Ephesians: The Easy Study Bible Commentary: The Easy Study Bible Commentary Series, #49

By Dr. Trennis E. Killian

Ephesians: The Easy Study Bible Commentary

Not just for scholars but for anyone who struggles to understand the New Testament!

The Easy Study Bible Commentary takes The Easy Study Bible Diagramed and examines, describes and expounds upon each New Testament book, chapter by chapter, paragraph by paragraph, verse by verse and finally phrase by phrase.

In my many years of Bible study, I have found this arrangement to be the easiest to follow and understand.

I have done my best to write this commentary with the idea in mind of making it easier for you to understand and therefore apply the great teachings that God gave to each of us through the various books of the New Testament.

At the end of each section that we study, I will give you what I call my Greek Paraphrase. What I do is to take all of the expanded Greek definitions and put them together to help us better understand the passage.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr. Trennis E. Killian
• Release date: Jun 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223477235

Book preview

Ephesians

The Easy Study Bible Commentary

Dr. Trennis E. Killian

Copyright © 2012, 2016 by Trennis E. Killian

Christ Centered Ministries

Surprise, Arizona

The print edition of this book may be obtained through http://www.trenniskillian.com

All Scripture quotations are taken from The Easy Study Bible ®, Copyright © 2011 by Trennis E. Killian and Christ Centered Ministries. Used by permission.

This E-Book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This E-Book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All the Books in

The Easy Study Bible Commentary Series

Ephesians

Philippians

Galatians

Titus and Philemon

James

Jude

Revelation

Introduction

I want to make it clear right away that this commentary series is not just for Bible scholars, pastors or anyone else who is well versed in the Greek New Testament.

Instead, this commentary series is for everyone who would like to study the New Testament with the knowledge of what the significant Greek words mean and how they fit into the context of each verse, chapter and book that you may be studying.

As a pastor, I have watched many Christians (not just new Christians either) struggle to better understand what God is saying to them through His Word.

I started doing this process more than twenty years ago when I was teaching a new member class at my church. As it turned out, I started with eight adults who were all either totally new to studying the Bible or they were not the strongest readers. Therefore, both groups were having a difficult time understanding the Bible.

So, I began by placing the verses of each lesson in a diagram form. When that proved to be helpful, I then began to take the Greek words and define them so they could understand the different meanings that each Greek word could have when translated into English.

The result was that the class soon became the largest class in the church and we all (especially me) learned a great deal about God’s Word in the process.

Therefore, this is the approach I have taken with this new Bible commentary series. I will show you how this is done with the example provided below,

* * *

The Easy Study Bible Commentary takes The Easy Study Bible Diagramed and examines, describes and expounds upon each New Testament book, chapter by chapter, paragraph by paragraph, verse by verse and finally phrase by phrase.

In my many years of Bible study and teaching, I have found this arrangement to be the easiest to follow and understand.

I have done my best to write this commentary with the idea in mind of making it easier for you to understand and therefore apply the great teachings that God gave to each of us through the various books of the New Testament.

Here is an example of how I bring in the Greek definition of all significant words. I don’t put in the Greek word or the transliteration of the Greek word. I simply put the word as it is translated into the English, then I give the definition of the Greek word as it is in the context of the verse being studied.

This example is taken from the book of Ephesians, chapter one, verse one:

* * *

Verse: 1

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God: To the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.

¹ Paul,

an apostle

of Christ Jesus

by the will of God:

To the saints and faithful

in Christ Jesus

at Ephesus.

Phrase by phrase:

¹ Paul,

Paul – Paulos or Paulus – small or little – Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 14 Pauline epistles

It was traditional to start a letter by first identifying yourself and then the person you were sending it to before you officially greeted them.

an apostle

apostle – a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders

of Christ Jesus

Christ – the anointed One, the Messiah

Jesus – Jehovah is salvation

by the will of God:

will – what one wishes or has determined shall be done

God – God the Father

To the saints and faithful

saints – things: most holy thing, consecrated – people: unapproachable, perfect, pure, upright, worthy of God, saint

faithful – trustworthy, faithful, reliable, credible

This word is sometimes translated as believers but it should really be faithful.

in Christ Jesus

Christ – the anointed One, the Messiah

Jesus – Jehovah is salvation

at Ephesus.

Ephesus – permitted – a maritime city of Asia Minor, capital of Ionia and under the Romans, of proconsular Asia, situated on the Icarian Sea between Smyrna and Miletus

Paul feels the need to describe himself. He gives himself or any other man credit for who he is. He is an apostle, not of man but of Jesus Christ and he says this is only by the will of God.

Paul gives the title of saints to all Christians. Again, he does not give them the credit for that but to Christ. He was reminding them that God had made them His own and that they were who they were because they belonged to Him.

* * *

At the end of each section that we study, I will give you what I call my Greek Paraphrase. What I do is to take all of the expanded Greek definitions and put them together to help us better understand the passage.

The following example is also from Ephesians chapter one, verses one and two:

(First is the Easy Study Bible Translation, then the Easy Study Bible Diagramed, and finally my Greek Paraphrase.)

Greeting

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God: To the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus at Ephesus. ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Greeting

¹ Paul,

an apostle

of Christ Jesus

by the will of God:

To the saints and faithful

in Christ Jesus

at Ephesus.

² Grace to you

and peace from God

our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Greek Paraphrase of Verses 1-2:

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God the Father: To the saints and faithful believers in Christ Jesus at Ephesus. ² Grace and favor to you along with peace and prosperity from God our Father and the Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

- - -

I use this method whenever I study any part of the Bible, whether I’m just studying for my own enrichment or to teach it to others. It helps me to understand each passage well enough to apply it to my life as well as to help others do the same. This makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable for both my students and for me as well.

I sincerely hope that it will make the Bible more understandable for you too. Please let me know how it works for you.

You can reach me anonymously through the ‘Contact Us’ tab on the menu of my web page.

http://www.trenniskillian.com

Introduction to the Book of Ephesians

Author and Date Written

Ephesians was written by Paul during his two--year imprisonment in Rome in about 60AD.

Original Audience:

This letter was sent to the church at Ephesus, then circulated to other churches in the area.

It is curious that the earliest manuscripts do not have the words in Ephesus in verse 1.

Tychicus was apparently taking the letter from church to church- (6:21).

Therefore, it has been speculated that the original letter may have had a blank at that point and that, when it was being read to any of the other churches near Ephesus, Tychicus was to insert that name when he read it in a particular church.

Setting

The letter was not written to confront any heresy or problem in the churches. It was sent to strengthen and encourage the churches in the area.

Paul had spent over three years with the Ephesian church. As a result, he was very close to them.

Paul met with the elders of the Ephesian church at Miletus (Acts 20:17-38) – a meeting that was filled with great sadness because he was leaving them for what he thought would be the last time.

Purpose

The purpose of Ephesians was to strengthen the believers in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the church, the body of Christ.

Paul wrote to Christians in order to fully develop their understanding of the doctrine of the church and to teach them about the importance of holy conduct, particularly in Christian family relationships.

Ephesians presents the church as the focal point of displaying God’s glory forever (3:21).

Paul wrote to confirm the position that we have in Christ.

Ephesians covers the whole realm of grace in the Christian life. It covers grace for salvation and it covers grace for living.

The first three chapters deal with who we are in Christ. They deal with the problem of identity crisis. Only after you find out who you are, can you understand how you ought to live.

Paul doesn’t give any commands in the first three chapters.

Christian Worldview

The emphasis is upon the following:

Sovereignty of God

Revelation and authority;

Community and church;

Time and eternity.

God’s sovereign eternal plan for the church, once a mystery but now revealed, is the heart of this book.

This plan, conceived in the eternal past, is being developed in the present age, and will endure into the eternal future.

Teachings about God

Ephesians is filled with passages that describe the doctrine of the Trinity.

God the Father is the One whose eternal plan for the church has now been revealed.

Jesus the Son is the exalted Head of the body, the church, and for whose glory the church exists.

The church is a house or temple in which God’s Spirit lives, yet the Spirit fills each believer individually.

Teachings about Humanity

Ephesians shows the miserable condition of all who are still in their natural condition: dead in your trespasses and sins (2:1).

Paul summarizes this in 2:12, with no hope and without God.

The other group is those whom God has changed and who are in a supernatural state, made us alive with Christ (2:5).

Old distinctions between Jew and Gentiles used to count for something, but now in the church they no longer apply.

Teachings about Salvation

The best known and most loved New Testament summary of the gospel is Ephesians 2:8-9, with its emphasis on grace and faith.

Ephesians also talks about God’s delight in electing persons to salvation.

The language of predestination to eternal life is pronounced (1:5, 11), as is Paul’s notion that Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her (5:25).

Content:

There are very few personal notes or biographical references within the book.

There is a distinctive style to Ephesians which sets it apart from the other letters of Paul.

There are 42 Greek words used in Ephesians which are not found in any other New Testament book.

There are also a number of very long sentences in this letter.

Outline of Ephesians

Part One: The Position of the Christian 1:1–3:21

I. Praise for Redemption 1:1-14

A. Salutation from Paul 1:1-2

B. Chosen by the Father 1:3-6

C. Redeemed by the Son 1:7-12

D. Sealed by the Spirit 1:13-14

II. Prayer for Revelation 1:15-23

A. Prayer for Spiritual Insight 1:15-19

B. God’s Power in Christ 1:20-23

III. Position of the Christian 2:1–3:13

A. From Death to Life 2:1-10

1. Old Condition: Dead to God 2:1-3

2. New Condition: Alive to God 2:4-10

B. The Christian’s Position 2:11—3:13

1. Unity in Christ 2:11-22

2. Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles 3:1-13

IV. Prayer for Spiritual Power 3:14-21

Part Two: The Practice of the Christian 4:1–6:24

I. Unity in the Church 4:1-16

A. Exhortation to Unity 4:1-3

B. Explanation of Unity 4:4-6

C. Means for Unity: The Gifts 4:7-11

D. Purpose of the Gifts 4:12-16

II. Living the New Life 4:17–5:21

A. Put Off the Old Man 4:17-22

B. Put on the New Man 4:23-29

C. Grieve Not the Holy Spirit 4:30—5:2

D. Walk as Children of Light 5:13-17

E. Be Filled with the Spirit 5:18-21

III. Responsibilities in the Home and at Work 5:22–6:9

A. Wives: Submit to Your Husbands 5:22-24

B. Husbands: Love Your Wives 5:25-33

C. Children: Obey Your Parents 6:1-4

D. Service on the Job 6:5-9

IV. Conduct in the Conflict 6:10-24

A. Put on the Armor of God 6:10-17

B. Pray for Boldness 6:18-20

C. Conclusion 6:21-24

Chapter One

Paul’s introduction to the letter of Ephesians is much the same as in some of his other letters.

1. He gives thanks and praises to God for His inestimable spiritual blessings bestowed on the Ephesian Christians.

2. Paul gives earnest prayers to God on behalf of the Ephesians.

3. He blesses God for calling the Gentiles to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, by whose sacrificial death brings both Jewish and Gentile Christians to a saving grace.

4. Paul shows that it was only through God’s wisdom and goodness that the Gentiles were able to receive salvation.

5. He praises God for their conversion, and prays that they may be grow more and share in the blessings secured by Christ’s resurrection.

Verses 1-2

Greeting

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God: To the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus at Ephesus. ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Greeting

¹ Paul,

an apostle

of Christ Jesus

by the will of God:

To the saints and faithful

in Christ Jesus

at Ephesus.

² Grace to you

and peace from God

our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse: 1

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God: To the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.

¹ Paul,

an apostle

of Christ Jesus

by the will of God:

To the saints and faithful

in Christ Jesus

at Ephesus.

Phrase by phrase:

¹ Paul,

Paul – Paulos or Paulus – small or little – Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the New Testament, the 14 Pauline epistles

It was traditional to start a letter by first identifying yourself and then the person you were sending it to before you officially greeted them.

an apostle

apostle – a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders

of Christ Jesus

Christ – the anointed One, the Messiah

Jesus – Jehovah is salvation

by the will of God:

will – what one wishes or has determined shall be done

God – God the Father

To the saints and faithful

saints – things: most holy thing, consecrated – people: unapproachable, perfect, pure, upright, worthy of God, saint

faithful – trustworthy, faithful, reliable, credible

This word is sometimes translated as believers but it should really be faithful.

in Christ Jesus

Christ – the anointed One, the Messiah

Jesus – Jehovah is salvation

at Ephesus.

Ephesus – permitted – a maritime city of Asia Minor, capital of Ionia and under the Romans, of proconsular Asia, situated on the Icarian Sea between Smyrna and Miletus

Paul feels the need to describe himself. He does not give himself or any other man credit for who he is. He is an apostle, not of man but of Jesus Christ and he says this is only by the will of God.

He gives the title of saints to all Christians. Again, he does not give them the credit for that but to Christ. He was reminding them that God had made them His own and that they were who they were because they belonged to Him.

Verse 2

² Grace to you and peace from God our