The Heavenlies in Ephesians: A Lexical, Exegetical, and Conceptual Analysis

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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 souces; 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.

Reviews

Undoubtedly this book represents the most comprehensive study of the expression in the heavenlies and advances modern scholarship on Ephesians. It also provides many ideas for further discussion. Brannons argument is coherent, well structured, and clearly presented. -- S. Aaron Son, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX * Journal of Evangelical Theological Society *
Summarized. * New Testament Abstracts *

Author Bio

M. Jeff Brannon took his PhD from New College, University of Edinburgh, UK.