Ephesians
About this date: Dates are broad scholarly estimates of composition or final editing, not dates of the events narrated. Traditional attributions and scholarly assessments can differ.
Ephesians praises God's work in Christ, the joining of Jews and Gentiles, the church as one body, and a way of life shaped by that unity. Its formal style and broad audience make authorship and original circulation matters of study; the writing is traditionally linked to Paul.
Key points
- The opening blessing places the church within a large account of divine purpose.
- Ephesians 2 moves from grace and faith to reconciliation between peoples.
- Household instructions must be read with the letter's wider calls to mutual life and within their ancient setting.
Scripture
- Ephesians 1:3-14 — A sustained blessing introduces election, redemption, and the Spirit.
- Ephesians 2:1-22 — Grace and new creation are joined to the breaking down of hostility.
- Ephesians 4:1-16 — Unity and diverse gifts build up the body.
- Ephesians 5:21-6:9 — Household relationships are addressed within the letter's moral exhortation.
Primary sources
Ephesians 2:14 states:
Ephesians describes Christ as the peace who joins two groups and removes their division; this supports the unity theme, not a verdict about authorship.
For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of separation,
Passage context and translation
Grace and new creation are joined to the breaking down of hostility.
Before the excerpt
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.
After the excerpt
having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace,
Sources and further reading
- Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles: canonical books and Apocrypha
- Catholic Catechism §120: canon and book list
- Orthodox Church in America: canon of Scripture
- Orthodox Church in America: Old Testament historical books
- USCCB Bible introductions: historical and literary notes
- USCCB introduction to Ephesians