Bible Book: Ephesians

Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.

Author: Paul

Type of Book: Epistle

Outline
Christian Greetings (1:1-2)
Powerful Principles—The Believer’s Spiritual Salvation in Christ (1:3-3:21)
The Source of Spiritual Blessings in the Father’s Plan of Salvation (1:3-23)
Chosen and Destined in Jesus Christ (1:3-6)
Saved and Enlightened Through Jesus Christ (1:7-12)
Unified in Christ and Sealed With the Holy Spirit (1:13-14)
Prayer: For God’s People to Realize His Purpose and Power for the Church (1:15-23)
The Results of Spiritual Salvation Through Christ (2:1-3:21)
Releases Us From Sin and Death to New Life in Christ (2:1-10)
Reconciles Us to Others Who Are Being Saved in Christ (2:11-22)
Reveals God’s Wisdom Through the Church of Christ (3:1-13)
Prayer: For God’s People to Gain the Spirit’s Power and Comprehend Christ’s Love (3:14-21)
Practical Instruction—The Believer’s Spiritual Life and God’s Purpose for the Church (4:1-6:20)
The Christian’s Responsibility in the Church (4:1-16)
Unity Through Diversity (4:1-6)
Unity Through Ministry and Maturity (4:7-16)
The Christian’s New Way of Life (4:17-5:21)
Growing in Personal Purity (4:17-5:7)
Walking in Spiritual Light (5:8-14)
Being Careful and Spirit-filled (5:15-21)
The Christian’s Personal Relationships (5:22-6:9)
Wives and Husbands (5:22-33)
Children and Parents (6:1-4)
Slaves and Masters (6:5-9)
The Christian’s Spiritual Warfare (6:10-20)
Our Ally—God (6:10-11a)
Our Enemy—Satan and His Forces (6:11b-12)
Our Equipment—Full Armor of God (6:13-20)
Conclusion (6:21-24)

Theme: God’s Purpose for Christ’s Followers and the Church

Date of Writing: c. A.D. 62

Background
    Ephesians is one of the high points of God’s revelation and teaching in the Bible, and it has a unique place among Paul’s letters. It is not focused on spiritual problems, leadership issues or controversy within the church, as many of Paul’s other letters are. Instead, Ephesians reflects a depth of spiritual maturity, gratitude and insight growing out of Paul’s personal prayer life. Paul wrote this letter while in prison for spreading the message of Christ (3:1; 4:1; 6:20), most likely in Rome. Ephesians has many similarities to the book of Colossians and probably was written shortly after Colossians. Both letters may have been carried together to their respective destinations by one of Paul’s co-workers named Tychicus (6:21; cf. Col 4:7).
    Ephesus was the most important city in Western Asia Minor (now Turkey). It was located on the most direct land and sea route to the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire and was, therefore, a large trade and commercial center. One of its most well-known attractions during NT times was a pagan temple dedicated to the Roman goddess, Diana (Gk Artemis; cf. Ac 19:23-31). For three years Paul made Ephesus a center for evangelism (Ac 19) and the church was alive and effective for quite some time, but later was rebuked by the Holy Spirit for its shortcomings (see Rev 2:1-7). For an overview of this region, see map of Paul’s Third Missionary Journey.
    It is commonly believed that Paul wrote Ephesians with a wider audience in mind than just the church in Ephesus. He may have wanted the message to be circulated among churches throughout the province of Asia. Originally, each church in Asia Minor (the peninsula in the extreme west of Asia, roughly corresponding with modern-day Turkey) may have inserted its own name in 1:1, confirming the relevance of this message for all true churches of Jesus Christ. Many think that Ephesians is the so-called letter to the Laodiceans, mentioned by Paul in Col 4:16.

Purpose
Paul’s immediate purpose for writing Ephesians is suggested in 1:15-18. He deeply desires for all the believers to grow in faith, love and wisdom in what God the Father has already done for them and revealed to them through his Son, Jesus Christ. His aim is that they might better know God, understand his purpose for them and live in a way that is worthy of identifying with Jesus Christ as Leader of their lives (e.g., 4:1-3; 5:1-2). For this reason, Paul tries to strengthen their faith and spiritual foundation by revealing a more complete picture of God’s eternal purpose of spiritual salvation and restoration “in Christ” (1:3-14; 3:10-12). He applies this to the church (1:22-23; 2:11-22; 3:21; 4:11-16; 5:25-27) and to individuals (1:15-21; 2:1-10; 3:16-20; 4:1-3, 17-32; 5:1-6:20).

Survey
In the simplest possible terms, there are two basic themes in the NT: (1) how people are redeemed (i.e., rescued from sin, spiritually saved, liberated, restored) by God and brought into a right relationship with him and (2) how those who are spiritually saved must continue to live in relationship with God. In general, chs. 1-3 of Ephesians cover the first theme, while chs. 4-6 focus on the second.
(1) Chs. 1-3 are introduced by an opening paragraph that is one of the most profound and insightful passages in the Bible (1:3-14). This great declaration of praise celebrates how God chose and set a course for those who would by faith accept him as Father and become his children (1:3-6). God’s Son, Jesus, provided forgiveness and spiritual salvation through his own blood for all who would accept his sacrifice (1:7-12). Jesus’ followers now receive the Holy Spirit to remain with them as a seal of their salvation and a deposit of things to come—a first installment on their inheritance of eternal life (1:13-14). In these chapters, Paul stresses how God graciously restores those who surrender their lives to Christ and brings them into a personal relationship with himself (2:1-10). God also unites his followers with each other (2:11-15); and through their devotion to Christ, he builds them into one body—the church (2:16-22; see article on The Church). The goal of redemption (i.e., spiritual salvation and restoration) is “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ” (1:10).
(2) Chs. 4-6 contain practical instructions that relate to the demands that following Christ places on people’s lives individually and as a church body. It contains guidance for fulfilling God’s purpose in practical and spiritual ways. Among the 35 directives, or commands, given in Ephesians about how Christians ought to live, three broad categories are given special attention. (1) Christians are called to a new life of moral and spiritual purity, separation from the ungodly practices of the world and devotion to God’s purposes (see article on Spiritual Separation for Believers). They are called to “be holy and blameless in his sight” (1:4), “become a holy temple” (2:21), “live a life worthy of [their] calling” (4:1), “become mature” (4:13), live “in true righteousness and holiness” (4:24), “live a life of love” (5:2; cf. 3:17-19) and be holy “through the word” (5:26). Christ’s followers are to live like this so that Christ may have a “church, without stain or wrinkle... holy and blameless” (5:27). (2) Christians are called to a new way of life in personal, family, social and work relationships (5:22-6:9). These relationships are to be guided by principles that mark believers as distinctly different from the worldly societies in which they live. (3) Finally, believers are called to stand firm against all the devil’s schemes and against the powerful “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (6:10-20).

Special Features
Five major features characterize this letter. (1) The presentation of great spiritual truths about our relationship with God in chs. 1-3 is interrupted by two of the most powerful prayers of the NT: one prayer asks that God’s people receive wisdom and revelation so they can know him and his purposes in a deeper way (1:15-23); the other prayer focuses on realizing the love, power and glory of God (3:14-21). (2) The phrase “in Christ,” or its equivalent, which Paul uses 160 times throughout all of his letters, is key in Ephesians (c. 36 times). “Every spiritual blessing” and every practical issue of life relate to being “in Christ” (i.e., being united with Jesus and in right relationship with him). (3) Ephesians stresses God’s eternal purpose and goal for the church. (4) The many and varied roles of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life (1:13-14, 17; 2:18; 3:5, 16, 20; 4:3-4, 30; 5:18; 6:17-18; see chart of The Work of the Holy Spirit) also receive much attention in this letter. (5) Ephesians is sometimes recognized as a “twin letter” with Colossians because the two have certain similarities in content and were written about the same time (compare the outlines to the two letters).   

Giving credit where credit is due.  These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible.  Don Stamps, editor.  Originally published by Life Publishers.