Background to the Epistle

Living Rock Church

Background to the Epistle

Part 2

Christopher Alton

The Epistle to the Ephesians has been called the “Queen of the Epistles” and the highest reach of New Testament thought. Coleridge described it as, “The divinest composition of man” Spurgeon said of Ephesians,

Aims of the Module

Christopher Alton

This module is an expository Bible study on the letter of Ephesians. We shall start by looking at the background to this great letter. There is much debate as to whom this letter was originally written and for what purpose. What has never been in doubt however is the superlative grandeur of Paul’s description of God’s great plan for this world, which he summarises early,

In the Heavenlies

Christopher Alton

We start our journey with a burst of praise from the author, Paul, which may leave us breathless as one glorious statement spills into the next. Paul is both praising and announcing something fantastic that has happened – the most important event in human history. The ultimate battle has been fought out only years before and there has emerged an indisputable victor, Christ Jesus the Son of God. And from this battle he has not emerged alone, but has brought us with him into Heavenly places.

On the Earth

Christopher Alton

Our focus now shifts from the Heavenlies to the Earth. We have looked at much doctrine in chapters 1-3 and now Paul moves onto exhortation. From hereon we are looking at everything with an earth’s-eye view! This does not mean that we are back in the forest! (cf. section 3.3.7) – on the contrary, we walk in the forest but with the sight of someone seated miles above it!