Ephesians

The book of Ephesians, written by the Apostle Paul around 60 AD during his imprisonment in Rome, emphasizes the unity of believers in Christ. Paul explained that salvation is a gift of grace through faith, not works. Paul explained that Gentiles are now fellow heirs with Jews in God’s family. He urged believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling and provided practical instructions for Christian households and relationships, emphasizing submission, love, and mutual respect. He concluded with encouragement to stand firm against spiritual forces, equipping themselves with the armor of God.

Chapter 1

Paul addressed the believers in Ephesus, extending grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Priase For Spiritual Blessings In Christ

Paul praised God for blessing believers with every spiritual blessing in Christ. He highlighted how God chose them before creation to be holy and predestined them for adoption through Jesus Christ. Through Christ’s blood, believers received redemption and forgiveness. Paul explained the mystery of God’s will is to unite all things under Christ.

Thanksgiving And Prayer

Paul thanked God for the Ephesian believers’ faith and love. He prayed for them to gain wisdom, revelation, and understanding of God’s hope, riches, and power which was the same power that raised Christ and exalted Him as head over all things for the church, His body.

Made Alive In Christ - Chapter 2

Paul reminded believers they were once spiritually dead to sin. They were saved by God’s mercy and love, made alive in Christ, and raised to sit with Him in the heaven. Salvation came by grace through faith, not by works, so no one could boast. Believers, as God’s workmanship, were created in Christ for good works that God had prepared in advance.

Jew And Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

Paul explained how Gentiles were once separated from God and His promises but were brought near through Christ’s blood. Through His death, He reconciled both groups to God and granted access to the Father through the Spirit. Believers became members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles, prophets, and Christ, the cornerstone. They formed a holy temple where God dwells by His Spirit.

God's Marvelous Plan For The Gentiles - Chapter 3

Paul explained that he became a servant of the gospel by God’s grace to reveal the mystery that Gentiles are co-heirs with Israel and are united as one body in Christ. This mystery was hidden for ages until it was revealed through the Spirit to the apostles and prophets. He encouraged believers to approach God with confidence through faith in Christ and to not lose heart over Paul’s sufferings, as they brought glory to the Gentiles.

A Prayer For The Ephesians

Paul prayed for believers to be strengthened by the Spirit so Christ could dwell in their hearts. He asked that they be rooted in love and grasp the vastness of Christ’s love, which surpasses knowledge. Paul concluded with praise to God, who works within believers and can accomplish far more than they imagine, giving Him glory forever in the church and in Christ.

Unity And Maturity In The Body Of Christ - Chapter 4

Paul urged believers to live worthy of their calling by being humble, gentle, patient, and loving. He emphasized that there is one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and one God over all. Christ has given grace to each believer, equipping apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to build up the church until unity, faith, and maturity in Christ are achieved. Paul encouraged believers to grow in truth and love, becoming a mature body under Christ, who holds the church together as it grows in love.

Instructions For Christian Living

Paul warned against living like Gentiles, by avoiding futile thinking, hardened hearts, impurity, and greed. He called believers to abandon their old selves, renew their minds, and embrace their new selves. Paul instructed them to speak truthfully, avoid sin in anger, work honestly, share with those in need, speak words that build others up, avoid bitterness, avoid rage, and avoid malice. He called them to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving, as God forgave them in Christ.

Instructions For Christian Living (cont.) - Chapter 5

Paul urged believers to imitate God by living in love as Christ did, who offered Himself as a sacrifice. He warned against sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscene speech, and foolish talk. Rather, Paul emphasized thanksgiving instead. Those practicing such sins are idolaters and have no inheritance in God’s kingdom. Believers, once in darkness, were now called to live as children of light, reflecting goodness, righteousness, and truth. Paul warned against drunkenness and encouraged being filled with the Spirit, fostering worship, gratitude, and encouragement through songs and psalms while making the most of every opportunity.

Instructions For Christian Households

Paul taught mutual submission among believers out of reverence for Christ. He called wives to submit to their husbands who "is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church." _Ephesians 5:23. He called husbands to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ loved the church, making her holy and blameless through His sacrifice. Husbands were instructed to care for their wives as their own bodies. Paul referenced Genesis 2:24, noting that marriage symbolizes the unity between Christ and the church. He commanded husbands to love their wives as themselves and wives to respect their husbands.

Instructions For Christian Households (cont.) - Chapter 6

Paul instructed children to obey and honor their parents with the promise of well-being and long life. He instructed fathers to not exasperate (frustrate or irritate) their children but to "bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." - Ephesians 6:4. Slaves (historically this is closer to indentured servitude) were encouraged to serve their earthly masters sincerely, as they would serve Christ, knowing their reward comes from the Lord. Paul told masters to treat their slaves with fairness and without threats, remembering that God is their master and shows no favoritism.

The Armor Of God

Paul urged believers to rely on God’s strength and wear spiritual armor to resist the devil’s schemes. He described this armor as the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of gospel readiness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit (God's Word). Paul emphasized prayer as something that should be a constant practice. Paul asked the church to pray for him as he shares the gospel to that God gives him the words to speak and that he processes the gospel boldly.

Final Greetings

Paul mentioned sending Tychicus, a faithful servant, to inform and encourage the Ephesian believers about his condition. He concluded with blessings of peace, love, and grace for all who love Christ with an enduring love.