Commentary on the Letter to the Ephesians Bible Study Notes and Comments by David E. Pratte Available in print at www.gospelway.com/sales Commentary on the Letter to the Ephesians: Bible Study Notes and Comments © Copyright David E. Pratte, 2016 All rights reserved ISBN-13: 978-1533596345 ISBN-10: 1533596344 Note carefully: No teaching in any of our materials is intended or should ever be construed to justify or to in any way incite or encourage personal vengeance or physical violence against any person. Front Page Photo The Theater in Ephesus “So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.” Acts 19:29-31 (NKJV) Photo credit: Radomil, distributed under GNU Free Documentation License via Wikimedia Commons Other Acknowledgements Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are generally from the New King James Version (NKJV), copyright 1982, 1988 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are from Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (MLV) are from Modern Literal Version of The New Testament, Copyright 1999 by G. Allen Walker. Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 by the Division of Christian Education, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the New International Version of the Holy Bible, copyright 1978 by Zondervan Bible publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Study Notes on Ephesians Page #2 Other Books by the Author Topical Bible Studies Growing a Godly Marriage & Raising Godly Children Why Believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible? (evidences) The God of the Bible (study of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) Grace, Faith, and Obedience: The Gospel or Calvinism? Kingdom of Christ: Future Millennium or Present Spiritual Reign? Do Not Sin Against the Child: Abortion, Unborn Life, & the Bible True Words of God: Bible Inspiration and Preservation Commentaries on Bible Books Genesis Gospel of Mark Joshua and Ruth Gospel of John Judges Acts 1 Samuel Romans Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Ephesians Job Philippians and Colossians Proverbs Hebrews 1 & 2 Peter Bible Question Class Books Genesis Gospel of John Joshua and Ruth Acts Judges Romans 1 Samuel 1 Corinthians Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther 2 Corinthians and Galatians Job Ephesians and Philippians Proverbs Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians Ecclesiastes 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon Isaiah Hebrews Gospel of Matthew General Epistles (James – Jude) Gospel of Mark Revelation Gospel of Luke Workbooks with Study Notes Jesus Is Lord: Workbook on the Fundamentals of the Gospel of Christ Following Jesus: Workbook on Discipleship God’s Eternal Purpose in Christ: Workbook on the Theme of the Bible Visit our website at www.gospelway.com/sales to see a current list of books in print. Page #3 Study Notes on Ephesians Other Resources from the Author Printed books, booklets, and tracts available at www.gospelway.com/sales Free Bible study articles online at www.gospelway.com Free Bible courses online at www.biblestudylessons.com Free class books at www.biblestudylessons.com/classbooks Free commentaries on Bible books at www.biblestudylessons.com/commentary Contact the author at www.gospelway.com/comments Study Notes on Ephesians Page #4 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................... 8 Ephesians 1..................................................................................... 11 Ephesians 2 ................................................................................... 38 Ephesians 3 ................................................................................... 57 Ephesians 4 ................................................................................... 70 Ephesians 5 ................................................................................. 120 Ephesians 6 ................................................................................. 165 Addendum: A Study of Instrumental Music in Worship ............ 190 Part 1: Reasons to Avoid Instrumental Music in Worship ........... 191 Part 2: Defenses of Instrumental Praise Today ..........................204 (Due to printer reformatting, the above numbers may be off a page or two.) Notes to the Reader To save space and for other reasons, I have chosen not to include the Bible text in these notes (please use your Bible to follow along). When I do quote a Scripture, I generally quote the New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated. Often – especially when I do not use quotations marks – I am not quoting any translation but simply paraphrasing the passage in my own words. Also, when I ask the reader to refer to a map, please consult the maps at the back of your Bible or in a Bible dictionary. You can find study questions to accompany these notes at www.gospelway.com/sales To join our mailing list to be informed of new books or special sales, contact the author at www.gospelway.com/comments Page #5 Study Notes on Ephesians Introductory Thoughts about Commentaries Only the Scriptures provide an infallible, authoritatively inspired revelation of God’s will for man (2 Timothy 3:16,17). It follows that this commentary, like all commentaries, was written by an uninspired, fallible human. It is the author’s effort to share his insights about God’s word for the purpose of instructing and edifying others in the knowledge and wisdom found in Scripture. It is simply another form of teaching, like public preaching, Bible class teaching, etc., except in written form (like tracts, Bible class literature, etc.). Nehemiah 8:8; Ephesians 4:15,16; Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:12-14; 5:12-14; 10:23-25; Romans 10:17; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8:4; 2 Timothy 2:2,24-26; 4:2-4; 1 Peter 3:15. It follows that the student must read any commentary with discernment, realizing that any fallible teacher may err, whether he is teaching orally or in writing. So, the student must compare all spiritual teaching to the truth of God’s word (Acts 17:11). It may be wise to read several commentaries to consider alternative views on difficult points. But it is especially important to consider the reasons or evidence each author gives for his views, then compare them to the Bible. For these reasons, the author urges the reader to always consider my comments in light of Scripture. Accept what I say only if you find that it harmonizes with God’s word. And please do not cite my writings as authority, as though people should accept anything I say as authoritative. Always let the Bible be your authority. “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” – 1 Corinthians 1:31 Study Notes on Ephesians Page #6 Abbreviations Used in These Notes ASV – American Standard Version b/c/v – book, chapter, and verse ESV – English Standard Version f – the following verse ff – the following verses KJV – King James Version NASB – New American Standard Bible NEB – New English Bible NIV – New International Version NKJV – New King James Version RSV – Revised Standard Version Page #7 Study Notes on Ephesians Introduction Author This epistle was written by Paul, the apostle, as stated in 1:1; 3:1. Some liberal critics have attempted to raise doubts, yet the authorship of the book is solidly established both by the clear statement in the book itself and by the records of the early uninspired Christian writers. The evidence is so convincing that no one would doubt it except those who lack respect for the inspiration of Scripture. As Horne stated: “The apostle Paul is universally admitted to be the author of the Epistle to the Ephesians.” Theme The letter describes God’s plan for man’s salvation, with emphasis on the role of the church. The book is quite similar in many ways to Colossians, but that book places more emphasis on the work of Christ, where this book emphasizes more the involvement of the church. Date The letter states several times that it was written while Paul was in prison (3:1; 4:1; 6:20). It is generally dated about AD 62-64 during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome. Apparently Paul wrote this letter and the Colossian letter at the same time and sent them both by the same messenger, Tychicus. The book of Ephesians is almost certainly one of four epistles that Paul wrote during his first imprisonment. The others were Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. An overview of the book by sections: I. Redemption through Christ in the church 1:1-14 – A summary of redemption in Christ 1:15-23 – The exalted position of Jesus 2:1-10 – Salvation by grace through faith 2:11-22 – Reconciliation and peace in Christ for both Jew and Gentile 3:1-21 – The gospel mystery revealed II. Applications to the church and to individual Christians 4:1-16 – Unity and maturity in the body through Christ’s gifts 4:17-32 – The new man in Christ vs. the old man 5:1-21 – Walking as children of light Study Notes on Ephesians Page #8 5:22-33 – Christ and the church compared to a husband and wife 6:1-9 – Children and parents, servants and masters 6:10-24 – The armor of God The city of Ephesus Ephesus, located in the region of Asia (now Asia Minor), was an important seaport near where the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas join (see map). It was an influential city in politics, commerce, and religion. Because of its influence, Ephesus was a useful center from which the gospel could be spread into the outlying areas.