Ecclesia in Ephesians
A Theology of an Undivided Apostolic Church in the Letter to the Ephesians
Summary
Excerpt
Table Of Contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- About the author
- About the book
- This eBook can be cited
- Content
- Introduction
- Thematic Background of the Study
- Why Ephesians?
- A Brief Literature Survey
- Content and Presentation
- Acknowledgements
- Objective of the Study
- 1 A General Exposition of the Book of Ephesians
- 1.1 Context and Purpose of the Letter
- 1.1.1 The Sinking into Oblivion of the Apostle
- 1.1.2 Socio-Political and Religious Crisis in Asia Minor
- 1.1.3 Problem of Unity
- 1.1.4 Some Other Factors
- 1.2 Form of the Letter
- 1.2.1 Literary Structure
- 1.2.2 Style of Writing
- 1.2.3 Manner of Writing
- 1.2.3.1 A Theological Tractate
- 1.2.3.2 A Liturgical Homily
- 1.2.3.3 A Baptismal Rite
- 1.3 Question of the Authorship
- 1.3.1 Theological Hints
- 1.3.2 Linguistic References201
- 1.3.3 Historical Indications
- 1.4 Time and Place of Composition
- 1.5 Community of the Addressees
- 1.5.1 Earliest Witnesses
- 1.5.2 Laodicea Hypothesis
- 1.5.3 Circular Hypothesis
- 1.5.4 A »Catholic« Hypothesis
- 1.6 Similarity between Ephesians and Colossians
- 1.6.1 Similarity in Scheme
- 1.6.2 Similarity in Terminology
- 1.6.3 Similarity in Concepts
- 1.6.4 Conceptual Expansion
- 1.7 Comparison with the Genuine Pauline Letters
- 1.8 Comparison with the First Letter of Peter
- Concluding Remarks
- 2 Apostolicity of the Church Reflected in Ephesians
- 2.1 An Exegetical Account of the Concept of Apostles in Ephesians
- 2.1.1 »Foundation of the Apostles« According to Eph 2,20
- 2.1.1.1 Outline of Eph 2,19–21
- 2.1.1.2 Built Upon/Having been Built On
- 2.1.1.3 Interpretation of θϵμϵ́λιοϚ (Foundation)
- 2.1.1.3.1 θϵμϵ́λιοϚ in Col 1,23 and in Is 28,16
- 2.1.1.3.2 Different Meanings of θϵμϵ́λιοϚ
- 2.1.1.3.3 Foundation: Christ (1Cor 3,11) or Apostles (Eph 2,20)?
- 2.1.1.3.4 Tradition and Apostolic Proclamation
- 2.1.1.4 »Apostles and Prophets«
- 2.1.1.4.1 Comparison with Other New Testament Texts
- 2.1.1.4.2 Meaning of the Usage »Apostles and Prophets« in Eph 2,20
- 2.1.1.4.3 »Apostles and Prophets« as the Foundation
- 2.1.1.5 Cornerstone/Capstone Jesus Christ
- 2.1.1.6 Summary of Eph 2,20
- 2.1.2 Apostles as Servants of the Mystery of Christ According to Eph 3,1–7
- 2.1.2.1 Structure of the Text Compared to Colossians
- 2.1.2.2 Paul as »Apostle« (3,1a)
- 2.1.2.3 Paul as Prisoner of Christ for the Gentiles (3,1b)
- 2.1.2.4 Apostleship in the Plan of the Salvation of God (3,2)
- 2.1.2.4.1 Salvific Plan (Οἰκονομία)
- 2.1.2.4.2 »The Grace of God Given to Me for You«
- 2.1.2.5 Apostles and Prophets and their Ministry as Recipients of Revelation
- 2.1.2.5.1 Comparison with Col 1,25 f
- 2.1.2.5.2 Change of Meaning in Eph 3,3a
- 2.1.2.5.3 Specific Ephesian Perception
- 2.1.2.5.4 Extension of Perspective
- 2.1.2.6 Revelation in Its Chronological and Theological Context (3,5)
- 2.1.2.6.1 Two Periods of Human History
- 2.1.2.6.2 Sphere of Salvation Established by Christ
- 2.1.2.6.3 Salvific Realm of the Church in the Cross of Christ
- 2.1.2.6.4 Revelation to Apostles in a Historical Time Frame
- 2.1.2.7 »His Holy Apostles and the Prophets by the Spirit« (Eph 3,5b)
- 2.1.2.7.1 Some Previous Assumptions
- 2.1.2.7.2 Heirs of Divine Revelation
- 2.1.2.7.3 Separated for Proclamation
- 2.1.2.7.4 Inheritors of Divine Revelation
- 2.1.2.7.5 Apostles as the Standard of Tradition
- 2.1.2.8 Substance of the Mystery of Revelation (3,6)
- 2.1.2.9 Apostles as Servants/Ministers of the Gospel (3,7)
- 2.1.2.10 Differentiation between Ministry and Charisma (3,7)
- 2.1.2.11 Summary of Eph 3,1–7
- 2.1.3 Apostle and Ministry According to Eph 4,7–16
- 2.1.3.1 Literary Structure of the Text
- 2.1.3.2 Reality of Christ’s Manifold Gifts (4,7)
- 2.1.3.3 Characteristics of the Special Graces (4,8 f)
- 2.1.3.4 Five Groups of Ministers in Eph (4,11)
- 2.1.3.5 Apostles as the First Ministers (4,11)
- 2.1.3.6 Tasks of the Ministers (4,12)
- 2.1.3.7 Importance of Christ’s Gifts to the Church (4,13–15)
- 2.1.3.7.1 Perspectives on the Ultimate Goal (4,13)
- 2.1.3.7.2 Consequence of the Goal of the Church
- 2.1.3.8 Building up in Love (4,16)
- 2.1.3.9 Summary of Eph 4,7–16
- 2.2 A Theological Account of the Concept of Apostles
- 2.2.1 »Mono-Apostolate« of Paul
- 2.2.2 »Holy Apostles« as the Starting Point of the Universal Church
- 2.2.3 »Ecclesiastical Apostles« in God’s Salvific Plan
- 2.2.4 Apostles as the Standard for the Growth of the Church
- 2.2.5 Apostolic Ministry as the First Function of Service in the Church
- 2.2.6 Ministers as Preservers of the Apostolic Tradition
- 2.2.7 Church as Apostolic and the Apostles as the Foundation of the Church
- Concluding Remarks
- 3 Unity of the Church Reflected in Ephesians
- 3.1 An Exegetical Account of the Concept of Unity
- 3.1.1 Metaphor of Body in Ephesians
- 3.1.1.1 Eph 1,22 f
- 3.1.1.2 Eph 2,14–16
- 3.1.1.3 Eph 4, 3–4
- 3.1.1.4 Eph 4, 11–16
- 3.1.1.5 Summary of the Description of the Image Body
- 3.1.2 Metaphor of Building in Ephesians
- 3.1.2.1 Eph 2,20–22
- 3.1.2.1.1 Temple Symbolism and the Church
- 3.1.2.1.2 A Christocentric Orientation for the Church
- 3.1.2.1.3 A Theocentric Orientation for the Church
- 3.1.2.2 Eph 4,12.16
- 3.1.2.3 Summary of the Theme Building
- 3.1.3 Seven Elements of Unity in Eph 4,3–6
- 3.1.3.1 Unity of the Spirit
- 3.1.3.2 Trias as the Basis of Unity
- 3.1.3.3 Unifying Baptism
- 3.1.3.4 Call for Unity and Liturgy
- 3.1.3.5 Summary of Eph 4,3–6
- 3.1.4 Unity and Ministry (Amt) in Eph 4, 7–16
- 3.1.4.1 Gift of Christ
- 3.1.4.2 Apostles and Prophets
- 3.1.4.3 Preachers, Pastors and Teachers
- 3.1.4.4 Unity as a Task
- 3.1.4.5 Summary of Eph 4,7–16881
- 3.1.5 Elements of Unity from the Socio-Cultural Field in Ephesians
- 3.1.5.1 Socio-Political Theme in Eph 2,11–12.19
- 3.1.5.2 Marriage and Family in Eph 5,21–28
- 3.1.5.3 Summary of Eph 2,11–12.19; 5,21–33
- 3.2 A Theological Account of the Concept of Unity
- 3.2.1 Call for Unity to Jewish and Gentile Christians
- 3.2.2 A Visual Language of Christian Unity?
- 3.2.3 Baptism as the Foundation of Unity
- 3.2.4 Ministries of the Church in the Service of Unity
- 3.2.5 Unity as a Gift and a Task for the Church
- 3.2.6 Universality of Ecclesial Unity
- 3.2.7 Unity as the Fundamental Characteristic of the Church
- Concluding Remarks
- 4 Ephesian Ecclesiology: A Quest for a Theology of an Undivided Apostolic Church
- 4.1 Ecclesia in the Ephesian Era
- 4.1.1 An Apostolic Letter to the Church (1,1 f)
- 4.1.2 Church as the Unique Chosen People of God (1,3–13)
- 4.1.3 Church as the Body of Christ (1,22 f)
- 4.1.4 Intimate Union of Christ and the Church (2,1–10)
- 4.1.5 Jews and Gentiles in the Church (2,11–18)
- 4.1.6 Church as a Holy Temple (2,19–22)
- 4.1.7 Paul as the Apostle of the Church (3,1–13)
- 4.1.8 The Quest for Unity in the Church (4,3–6)
- 4.1.9 Ministries and Structure of the Church (4,7–16)
- 4.1.10 Church Life in Practice (4,1–5,20)
- 4.1.11 Church, Family and Eschatological Bliss (5,21–33)
- 4.1.12 The Church’s Battle against the Powers of Evil (6,1–20)
- 4.2 Ephesians und Ecclesia in Today’s Horizon
- 4.2.1 A Christocentric Ecclesiology for Today
- 4.2.2 A Liturgical Ecclesiology for Today
- 4.2.3 An Ecumenical Theology for Today
- 4.2.4 A »Catholic« Theology for Today
- 4.2.5 A Renewal Theology for Today
- Concluding Remarks
- Abbreviations
- Selected Bibliography
- Modern Commentaries on the Ephesians
- Secondary Literature
- Index: Bible
- Index: Persons
- Index: Subjects
- Series index
About the author
Aby Thomas Puthukulangara holds a doctorate from the University of Würzburg. He is a Syro-Malabar Catholic priest from the Archeparchy of Changanacherry, Kerala, India and is the author of a number of books on theology.
About the book
The Church of Christ was, is and always will be undivided. However, disunity among Christians is a reality. While safeguarding the apostolic tradition in the first era of Christianity, Ephesians provides a remarkable history – more potent for ecumenism and internal reform today. This book investigates the Ecclesiology of Ephesians, with a plenitude of references to exegetes who mainly come from the German-speaking world. It is a Catholic approach to the standard features of the Church, which provides insights for a comprehensive reassessment of the Church. This book is concerned not just with defending particular doctrines. It is an honest exploration of how first-century Ecclesiology fits the milieu and context of the contemporary Church and provokes and challenges us to appreciate the diverse ecclesiological convictions.
This eBook can be cited
This edition of the eBook can be cited. To enable this we have marked the start and end of a page. In cases where a word straddles a page break, the marker is placed inside the word at exactly the same position as in the physical book. This means that occasionally a word might be bifurcated by this marker.
Content
Thematic Background of the Study
1 A General Exposition of the Book of Ephesians
1.1 Context and Purpose of the Letter
1.1.1 The Sinking into Oblivion of the Apostle
1.1.2 Socio-Political and Religious Crisis in Asia Minor
1.2.3.1 A Theological Tractate
1.3 Question of the Authorship
1.4 Time and Place of Composition
1.5 Community of the Addressees
1.6 Similarity between Ephesians and Colossians
1.6.2 Similarity in Terminology
1.7 Comparison with the Genuine Pauline Letters
1.8 Comparison with the First Letter of Peter
2 Apostolicity of the Church Reflected in Ephesians
2.1 An Exegetical Account of the Concept of Apostles in Ephesians
2.1.1 »Foundation of the Apostles« According to Eph 2,20
2.1.1.1 Outline of Eph 2,19–21
2.1.1.2 Built Upon/Having been Built On
2.1.1.3 Interpretation of θϵμϵ́λιοϚ (Foundation)
2.1.1.3.1 θϵμϵ́λιοϚ in Col 1,23 and in Is 28,16
2.1.1.3.2 Different Meanings of θϵμϵ́λιοϚ
2.1.1.3.3 Foundation: Christ (1Cor 3,11) or Apostles (Eph 2,20)?
2.1.1.3.4 Tradition and Apostolic Proclamation
2.1.1.4 »Apostles and Prophets«
2.1.1.4.1 Comparison with Other New Testament Texts
2.1.1.4.2 Meaning of the Usage »Apostles and Prophets« in Eph 2,20
2.1.1.4.3 »Apostles and Prophets« as the Foundation
2.1.1.5 Cornerstone/Capstone Jesus Christ
2.1.2 Apostles as Servants of the Mystery of Christ According to Eph 3,1–7
2.1.2.1 Structure of the Text Compared to Colossians
2.1.2.2 Paul as »Apostle« (3,1a)
2.1.2.3 Paul as Prisoner of Christ for the Gentiles (3,1b)
2.1.2.4 Apostleship in the Plan of the Salvation of God (3,2)
2.1.2.4.1 Salvific Plan (Οἰκονομία)
2.1.2.4.2 »The Grace of God Given to Me for You«
2.1.2.5 Apostles and Prophets and their Ministry as Recipients of Revelation
2.1.2.5.1 Comparison with Col 1,25 f
2.1.2.5.2 Change of Meaning in Eph 3,3a
2.1.2.5.3 Specific Ephesian Perception
2.1.2.5.4 Extension of Perspective
2.1.2.6 Revelation in Its Chronological and Theological Context (3,5)
2.1.2.6.1 Two Periods of Human History
2.1.2.6.2 Sphere of Salvation Established by Christ
2.1.2.6.3 Salvific Realm of the Church in the Cross of Christ
2.1.2.6.4 Revelation to Apostles in a Historical Time Frame
2.1.2.7 »His Holy Apostles and the Prophets by the Spirit« (Eph 3,5b)
2.1.2.7.1 Some Previous Assumptions
2.1.2.7.2 Heirs of Divine Revelation
2.1.2.7.3 Separated for Proclamation
2.1.2.7.4 Inheritors of Divine Revelation
2.1.2.7.5 Apostles as the Standard of Tradition
2.1.2.8 Substance of the Mystery of Revelation (3,6)
2.1.2.9 Apostles as Servants/Ministers of the Gospel (3,7)
2.1.2.10 Differentiation between Ministry and Charisma (3,7)
2.1.3 Apostle and Ministry According to Eph 4,7–16
2.1.3.1 Literary Structure of the Text
2.1.3.2 Reality of Christ’s Manifold Gifts (4,7)
2.1.3.3 Characteristics of the Special Graces (4,8 f)
2.1.3.4 Five Groups of Ministers in Eph (4,11)
2.1.3.5 Apostles as the First Ministers (4,11)
2.1.3.6 Tasks of the Ministers (4,12)
2.1.3.7 Importance of Christ’s Gifts to the Church (4,13–15)
2.1.3.7.1 Perspectives on the Ultimate Goal (4,13)
2.1.3.7.2 Consequence of the Goal of the Church
2.1.3.8 Building up in Love (4,16)
2.2 A Theological Account of the Concept of Apostles
2.2.1 »Mono-Apostolate« of Paul
2.2.2 »Holy Apostles« as the Starting Point of the Universal Church
2.2.3 »Ecclesiastical Apostles« in God’s Salvific Plan
2.2.4 Apostles as the Standard for the Growth of the Church
2.2.5 Apostolic Ministry as the First Function of Service in the Church
2.2.6 Ministers as Preservers of the Apostolic Tradition
2.2.7 Church as Apostolic and the Apostles as the Foundation of the Church
3 Unity of the Church Reflected in Ephesians
3.1 An Exegetical Account of the Concept of Unity
3.1.1 Metaphor of Body in Ephesians
3.1.1.5 Summary of the Description of the Image Body
3.1.2 Metaphor of Building in Ephesians
3.1.2.1.1 Temple Symbolism and the Church
3.1.2.1.2 A Christocentric Orientation for the Church
3.1.2.1.3 A Theocentric Orientation for the Church
3.1.2.3 Summary of the Theme Building
3.1.3 Seven Elements of Unity in Eph 4,3–6
3.1.3.2 Trias as the Basis of Unity
3.1.3.4 Call for Unity and Liturgy
3.1.4 Unity and Ministry (Amt) in Eph 4, 7–16
3.1.4.3 Preachers, Pastors and Teachers
3.1.5 Elements of Unity from the Socio-Cultural Field in Ephesians
3.1.5.1 Socio-Political Theme in Eph 2,11–12.19
3.1.5.2 Marriage and Family in Eph 5,21–28
3.1.5.3 Summary of Eph 2,11–12.19; 5,21–33
3.2 A Theological Account of the Concept of Unity
3.2.1 Call for Unity to Jewish and Gentile Christians
3.2.2 A Visual Language of Christian Unity?
3.2.3 Baptism as the Foundation of Unity
3.2.4 Ministries of the Church in the Service of Unity
3.2.5 Unity as a Gift and a Task for the Church
3.2.6 Universality of Ecclesial Unity
3.2.7 Unity as the Fundamental Characteristic of the Church
4 Ephesian Ecclesiology: A Quest for a Theology of an Undivided Apostolic Church
4.1 Ecclesia in the Ephesian Era
4.1.1 An Apostolic Letter to the Church (1,1 f)
4.1.2 Church as the Unique Chosen People of God (1,3–13)
4.1.3 Church as the Body of Christ (1,22 f)
Details
- Pages
- 284
- Publication Year
- 2021
- ISBN (PDF)
- 9783631837580
- ISBN (ePUB)
- 9783631837597
- ISBN (MOBI)
- 9783631837603
- ISBN (Hardcover)
- 9783631837573
- DOI
- 10.3726/b17686
- Language
- English
- Publication date
- 2021 (January)
- Keywords
- Church of Christ Ecclesiology of Ephesians Catholic approach
- Published
- Berlin, Bern, Bruxelles, New York, Oxford, Warszawa, Wien, 2021. 284 pp.
- Product Safety
- Peter Lang Group AG