The heavenlies in Ephesians
Subtitle: a lexical, exegetical, and conceptual analysis
By: M. Jeff Brannon
Series: Library of New Testament studies -- 447; T & T Clark library of biblical studies; Library of New Testament studies -- 447.; T & T Clark library of biblical studies
Publisher: T & T Clark
Published: 2011
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 254
ISBN-13: 9780567577412
Subjects: Criticism, interpretation; Bible
Description: The expression 'in the heavenlies' appears five times in Ephesians and is not found at any other point in the New Testament. The two appearances which have provoked the most debate are the session of earthly believers in 2:6 and the presence of the spiritual forces of evil in 6:12. M. Jeff Brannon conducts a lexical, exegetical, and conceptual analysis of the expression arguing against the prevailing interpretation of the term and provides in-depth examinations of three significant concepts associated with it; namely the redeemed on earth having a heavenly status, evil powers in heaven, and the cosmology of Ephesians. Brannon uses a wide range of sources; Greek, Jewish, the Apostolic Fathers, and the Septuagint. Brannon concludes that there is no basis for a distinction between the terms 'heavens' and 'in the heavenlies' in Ephesians . He also asserts that Qumran and apocalyptic texts can shed light upon and assist in a proper understanding of the difficult passages in which the expression appears.--Provided by publisher.
Notes: Minor revision of the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Edinburgh.

"A Continuum imprint"--T.p. verso.

Includes abstract.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [223]-239) and indexes.
Table of contents: title: 880-01; title: Introduction --; title: The history of interpretation of 'the heavenlies' --; title: Study of [epouranios] in Greek literature outside the New Testament --; title: New Testament study of [epouranios] --; title: Exegetical and conceptual analysis of Ephesians 1.3-14 --; title: Exegetical, conceptual, and lexical analysis of Ephesians 1.15-23 --; title: Exegetical and conceptual analysis of Ephesians 2.6 --; title: Exegetical and conceptual analysis of Ephesians 3.1-13 --; title: Exegetical and conceptual analysis of Ephesians 6.12 --; title: Excurses related to 'the heavenlies' in Ephesians --; title: Conclusion.