Ephesians
Who wrote the six chapters (in our English translation) that we know as the ‘Letter to the Ephesians’?
Although some scholars have denied that the author was the Apostle Paul, there are no good reasons for suggesting someone else wrote the letter. In Ephesians 1:1 the author identifies himself as ‘Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus’ and that claim can be taken at face value. Apart from other considerations, letters in the ancient world were normally delivered by someone who was known to sender and recipients, so the genuineness of this claim to authorship is trustworthy.
When was it written?
Paul mentions being in prison (3:1, 4:1 and 6:20). He spent several periods in prison. The best view is that he wrote the letter when he was in prison in Rome, as described in Acts 28, around AD 60-62.
To whom was it written?
Most manuscripts have the reference in 1:1 To ‘the saints who are in Ephesus’. The location is missing in some copies, leading some to suggest it was a circular letter to several churches, but it seems best to conclude it was written to the Christians in Ephesus and the surrounding area to which the gospel spread during Paul’s three-year ministry there (Acts 19).
The city of Ephesus was one of the greatest cities in the Roman Empire, situated on major trade routes and so extremely prosperous. It was also a very important religious centre, with temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. Its main claim to fame was the splendid temple of Artemis (the Roman Diana) which drew pilgrims from distant places and generated significant income for the manufacturers of silver shrines (Acts 19:24ff).
Outline
Chapter 1. After greeting his readers, Paul describes the rich blessings that God has provided for sinners in Christ and then offers a prayer for the Ephesians, that they may grow in their understanding of the blessings they enjoy in the risen Christ.
Chapter 2. Paul spells out the lostness of sinners and the amazing grace that God has shown to them in Christ. He then describes the unity believers have in Christ that transcends human differences, making them one body.
Chapter 3. Paul describes his apostolic ministry as a channel of God’s revelation of his plan of salvation and prays that the Ephesians may grow, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in experiencing the love of the Saviour who indwells them.
Chapter 4. Paul returns to the need for godly living and unity in the church, as believers use the gifts Christ has given them. He then spells out some of the practical consequences of salvation for a life that glorifies God.
Chapter 5. Paul exhorts the Ephesians to love one another and deals at length with the necessity for purity of life, especially in the area of sexuality. The relationship of husbands and wives, which is to reflect the relationship of Christ and the church, is then explained.
Chapter 6. Paul gives direction for relationships between parents and children and between slaves and masters, and concludes with an explanation of the spiritual warfare in which Christians are engaged and of the armour which God has provided.
Key truths
The sovereignty of God in salvation, choosing sinners in Christ before the creation of the world (1:3-14).
The spiritual deadness and helplessness of sinners apart from the free grace of God (2:1-10).
The unity that God has established in his church and the need for that to be expressed visibly (2:11-22, 4:1-6).
God’s call to holiness that embraces every aspect of life (4:17-32).
The necessity for sexual purity among God’s people (5:1-14).
The call to work out salvation in every relationship of life, especially in family and work (5:22-69).
God’s provision of all the protection we need to triumph in the spiritual battle in which he has placed us, along with the ‘sword of the Spirit’ – the Word of God, which allows Christians to go on the offensive against the enemy.
Reading Plan
Day 1 1:1-14 God’s great plan of salvation.
Day 2 1:15-23 How to pray for believers.
Day 3 2:1-10 Dead sinners saved by grace.
Day 4 2:11-22 The unity of believers in Christ.
Day 5 3:1-13 The revelation given through Paul’s ministry.
Day 6 3:14-21 Praying for growth in the knowledge of God.
Day 7 4:1-16 Growth in grace and unity.
Day 8 4:17-32 Practical godliness.
Day 9 5:1-22 Holiness, especially in relation to sexuality.
Day 10 5:23-6:9 Holiness in marriage, family and work.
Day 11 5:10-24 Spiritual warfare and the armour of God.
