Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange
Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [ephesians]

The Apostle Paul's epistle to the Ephesians.

Ephesians is known as one of the "captivity epistles" because Paul indicates he was in prison at the time it was written. Because not all early copies of Ephesians include the address to the audience -- the church in Ephesus -- this letter has often been thought of as a "circular", a letter that was sent to a variety of locations. This may explain the relative lack of personal greetings vs. other Pauline epistles.

This epistle includes some of the very well-known Pauline imagery, including the foundation of the church and the armor of God.

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What does "unsearchable" mean in "the unsearchable riches of Christ". Ephesians 3:8?

Ephesians 3:8 "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,". ESV. My emphasis. [unsearchable/anexichniaston]. Are these riches of Christ "unsearchable" to…
C. Stroud
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In Ephesians 5:15-21 how should we understand Paul's comments on getting drunk?

Paul writes near the end of Ephesians: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get…
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What is the "great mystery" in Ephesians 5:32?

What is the "great mystery" that the apostle Paul refers? Ephesians 5:32 (NASB) This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Jonh Piper says about that in his Desiring God, Meditations of a Christian…
Paul Vargas
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What is Ephesians 3:10-11 about?

I’ve heard a sermon on this, but what is the intent of God’s wisdom being known by the church to the principalities & powers in the heavenly places? What is God’s goal or aim with using the Church to display His wisdom to both Angels & Demons? Is…
Cork88
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How do "hos" and "kathos" compare in Ephesians 5:1-2?

Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as[hos] beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as [kathos] Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." ESV. My brackets and emphasis. The first "as" looks…
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What Does ‘Poimenas Kai Didaskalos’ mean in Ephesians 4:11?

Ephesians 4:11 says: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers [ Ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους ] ” (KJV) I don’t understand the Greek phrase/words: poimenas kai didaskalos [ Ποιμένας καὶ…
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What is it that Paul prays Ephesians will comprehend?

Writing to the Ephesians, Paul talks about his prayer life: For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ... [that you] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the…
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What does "purpose/eudokian" mean in "according to the purpose of his will" in Ephesians 1:5?

Ephesians 1:5 ESV "he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,". [purpose/eudokian] My emphasis. Does the "purpose" of his will here refer to his actions [predestinating] or the results of his…
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The time span of growing into Christ the Head in Ephesians 4:13-15

Ephesians 4:13: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Does this text imply that the act of coming into unity of faith…
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Who is included in "us" in Ephesians 1:3-10

In verses 11-14 of Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul seems pretty clearly to make a distinction between "we" and "you". My understanding is that the contrast is between "we" the Jewish believers and "you" the Ephesian Gentile believers. Is the "we/us" in…
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Ephesians 4:10 what does it mean when it says "that He might fill all things"

Ephesians 4:10 (ESV) "He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things." What does it mean when it says "that He might fill all things"? Fill with what - his spirit?
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What's The Significance of Paul Saying "Pastors And Teachers"?

As far as I know, it has been widely argued that the "shepherds (or pastors) and teachers" in this verse stands collectively, that is, they are treated as one class of office. If so, what is the significance of using two words "shepherds and…
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What does the first "all" refer to in "the fulness of him who fills all in all", Ephesians 1:23?

Ephesians 1:22-23 "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all". ESV. My emphasis. [fills all/panta]. Does the first "all" in "all in all"…
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What does "maintain/terein" mean in "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit". Ephesians 4:3?

Ephesians 4:2-3 "with all humility and gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" ESV. maintain/terein. Ephesians 4:13 "until we all attain to the unity of the…
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Is Paul suggesting that human beings are willing participants manipulated to commit evil (Eph. 6:10-13)?

In the Letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes: Ephesians 6:10-13: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.…
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