Ephesians - Introduction (2)

There are marked similarities between Colossians and Ephesians. While Colossians deals with similar or related themes, it also deals with local circumstances as well (though nowhere near as much as Galatians or Corinthians). A scenario that seems most likely, and one that was the predominant one held by the church for many years, was that having written the Colossian letter, and being gripped and inspired by the themes of the letter, Paul decided to expand upon them and write a general letter for all the churches that expounded upon God’s purpose, through the church.

As has been the way of things for about two hundred years or so, there are many who cast doubt on the Pauline authorship of Ephesians, despite the clear statement in the letter that it comes from Paul. Many of the arguments for this are based on linguistic grounds, ie differences in style or words used, compared with other letters attributed to Paul. I must say that these arguments always seem very weak and unconvincing to me (and to many scholars!). However, they persist in attributing the letter to some “deutero-Paul” (ie some later student of Paul who greatly respected his writings and sought to produce a letter that was consistent with Paul’s theology, and further developed it. The fact that this goes against what the text says, and that we have no idea of who this “deutero-Paul” was do not seem to hinder these people in their idol speculations. I shall take the traditional, simple and Biblical approach that the text says Paul wrote it, and so Paul did write it. One thing we must always remember is that all Scripture is God-breathed, and the ultimate author of the book is God Himself.

The letter may have been written around AD 60, at the same time as Colossians and while he was in prison in Rome. However, there are some who argue that it was written during a time of imprisonment in Ephesus itself. It is generally accepted that it was intended as a circular letter to several churches.

Bibliography

Ephesians - An Introduction and Commentary, Francis Foulkes, TNTC, 1963.

Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, New International Biblical Commentary, Arthur G. Patzia, 1990.