Paul's Letter to the Ephesians

By Dr David L Cook

Relationships, Work, Marriage, Church life. Grace, Salvation, the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Just some of the subjects covered in Ephesians. It is a book packed full of both doctrine and practical advice. This 12 part study guides us through this tremendous book.

This publication is part of the Epistole Bible Study Series, by the late Dr David L Cook. Each study in the series features questions for individuals and group discussion, together with a follow up section for each study.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr David L Cook
• Release date: Aug 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310716621

Dr David L Cook

Dr David L Cook ( 1932 - 2013) was a highly experienced Scottish educationalist and Bible teacher. He worked in education all his life, first as a classics teacher, and then secondary school headmaster. He studied the Bible continually throughout his life, and was familiar with NT Greek and also Hebrew. As well as his MA in the classics, he obtained both a BD and a PhD in Theology. From a young man until his late 70s, he travelled all over Scotland, and beyond, preaching and teaching, mainly in Brethren churches. He wrote several Bible Study booklets, which he had hoped to revise and make available, but he passed away before that work was completed. His family have completed that work and the studies are now available as the Epistole Bible Study Series.

Book preview

Making The Most Of This Series

What you need

1. Your Bible. Make sure the print is easy to read. The basic version for this study is N.I.V. For close study, using a modern ‘word for word’ type of translation, consult the English Standard Version.

2. This booklet and a pen or pencil.

3. The desire to learn what the Lord wants to teach you.

How to proceed on your own

1. Always with prayer and dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

2. Read the passage of Scripture as often as necessary to grasp its general meaning.

3. Answer the questions and write down your findings so that you will be able to read them again. Don't avoid this. It will help you. What you write is for your own eyes, for nobody else's. So don't have any hang-up about writing.

In the group

1. Come with the spirit of learning together.

2. Try to participate in the group in a natural way.

3. Others will be helped by your contribution, however brief, as you will be helped by theirs.

4. No one is forced into saying anything, but even a nod or shaking of the head, a smile or a frown adds something. Be there if at all possible, even if you have not had as much time to prepare as you hoped.

5. Try to find time as soon after the group discussion to go back over the passage again. There's a follow-up section to help you with this.

Note: Some hyperlinks to www.biblegateway.com beside the Bible passages referenced in the study have been added for your convenience, eg 1 Cor 13 N.I.V.

Introduction To Ephesians

There is no need to encourage any Christian to read Ephesians. Its attraction is irresistible. Writers vie with one another in praising it; scholars pore over its deep truths; preachers proclaim its heart-warming certainties; humble folk rejoice in its glorious treasures; all find nourishment for their souls and direction for their lives. May we come to the study of it with the eagerness it deserves.

The Author - Paul

Some have questioned this and claim that it was put together by one of Paul's disciples, who wanted to present Paul's main teaching in one composition in the apostle's own words as far as possible.

After setting out the case that scholars have made for such a position, F. F. Bruce comments incisively: The man who could write Ephesians must have been the apostle's equal, if not his superior, in mental stature and spiritual insight. And later, The author, if he was not Paul himself, has carried the apostle's thinking to its logical conclusion, beyond the point where the apostle stopped, and has placed the coping-stone on the massive structure of Paul's teaching. Of such a second Paul, early Christian history has no knowledge.

The writer identifies himself as Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ (1:1), and repeats his name with emphasis at 3:1. The words he uses are typical of Paul, as is the teaching they convey. It seems eminently sensible to accept that identification and be saved all the mental contortions that any alternative offers.

Paul a prisoner

The letter makes clear that Paul was writing as a prisoner (3:1, 4:1, 6:20), but it does not