The book of Ephesians is one of the letters written by the apostle Paul in the New Testament. It was likely written around 60-62 AD while Paul was imprisoned in Rome. The letter was addressed to the church in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor. Ephesus was a center of commerce and pagan worship, so the church there faced many challenges. Paul wrote to encourage the believers in their faith and instruct them on how to live as followers of Christ.
A major theme in Ephesians is the cosmic scope of salvation through Christ. In the first chapter, Paul praises God for choosing and predestining believers to be adopted as His children through Jesus (Ephesians 1:3-6). He emphasizes that redemption through Christ’s blood is available to both Jews and Gentiles, uniting them together in the church (Ephesians 2:11-22). All believers have access to the Father by the Spirit because of Christ’s sacrifice (Ephesians 2:18). Paul describes this as part of God’s eternal plan to bring all things together under the authority of Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10).
Another key theme is unity within the body of Christ. Since all believers share the same salvation, they should live in harmony with each other (Ephesians 4:1-6). God has gifted each member of the church with different skills and abilities to build up the body (Ephesians 4:11-13). Believers are called to set aside worldly attitudes and behaviors and instead walk in love, submitting to one another (Ephesians 4:17-5:2). Wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters are all exhorted to interact with mutual love and respect (Ephesians 5:22-6:9). The church forms a new community that transcends earthly divisions.
In the first three chapters, Paul lays out the theological foundations of the Christian faith. He begins by blessing God for the spiritual blessings believers have in Christ including election, adoption, redemption, and sealing by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:3-14). He reminds the Ephesians that they were once dead in sin but have been saved by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10). Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled with God and with each other in one body, the church (Ephesians 2:11-22). God’s wisdom is on display to all beings through the church according to His eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:1-13). Paul prays that the Ephesians would grasp the immense love of Christ and be filled with God’s fullness (Ephesians 3:14-21).
Starting in chapter 4, Paul urges the Ephesians to walk worthy of their calling in Christ (Ephesians 4:1). They are to live in unity, using their different gifts to build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:2-16). Believers must no longer live as Gentiles do but put off the old self and put on their new self in Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24). Paul provides practical instruction in righteousness by contrasting corrupt pagan behaviors with godly actions and attitudes (Ephesians 4:25-5:21). He explains how Christian relationships in the home should reflect Christ’s love for the church (Ephesians 5:22-6:9).
Paul concludes by urging the Ephesians to put on the full armor of God to stand firm against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-20). This includes the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of gospel peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Prayer is needed at all times. Paul closes with a blessing of peace, love, and grace to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love (Ephesians 6:21-24).
Here is a summary of the key points in each chapter:
Ephesians 1 – God’s Purpose and Grace
– Chosen and predestined by God to be adopted as His children (Ephesians 1:3-6)
– Redemption and forgiveness through Christ’s blood (Ephesians 1:7-10)
– Sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:11-14)
– Prayer for wisdom and enlightenment to know God better (Ephesians 1:15-23)
Ephesians 2 – Made Alive in Christ
– From death to life in Christ by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:1-10)
– Unity of Jews and Gentiles in one body of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22)
Ephesians 3 – God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed
– Paul’s mission to preach the gospel to Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-13)
– Prayer that believers grasp Christ’s love (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Ephesians 4 – Called to Unity in Christ
– Walk in unity and love (Ephesians 4:1-6)
– Use spiritual gifts to build up the church (Ephesians 4:7-16)
– Put off the old self, put on the new self in Christ (Ephesians 4:17-32)
Ephesians 5-6 – Living as Children of the Light
– Walk in love, avoid sexual immorality (Ephesians 5:1-14)
– Wise and Spirit-filled living (Ephesians 5:15-21)
– Wives and husbands (Ephesians 5:22-33)
– Children and parents (Ephesians 6:1-4)
– Slaves and masters (Ephesians 6:5-9)
Ephesians 6 – The Armor of God
– Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20)
– Final greetings (Ephesians 6:21-24)
Some key verses in Ephesians include:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 1:3)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)
In summary, Ephesians provides rich theological truth combined with practical instruction for living out the Christian faith. Paul expounds on the spiritual blessings believers have in union with Christ. He calls for the church to walk in unity and love, putting off the old self and putting on their new identity in Christ. Household relationships are transformed by submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. And believers must put on God’s full armor to stand firm against spiritual forces of evil. Ephesians thus provides a powerful vision for the identity, unity, and mission of the church united in Christ.