Discussion Board Forum 6

Discuss the occasion and purpose for the writing of Ephesians.  Who were the original recipients of this letter?  Who were the opponents (if any) of Paul in these areas?  What was the nature of the opponents’ doctrine, and how did Paul respond to it?

Unlike other letters written by Paul, Ephesians seems to have no specific purpose, since it appears to “break the mold”[1]. Whereas other epistles like Colossians have a specific theme whose aim is to counter the ideas of Gnosticism, the book Ephesians does not have such punch[2]. Even if some people would argue that the apostle did not author the book and may present some answers as to why it was written, many scholars who attribute it to Paul content that there is no particular problem that the Apostle is addressing.  Therefore, it is mostly seen as a speech or a sermon.  Given that there is no clear evidence for the occasion and there are no opponents mentioned, it would important to highlight some opinions regarding the probable occasion of the book. Since the book of Colossian was written with a certain aim, that is, to strengthen the faith of believers as they encountered false teaching and heresy, it is most likely that the issue was a common problem in Asia Minor. It is possible that Ephesian were grappling with such a problem[3]. N.A Dahl does not agree with the authorship of Paul and perceives the book as a guideline that explores the importance of baptism[4].

Other recent interpreters including A. Lindeman proposes that Ephesians church was possibly experiencing some crisis and the book was aimed at encouraging and offering guidance on how to endure the same issue[5]. Moreover, it is possible that there were some kind of tension between Gentile and Jewish Christians that the apostle was attempting to solve and trying to bring back unity among the believers[6]. One opposition to all these views was A.T Lincoln argument that the book is just a reflection of the life of a Christian believer and that any attempt to ascribe a particular reason may be precarious[7]. It is possible that the book does not seek to respond to a certain issue but it provides a platform for Paul to uplift other believers.  It most likely a supplement rather than a solution to a given and clear crisis[8].

Paul seems to encourage the believers today to with the cosmic level reconciliation efforts by Christ and to challenge Christians to ensure there is unity of the Church, which was purchased by the Lord and produced by the Holy Spirit[9].  The book expresses an essential and definitive illustration of the holiness and majesty of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the entire world and the Son of God.  Such an expression can be supported by the fact that the apostle  does utilize the customary terminology – ekklesia – while referring to the church , but he broadened his view so that the universal church as included[10].  This means that even though there is no clear cut aim of this text, there is an expression of a need to have unity among the believers, and redirect the church’s focus on the need to acknowledge that the head of the church is Christ.  This is a call for current believers to uphold unity in the church while understanding that Christ is the head of the worldwide church. Amidst many issues that are likely to disintegrate the church, it is important for Christians to look to Jesus as the source of unity.

 

 

Discuss the occasion and purpose for the writing of Philippians.  Where was Paul imprisoned when he wrote this letter?  Who were the opponents (if any) of Paul in these areas?  What was the nature of the opponents’ doctrine, and how did Paul respond to it?

 

Paul was in prison while he was writing the letter to the Philippians. Even though an argument exists over the specific place where the apostle was in prison during this time, the best explanation is that his imprisonment was most likely in Rome. His letter includes encouragement to Philippians so that they could persist in the Gospel. It also exhorted them to a live a life that depicted the Gospel[11].  The book begins by thanking the Philippians for their support to Paul on his journeys. The help involved finances especially while imprisoned through Epaphroditus, who was the “messenger and mister to my needs” Philippians 2:25.  The apostle also desired to give further explanation on the importance of his imprisonment.  The Philippians appears to have been discouraged by the imprisonment, but Paul rejoices in the fact that his situation is leading to further spread of the Gospel especially among the imperial guard[12].  

The whole of this letter consist of joyful overtones in the midst of trials. In the book, the apostle alludes to his sorrow, chain and suffering in the entire letter but he remains joyful in Christ, knowing that to him, death is a gain Philippians 2:17.  In the letter, Paul also explores the problem of disunity, which could stifle the efforts to advance the Gospel and believers life in the Lord.  Chapter 2 of the letter almost entirely gives examples that can be followed by readers.  It highlights Christ’s humility unto the death at the cross, using Timothy to illustrate and Epaphroditus who nearly lost his life on account of the Gospel Philippians 2: 5-29. His last teaching on unity implores people who may teach a contrary doctrine to be careful. Paul was facing opposition from false teachers who were teaching the doctrine of righteousness under the law and circumcision.  He particularly alludes to two sources of false outside teachings. Some people were preaching Christ but out of self-interests and they were acting to ensure his afflictions in imprisonment may increase Philippians 1:15-18. Paul’s use of the word contention, meaning to obtain support from some individuals, represents some sort of unnecessary game of politics in church[13].  They appears to preach the right message but with selfish motives[14].

 In Chapter 3, the apostle refers to another group of individuals whom he terms as evildoers.  The Judaists seems to have been the common opponents of Paul, with their consistent preaching of circumcision as a necessary aspect in Christian believers. Like in some other letters, Paul opposes their idea by reminding his audience that Christians should have “no confidence in flesh”.  Paul further explores his background as a trained Pharisee and who he departed from such notions and now sees them as nonsense in comparison to Christ knowledge and his righteousness. Paul wrote the letters mostly to emphasis the need for Christian brothers and sisters to unite among themselves and with Christ and to remain cautious of the false teachings that had crept into the church in his absence. It was a call to turn their ears from the doctrine that taught contrary to what Paul preached about Christ. The letters have a clear teaching for the modern church to remain united and to be careful of doctrines that do not teach Christ as taught by the apostles.

 

Bibliography

Köstenberger, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The cradle, the cross, and the crown. B&H Publishing Group, 2009.

Bruce, Frederick Fyvie. Paul: Apostle of the heart set free. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2000. 280-353

Carson, Donald A., and Douglas J. Moo. An introduction to the New Testament. Zondervan, 2005. 479 – 515

Lea, Thomas. The New Testament: its background and message. B&H Publishing Group, 2003.431-449

O'Brien, Peter T.. 1999. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Edited by D. A. Carson. , The Letter to the Ephesians. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing.

Klein, William W.. 2006. "Ephesians." In The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Rev. ed. Edited by Tremper Longman and David E. Garland. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Köstenberger, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The cradle, the cross, and the crown. B&H Publishing Group, 2009.

 

[2] Klein, William W.. 2006. "Ephesians." In The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Rev. ed. Edited by Tremper Longman and David E. Garland. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[3] Bruce, Frederick Fyvie. Paul: Apostle of the heart set free. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2000. 280-353

 

[4] Köstenberger, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The cradle, the cross, and the crown. B&H Publishing Group, 2009.

 

[5] O'Brien, Peter T.. 1999. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Edited by D. A. Carson. , The Letter to the Ephesians. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing.

 

[6] Carson, Donald A., and Douglas J. Moo. An introduction to the New Testament. Zondervan, 2005. 479 – 515

 

[7] O'Brien, Peter T.. 1999. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Edited by D. A. Carson. , The Letter to the Ephesians. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing.

 

[8] Lea, Thomas. The New Testament: its background and message. B&H Publishing Group, 2003.431-449

 

[9] Köstenberger, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The cradle, the cross, and the crown. B&H Publishing Group, 2009.

 

[10] Carson, Donald A., and Douglas J. Moo. An introduction to the New Testament. Zondervan, 2005. 479 – 515

 

[11] Köstenberger, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The cradle, the cross, and the crown. B&H Publishing Group, 2009.

 

[12] Carson, Donald A., and Douglas J. Moo. An introduction to the New Testament. Zondervan, 2005. 479 – 515

 

[13] Bruce, Frederick Fyvie. Paul: Apostle of the heart set free. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2000. 280-353

 

[14] Köstenberger, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The cradle, the cross, and the crown. B&H Publishing Group, 2009.