Ephesians

  1.    distinctive expressions include

             “in the heavenlies [ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς]”: 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12

1.   Ephesians reflects no definite, localized, historical situation which it is intended to meet.

            Higher critics do not allow a wide enough range of style variance in New Testament authors. The items below have implication for greater variety in style.

Introduction

            The majority of New Testament writings are letters, so we expect them to reflect practices in first-century letter writing. One custom was using an amanuensis, a stenographer who wrote down the contents. Biblical studies do not give this factor much attention even though New Testament writers used amanuenses. The oversight seems unusual to us today since most of us in the Western world write our own correspondence. If we do employ a secretary, it is primarily for computer skills. We are accustomed to reproducing by typeset, copiers, or computer printers. But ancient writers had to use different methods. If the work of an amanuensis can impact New Testament studies, we should allow that to affect our thinking where appropriate.

Introduction

     I. Basic Data Regarding Amanuenses

                  Paul used amanuenses                                    Paragraphs explained as Pauline