Bible Dictionary
Ephesians, The Epistle To The
The Epistle to the Ephesians is a Pauline letter written during his first Roman imprisonment. Its first portion presents Christian doctrine, especially the church’s unity in Christ, and its second portion gives practical instruction for Christian living.
Definition
The Epistle to the Ephesians is a Pauline letter addressed to the Christian church at Ephesus. Its first portion is chiefly doctrinal, while its second portion is hortatory and practical.
Biblical Usage
The epistle teaches Christian doctrine in chapters 1–3 and gives practical instruction for Christian living in the remaining chapters.
Historical Background
Paul wrote it during his first imprisonment at Rome, apparently soon after writing to the Colossians and probably in the early part of A.D. 62.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
was written by the apostle St. Paul during his first captivity at Rome, (Acts 28:16) apparently immediately after he had written the Epistle to the Colossians [Colossians, The Epistle To The, EPISTLE TO], and during that period (perhaps the early part of A.D. 62) when his imprisonment had not assumed the severer character which seems to have marked its close. This epistle was addressed to the Christian church at Ephesus. [Ephesus] Its contents may be divided into two portions, the first mainly doctrinal, ch. 1-3, the second hortatory and practical .