RUDOLF SCHNACKENBURG

EPHESIANS

A Commentary

Translated by

Helen Heron

T&T Clark

Edinburgh

T&T CLARK LTD

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Copyright © T&T Clark Ltd, 1991

Authorised English Translation of Der Brief an die Epheser. Evangelisch—katholischer kommentar zum Neuen Testament Band X, © Benziger Verlag Zürich Einsiedeln, Köln und Neukirchener Verlag des Erziehungsvereins GmbH, Neukirchen-Vluyn

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of T&T Clark Ltd.

First published 1991

Latest impression 2001

ISBN 0 567 29556 7

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations and Literature

A. INTRODUCTION

1. The Literary Form

2. Author and Addressees

3. The Relationship to Colossians

4. Date and Circumstances of Composition

B. COMMENTARY

I Salutation, Glorification of God and Opening (1.1–2.10)

1. Salutation and Blessing (1.1–2)

2. The Great Opening Eulogy (1.3–14)

3. Thanksgiving to God and Intercession that the readers may have a deeper understanding of the Christ-event (1.15–23)

4. Address to the Readers on their conversion to Christianity and their new life (2.1–10)

II Christian Existence in the Church of Jesus Christ as the Mystery of Salvation (2.11–3.21)

1. The New Approach to God opened up in Jesus Christ in the Church composed of Jews and Gentiles (2.11–22)

2. Paul as Preacher and Interpreter of the Mystery of Salvation revealed in the Church (3.1–13)

3. The Apostle’s Concerns in his Prayers: inner strengthening of faith, love and knowledge (3.14–19)

4. Conclusion with a Doxology (3.20–1)

III Realising Christian Existence in Church and World (4.1–6.20)

1. The Church as the Sphere of Christian Existence (4.1–16)

(a) The unity of the Church as an urgent concern (4.1–6)

(b) Unity in variety: the meaning of the ministries in the Church and for the Church (4.7–16)

2. Christian Existence in a pagan Environment (4.17–5.14)

(a) Separation from non-Christian behaviour and accomplishment of the ‘new person’ (4.17–24)

(b) Renunciation of old tendencies and striving after Christian qualities, especially love (4.25–5.2)

(c) Avoidance of pagan vices (sexual immorality) and acting as Children of the Light (5.3–14)

3. The Life of the Christian Congregation (5.15–6.9)

(a) Spiritual life in the Congregation (5.15–20)

(b) (Haustafel) The behaviour of married people with reference to Christ and his Church (5.21–33)

(c) (Haustafel) The behaviour of children and parents, slaves and masters (6.1–9)

4. The Battle against the Powers of Evil in the World; continual prayerful Alertness (6.10–20)

IV Conclusion of the Letter (6.21–4)

Excursus: The Church in the Epistle to the Ephesians

C. THE INFLUENCE OF THE EPISTLE THROUGHOUT HISTORY

1. God and Humanity. ...