Meaning of EPHESIANS (Epistle)

Paul wrote it while in prison (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20), probably in Rome, in the year 62 AD.

A few commentators place the writing of this epistle at the time of the captivity in Caesarea (Acts 24:27), but in this case it would not fit that the apostle wrote at the same time to the Philippians (Phil. 2:23-24). and to Philemon (Flm. 22) who hoped to be released soon.

This hope would not have been given in Caesarea, where he had appealed to Caesar.

On the other hand, he had sufficient freedom to preach the Gospel (Acts 28:30; Eph. 6:19-20; Col. 4:3-4), and the praetorium, as well as Caesar's house of which he speaks, They are evidently found in Rome (Phil. 1:13; 4:22). Finally, the phrase "I am an ambassador" (Eph. 6:20) may suggest his presence in the imperial capital.

(a) RECIPIENTS.

The epistle is addressed "to the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus who are at Ephesus." Some mss. very ancient ones omit the word "in Ephesus", p. e.g., the two main ones of the NT, the Codex Sinaiticus and the Codex Vaticanus, as well as the Chester Beatty papyrus, from the beginning of the 3rd century, the ms. oldest surviving version of Paul's epistles.

Who then were the true recipients of the epistle? The most plausible explanation is that it is a circular letter sent to all the churches of the Province of Asia; Ephesus was the main city, thus leaving his name in it.

The absence of allusions to a specific situation and local difficulties seems to confirm this opinion. It is, in short, a treatise on doctrine and morals, in the form of an epistle.

(b) COMPARISON with the Epistle to the Colossians.

Like the letter to the Colossians, the one sent to the Ephesians was sent through Tychicus (Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7-8). The analogy of language and thought reveals that the two epistles were written at the same time. Compare, p. ex.:
Eph. 1:1, 2 with Col. 1:1, 2
Eph. 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12 with Col. 1:5; 3:1-3
Eph. 1:6, 7 with Col. 1:13-14

Eph. 1:9; 3:9; 6:19 with Col. 1:26; 2:2; 4:3
Eph. 1:10 with Col. 1:10, 25.
Eph. 1:11 with Col. 1:12

Eph. 1:17 with Col. 1:10
Eph. 1:19, 20 with Col. 2:12
Eph. 1:20 with Col. 3:1

Eph. 1:22 with Col. 1:18
Eph. 1:23 with Col. 2:9
Eph. 4:22-24 with Col. 3:8-10
Eph. 4:32 with Col. 3:13

This parallelism reaches such a point that, according to Lewis, of the 155 verses of Ephesians, there are 78, with more or less modifications ("International Standart Bible Encyclopaedia", p. 959).

It is evident that the apostle wrote these two epistles under the pressure of the same circumstances. The epistle to the Ephesians seems to have been written immediately after that of Colossians, being of greater scope than the previous one.

(c) AUTHENTICITY.

The authenticity and Pauline paternity of this epistle is abundantly confirmed by internal and external evidence.
Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Polycarp, Hermas, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Irenaeus and Hippolytus testify that it had been recognized and used very early in a constant manner.

It can even be stated that it is undoubtedly the most cited letter of the writers of the first centuries. It appears in Marcion's list and in the Muratori fragment (170 AD).

Internal tests are equally decisive. The author mentions his name twice (Eph. 1:1; 3:1). The distribution of the themes is Pauline, beginning with the doctrine (Eph. 1-3) and ending with the practical theme, the fruit of the doctrine (Eph. 4-6). The way of expressing himself is totally Pablo's. It is this epistle that marks the summit of the apostle's teaching.

(d) TOPIC.

The main theme of the epistle to the Colossians is the preeminence of the person and work of Christ; that of Ephesians, the privileges and responsibility of the Church, which gathers "in Christ" all the redeemed of the New Testament.

The Epistle to the Ephesians summarizes, so to speak, all of Paul's previous teaching; It develops the wonderful plan that God has set in motion by sending his Son, the liberation of his elect, the redemption that is to manifest to the entire universe the riches of his grace.

Expounding salvation by faith, the calling of the Gentiles, the divinity of Jesus, his perfectly finished work, the sanctification, fulness and victory granted to the saints, the Epistle to the Ephesians constitutes a complete theological treatise.

Chapter 1 exposes the consummated divine work in favor of the Church, constituted according to the eternal designs of the sovereign God (Eph. 1:3-6); The work of Christ carried out these designs (Eph. 1:7-12), which have been confirmed through the seal of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13, 14).

Paul prays that the Ephesians may understand the great hope that illuminates the Christian vocation, of which the risen and glorified Savior is both the firstfruits and the guarantee (Eph. 1:15-23).

Chapter 2 presents the human side of the salvation experience: unmerited grace frees the