The letter to the Ephesians was written by Paul around 61 AD. This letter is part of a group of letters that are believed to be written at the time of Paul’s 1st imprisonment in Rome. These letters are affectionately referred to as the Prison Epistles. They consist of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. As such they demonstrate the great love that Paul has for the church. Paul’s main concern with these letters is to encourage and further the education of the disciples of The Way to a stronger faith in Jesus Christ. He is not concerned with his own predicament, the coming trial, and ever possibility of his death by execution. In fact, Paul seems to be in expectation of his release and anticipates his return to the mission field.
Ephesus was a very important church for Paul. Christianity probably came to Ephesus via Aquilla and Pricilla when Paul made a short stop there in his second missionary journey recorded in Acts 18:18-19. During Paul’s third missionary journey he made Ephesus a base of operations in Asian Minor, for three years. This was also recorded in Acts 19:10. The city was a strategic city for the region and served as a cultural center for commercial, political, and religious interests. The church at Ephesus was a very influential piece in the spread of the gospel. Paul, then Timothy, and finally John (the revelator) made the city their headquarters.
Other places in Scripture where we hear of Ephesus
And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:…
Ephesians outlines God’s broader purposes for the gospel: that all spiritual resources given through Christ and his Spirit are for the purpose of building up believers in unity as his body and as his ambassadors.
This Epistle speaks of:
“the riches of His (God’s) grace” (1:7)
“the unfathomable riches of Christ” (3:8)
“the riches of His glory” (3:16)
Believers are called to attain the unity of the faith, the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature to the fulness of Christ, and to be filled with the Spirit.
Riches are based upon
- Christs grace (1:2, 6-7; 2:7)
- His Peace (1:2)
- His will (1:5)
- His kind intention (1:9)
- His purpose (1:9,11)
- His glory (1:12, 14)
- His calling (1:18)
- His inheritance (1:18)
- His power 1:19)
- His love (2:4)
- His workmanship (2:10)
- His Spirit (3:16)
- His gifts (4:11)
- His sacrifice (5:2)
- His strength (6:10)
- His armor (6:11, 13)
The main theme of this epistle is God’s eternal purpose to establish his church (bride) for Jesus Christ, his Son.
Paul discusses such doctrines as:
- Predestination (1:3-14),
- Lordship of Christ over the Church (1:22-23; 4:15-16),
- The Church as the Temple of God (2:21-22),
- The Mystery of the Gentiles in Christ (3:1-21),
- Spiritual Gifts,
- The Church as the Bride of Christ.
Through this epistle we get to see the purpose of believers and the church in Christ. We get to understand what the position of the believer is as one who his chosen by the Father and sealed by the Holy Spirit, saved by Grace, united in one body, and equal in the sight of God across racial, ethnic, spiritual, and all human and divine boundaries in Jesus Christ. We were all equally atoned for because we are all in need of the atonement. We are all one son to the Father.
Since we are all equal before God, we have all the need to treat on another in that manner. Paul covers the practices of believers in relation to other believers, Spiritual Gifts, our former lives, evil, the Holy Spirit. He discusses what our home lives should be like, how we should act as both servants and as masters. Paul then discusses the protection of the believers and give us insight as to whome we need protection from, and how we are protected. We should always remember that is it not by our own strengths that we wage war against the evil that opposes God. Instead, we rely on the power of God and the authority of His Word. We should always be prepared for the fight and do everything we can to be prepared, by study and prayer, holding on to the confession of faith. We should be living in truth and righteousness of the gospel of peace. Remembering our salvation is based on the promise of God in Jesus Christ. We should never lose sight of his imminent return and always work to be found faithful upon his return. Watching for his return with all perseverance and supplication, praying for all the saints everywhere.
In the KJV there are:
- 6 Chapters
- 155 Verses
- 3,022 Words
Simple Outline of Letter to the Ephesians by Paul the Apostle
- Greetings 1:1-2
- The Position of the Believers 1:3-3:21
- The Practice of the Beleivers 4:1-6:9
- The Protection of the Believers 6:10-20
- The Concluding Remarks 6:21-24
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