Ephesians: Introduction
Important Facts:
- Author: The apostle Paul.
- Date: AD 57-59.
- Main message of the book:
- The overarching message of Ephesians is the unity of all believers in Christ and the practical implications of that unity for daily living.
Author/Date/Place
Paul likely wrote Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon around the same time. In each letter, he identifies himself as a prisoner (Eph 3:1; 4:1; Col 4:3, 18; Philem 1, 9), though he does not specify his location of imprisonment. Scholars debate the timing, but some suggest Paul wrote these letters between AD 57–59. If so, Paul composed them during his two-year imprisonment in Caesarea Maritima (Acts 24:27), following his arrest at the temple in Jerusalem.
Ephesians relationship to Colossians
Ephesians and Colossians share many similarities likely because Paul sent them to churches in the same region. Both letters emphasize Christ’s supremacy and the unity of the church as His body. While Colossians focuses on Christ as the head of all creation and the church, Ephesians highlights the church’s role in God’s plan to unite all things in Christ.
Many words, phrases and ideas are present in both books. “Approximately 34 percent of Colossians is paralleled by about 25 percent of Ephesians”1 Ephesians 6:21-22 and Colossians 4:7-8 are so similar in composition that some scholars are certain that “the scribe had Colossians before him while composing Ephesians.”2
Ephesians Intended audience
Surprisingly, some scholars believe that Ephesians was a circular letter intended for multiple churches in the region, not just the church in Ephesus. They base this on the fact that the letter lacks personal greetings, which are common in Paul’s other letters, and it discusses broad theological themes rather than addressing specific local issues.
The oldest manuscript copies omit “in Ephesus” from the opening verse, suggesting Paul intended the letter for a broader audience. However, an early scribe may have removed it to accommodate churches in different locations. If it was a circular letter, it would be similar to Revelation, which was sent to seven Asian churches, making its message relevant to multiple congregations.
A Written Sermon
Ephesians is more like a written sermon than a typical letter. Most of Paul’s letters address specific individuals or churches. They include personal greetings and respond to local issues. Ephesians, however, focuses on broad theological themes. It explores God’s plan for salvation, the unity of the church, and practical Christian living.
Because Paul may have intended it for multiple churches, Ephesians lacks the specific personal details typical of his letters. This homiletic style—aimed at teaching, exhorting, and encouraging believers—makes Ephesians more like a sermon delivered to a wide audience, similar to the book of Hebrews, which also serves as a sermon rather than a personal epistle.
Message of Ephesians
The main message of of the book is the unity of believers in Christ. This was especially important for the original readers, where divisions between Jewish and Gentile Christians were significant. These groups struggled to accept each other due to their different cultural backgrounds, religious practices, and histories. Paul reminds them that Christ’s sacrifice reconciles both Jews and Gentiles to God, uniting them as one body.
In Ephesians 4, Paul highlights seven aspects of this unity: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. These “ones” emphasize that the foundation for Christian unity is not agreement on every issue, but shared faith in Christ.
Today, this message of unity challenges modern Christians to set aside differences—whether cultural, denominational, or personal—and focus on the common bond of faith in Christ. It’s a call to work together, build each other up, and reflect the unity we have in Christ, especially in a world marked by division and conflict.
References
- Snodgrass, Klyne. Ephesians (The NIV Application Commentary Book 10) (p. 25). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.
- Witherington III, Ben. The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles (p. 357). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition.