Reference: Ephesians
Morish
Ephesians. Ephe'sians
The inhabitants of Ephesus. Ac 19:28-35; 21:29.
Ephesians, Ephe'sians Epistle to the.
Paul first visited Ephesus on his way from Corinth to Syria: he did not stay then, but left Priscilla and Aquila there, who were afterwards joined by Apollos. Ac 18:18-24. Paul soon returned and stayed there two years. There was thus time for the saints to be grounded in the truth. The opposition was so great in the synagogue that Paul separated the disciples, and they met daily in the school of Tyrannus. The word grew mightily and prevailed. Ac 19:1-20.
In 1Co 15:32 Paul speaks of having fought with beasts at Ephesus, doubtless alluding to the strong opposition manifested towards him there by the Jews. In Ac 20:17, etc., Paul exhorts the elders of Ephesus, as overseers, to feed the church of God. He warns them that grievous wolves would enter in, and some from among themselves would speak perverse things to draw away disciples after them. As their resource he commends them to God and the word of His grace. Following this was the Epistle he wrote to them during the two years he was a prisoner at Rome.
In 1Ti 1:3 Paul says he had besought Timothy to abide at Ephesus, and to exhort them to teach no other doctrine, and not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies. In 2Ti 1:15 there is the sad intelligence that 'all they which are in Asia' (which must have included Ephesus) had 'turned away from' Paul, doubtless signifying that they had given up the truth as taught by Paul, and settled down with a lower standard. In 2Ti 4:12 Tychicus had been sent to Ephesus. The great care and watchfulness with which Paul laboured for their welfare is very manifest. In Re 2:1-7 we have the address to this church, in which much is said in their favour, though the solemn charge had also to be made that they had left their first love, and the warning is given that if they did not repent their candlestick would be removed.
The Epistle to the Ephesians is remarkable in setting forth the counsels of God with regard to His people as connected with Christ. It is from this standpoint that they are viewed, rather than that of their need as sinners, and how it has been met. This latter is developed in the Epistle to the Romans. The state of the Ephesian believers enabled them to receive a communication of such a nature as this Epistle, in which glorious unfoldings of the mind of God about His own are given in the greatest fulness.
The key note is struck in Eph 1:3, where God is blessed as "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Paul yet having remained sufficient days, having taken leave of the brethren, sailed out to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn the head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. And Paul arrived at Ephesus, and left those of his: and he having come into the synagogue, discussed with the Jews. read more. And they asking to remain with them for more time, he acquiesced not; But he took leave of them, saying, I must at any rate do the coming festival in Jerusalem: and I will again return to you, God willing. And he was conveyed from Ephesus. And having come down to Cesarea having gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. And having made a certain time, he came out, passing in order the Galatian country and Phrygia, supporting all the disciples. And a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, arrived at Ephesus, being able in the writings.
And it was in Apollos' being in Corinth, Paul having passed through the higher parts, caine to Ephesus: and having found certain disciples, He said to them, Having believed, have ye received the Holy Spirit? And they said to him, But neither heard we if there be a Holy Spirit. read more. And he said to them, Into what then were ye immersed? And they. said, Into John's immersion. And Paul said, John truly immersed the immersion of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe on him coming after him, that is, in Christ Jesus. And they having heard, were immersed in the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul having laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve. And having come into the synagogue, he spake freely, discoursing for three months, and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. And when certain were hardened, and believed not, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, having departed from them, he separated the disciples, discoursing in the day in the school of a certain Tyrannus. And this was for two years: so that all dwelling in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God did special powers by Paul's hands: So that also upon the sick were brought from his body napkins or aprons, and diseases were removed from them, and evil spirits came out of them. And certain of the wandering Jews, exorcists, undertook to call over them having evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul proclaims. And there were certain sons of Sceva, a Jew, chief priest, seven doing this. And the evil spirit having answered, said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man leaping upon them in whom the evil spirit was, and having overpowered them, he was strong against them, so that naked and wounded they fled out of the house. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many of them having believed came, acknowledging and proclaiming their deeds. And sufficient of them having done unnecessary things, having brought books together, burned before all: and computed their prices, and found fifty thousand of silver. Thus with might the word of the Lord increased, and was strong.
And having heard, and been filled with wrath, they cried, saying, Great the Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled With confusion, and they rushed unanimously into the theatre, having taken away together Gains and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's companions of the journey. read more. And Paul wishing to come in to the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain also of the chief of Asia, being friends to him, having sent to him, besought not to give himself into the theatre. Others truly cried some other things: for the church was confused; and the most knew not for what they had come together. And they forced Alexander out of the crowd, the Jews having put him forward. And Alexander having shaken the hand, wished to justify himself to the people. And having known that he is a Jew, there was one voice from all crying for about two hours, Great the Diana of the Ephesians. And the scribe having calmed the crowd, says, Men, Ephesians, for who is the man that knows not the city of the Ephesians, being templekeeper of the great goddess Diana, and sent by Jove?
And having sent from Miletus to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the church.
(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian' whom they thought that Paul had brought into the temple.)
If according to man I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what the profit to me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
Praised be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, he having praised us in every spiritual praise in heavenly things in Christ:
Praised be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, he having praised us in every spiritual praise in heavenly things in Christ:
Which he performed in Christ, having raised him from the dead, and he sat on his right hand in the heavenlies,
And raised together, and seated together in heavenlies in Christ Jesus:
That it might now be made known to beginnings and powers in the heavenlies by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Therefore this I say, and testify in the Lord, that ye no more walk as also the rest of the nations, in the vanity of their mind,
For the wrestling is not to us against blood and flesh, but against beginnings, against powers, against the chiefs of the world of darkness of this life, against spiritual things of wickedness in heavenly things.
As I besought thee to remain in Ephesus, going into Macedonia, that thou mightest proclaim to some not to teach another doctrine,
Thou knowest this, that all they dwelling in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
To the messenger of the Ephesian church write: Thus says he holding the seven stars in his right hand, he walking about in the midst of the seven golden chandeliers; I know thy works, and thy fatigue, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear the wicked: and thou bast tried them saying they are sent, and are not, and thou Last found them liars: read more. And thou hast borne, and thou hast patience, and for my name hast thou been wearied, and thou hast not been broken by toil. But I have against thee, for thou hest let go thy first love. Therefore remember whence thou hest fallen, and repent, and do the first works; and if not, I come to thee quickly, and I will move the chandelier out of its place, except thou repent. But this hast thou, that thou dost hate the works of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. He having ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him conquering I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the pleasure garden of God.