Epistle to the Ephesians
A New Testament letter traditionally attributed to Paul, presenting salvation through Christ and urging unity and ethical life within the church.
Paul the Apostle: An early Christian missionary and letter writer whose teachings shaped the New Testament. The letter identifies Paul as its author and invokes his authority.
Ephesians 1: The opening chapter of Ephesians, praising God’s plan and describing blessings associated with Christ. Its account of election, redemption, and inheritance establishes the letter’s theological foundation.
Pauline authorship: The attribution of New Testament letters to Paul, debated for several writings in modern scholarship. Ephesians’ traditional attribution is disputed because its style and vocabulary differ from undisputed Pauline letters.
Epistle to the Galatians: A New Testament letter attributed to Paul, defending Gentile inclusion and justification by faith apart from circumcision. Its urgent, personal argument contrasts with Ephesians’ expansive, highly structured presentation.
Christianity: A religion centered on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The letter develops teachings about salvation and communal life within Christianity.
Ephesians 2: The second chapter of Ephesians, describing salvation by grace and reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles. It condenses the letter’s account of grace and the creation of one community.
Ephesus: An ancient Greek city on the western coast of Asia Minor and a major center of early Christianity. The letter’s title associates it with this city, though its original destination remains debated.
Epistle to the Romans: A New Testament letter attributed to Paul, presenting an extended account of sin, salvation, and God’s purposes. Romans develops salvation at length, while Ephesians emphasizes the church’s unity in Christ.
Grace in Christianity: The freely given favor of God, understood in Christian theology as the source of salvation. Ephesians presents salvation as a gift of grace rather than a human achievement.
Ephesians 4: The fourth chapter of Ephesians, urging unity, maturity, and ethical conduct within the church. It turns the letter’s theological claims into instructions for communal life.