Chapter 1
Paul begins his letter to the churches of Ephesus by reciting praise to our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with His redeeming work on the cross. Before time began, He chose us to be adopted into the family of God. Paul shares his awe of God’s amazing work. Once a mystery, Christ the Messiah has now been revealed to us, through whom we have purpose according to His redemptive blood, undeserving mercy, and never-ending grace. As those who were the first to believe (Paul and Jewish Christians), so have we freely received His Holy Spirit. Paul then shares his great praise and thanksgiving towards the Ephesian churches, who have demonstrated a strong faith and much love in serving one another. Paul shares his on-going prayers for the Ephesians, that the Lord may bestow his great wisdom and knowledge upon them, revealing more of the called purpose in their lives according to the work of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is far above any ruler and set above all.
KEY VERSES: Ephesians 1:4 ~ “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love” Ephesians 1:7 ~ “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:21 ~ “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”
Chapter 2
Life without Christ is one that is already dead, one in agreement with the devil. Due to the fall of man through Adam (the first man), the human condition is naturally drawn to this world consumed by sin. We gravitate towards our feelings of pride, lust, and selfishness. Those without Christ are dominated by these fleshly ambitions. Through the merciful work of God through Christ Jesus on the cross, we have received the opportunity from our loving Father in heaven for forgiveness and repentance. Paul writes in praise that while we were living for our own desires, Christ died for humanity, that we may possess new life through His resurrected body. It is God’s delight to be merciful to us, all of salvation is a gift, not done as a joint operation between God and man (so that no one may boast in any work). This saving work of God leaves humanity with a choice; Acceptance of this gospel, receiving Christ into one’s heart, and living anew brimming with grace, faith, love and self-control or we can reject this gospel and one day dwell in eternal suffering. We have been made one in Christ, Jew (God’s chosen people who believe in the gospel) and Gentile (all others who accept the gospel message) are no longer separate peoples, one far off and one within God’s holy presence. The dividing wall which once read death to the Gentiles has been ripped down by the work of Christ. Christians have become the one united household of God; the foundation being built upon God’s appointed prophets and apostles and with Christ as the cornerstone which holds everything up.
KEY VERSES: Ephesians 2:8 ~ “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:13 ~ “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Chapter 3
Paul discusses his purpose assigned to him directly by God, being chosen out of obscurity, with Christ Jesus being his only answer as to why. Though Paul may suffer physically due to his unique ministry, the spiritual gain outweighs any pain ten-fold. Christ has now been revealed to all those who listen and say yes to receiving His Holy Spirit. No more divisions, no more temples, Christ makes His dwelling place within all those who take refuge in Him. These people embody His church, a vital part of His redemptive plan. This unsearchable mystery was never found but revealed so that we may become partakers of the promised gospel. Through the church, the wisdom of God may shine and be declared to all nations. Paul concludes the first half of his letter by praying that the church would continue to receive inner spiritual strength through God’s internal dwelling, and receive understanding in spiritual virtue, all through faith in Jesus Christ. The ultimate work of the Holy Trinity is that we be rooted in love and be made whole in Christ who can do far more than we could understand. A believer’s attitude must be worthy of his appointed calling, the first three chapters of Ephesians serve as the ultimate statement of belief.
KEY VERSES Ephesians 3:6 ~ “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Ephesians 3:20-21 ~ “Now to him who can do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Chapter 4
Paul writes about the mission born again Christians are to accept when maturing in their faith. He advises Christians to walk out a life that is worthy of God’s purpose and promotes His good news in their speech and action. We should be eager to do good works according to the fruits of the Spirit (behavior aligned with God’s will), waiting to blossom as we continue in obedience with Christ. Paul continues by telling the importance of Church unity, for the Church acts as one body. There is no division in Christ, we are to not diminish one aspect of the Church body, prioritizing the rest. Christ equips all members of His body to do good works. The prophets were chosen by God to inform others of God’s promises before they are carried out. The apostles, tasked directly by Christ, to establish His physical and spiritual church across the globe. Pastors and teachers are responsible for teaching the word of God in a truthful manner honoring the Bible. All these roles in church serve in honoring the Lord and equipping the body for ministry and effective work for the gospel message. Paul reminds the church to leave your old self behind (sinful self before coming to Christ), for its passions were crucified along with Christ (Galatians 5:24). The world’s wisdom holds no value, for Christ’s sacrifice for you serves as the true meaning of life (John 14:6). Freedom from sin and death has already been achieved, walking in purity, however, is a constant daily pursuit. We must act in ways that honor God and strengthen the Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives, leave our selfish desires behind and discover new ways to help others so the gospel message be effectively presented through you.
KEY VERSES: Ephesians 4:1 ~ “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” Ephesians 4:7 ~ “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Ephesians 4:17 ~ “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.”
Chapter 5
Paul reminds the church to walk in love, that is, to be imitators of Christ’s love for us. This love is self-sacrificial, not prioritizing our needs but the needs of others. We are to reflect the character of God in all that we say, think and do, not partnering with those who intend to do the opposite. As Christians, we adopt counter cultural living, navigating this world as new creations (new people under the love and saving work of Jesus). Paul warns the church to avoid selfish works promoted by our culture which truly bring nothing of value to our lives nor especially to the works of God’s kingdom. We are to invest our time wisely, for if our activities are not done out of good for the glory of God, then they are considered evil works of the flesh. Walk in submission to Christ, through the Holy Spirit and you will not gratify the lusts of the flesh (see Galatians 5:16). Paul closes with the perspective of Christ’s relationship with the church, one that every marriage between husband and wife should mirror as a representation of unconditional love. Wives are to submit to their husbands in honor to the Lord, showing respect, as the church should do for Christ. Husbands are to love their wives fully, withholding no ounce of care and concern, as Christ did when He died for us. As a man loves and takes care of his own body, he must do the very same for his wife, considered one body with him in marriage.
KEY VERSES: Ephesians 5:1-2 ~ “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:15-16 ~ “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:21 ~ “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Chapter 6
Paul continues with instruction now to the children, advising them to obey the wise teaching of their parents so they may be ready for life’s challenges. Parents are instructed to lovingly discipline their children and not provoke them into rebellious anger. Servants (represented as employees in modern time) are also to obey their masters (employers in modern time), showing respect with a genuine heart as though they are doing every task specifically for the Lord (see Colossians 3:23-24). Masters (Employers) are to act likewise, understating that God is Master over all his people, having no bias. Lastly, Paul tells the church to be strong in the Lord, standing strong in their faith. Our battle is not with the sinners of this world, but against the evil and destructive powers and dark forces serving everything that results in sin, and separation from God. To defend against our spiritual enemies, we are to put on the armor of God, which makes us complete in the height of battle. The truth must be with us daily, wrap it around you like a belt, holding everything in place. Salvation must be a constant reminder in our brains, a helmet which guards our minds from any doubt. The righteousness we receive through Christ Jesus must be accepted in our hearts, believing in Him without fear of the world. This belief can serve as an impenetrable armor for your heart when our culture tries to attack you with slander. The gospel we hear gives confidence to receive peace. This peace can cover us from head to toe. Our faith must continually grow so it may serve as protection when temptation to sin happens. Constant prayer and getting into God’s word will aid us in handling the sin we come face to face with daily. Paul reminds the church to always be diligent and alert, ready to fight for your peace through the gospel. He encourages the church to follow this crucial activity.
KEY VERSES: Ephesians 6:11-12 ~ “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:24 ~ “Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.”