Ephesians | Session 1 | Intro

Before we begin our study through the book of Ephesians, I think that it is important that we talk about why we should even study it at all. One such reason is what Paul told young Timothy when he said that he was to study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). This is the most basic and compelling purpose for Bible study. The fact that he admonishes him to rightly divide means that it is possible to wrongly divide, and I submit to you that many, if not most, struggle with right division. With that in mind, today, I am going to introduce the book and explain why I feel the need to study the book and discuss when and where Paul wrote the letter.

2 Timothy was Paul's last personal epistle and Ephesians was his last doctrinal epistle and it seems that both were written at the same time and that both were delivered by the same person: Tychicus. 1 Timothy 1:3; Ephesians 6:21-22; 2 Timothy 4:12 all indicate this fact. 

Another possible proof of this is that Paul gives his salutations at the end of 2 Timothy and not at the end of Ephesus. Why would he do it in one, but not the other as his custom was? It might have been because they were going to the same place and there was no need to repeat himself. You can see this with a quick comparison between 2 Timothy 4:19 and Ephesians 6:21-24. 

Another proof is Onesiphorus who is mentioned in the final greetings of 2 Timothy 4:19. Where was he? According to 2 Timothy 1:16-18, he ministered to Paul at Ephesus.

Another proof is Aquila and Priscilla who were also in Ephesus according to Acts 18:24-26 

The bottom line is that there is a lot of evidence that Ephesians and 2 Timothy were written at the same time and delivered by the same person. 

With that established, that means that Ephesians was written while Paul was awaiting execution in Rome. We see proof of this in Ephesians 3:1 where he said that he was a prisoner for you Gentiles, Ephesians 4:1 where he described himself as a prisoner of the Lord, and in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 where he said that he was ready to be offered, and that his departure was at hand. 

With that said, the most basic of outlines for the letter is that chapters 1-3 specifically concern doctrine and chapters 4-6 specifically concern duty.