Epistle to the Ephesians: A Commentary
Overview
A classic ecumenical commentary on Ephesians. In addition to detailed exegesis, Schnackenburg pays special attention to the history of interpretation of Ephesians, taking account of comparative material in the history of religion and, at the end of each exegetical section, shows how findings are relevant for today. The theological focus is the concept of the church, giving rise to ecumenical discussion about ministry and office in the church. Throughout this accessible study Schnackenburg emphasizes the practical purposes of the text which has been handed down to us: a text written to lead Christians who were in danger of conforming to their heathen surroundings, to a more decisively Christian attitude and way of life.
Top Highlights
“we must take the epistolary form seriously and look upon Eph. as a theologically-based, pastorally-oriented letter” (Page 23)
“1. The Church as the Sphere of Christian Existence (4.1–16)” (Page 5)
“So close is the connection of the Church to Christ that she already appears in the Cross as a New Creation, the one redeemed humanity.” (Page 117)
“He puts more trust in the effectiveness of God’s mighty grace in Christians than in all admonition and moralising” (Page 148)
“God made his plan of salvation in (the pre-existent) Christ, he also included us ‘in Christ’ in his plan” (Page 53)
- Title: Epistle to the Ephesians: A Commentary
- Author: Rudolf Schnackenburg
- Publisher: T & T Clark
- Publication Date: 1991
- Pages: 356
