Ephesians Simplified

Author & Audience

Author: The apostle Paul

Audience: The Church at Ephesus

But Scholars Believe it Wasn’t Just Written to Ephesus

It was Likely a Circular Letter

It was Meant to Be Read By Several Churches in Asia Minor

It Doesn’t Deal with Any Specific Problems in Ephesus

And Paul Writes to Them Like He Doesn’t Know Them Very Well

But We Know He Spent Around 3 Years with the Ephesian Church

Therefore, it’s Probable that Paul was Being Very General…

Because He was Writing to More Than Just the Ephesians

Paul was in Prison When He Wrote this Letter

He Probably Wrote it at the Same Time He Wrote Colossians…

Because the Letters are Have Many Nearly Identical Passages

Ephesus was One of the Largest and Most Impressive Cities in the Ancient World

In the Top 5 of the Largest Cities in the Roman Empire

It was the Roman Capital of Asia Minor

Besides that, it was Also the Political, Religious, and Commercial Center of Asia Minor

It was Very Big, Beautiful, Wealthy, and Pagan

Scholars Estimate a Population Ranging From 250,000 - 300,000

The Temple of Diana/Artemis was One of the Wonders of the Ancient World

The Ephesus Theater was One of the Largest Outdoor Theaters in the Ancient World

It Could Hold More Than 25,000 People

This is Where the Riot Took Place in Acts 19

Paul Spent a Lot of Time Ministering There

Timothy Spent a Lot of Time Ministering There

And the Apostle John Spent a Lot of Time There as Well

This City Played a Significant Role in the Early Spread of Christianity

Themes

The Primary Theme of the Book = “Unity”

Ephesians 2:11–22 (NASB95)

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Gentiles Were Once Separated From God and From God’s Covenant People

But Jesus’ Sacrifice has Brought Gentiles into the Covenant Family…

By Tearing Down the Old Law that Excluded Them From Fellowship

Now All People of All Ethnicities Make Up the Family of God and Inherit the Promises

Ephesians 3:4–6 (ESV)

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 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.

The Mystery/Secret of Christ is the Inclusion of All People into One Body

God’s Eternal Plan of Salvation and Reconciliation Always Included All People

Ephesians 4:1–6 (NASB95)

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

As Those Who Have Been Called into Christ Through the Gospel…

We are to Strive to Live a Life Worthy of Such a Wonderful Calling

We are to Strive to Preserve Unity Through Peace

We are All United in One Body

We Have Share in the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

We All Experienced the Same Calling with the Same Hope of Glorious Resurrection

We are United Under One Lord/Master

We are United in Our One Faith in King Jesus

We are United in Our Baptism into Christ

We are United in Our Belief and Submission to the One God and Father

These are All Extremely Important Things that We Must Continue to Be United Upon

Outline

The Book of Ephesians is One of the Easiest Books of the Bible to Outline

1.) God, Through Jesus, Reconciles the World to Himself (1-3)

From the Foundation of the World, God has Planned to Reconcile the World to Himself Through Jesus

We Were All Once Destined for Death Because of Our Sins

But Because of God’s Mercy, Love, Kindness, and Grace…

Those Who Place Their Faith in Jesus are Now Destined for Life

And this Good News of the Love of Jesus is for Everyone

2.) How to Live in Response to Being Reconciled to God Through Jesus (4-6)

In Response to God’s Gracious Reconciliation, We are to Called to Live Worthy of Such Blessings

We are to Live Lives of Unity in the Spirit…

Using Our Own Unique Gifts to Build Up the Body to Maturity in Jesus

We are to Put Off Old Humanity and Put on New Humanity

We Should Put Off Lying and Put On Telling the Truth

We Should Be Angry Without Sinning and Don’t Allow Anger to Linger

We Should Put Off Stealing and Put On Generosity

We Should Put Off Rotten Speech and Put On Speech that Builds Up in Grace

We Should Put Off Bitterness, Wrath, Anger, Shouting, Slander, and Malice

We Should Put On Kindness, Tender-Heartedness, Forgiveness, and Love

We Should Put On the Whole Armor of God that Will Help Us in Our War Against the Devil and Sin

As New Humanity, Our Goal is to Imitate Jesus in Every Aspect of Our Lives

Key Passage

The Passage that Summarizes the Book Best is Probably the Most Famous Passage

Ephesians 2:8–10 (NASB95)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

The 1st Half of the Book is About How God has Reconciled Humanity to Himself Through Jesus

This Gift of Reconciliation is Not Something that can Be Earned Through Good Works

A Gift can Only Be Given, Not Earned

God Saves Us Through His Grace When We Place Our Trust in Him

Once We Enter into His Grace Through Faith, We Become a New Creation/Humanity

And as New Humanity, God Expects Good Works From Us

This is What the 2nd Half of the Book is About

Here is the Gospel According to Ephesians in a Nutshell

God, Through His Gracious Gift of Jesus, Reconciles All Those Who Have Faith in Him

And the Reconciled are Expected to Live New, Holy Lives for God