western Asia Minor (western Turkey today) in several respects. It was the third-largest city in the Roman Empire at the time, and it was a major political, economic, social, and religious center. Home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world—the temple of Artemis—Ephesus attracted a steady stream of visitors for the purposes of worship and commerce. It was a desired destination, bustling and glamorous.Pillar Commentary
Paul may have felt that some of the content sent to the Colossians would be relevant to other churches in the region too, so he reused and expanded it to create a general letter. The impersonal nature of "Ephesians" is therefore by design so that it would be equally appropriate for churches in general rather than just one specific church.Pillar Commentary
Ephesians is rightly regarded as one of the most significant letters of human history.
As grandiose as that may sound, adulation for the letter to the Ephesians can hardly be overstated. It is, in its own way, majestic, profound, exhilarating, and—if its message is taken seriously—nothing short of earth-shattering. Its scope is cosmic, addressing the whole of creation—including physical and spiritual realms—and eternal, addressing the mission of God before the foundation of the world through to its ultimate fulfillment in the age to come.Pillar Commentary
Among the Pauline writings, only Romans can match Ephesians as a candidate for exercising the most influence on Christian thought and spirituality.
A devastating earthquake in AD 23 stunted the growth for a while, and the effects of Mark Antony's pillaging of the city also continued to cause the growth to be slow in the first half of the first century AD, when Paul was present in the cityEphesians, Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015), 34
There are actually very few pseudepigraphical (forged) epistles from early Christianity (cf. comments on 6:21–24), but recent research has shown that there is reason to believe that the early church opposed this practice and would have been ready to reject Ephesians if it were suspicious
Ephesians, Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015), 3.
Anyone writing on Ephesians today must deal with the issue of the denial of Pauline authorship by a significant number of scholars. Skepticism that Paul wrote this epistle was first raised by a few lone voices in the seventeenth century, but became more widespread in the mid-nineteenth century after F. C. Baur proposed that Ephesians originated in the second century. Before the critical period, there had never been any question about Pauline authorship or the canonical identity of this epistle, including its acceptance in the early church among even the earliest apostolic fathers.Ephesians, Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015), 1.
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