The Missions and Missional Purpose of Ephesians

“I am delighted to recommend this new and important work on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. The commentary is characterized by thoughtful and careful exegesis as well as pastoral reflection. Readers will be blessed by the valuable insights that Timothy van Aarde has provided by approaching this much-loved Pauline letter from an understanding that its overall purpose is shaped and informed by missions and a missional framework.”


—David S. Dockery, president, International Alliance for Christian Education





“In Ephesians, Paul expounds and rejoices in God’s fulfillment of his plans for his people and his world throughout the ages in Christ. The dynamics of this fulfillment, and the church’s ongoing involvement in them, are not always appreciated in New Testament scholarship. In this detailed reading of Ephesians, Timothy van Aarde applies a range of missiological insights, highlighting the value of Ephesians for missions and missional thinking and action today.”


—Lionel J. Windsor, author of Reading Ephesians and Colossians after Supersessionism: Christ’s Mission through Israel to the Nations





“Timothy van Aarde brings together careful biblical interpretation and informed missiological discussion to provide an invaluable perspective on the letter to the Ephesians. He brings clarity to the missiological discussion while highlighting the missional purposes of God revealed in this letter. Whether you are seeking a deeper understanding of the biblical text or insight into the missional conversation, this book will serve you well.”


—Tim Silberman, lecturer in missions, Sydney Missionary and Bible College





“Using an interdisciplinary lens by combining missiology and New Testament studies, Timothy van Aarde opens a fresh perspective on reading Ephesians, forcefully arguing that the letter provides a solid biblical basis for missions and the missional church. For those interested in what it really means for the church to be missional, this book is a must-read.”


—Ernest van Eck, professor of New Testament, Knox College





“Timothy van Aarde’s interpretive approach to the Epistle to the Ephesians brings out Paul as a missionary, pastor, and theologian. Van Aarde gives a reasonable argument for the missional purpose of Ephesians. The contemporary church has been slowly losing the missional focus of engaging with its local community. This book demonstrates why and how the church can regain its missional nature and is essential for the church leader who wants their church to regain its missional calling.”


—Victor Owuor, director of ministries, Baptist Churches Western Australia





“In a time when the ideas and language of the corporate world has overwhelmed the church, The Missions and Missional Purpose of Ephesians is an invaluable reminder of what Jesus meant by ‘mission.’ This is a solid, well-researched explanation of what Timothy van Aarde explains is the dominant theme of the Letter to the Ephesians. As a resource for pastors and teachers and those concerned with advancing the kingdom of God, it is a valuable addition to their library which I heartily recommend and endorse.”


—Richard W. Foster, senior pastor, Australind Baptist Church





“In this book, Timothy van Aarde shows how Paul carefully interweaves ecclesiology and


Christology in a missions and missional dynamic which results from God’s loving, salvific character and ongoing missional engagement with the world in and through the church. The Letter to Ephesians participates in the unfolding of God’s plan to lead the church to maturity and equip it to transform the world through the good news of salvation in Christ. This book deserves thoughtful and prayerful reading. I highly recommend this book to academics and pastors alike.”


—Andre van Oudtshoorn, principal, Perth Bible College





“The readers of Timothy van Aarde’s book will discover that the author of Ephesians had in mind to commit to the church the task of proclaiming to the nations the gospel and that this gospel had to be practically lived out in the local community, in word and deed (Eph 1–3). Consequently, the early church practiced a form of mission to the local community that has been rediscovered in the modern context as the missional church (Eph 4–6). Such a missional reading of the Scriptures is needed today.”


—Fohle Lygunda li-M, author of Transforming Missiology: An Alternative Approach to Missiological Education





“I rejoice that Timothy van Aarde’s work on Ephesians is ready for publication. It is remarkable that he has continued his work as a pastor and assisted other churches, worked in hospital chaplaincy, continued to raise a family, and still managed to finish a work such as this. Van Aarde’s work embodies reflections from many sources and will provide many points of insight and reflection for scholars, missionaries, pastors, and devout readers of Scripture.”


—Mike Bullard, ministry support pastor, Baptist Churches Western Australia