UNIT 14 Ephesians Philippians Colossians Philemon Survey of New Testament Dr Jonathan Denton Date and Location for All Four Books Ephesians Philippians Colossians and Philemon were written while Paul was in prison either in Caesarea or more likely Rome They clearly demonstrate Paul s captivity but they are optimistic Paul was expecting to be released in the near future AD 59 early AD 60s is probably the best suggestion for the timing of their writing Ephesians Background Info Content Author A Letter of encouragement and exhortation Set against the backdrop of the powers 6 12 Portrays Christ s bringing Jew and Gentile together into the one people of God as his ultimate triumph and glory Paul the apostle Name appears in the from line in the letter itself and the text reflects Pauline concerns and theology Some modern scholars argue that Ephesians is a forgery Rebuttals to this argument Ample evidence of Pauline authorship Ephesians Philippians Colossians and Philemon are different from earlier letters Paul s theology is more comprehensively formulated in the prison epistles Paul s writing shows signs of maturity The prison epistles are written to a much more established church situation Uncertain Perhaps a circular letter to churches in Asia Ephesus would be the capital Recipients Occasion Tychicus who is carrying this letter is also carrying two letters to Colosse Colossians and Philemon Ephesians occasion is not readily evident maybe because it was to circulate among many churches rather than address a particular problem in a particular church Purpose Emphases The Text Overview Ephesians is an important statement of the Gospel Paul wants us to realize the great treasure we have right now in Christ and to live lives worthy of the gospel The cosmic scope of the work of Christ Christ s reconciliation of Jew and Gentile through the cross Christ s supremacy over the powers for the sake of the church Christian behavior that reflects the unity of the Spirit Paul s usual pattern of writing Letters is found in Ephesians as well The Doctrinal Portion of Ephesians Chapters 1 3 The Practical Portion of Ephesians Chapters 4 6 I II Transition Statement I therefore a prisoner for the Lord urge you to walk worthy of the calling to which you have been called Ephesians 4 1 Chapter by Chapter Chapter 1 Paul s prayer for the Ephesians and a description of Christ Chapter 2 An explanation of salvation by faith Chapter 3 The mystery of Christ God loves everyone Chapter 4 Walk worthy of your calling God s spiritual gifts to the church Chapter 5 Be imitators of God Marriage in Christ Chapter 6 Other family relationships The armor of God The Thread Key Ideas about the Gospel message and application in Ephesians Those who believe in God are adopted into God s family 1 3 6 Those who believe in Jesus are redeemed forgiven made an heir and secured Christ by the Spirit 1 7 14 There are only two options We are either dead in our sins or alive to Christ 2 1 10 The Mystery of God s plan 3 1 6 in Though God has historically worked through and shown his grace to the nation of Israel God s plan has always been to save both Jew and Gentile Jews and Gentiles are all saved the same way by believing in Jesus Both Jews and Gentiles who believe are all members of the same body the Church The Gospel has much to say about our relationships Christians are to live in unity humility and gentleness with one another 4 1 7 Christians are to live lives of holiness that follow Jesus and live out what they know to be true 4 17 32 Christians are to live lives that are characterized by love 5 1 2 Out of love Christians are to live in obedience to Jesus and with discernment Christian husbands and wives are to live out Christ in their marriage 5 22 33 Christian children are to obey their parents and Christian parents are to raise their children to understand the gospel and follow Jesus 6 1 4 Christian servants employees are to do their work as to Christ and Christian masters bosses are to treat their employees as God has treated them 6 5 9 Paul s thanksgiving for encouragement of and exhortation to the suffering community of believers in Philippi The believers in Philippi are experiencing both persecution and internal struggles Paul the apostle Paul s authorship is undisputed His name appears on the from line in the letter itself The text reflects Pauline concerns and theology Recipients Recipients The church in Philippi Mostly Gentile Founded in AD 48 49 by Paul Silas and Timothy Located on the eastern end of the vast plain of Macedonia connected Rome with Byzantium Purpose Pastoral Concerns Personal Concerns A call to unity A concern for false teachers A thank you for the gift the Philippians gave to help the poor saints in Jerusalem Update the Philippians on his circumstances and on the health of Epaphroditus so that they can be encouraged by them Commend Timothy to them and for them to receive Timothy when comes to prepare them for Paul s visit Philippians Background Info Content Author Emphases Paul s and the Philippians partnership in the gospel Christ as the key to all of life from beginning to end Knowing Christ by becoming like him in his death sacrificing oneself for others Rejoicing in Christ even in suffering Unity through humility and love The certainty and pursuit of the final prize The Text Chapter by Chapter Chapter 1 Paul gives thanks for the Philippians and describes his present circumstances Chapter 2 Paul gives three examples of unity Jesus Timothy and Epaphroditus Chapter 3 Paul warns them about false teachers and other dangers to unity Chapter 4 Paul makes a final appeal to unity and tells the Philippians of his plans The Thread The Gospel According to Philippians Jesus in Philippians Jesus is God Phil 2 6 God became a human being in the person of Jesus Phil 2 6 7 God became a human being to die for human beings Phil 2 8 Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now Lord of everything heaven earth church everything Phil 2 9 11 The call to unity The body of Christ is to be unified No just getting along but also unified in our giving serving sharing the gospel fulfilling the mission of the church and suffering for the sake of the gospel A letter encouraging relatively new believers to continue in the truth of Christ A warning for them to guard themselves against outside religious influences Paul the Apostle His name appears in the from line in the letter itself and the text reflects Pauline concerns