AUTHOR AND THEMES

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a short masterpiece, a mature expression of his theology and its implications for the Christian life. The brevity of the letter can obscure both its scope and spiritual depth. Until the nineteenth century, interpreters took the first verse of the letter at face value, accepting Pauline authorship. Following F. C. Bauer (1845), the majority of critical scholars no longer view this as a letter from Paul. But an argument can be made for Pauline authorship. Convincing reasons have been put forth to support both sides of this issue.

Although it claims to have been written by Paul, Ephesians shows few signs of the personal connections that would be expected in a personal letter. That’s especially remarkable since Paul spent close to three years in Ephesus (Ac 19:10; see 19:1–20:1; 20:16-38). Thus, many argue that the letter is pseudonymous (written by someone else using Paul’s name), citing vocabulary, style, and theological divergences from Paul’s other writings, as well as this letter’s close parallels to Colossians.

Almost all of Paul’s letters addressed to churches were shaped by one or more problems in that church. Ephesians is different. This letter has a timeless quality. Ephesians is the product of seasoned theological reflection that is both concentrated and has taken place over a period of time rather than hurriedly. The letter claims to have been written from prison. During most of his life as an apostle, Paul was on the go. But his imprisonment in either Caesarea Maritima (late 50s) or in Rome (early 60s) may have provided an occasion for him to reflect on and further draw out the implications of the gospel he had been commissioned to preach.

Those who deny Pauline authorship cite the lack of personal references that are present in most of Paul’s other letters to churches. But personal information is not altogether lacking. The letter twice states that Paul is author (1:1; 3:1). His being a prisoner is mentioned three times (3:1; 4:1; 6:20).

Moreover, he gave an account of his calling in a way that accords with what we know from other sources about both his calling and his response to it. One idea that has been advanced by some New Testament scholars is that this letter was written to be circulated among a number of churches. If that is the case, we would not expect a large number of specific, personal references in the body of the letter. Paul may have written notes to each of the churches in which he wanted the letter to be read. Or, there is another alternative that Paul mentioned in closing the letter: “Tychicus, our dearly loved brother and faithful servant [or deacon] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts” (6:21-22). At the time of writing it may not have been prudent to put some kinds of information into writing. Paul assured the Ephesians that Tychicus would deliver verbally what Paul could not put in writing.

Structurally, the letter divides in half. After Paul’s greetings (1:1-2), the first half consists of a theological exposition that spells out the identity of, and the benefits for, those who are in Christ (1:3–3:21). The letter’s second half details Paul’s ethical exhortations—the responsibilities of those who find their identity in Christ (4:1–6:20).