Stephen E. Fowl

Ephesians

A Commentary

© 2012 Stephen E. Fowl

First edition

Published by Westminster John Knox Press

Louisville, Kentucky

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The translation of Ephesians is by the author. Except as indicated, other Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission. AT = author’s translation.

Book design by Jennifer K. Cox

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Fowl, Stephen E.

Ephesians: a commentary / Stephen E. Fowl.

pages cm—(The New Testament library)

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN 978-0-664-22125-6 (hardback)

1. Bible. N.T. Ephesians—Commentaries. I. Title.

BS2695.53.F69 2012

227'.507—dc23

2012010949

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THE NEW TESTAMENT LIBRARY

Editorial Advisory Board

C. Clifton Black

M. Eugene Boring

John T. Carroll

CONTENTS

Preface

Abbreviations

Bibliography

Introduction

Argument of Ephesians

Outline of Ephesians

Ephesus and Paul in Acts

Authorship

The Authorship of Ephesians and Reading Theologically

Authorship and Interpretation

Pauline Theology and Biography

The Historical Question of Authorship

Attestation

Ephesians and Colossians

Vocabulary

Style

Themes

Eschatology

Use of the Old Testament in Ephesians

Conclusions and Suggestions on Authorship

Recipients and Occasion of Ephesians

COMMENTARY

1:1–2 Greeting

1:3–14 Introductory Blessing

1:15–23 Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

Excursus 1: An Alternative Reading of 1:23

2:1–10 Once Dead, Now Alive in Christ

Excursus 2: The Death of Christ in Ephesians

2:11–22 Remember That You Were Gentiles

3:1–13 Paul, Interpreter of the Grace of God

3:14–21 Paul’s Requests to God on Behalf of the Ephesians

4:1–16 Christian Unity and a Life Worthy of God’s Call

4:17–24 Breaking Free from a Pagan Past

4:25–5:2 A Common Life Worthy of the Gospel

5:3–14 Walking Worthily with an Eye on the World

5:15–20 Walking Wisely

5:21–6:9 Walking Worthily in Households

6:10–20 Strong in the Lord

6:21–24 Final Words

Index of Ancient Sources

Index of Subjects and Authors