jacent to Ephesus and of which we
have no account of his visiting.

+Title and Time of Writing.+--Many scholars think
that this Epistle was a circular letter written for the
edification of the churches of Asia Minor and sent to the
church of the capital city. This opinion is strengthened
by the lack of local allusions and the naming of friends,
as in other epistles. The inscription "at Ephesus" is
wanting in two of the more important manuscripts. "On
this view it may be supposed that a space was left in the
salutation in which could be inserted the name of the
particular place where the letter was being read, that the letter
finally fell wholly into the keeping of the Ephesian church,
and that the space was at length permanently filled by the
phrase 'at Ephesus.'"

The time and place of writing was at Rome about 63
A.D. This Epistle was sent by the messenger, Tychicus,
(Eph. 6:21) who also carried the letters to the church at
Colossae and to Philemon (Col. 4:7-9).

+Subject.+--As in Colossians, the subject is the
Headship of Christ (3:9-11); His person and work. God's
eternal purpose is disclosed. Christ is given sway over
all things "both which are in heaven and which are on
earth" (1:10, 2l). The unity of the church in Christ
is set forth; the unity of the Gentile and Jewish branches
in Him; the unity of all the individual members in Him.
This union is spiritual and not mechanical; it is holy and
pure; therefore sin is excluded. Paul looks upon this as
the mystery of the ages, now revealed to him. There is
one great kingdom, the risen and glorified Christ is the
Head of this kingdom (1:19-23). Redemption and
reception into this kingdom is through Jesus Christ (1-7).

Paul in this epistle rises above the controversies of the
hour and sees in clear vision the eternal realities and the
great plan of God for the saving of men.

+Principal Divisions and Chief Points.+

1. Introduction (1:1-23). (a) Salutation. (b)
Thanksgiving and Thesis (1:3-14). Unity in Christ.
He who is the Head of the church is the Center of the
universe (1:10). The eternal purpose of God in
Salvation is now made known. Before the foundation of the
world, man and the redeemed church of Christ were in
the thought of God. Christ in whom we have redemption
looked forward to His mission from eternity. "Creation,
nature, and redemption are all parts of one system"; in
the reconciliation of the cross all orders of beings are