Background on the Book of Ephesians

The Book of Ephesians has many characteristics that differentiate it from other Pauline epistles. This letter rarely mentions other individuals, contains no personal greetings, and lacks private messages between the sender and recipients. While all other Pauline letters respond to specific issues faced by their audience, Ephesians addresses no particular problems. It seldom refers to the recipients’ circumstances and reads more like a sermon, at times even resembling a prayer or a hymn.

The number and length of similarities between Ephesians and Colossians are unique among New Testament books. Some scholars note that out of 155 verses in Ephesians, 75 appear in Colossians with varying degrees of similarity. The organization and argumentation of these two letters are very similar. Both begin with doctrinal sections that equally praise the glory of Christ and the majesty of His will. Both then apply these teachings to personal life and further offer exhortations regarding interpersonal relationships. When discussing Christian living, both advocate putting off the old self and putting on the new (Ephesians 4:17; Colossians 3:5). Both letters discuss how Christians should “walk” or “conduct themselves” and mention that giving thanks is not only a duty but should also be expressed through praise and singing (Ephesians 5:15-20; Colossians 3:16-17, 4:5-6). The teachings on relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and masters and servants are quite similar, though Ephesians (Ephesians 5:22–6:9) is more detailed than Colossians (Colossians 3:18–4:1). Both letters also mention Paul’s imprisonment and his proclamation of the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20; Colossians 4:3-4). Furthermore, the earlier discussions about the apostles being sent to preach the mystery of the gospel are quite similar (Ephesians 3:1-13; Colossians 1:23-29).

Paul was imprisoned for extended periods in Caesarea (Acts 24:27) and Rome (Acts 28:30). It’s most probable that he wrote these two epistles during his imprisonment in Rome, roughly between 57-62 AD. He first addressed the specific circumstances and crisis of the Colossian church by writing Colossians. Then, he further contemplated the church’s position in God’s will, focusing on the entire church, particularly those in the province of Asia Minor, and thus wrote Ephesians for circulation among the churches. Ephesians 6:21-22 and Colossians 4:7-8 are almost identical, possibly because Paul wrote their conclusions together when he had finished both letters and was preparing to send them out. Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7) was likely the messenger who delivered these two letters, along with the personal letter to Philemon. This letter’s salutation was originally left blank, allowing the messenger to add the appropriate name for each destination. The church in Ephesus was the most prominent in the province of Asia Minor, so the copy preserved there was most frequently transcribed, leading to the designation “To the Ephesians.”

Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians are three letters Paul wrote to the churches from prison, and they are consequently known as the “Prison Epistles.” All three unequivocally draw attention to Christ. Ephesians reveals the church as the body of Christ, Colossians reveals Christ as the head of the church, and Philippians reveals the way the church lives out Christ’s testimony.