According to biblical records, Paul, whose original name was Saul (Acts 13: 9), was an Israeli and belonged to the tribe of Benjamin (Romans). 1 1: 1); A descendant of Hebrews (Phil. 3.5) He was born in Tarsus, Silesia, and was educated under the strict Jewish law of the master Gamaliel (Acts 22: 3). Later, he became the most strict Pharisee in Judaism (Acts 26: 5), and he was keen on the laws of his ancestors and persecuted the church (Philip. 3.6). However, this was done without his belief or understanding (1 Jan 13). One day, he was going to Damascus to catch believers, and the Lord Jesus appeared to him on the way (Acts 9: 1~5). From then on, he became a Christian and was called the Apostle. 1: 1), mainly to preach the gospel to foreigners (Gal. 2.8). He wrote at least thirteen New Testament letters and was the main interpreter of Christian truth. Saint of Ephesus (a 1). However, because some of the best scrolls don't have the word "at Ephesus", and the Ephesian church was founded by Paul himself, he lived there for three years and must be familiar with many saints there, but this book rarely mentions individuals, unlike his letters to other churches, which like to nominate and greet many individual saints. Therefore, biblical scholars generally believe that this letter is probably an official letter to the churches in Asia Minor, or it may be a "letter from Laodicea" that Paul told the church in Colossia (Col. 4: 16), which was read by the Ephesians and filled in the blank space of the manuscript.
Ephesus is the capital of Asia Minor province, located on the east bank of Aegean Sea in the eastern Mediterranean. It was a garrison city of the Roman Empire. Because it is located at the crossroads of land and sea, goods are shipped from overseas and sent to various places through Ephesus, so it is the commercial center of Asia Minor. This is the temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. The whole temple is made of marble. 127 marble columns are 56 feet high, which is extremely brilliant. The city of Ephesus, also known as the Temple Guard City, is very prosperous in idolatry and witchcraft. The business of making goddess silver niches is very developed. Tens of millions of people often gather in Ephesus. Because of their faith in Al themis, many people depend on this temple for their livelihood.
In the spring of 54 BC, Paul, Aquila and Priscilla went from Corinth to Ephesus to preach the gospel. It seemed to be very effective at that time, so the believers kept him for a long time. However, because the itinerary had been planned, he left Aquila and Priscilla and promised that he would return there if God allowed (Acts 18: 19~2 1). Later, Apollos came to stay here (Acts 18: 24-27). About that summer, Paul came back. As soon as he spoke, twelve people were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 19: 7). Paul lived there for about three months and debated the kingdom of God in the synagogue, which was opposed by the Jews. Later, in the study room of Tuilanu, the gospel was publicized for about two years, so the gospel spread all over Asia (Acts 19: 8~ 12), and the name of the Lord was greatly respected and the gospel flourished. Confessors burn witchcraft books worth 50,000 yuan (Acts19:17 ~ 20); After the chaos, Paul left here (Acts 2 1). Soon, Paul met the elders of Ephesus in Miletus and charged them with something. According to Paul's prediction, jackals and heresies will rise (Acts 2 17 ~ 35). It is likely that Paul came to Ephesus after being released from a prison in Rome, leaving Timothy to sort out unfinished business and advising some people not to spread heresy (in advance 1. 1: 3). According to legend, johanna lived here later. In the vision, the Lord Jesus wrote to the messengers of the Ephesian church through John, blaming them for abandoning their initial love and warning them to remove the lampstand if they did not repent (Rev. 2: 1~7). Later, the city of Ephesus became a desolate land, which fulfilled this warning prophecy. (a) Lack of Paul's usual personal greetings.
(2) Absolutely speaking from God; This book is the one in Paul's letters that doesn't start with people, and at least contains personal feelings.
(3) It helps us to see what is happening now from an eternal perspective. Everything now is planned by God in the past eternity, in order to realize his eternal purpose in the future.
(4) It is a "heavenly book": the first chapter talks about the blessings in the sky; The second chapter is about sitting in heaven with the Lord; The third chapter tells that all the families in the sky are also named after us; The fourth chapter tells us that the Lord ascended to heaven and gave us all kinds of gifts; The fifth chapter talks about the life style of citizens in heaven and earth; The sixth chapter is about fighting demons in the sky.
(5) The Book of Ephesians covers a wide range, including Jews and Gentiles in its thoughts. It reaches heaven and commands the whole earth, and it also thinks about the past, present and future.
(6) "Reconciliation" is the message that Ephesians pays special attention to:
(1) People who used to be far away from God are now close to God by the blood of the Lord (2: 13).
(2) The wall that used to be separated from people (resentments) is now merged by the cross, creating a new person and achieving harmony (2: 14~ 16).
(3) The disharmony among all believers must be solved by the fulfillment of the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, so that all people can become one (4: 1~ 16).
(4) The situation that believers are disobedient to God and cannot make peace with God must be solved by obedience and being filled with the Holy Spirit, so that we can make peace with God (4 17~ 5 2 1).
5] Family discord among believers must be solved by learning from the example of the Lord and living in the Lord, so that husband and wife, father and son can be reconciled (5: 22~ 6: 4).
[6] The disharmony between master and servant of believers must be solved by fearing the Lord and realizing that the Lord is not partial to others, so that master and servant (superior and subordinate) can be reconciled (6: 5~9).
(7) Once upon a time, people followed the rulers in the air and acted as human beings (2). Therefore, they can't live in harmony (see Luo. 7: 65,438+08 ~ 25). Only by relying on the full set of military uniforms given by God can they fight against the aura demons in the sky and reconcile their souls and bodies (6: 65,438+00 ~ 24). The title of this book is Church (I 22 3: 21; Section 32). This book reveals God's intention in this generation, that is, to build the "body of Christ", that is, the "glorious church". From this book, we know: the position of the church in God's glory plan and the way for the church to be Christ's witness on earth.
This book tells us that the church is a container full of wisdom, life and ability. The church is "the fullness of all things" (1: 23 original); The fullness of the church is beyond personal understanding. But when the saints gather in front of everyone, we become the dwelling place of God in spirit (2: 22); It is through the church that the wisdom of God can be revealed to the power of the spiritual world (3:10); It is with all saints that we can fully appreciate God's love (3:18 ~19); Only when the saints are in close contact with each other can the body of Christ be taught to grow (4:13); It is the whole church that wears all the uniforms of God, so that we can stand on evil days (6: 1 1). This book emphasizes that only the church, not the individual, is the vessel to show his fullness.
In a word, Ephesians gives us the highest revelation about the church. This revelation can be seen from the order of records. The church is not only redeemed from sin; We have also seen the beginning of the church since it was founded. Ephesians is actually a complete history of the church, including her position in God's perfect will and her redemption in Christ through the work of God's grace, until the church finally completed all God's original plans. This book conforms to Colossians; This book says that the church is the body of Christ, and Colossians says that Christ is the head of the church.
Tikigu is the messenger of these two letters. In Colossians, Paul said that Tychicus would tell them everything about him (Col. 4: 7); In Ephesians, Paul said that Tychicus would tell them about him and his situation. 6: 2 1). In addition, there are dozens of similarities between the two letters. So Coleridge said that Colossians may be called "the overflow of Ephesians", while Ephesians is "the unfolding of Colossians". "The church is his body, filled by him who is full of all things." (a 23)
"Through him, you are also built into a place where God lives through the Holy Spirit." (2, 22)
"The mystery is that Gentiles in Christ Jesus can become the same heirs, the same body and the same promise through the gospel." (3 6)
"I urge you on behalf of the prisoners of the Lord, since you have been called, you should act according to the grace you have been called." 」(4 1)
"Don't be a fool, understand the will of the Lord; Don't get drunk, wine can make people dissolute; But to be filled with the Holy Spirit "(V 17~ 18).
"If you put on all the military uniforms given by God, you can resist the devil's tricks" (6: 1 1) "Church" (1: 22, 23; 310,21; Sections 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 32 ...)
Or in Christ, or in Christ Jesus, or in the beloved son, or in him, or in the Lord (a 1, 3,4,6, 10,1,65438+. 2 6,7, 10, 13; 3 6, 1 1, 12,2 1; Four17; 5 8; Six 1, six 10 ...)
"All things are one", "One is one" and "All things are one" (A10; 2. 14, 16; 3 6; 4 3, 13; V 3 1)
In the sky (a 3,10,20; 26; Three 10,15; 410; 6 9)
"Grace", "Grace" (a 2, 6, 7; 2 5, 7, 8; Three 2, 7, 8; 4 7, 29; Intransitive verb 24)
Rich (a 7,18; 27; 3 8, 16)
Enigma (A9; Three, three, four, nine; V 32 VI 19)
In addition, "Saints" seven times; "Body" nine times; "Acting" seven times; "Full" six times; "His Glory" seven times.