BIBLE STUDIES

 Analyze specific passage from the New Testament: Discuss its historical
context, literary style and theological implications
 This essay is going to discuss it’s historical context of Ephesians 2:1-11
is a passage found in the new testament. The passage is going to
analyze topics like grace, salvation of man divine mercy

DEFINITION OF TERMS

 The word historical according to oxford dictionary means belonging to

the past . From the above derived meanings historical context means
analyzing events that have happened in the past literally according to
oxford languages it means content of literature, especially of the kind
valued for quality of form . Literary style means the way ideas and
context are expressed or written. The term theological according
oxford languages dictionary it relate to the studies of the nature of God
and religious beliefs from the above we can say theological is the study
of the bible or the word of God

The passage Ephesians 2:11(NIV)

 1)As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. 2) in
which you used to live , when you followed the ways of this world and
of the ruler of the kingdom of the way of this world and the ruler of the
kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work with those who are
disobedience.3)All of us also lived among them at one time , gratifying
the craving of our sinful nature and following its desire and thoughts
like the rest we were by nature and following it’s desire and thoughts
like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.4) But because of his
great love for us alive with Christ even when we were dead
transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved .5)And God
raise.5)And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the
heavenly realms in Jesus Christ. In order that in the coming ages he
might show the incomparable riches of his grace expressed in his
kindness to us in Christ jesus.6) For it is by grace you have been saved
through faith, and this not from yourself it is the gift of God it. 9) not by
works, so that no one can boast .10)For we are God’s workmanship
created in Christ Jesus to do good works , which God prepared in
advance for us to do . It is part of an epistyle written by Apostle Paul

HISTORICAL CONTEXT
  Ephesian is an epistyle letter written by Apostle Paul to the church of
Ephesus a major city of the Roman Province in Asia. Paul had spend
some year in that city ministering the word of God, Paul wrote this
epistyle whilst he was in prison in Rome. It was believed that it was
around A.D 60-61.Paul was focusing on the identity of the church. He
encourage to have unity, spiritual growth and the power of God’s grace
among the Christians. Ephesus was a city where there was more
business and the worshipping of idols/ pagans for example the temple
of Artemis (Diana) due to the people who had sacrificed in worshipping
pagans , he had many problem that he faced .Paul was sharing the
word of God concerning faith and unity in Christians since there was
tension on Christian. Some Christians valued the law of Moses and
some had faith in Christ. The cultural and religious divisions caused
tension among Christians

Literary style of Ephesians 2:1-10

 Ephesians is not a legal document but is a letter which was written to

the church of Ephesus. The letter was teaching the Christians
community to unite and encouraging them to seek God’s grace and
mercy in salvation Ephesians 2:8-9(NIV) talks about salvation that
comes from God’s grace not from human works
 The passage was written in Pauline style. The letter has the same
themes similar to the other letter that was written by Apostle Paul like
the Corinthians, Galatians and many more books he wrote. The
language Paul used in other epistle is, it sticks to themes like grace,
unify and refrain from sin the same use in Ephesians 2:8-9
 The passage also teach about the doctrine of sin grace and salvation
using a simple language. Paul was teaching people to refrain from sin
since Jesus died for us on the cross. He explained that the death of
Jesus brought salvation to us all. The passage about the Grace of God
which is a free gift to the bible people. The gift saved us . Be further
explained that it is not our works that bring salvation but grace of God.
Ephesians 2:11. He talks about the spiritual death due to sins which
separate us from God. People lived in sins but God intervened by
giving us a free gift of grace that brought salvation to us. There was
contrast life from spiritual death due to sins and to be alive by the
grace of Christ. Paul also used the metrical style when he was trying to
persuade and encourage readers. Paul figure out the difference
between the former Christians and their new identity in Christ.
Ephesians 2:3.The verse elaborates on the nature of human before
 grace when people lived a sinful life and the resulting state of being
deserving of God’s favor. Paul asked metrical question and exclamation
in order for people to understand
 The letter was directed to a group of people although it addresses to
the individuals experience of the readers. He indicated Christian past
history of worshipping pagans and the changes that was there which
was worshipping the real God Form verse one he said “And were dead
on the trespasses and sin”. This verse highlight that Paul was referring
to anyone who read the letter . That is where personal life is involved.

THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

HUMANITY AND SPIRITUAL DEATH

 Ephesians 2:1-futhermore , God mad you alive, though you were dead
in your trespasses and sins.2 in which you are at one time walked
according to the system of things of this world according to the ruler of
authority of the spirit that is now at work in the sons disobedience .
From verse 1-3 it declares that all humans were dead because of our
bad ways we lived . We sinned against God. We deprived from God
because of sin Christians should portray Jesus’s life he was like us
although he was God and he went through many temptation on earth
before ascension and he overcomes because of faith in his father.
Human walked according to the will of flesh that controlled us . We also
lived in air. We were dead because we were influenced by the devil to
do bad things .This reflects the doctrine where human being were
deprived from God due to the flesh and blood rulers of darkness of the
world and against the spiritual host of wickedness in heavenly places.
This can also be supported by Ephesians 6:12 The forces made us sins
and it causes spiritual death. The desired of the flesh killed the spirit .
A person exist in flesh and spirit. A person should not be controlled by
flesh

GRACE AND SALVATION

 Ephesians 2 vs 4-5- “But God being rich in mercy because of his great
love with which he loved us and made us alive together with the
Christ, even when we were dead in trespasses” by undeserved
kindness. The verse highlight God’s love for us. The verse states that
we were dead because of our sins. The sins separated us from God.
Only those without sins are considered to be alive. What does is flesh
 and the sins does not die. The grace of the god brought us eternal life.
The verse outlines that Christians were saved by grace not by works.
Human efforts like staying away from sins and working the community
helping the need and serving God in his house is an added advantage.
A pure heart combined with good works beings a holy life. Pure heart
form love and works make a complete Christian who can inspire others

RESURRECTION AND NEW LIFE

 Verse 5 of Ephesians 2 talks about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and

the people on the judgement day . The verse supports that there is
rapture. The verse indicates that resurrection is certain. The dead will
rise together with Christ. It reflects the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The scripture put emphasis on the new life after the resurrection. There
shall be new life after the resurrection. There shall be new life in every
human being. Life is full of grace, free of pain and problems. The new
life will be experienced by those who believe and accept that they
received or there is grace in life

UNITY OF JEWS AND GENTILES

 The scripture also encourages jews to unite. It also encourages people

to equally participate in the house of God. It also calls Jews and gentile
to unity and work for God together. Gentile are people who were not
Jewish . The Jewish people did not accept people of other tribes to
preach to them that is why Paul a citizen of Rome has topo for
circumcision in order for him to preach to Jews . Jews regards non Jews
as unclean people. Paul was encouraging people to unite since the
grace of God unified the sinners and believers. It saved sinners and
believers. Paul was preaching of love because we are one flesh and all
of us are saved by the blood of Jesus. That is why the bible says Christ
in us the hope of future. Christ means the savior he came to save us
from sins . His blood covered our sins . That is why Paul encouraged
the Jews to unite with the gentiles. Jew and non Jews has different
cultural beliefs and cultural practices made Jews think that people who
do not follow their cultural practices are not clean and they do not
worship the same God they worshiped, that is why Paul preached the
word of God to the gentiles. The blood of Jesus and the grace had to
break the barrier that was between the gentiles and Jews. Paul forbid
people to boast especially those who do good because it is the grace of
God which saved us. The passage also teaches us about good works.
Ephesians 2:10 “we are God’s hand union with Christ Jesus” for good
 works which God determined in advance for us to walk with them (holy
scriptures). This scripture is saying we were created by God together
with Christ and it is a good example for God’s good works. He also
gaves us his only begotten son to die for our sins it is also another
good example of God’s works. Now God expected us to follow his
footsteps. Doing good works. Helping each other in bad times and even
helping the need. Good works is what our father expect us to do. The
bible says we rea are saved by grace but good works is an advantage
to us .The bible also say “faith needs to accompanied by good works.
Jesus himself also emphasize this when hi disciples asked about their
identify, how are people going to know that there are disciples of God.
He says if you have love among yourself people will know that you are
my disciples. Discipleship include loving and caring for each other,
carrying ones burden as yours that is good works. The scripture
encourages believers to work for God and others . Good works reflects
sinless human nature. Challenges are there but should not affects
human works

FAITH

 Paul also emphasized that faith is also necessary to us Christians.

Ephesians 2 vs 5(holy bible) says “by undeserved kindness you have
been saved and this is not your own doing rather it is God’s gift. In
order for one to be saved he/she needs to have faith. Even if we have
grace but without faith it will not work. Faith and grace works together
in order for one to get desired results. Paul encouraged people to have
faith with God, to look forward to God without doubting him. When
Jesus healed people he usually say this words. Your faith has saved
you. Even the women she met on well. She was saved from sins
because of her faith . Paul was preaching the doctrine of faith which is
crucial to all believers. People gain power and strength from faith and
love. Paul wants Christians to trust in God in everything . Healing,
salvation and Victory is impossible without faith. Confidence in God is
shown by faith. That is why the passage has spiritual welfare of
Christians . Passage has a powerful teachings since it unifies Christians
and gentiles and the book also encourages Christians how they should
live as family. The book also highlights the spiritual warfare of
Christians and for the Christian to have faith in God. It helps Christians
to live a practical life of Christians . It can help to heal the sick, sinners
give hope to the oppressed and it gives guidance to Christians as well
as converting to become Christians.
REFERENCE

 Google
 Holy bible
 King James version bible
 NIV Bible
 The bible effect(2020)
 The bible project (2020)