“The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians,” New Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2003)
“The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians,” New Testament Student Study Guide
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians
Where Did the Ephesians Live?
The Ephesians lived in Ephesus, an important trading and cultural center on the Aegean Sea in what is now western Turkey. It was the center for the worship of the goddess Artemis, or Diana. The temple of Diana was one of the wonders of the ancient world and a source of wealth for the merchants of Ephesus (see Acts 19:24–27; see also Bible Dictionary, “Diana,” p. 657).
Athens
Aegean Sea
Ephesus
Jerusalem
Mediterranean Sea
Why Did Paul Write This Letter?
Many of Paul’s epistles were written to stem the tide of apostasy or correct some doctrinal error. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is different. It is a treasure chest of uplifting doctrinal teachings and seems intended to give more gospel light to the Saints. Paul wrote this letter from prison in Rome about A.D. 60.
What to Look For
Ephesians teaches many doctrines that are taught by the Latter-day Saints. In it we find references to the doctrine of foreordination, the dispensation of the fulness of times, the importance of prophets and apostles in the Church, the idea that there is only one true and unified Church, and the fact that the organization of the Church is essential. In this epistle we find some of the most sublime scriptural teachings on the role of the family and the importance of proper family life.