Tomb of Mary the mother of Jesus at Ephesus.
Ancient Ephesus
Probable chronology of Pauline Letters
| SN | Letters | Date-AD | Place of writing | Reference |
| 1 | Galatians | 53 | Syrian Antioch | Acts:14:28; 15:2 |
| 2 | 1 Thessalonians | 50 | Corinth | Acts:18:5 |
| 3 | 2-Thessalonians | 50 | Corinth | -do- |
| 4 | 1-Corinthians | 54 | Ephesus | Acts:19:20 |
| 5 | 2-Corinthians | 56 | Macedonia | Acts:20:2 |
| 6 | Romans | 57 | Corinth | Acts:20:3 |
Prison Letters:
| SN. | Letters | Date- AD | Place of writing | Reference |
| 7 | Colossians | Early 60s | Rome | Prison |
| 8 | Ephesians | Early 60s | Rome | Prison |
| 9 | Philemon | 62 | Rome | Prison |
| 10 | Philippians | 62-63 | Rome | Prison Acts:28:30-31 |
Fourth-Missionary journey:
| SN. | Letters | Date AD | Place of writing | Reference |
| 11 | 1-Timothy | 63 | Macedonia | 1 Tim.1:3 (cf) |
| 12 | Titus | 63 | Ephesus | Tit.1:5 |
| 13 | 2-Timothy | 64 | Rome | 2 Tim.4:11 (cf) |
Key-verses:
Eph 1:4:
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will”(1:4-6).
“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved” (2:3-4).
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (2:8).
“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is”(5:15-17).
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (6:12-13).
Purpose:
Ephesians was not written to address problems in a particular church. It was written to explain some of the great themes and doctrines of Christianity. The themes of Ephesians make it highly praised and commentators call Ephesians as “the Queen of the Epistles,” “the quintessence of Paulinism,” “the divinest composition of man” and even “the Waterloo of commentators.” Some say that Ephesians reads “like a commentary on the Pauline letters” and probably it has been best termed “the crown of Paulinism.” (Bruce). Ephesians teaches that Jewish and Gentile believers are one in Christ, which is demonstrated by their love for one another. This love can come only from God. Possibly Paul, realizing they were starting to forsake their first love, wrote this epistle to encourage them to love both God and their fellow saints.
| Chapt. | Title |
| 1 | Unity in Christ. |
| 2 | Saved by grace and united in One body. |
| 3 | Revelation of God’s mystery. |
| 4 | Unity in the body of Christ |
| 5 | a) Paul’s 12-fold formula for successful Christian life (5:1-21).
b) Husband and wife relationship (5:22-33). |
| 6 | God’s household and fight against spiritual darkness |