EphesiansEphesiansDid Paul write it? (This part is shamelessly adapted from Wikipedia.)Did Paul write it? (This part is shamelessly adapted from Wikipedia.)

The author of the epistle claims to be Paul in the opening address, itself The author of the epistle claims to be Paul in the opening address, itself identical to those of Second Corinthians and Colossians. identical to those of Second Corinthians and Colossians. There were few doubts in the early church that Paul wrote Ephesians: There were few doubts in the early church that Paul wrote Ephesians: early church fathers authoritatively quoted from it.early church fathers authoritatively quoted from it.The authenticity of this letter was first disputed by the Dutch Renaissance The authenticity of this letter was first disputed by the Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus, and in more recent times has drawn scholar Desiderius Erasmus, and in more recent times has drawn detailed criticism.detailed criticism.The letter is made up of 50 sentences, 9 over 50 words. (1:3-14 is one The letter is made up of 50 sentences, 9 over 50 words. (1:3-14 is one sentence.) The closest, Romans, has 3 out of 581 sentences of such sentence.) The closest, Romans, has 3 out of 581 sentences of such length. length. Many words in the letter are not in the "undisputed" epistles. Many words in the letter are not in the "undisputed" epistles. There is a close literary relationship between the Colossians and There is a close literary relationship between the Colossians and Ephesians. Over forty passages in Ephesians are expansions or Ephesians. Over forty passages in Ephesians are expansions or variations of passages in Colossians.variations of passages in Colossians.Paul founded and built up the church in Ephesus; however, this letter Paul founded and built up the church in Ephesus; however, this letter does not appear to contain the usual specific greetings, seen in Paul's does not appear to contain the usual specific greetings, seen in Paul's other letters, addressed to people he remembers. other letters, addressed to people he remembers. Some of the oldest manuscripts of this letter are not addressed to "God's Some of the oldest manuscripts of this letter are not addressed to "God's holy people who are at Ephesus," but merely to "God's holy people." holy people who are at Ephesus," but merely to "God's holy people." Marcion, around 180, quoted from this letter and attributed the quote to Marcion, around 180, quoted from this letter and attributed the quote to Paul's "Letter to the Laodiceans." Paul's "Letter to the Laodiceans."

Did Paul write it? (Continued)Did Paul write it? (Continued)The word The word ecclesiaecclesia (church) is used to refer to the (church) is used to refer to the universal church rather than, as Paul typically employs it, universal church rather than, as Paul typically employs it, to the local churches that he had founded. Furthermore to the local churches that he had founded. Furthermore the church has cosmic dimensions as the starting point the church has cosmic dimensions as the starting point for God’s reconciliation of all things in Christ.for God’s reconciliation of all things in Christ.The eschatological tone is more subdued than in other The eschatological tone is more subdued than in other letters: the expectation of Christ’s imminent return is letters: the expectation of Christ’s imminent return is unmentioned, while future generations are, as is a unmentioned, while future generations are, as is a concern for social order.concern for social order.The tensions between Jew and Gentile seem largely The tensions between Jew and Gentile seem largely resolved.resolved.There is no reference to “justification by faith.” Instead There is no reference to “justification by faith.” Instead the writer speaks of the writer speaks of salvationsalvation by grace through faith. by grace through faith.The letter at least hints at universalism—the idea that all The letter at least hints at universalism—the idea that all people, indeed all things, will be reconciled to God people, indeed all things, will be reconciled to God sooner or later, though this has already begun with the sooner or later, though this has already begun with the church.church.

Ephesians 1:3-14 (one sentence in Greek), 20-23Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Universalism?Universalism?While the New Testament frequently warns against some form of everlasting punishment, books like Ephesians do not and point instead toward universal reconciliation, at least eventually.Other passages seem to suggest at the very least that many early Christians were universalists.Why all the warnings, then?It is probable that just as many early Christians were not universalists.Many interpreters who favor universalism see the warnings in the same way that we view Jonah’s prophecy—the warnings are given so that they will NOT come true.Why worry at all, then, about turning to God?Ephesians seems to suggest that the main reason to turn to God is because a reconciled life is what we were made for in the first place. We will not be “fulfilled” until we take our place in God’s common life in Christ.Protestants who insist that “works” contribute nothing to salvation have faced a similar question: Why worry at all, then, about becoming more loving?They have traditionally answered that, when we are reconciled to God, we will want to become more loving, and that we will not be fulfilled until we do.

Other NT Passages Suggesting UniversalismOther NT Passages Suggesting UniversalismMatthew 13:33He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

Romans 5:15-21But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8: 19-22For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now.

Romans 11:32For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

1 Corinthians 15:20-26But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Colossians 1:19-20In Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

1 Timothy 4:10For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

1 John 2:2And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Revelation 5:13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”