Benjamin J. Petroelje argues that how one reads Ephesians is a function of deeper questions about how to read the Pauline book. Petroelje suggests the contemporary consensus-that Ephesians depicts development of/away from the “real Paul”-is largely a construct of modern criticism, rooted in shifting strategies about how to read a letter collection that developed in the 19th-century. Using Ephesians 3:1-13 as a point of analysis, Petroelje theorizes that the text's “image of Paul” not only anticipates recent revisionist interpretations of Paul's Jewish identity and gentile gospel, but also holds together tensions in the collection itself surrounding these questions. By analysing ancient letter collections beside their own hermeneutical priorities, and applying this method to the late-antique and modern reception of the corpus Paulinum, Petroelje is able to historicize the origins of the split of Paul's corpus, revealing the constructed nature of the critical consensus on Ephesians and the effect that such modern reading strategies have on interpreting the letter. Urging a return to reading Ephesians alongside Pauline co-texts, Petroelje advocates for Ephesians as a crucial source for the study of Paul, whether Paul wrote it or not.

Benjamin J. Petroelje argues that how one reads Ephesians is a function of deeper questions about how to read the Pauline book. Petroelje suggests the contemporary consensus-that Ephesians depicts development of/away from the “real Paul”-is largely a construct of modern criticism, rooted in shifting strategies about how to read a letter collection that developed in the 19th-century. Using Ephesians 3:1-13 as a point of analysis, Petroelje theorizes that the text's “image of Paul” not only anticipates recent revisionist interpretations of Paul's Jewish identity and gentile gospel, but also holds together tensions in the collection itself surrounding these questions. By analysing ancient letter collections beside their own hermeneutical priorities, and applying this method to the late-antique and modern reception of the corpus Paulinum, Petroelje is able to historicize the origins of the split of Paul's corpus, revealing the constructed nature of the critical consensus on Ephesians and the effect that such modern reading strategies have on interpreting the letter. Urging a return to reading Ephesians alongside Pauline co-texts, Petroelje advocates for Ephesians as a crucial source for the study of Paul, whether Paul wrote it or not.

This linguistically informed study of Ephesians 2:11-22 in its original language and historical context will aid readers’ understanding of Ephesians. This book develops a fully articulated methodology to approach metaphors and narrative patterns in the New Testament epistles.

What has gone so terribly wrong in Ephesus that Paul feels compelled to write the longest marriage code in the New Testament? 1 Peter only has seven verses about marriage. Colossians only has two. Titus only has two. Why does Ephesians have thirteen? Did Paul wish to set in stone the nature of gender relationships for all of time? Was he trying to ensure the survival of the emerging church amidst harsh Hellenistic realities of hierarchic marriage? Or did he have something else in mind? This is a book about the Ephesians 5 marriage code, the goddess Artemis, Eve, and the image of God in the believer. It explores the adverse influence of Artemis upon the Ephesian believers' thought world, why Paul raises up Eve and Adam as the example of loving marriage (5:31), what Paul thought the image of God looked like in the believer, and why some Ephesian believers thought differently. Dr Brennan argues that the primary purpose behind Ephesians 5:21-33 was to evangelize non-believing Ephesian onlookers to an ideal of marriage in Christ's new kingdom that far surpassed their personal experience in the first-century Roman world, and that Artemis was getting in the way.

The Understanding the Bible Commentary Series helps readers navigate the strange and sometimes intimidating literary terrain of the Bible. These accessible volumes break down the barriers between the ancient and modern worlds so that the power and meaning of the biblical texts become transparent to contemporary readers. The contributors tackle the task of interpretation using the full range of critical methodologies and practices, yet they do so as people of faith who hold the text in the highest regard. Pastors, teachers, and lay people alike will cherish the truth found in this commentary series.