Ephesians

Background Information on Ephesians

Paul is credited as the author of this letter.

There are three “passions” that dominate this letter.

1. The first is the passion of Paul’s life—the Gentile mission, but not just the salvation of individual Gentiles. Rather, he asserts that by reconciling both Jew and Gentile to himself, God thereby created out of the two a new humanity—the ultimate expression of his redeeming work in Christ (2:14–16)

The first is the passion of Paul’s life—the Gentile mission, but not just the salvation of individual Gentiles. Rather, he asserts that by reconciling both Jew and Gentile to himself, God thereby created out of the two a new humanity—the ultimate expression of his redeeming work in Christ (2:14–16)

2. The second theme is Christ’s victory over “the powers” for the sake of the church, with the Spirit playing the key role in our participation in that victory.

The second theme is Christ’s victory over “the powers” for the sake of the church, with the Spirit playing the key role in our participation in that victory.

How to Read the Bible Book by Book Specific Advice for Reading Ephesians

The first theme in turn lies behind the third concern as well, which makes up the second major part of the letter (chs. 4–6)—that they “walk” (4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15, usually translated “live” in the TNIV) so as to maintain the “unity of the Spirit” (4:1–16). This includes living out the life of Christ in their relationships (4:17–5:17), their worship (5:18–20), and in their Christian households (5:21–6:9)—those places where the worship would have taken place.

3. The first theme in turn lies behind the third concern as well, which makes up the second major part of the letter (chs. 4–6)—that they “walk”, usually translated “live” so as to maintain the “unity of the Spirit” (4:1–16). This includes living out the life of Christ in their relationships (4:17–5:17), their worship (5:18–20), and in their Christian households (5:21–6:9)—those places where the worship would have taken place.

Note how Paul’s Trinitarian experience of God lies behind everything. This comes out in the structure of the opening praise rendered to God:

Father (1:3–6),

Note how Paul’s Trinitarian experience of God lies behind everything. This comes out in the structure of the opening praise rendered to God: Father (1:3–6), Son (vv. 7–12), and Holy Spirit (vv. 13–14)

Son (vv. 7–12), and

Holy Spirit (vv. 13–14)

Also, note that as Paul urges the Ephesians to “walk” in the unity of the Spirit, he shows a unity of God in 4:5-6a, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all.”

A Walkthrough of Ephesians

1:3-14 - Praise to the Triune God

1:15-23 - Thanksgiving and Prayer

2:1-10 - Reconciliation to God through Christ

2:11-22 - Reconciliation of Jew and Gentile through Christ and the Spirit

3:1-13 - Paul’s Role in the Reconciling Work of Christ

3:14-21 - Prayer and Doxology

4:1-16 - An Exhortation to Maintain Unity

4:17-6:9 - The Practical Outworking of Unity

6:10-20 - Conclusion: Stand Strong Against the Powers