Ephesians

Introduction

The letter to the Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul, most likely during his first Roman imprisonment around AD 60-62 (Acts 28:16-31). It is addressed to the saints "in Ephesus," though some of the earliest and best manuscripts omit the words "in Ephesus" from Ephesians 1:1, leading many scholars to believe the letter may have been a circular epistle intended for several churches in the province of Asia, with Ephesus as the primary recipient. Paul had spent nearly three years in Ephesus during his third missionary journey (Acts 19:10, Acts 20:31), and the church there held a special place in his ministry. The letter was likely carried by Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21-22), who also carried the letter to the Colossians (Colossians 4:7-8).

Ephesians is one of the most majestic and theologically rich letters in the New Testament. Its purpose is not to address a specific crisis or controversy (unlike Galatians or Corinthians) but to unfold the grand scope of God's eternal plan to unite all things in Christ and to build a new humanity -- Jew and Gentile together -- into one body, the church. The first half of the letter soars with praise and prayer as Paul lays out the heavenly blessings believers possess in Christ. The second half turns to practical exhortation, calling believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling -- in unity, holiness, love, and spiritual warfare. Ephesians has been called the "crown of Paulinism" for the way it draws together the major themes of Paul's theology into a single, sweeping vision.

Structure

Greeting (1:1-2)

Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and greets the saints who are faithful in Christ Jesus.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ (1:3-14)

A magnificent blessing (berakah) praising God for every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms: election, predestination, redemption, the revelation of God's plan to unite all things in Christ, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of the believers' inheritance.

Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom (1:15-23)

Paul prays that the Ephesians would know the hope of God's calling, the riches of his glorious inheritance, and the surpassing greatness of his power -- the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him above every authority.

From Death to Life (2:1-10)

Paul describes the believers' former state of spiritual death in sin and God's gracious rescue: made alive with Christ, raised and seated with him in the heavenly realms, saved by grace through faith for good works.

One New Humanity (2:11-22)

Gentiles who were once far off have been brought near through Christ's blood. Christ has broken down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity and one household of God built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.

The Mystery of the Gospel (3:1-13)

Paul explains the mystery revealed to him: that Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. Through the church, God's manifold wisdom is made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.

Prayer for Strength and Love (3:14-21)

Paul prays that believers would be strengthened with power through the Spirit, that Christ would dwell in their hearts, and that they would comprehend the immeasurable love of Christ. The prayer closes with a doxology to the God who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

Walking Worthy: Unity in the Body (4:1-16)

Paul urges believers to walk in humility and love, preserving the unity of the Spirit. Christ has given gifts to the church -- apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers -- to build up the body until all reach maturity.

Walking Worthy: The New Self (4:17-32)

Believers are to put off the old self and put on the new self, created in true righteousness and holiness. Practical instructions follow: speak truth, handle anger rightly, work honestly, use speech that builds up, and forgive one another as God in Christ forgave you.

Walking Worthy: Light and Love (5:1-21)

Believers are called to imitate God as beloved children, walking in love and light rather than in the darkness of immorality and foolishness. They are to be filled with the Spirit, singing and giving thanks to God.

Household Relationships (5:22-6:9)

Paul addresses the relationships within the Christian household: wives and husbands (with the marriage relationship reflecting Christ and the church), children and parents, and slaves and masters.

The Armor of God (6:10-20)

Paul calls believers to put on the full armor of God in order to stand against the spiritual forces of evil: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

Final Greetings (6:21-24)

Paul commends Tychicus as the bearer of the letter and closes with a benediction of peace, love, faith, and grace.

Chapter Summaries

1Paul blesses God for every spiritual blessing in Christ -- election before the foundation of the world, predestination to adoption, redemption through Christ's blood, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit -- then prays that the Ephesians would know the hope, riches, and power of God who raised Christ and seated him over all things as head of the church.
2Paul describes the believers' transformation from spiritual death in sin to life in Christ by grace through faith, and declares that Christ has broken down the wall between Jew and Gentile to create one new humanity reconciled to God in one body.
3Paul reveals the mystery entrusted to him -- that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews in Christ -- and prays that believers would be strengthened by the Spirit to comprehend the boundless love of Christ.
4Paul urges the Ephesians to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, describes the gifts Christ has given to build up the body, and calls believers to put off the old self and put on the new self created in righteousness and holiness.
5Paul calls believers to imitate God by walking in love and light, warns against immorality and foolishness, instructs them to be filled with the Spirit, and begins his teaching on household relationships with the mutual submission of wives and husbands as an image of Christ and the church.
6Paul addresses the relationships of children and parents and slaves and masters, then calls believers to put on the full armor of God to stand against the spiritual forces of evil, and closes with a request for prayer and a benediction of grace and peace.