II.

Historical-Cultural Analysis
A. Situational Context:
The Book of Ephesians-
The Book of Ephesians was written to “God’s holy people in Ephesus” (Ephesians 1:1, NIV).
The city of Ephesus was a large commercial port city in Asia Minor (present day Turkey) located
at the mouth of the Cayster River near the Aegean Sea. As a large population center on a major
trade route and the capital of the Roman province of Asia, Ephesus was considered the
“Gateway to Asia”. Additionally, the city of Ephesus was known as a center of pagan worship as
the Temple of the Greek goddess Artemis (Roman goddess Diana), considered one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world, was located just outside of the city limits. As such, people
from across the region traveled to Ephesus to visit the Temple and an industry of blacksmiths
served them by creating trinkets and statues of the goddess. Additionally, Ephesus was home to
a large community of Jews who had a synagogue in the city.

Why is Ephesians so important?

Second Corinthians and Galatians abound with personal touches from Paul, either about his
own life or that of the recipients. Ephesians, on the other hand, stands at the opposite end of the
spectrum as one of Paul’s most formal letters. While Galatians offers instructions particularly
important for those churches overrun with legalism, Ephesians deals with topics at the very core
of what it means to be a Christian—both in faith and in practice—regardless of any particular
problem in the community.

Writer/writer-
Who wrote the book?
For a brief time at the end of his second missionary journey, and then for more than two years
on his third missionary journey, Paul ministered to the church at Ephesus (Acts 18:18–21; 19:1–
41). During his time in this city that housed the famous temple to the Greek goddess Artemis,
Paul saw many converted to faith in Jesus Christ and many others who opposed his preaching
in the synagogues and homes. One prominent silversmith, Demetrius, who made implements
for the worship of Artemis, found his business suffering greatly because people were converting
to Christianity. The ensuing near-riot led Paul to leave the city, but only after the apostle had
done much to stabilize and grow the Christian community there.

Date written-
Where are we?
Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote
Colossians and Philemon, as he sent all three letters by the hand of Tychicus, accompanied by
Onesimus (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7–9; Philemon 1:10–12). It was during this time that
Paul sat in Rome undergoing his first Roman imprisonment (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1), making
Ephesians one of the four epistles commonly known as the Prison Epistles. The others are
Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

B. Character Profile
An Apostle in the New Testament. Paul’s Hebrew name was Saul, and he went by this name
until the beginning of his mission to the Gentiles. He had previously persecuted the Church but
was converted to its truth after seeing a vision of Jesus Christ. Paul went on three major
missionary journeys and wrote many letters to the Saints. Fourteen of these letters form a part
of the New Testament today. He was finally taken as a prisoner to Rome and was killed,
probably in the spring of A.D. 65.
Consented to the stoning of Stephen, Acts 7:57–8:1.
Persecuted the Saints, Acts 8:3.
Was traveling to Damascus when Jesus appeared to him, Acts 9:1–9.
Was baptized by Ananias, Acts 9:10–18.
After retiring into Arabia, returned to Damascus to preach, Acts 9:19–25 (Gal. 1:17).
Three years after his conversion, went back to Jerusalem, Acts 9:26–30 (Gal. 1:18–19).
Went on three missionary journeys, preaching the gospel and organizing branches of the
Church in various parts of the Roman Empire, Acts 13:1–14:26; 15:36–18:22; 18:23–21:15.
When he returned to Jerusalem after his third mission, was arrested and sent to Caesarea, Acts
21:7–23:35.
Remained a prisoner in Caesarea for two years, Acts 24:1–26:32.
Was sent to Rome for trial and suffered shipwreck on the way, Acts 27:1–28:11.

C. Geographical Profile
The Book of Ephesians was written to “God’s holy people in Ephesus” (Ephesians 1:1, NIV).
The city of Ephesus was a large commercial port city in Asia Minor (present day Turkey) located
at the mouth of the Cayster River near the Aegean Sea. As a large population center on a major
trade route and the capital of the Roman province of Asia, Ephesus was considered the
“Gateway to Asia”. Additionally, the city of Ephesus was known as a center of pagan worship as
the Temple of the Greek goddess Artemis (Roman goddess Diana), considered one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world, was located just outside of the city limits. As such, people
from across the region traveled to Ephesus to visit the Temple and an industry of blacksmiths
served them by creating trinkets and statues of the goddess. Additionally, Ephesus was home to
a large community of Jews who had a synagogue in the city.

D. Specific Cultural Practices

Obey Because of the Law
The second is the law, as in the Old Testament Law. This is verses 2-3. Paul quotes the fifth
commandment from Exodus 20:12. Children should obey their parents because God says so.
This commandment is considered one of the “horizontal commandments” as it has to do with
our earthly, or horizontal, relationships. The Hebrews believed that this commandment
belonged on the first table, or tablet, of commands because it was part of our duty to God
himself.