The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the
EPHESIANS
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 60, 61
Theme: The Glorious Church
Key Words: Glory, Body, Heavenly Places
Background. Ephesus was a principal port on the west coast of Asia Minor, situated near present-day Izmir. It was one of the seven churches to whom Jesus addressed His letters in Revelation 2 and 3, a relevant fact for studying this epistle since it was originally circulated to approximately the same group of churches.
Although Paul had been to Ephesus earlier (Acts 18:21), he first came there to minister in the winter of A.D. 55. He ministered there for over two full years (Acts 19:8–10), developing so deep a relationship with the Ephesians that his farewell message to them is one of the Bible’s most moving passages (Acts 20:17–38).
Occasion and Date. While imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Confined and awaiting trial (3:1; 4:1; 6:20), the apostle writes this encyclical letter—one to be read by several congregations. Ephesians is probably the same letter referred to in Colossians 4:16 as being presently at Laodicea while being circulated.
It appears that after writing Colossians, Paul was deeply stirred by an expanding revelation about the church. Now seeing the church as Christ’s body and as God’s instrument to confound and overthrow evil powers, he writes an elaboration of these themes.
Purpose. Ephesians unveils the “mystery” of the church as no other epistle. God’s “secret” intention is revealed: 1) to form a body to express Christ’s fullness on Earth (1:15–23); 2) to do this by uniting one people—both Jew and Gentile, among whom God Himself dwells (2:1–3:7); and 3) to equip, empower, and mature this people to the end that they extend Christ’s victory over evil (3:10–20; 6:12–20).
Content. The throbbing message of Ephesians is “to the praise of His (God’s) glory” (1:6, 12, 14). The word “glory” occurs eight times and refers to the exceeding excellence of God’s love, His wisdom, and His power. The magnificent goal is in Jesus’ announced commitment to build a glorious, mature, and ministering church, “not having spot or wrinkle” (5:27).
Ephesians unfolds the process by which God is bringing the church to its destined purpose in Christ. Basic maturing steps are taken toward the church’s appointed engagement in battle with dark powers: 1) before the church is called to war, she is taught to walk; and 2) before being called to walk, the church is taught where she stands.
The epistle divides into two sections: 1) the Believer’s Position, chapters 1–3, and 2) the Believer’s Practice, chapters 4–6. In chapter 1, the recurrent term “in Christ” sums up the Christian’s position, as having been given “every spiritual blessing.” Several of these blessings are enumerated: chosen, blameless (1:4), adopted, accepted (1:5, 6), forgiven, predestined, and sealed (1:7, 11, 13).
With sweeping strokes, this foundational series of statements moves to a bold, new assertion, declared in Paul’s first of two prayers in this letter. He prays that each Christian may perceive God’s grand purpose in raising Christ to triumph—that now the church may know Christ’s victorious fullness as we resist evil and face life’s trials (1:5–2:10). Chapter 2 describes how God’s grace has formed a united people among whom He can dwell in His fullness and glory. Through this people His high purpose is to be unveiled. Grasping the message of Ephesians requires understanding two words from chapter 3–“dispensation” and “mystery” (vv. 2, 3).
The apostle declared that God’s “secret” in planning the church is hidden no longer (3:3, 4–now the “mystery” is known). He has designed the church to administer (“to dispense”) Christ’s fullness everywhere (3:2, 9), ministering as a living body, spreading over the Earth and penetrating “the heavenlies.” God’s “manifold wisdom” now demonstrates His glory in the church (3:10, 11), a manifestation that eventually will issue in the believer’s strengthening (3:14–20), maturing (4:15), confrontation, and victory (6:10–20). However, the church cannot approach this without a practical understanding of how this present glory of God’s grace and presence is to affect everyday living.
The great call to “walk worthy of the calling” introduces this letter’s second section (chs. 4–6). Systematically, Paul presents the ethical and moral implications of Spirit-filled living (4:1–6:9). The maturing process of the believer’s “equipping” (4:11–16) and the appeal to help each other forward (“speaking the truth in love”) will bring growth in the disciplines essential to the triumphant spiritual warrior’s life (6:10–20).
Personal Application. In short, Ephesians discloses awesome blessings of grace (“accepted in the Beloved,” 1:6) and awesome dimensions of spiritual authority over evil (“according to the power that works in us,” 3:20). But this awaits the believer’s first accepting the disciplines of unity (4:1–16), purity (4:17–31), forgiveness (4:32), and walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit (5:1–21). With this, relationships at every point must be in order (5:2–6:9), the idea being firmly established that true spiritual power flows from true obedience to the divine order in relationships and personal conduct.
Christ Revealed. Ephesians has been called “The Alps of the New Testament,” “The Grand Canyon of Scripture,” and “The Royal Capstone of the Epistles,” not only because of its grand theme, but because of the majesty of Christ revealed here. Chapter 1: He is the Redeemer (1:7), the One in whom and by whom history will ultimately be consummated (1:10); and He is the Resurrected Lord who not only has risen over death and hell, but who reigns as King, pouring His life through His body, the church—the present expression of Himself on Earth (1:15–23). Chapter 2: He is the Peacemaker who has reconciled man to God and who makes possible reconciliation of man to man as well (2:11–18); and He is the Chief Cornerstone of the new temple consisting of His own people to be indwelt by God Himself (2:19–22). Chapter 3: He is the Treasure in whom life’s unsearchable riches are found (3:8); and He is the Indweller of human hearts, securing us in the love of God (3:17–19). Chapter 4: Jesus is the Giver of ministry-gifts to His church (4:7–11); and He is the Victor who has broken hell’s ability to keep humankind captive (4:8–10). Chapter 5: He is the Model Husband, unselfishly giving Himself to enhance His bride—His church (5:25–27, 32). Chapter 6: He is the Lord, Mighty in Battle, the resource of strength for His own as they arm for spiritual warfare (6:10).
The Holy Spirit at Work. As with Christ, the Holy Spirit is revealed in widely varied ministry to and through the believer. In 1:13 He is the Sealer, authorizing the believer to represent Christ; in 1:17 and 3:5 He is the Revealer, enlightening the heart to perceive God’s purpose; in 3:16 He is the Empowerer whom Christ gives to strengthen within; in 4:3, 4 He is the Spirit of Unity desiring to sustain the bond of peace in the body of Christ; in 4:30 He is the Spirit of holiness who may be grieved by insistence on carnal pursuits; in 5:18 He is the Fountain, from which all are to be continuously filled; in 6:17, 18 He is the Giver of the Word as a sword for battle and the heavenly Assistant given to aid us in prayer and intercession until victory is won.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
EPHESIANS
Author: Paul
Date: A.D. 60, 61
Theme: The Glorious Church
Key Words: Glory, Body, Heavenly Places
Background. Ephesus was a principal port on the west coast of Asia Minor, situated near present-day Izmir. It was one of the seven churches to whom Jesus addressed His letters in Revelation 2 and 3, a relevant fact for studying this epistle since it was originally circulated to approximately the same group of churches.
Although Paul had been to Ephesus earlier (Acts 18:21), he first came there to minister in the winter of A.D. 55. He ministered there for over two full years (Acts 19:8–10), developing so deep a relationship with the Ephesians that his farewell message to them is one of the Bible’s most moving passages (Acts 20:17–38).
Occasion and Date. While imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Confined and awaiting trial (3:1; 4:1; 6:20), the apostle writes this encyclical letter—one to be read by several congregations. Ephesians is probably the same letter referred to in Colossians 4:16 as being presently at Laodicea while being circulated.
It appears that after writing Colossians, Paul was deeply stirred by an expanding revelation about the church. Now seeing the church as Christ’s body and as God’s instrument to confound and overthrow evil powers, he writes an elaboration of these themes.
Purpose. Ephesians unveils the “mystery” of the church as no other epistle. God’s “secret” intention is revealed: 1) to form a body to express Christ’s fullness on Earth (1:15–23); 2) to do this by uniting one people—both Jew and Gentile, among whom God Himself dwells (2:1–3:7); and 3) to equip, empower, and mature this people to the end that they extend Christ’s victory over evil (3:10–20; 6:12–20).
Content. The throbbing message of Ephesians is “to the praise of His (God’s) glory” (1:6, 12, 14). The word “glory” occurs eight times and refers to the exceeding excellence of God’s love, His wisdom, and His power. The magnificent goal is in Jesus’ announced commitment to build a glorious, mature, and ministering church, “not having spot or wrinkle” (5:27).
Ephesians unfolds the process by which God is bringing the church to its destined purpose in Christ. Basic maturing steps are taken toward the church’s appointed engagement in battle with dark powers: 1) before the church is called to war, she is taught to walk; and 2) before being called to walk, the church is taught where she stands.
The epistle divides into two sections: 1) the Believer’s Position, chapters 1–3, and 2) the Believer’s Practice, chapters 4–6. In chapter 1, the recurrent term “in Christ” sums up the Christian’s position, as having been given “every spiritual blessing.” Several of these blessings are enumerated: chosen, blameless (1:4), adopted, accepted (1:5, 6), forgiven, predestined, and sealed (1:7, 11, 13).
With sweeping strokes, this foundational series of statements moves to a bold, new assertion, declared in Paul’s first of two prayers in this letter. He prays that each Christian may perceive God’s grand purpose in raising Christ to triumph—that now the church may know Christ’s victorious fullness as we resist evil and face life’s trials (1:5–2:10). Chapter 2 describes how God’s grace has formed a united people among whom He can dwell in His fullness and glory. Through this people His high purpose is to be unveiled. Grasping the message of Ephesians requires understanding two words from chapter 3–“dispensation” and “mystery” (vv. 2, 3).
The apostle declared that God’s “secret” in planning the church is hidden no longer (3:3, 4–now the “mystery” is known). He has designed the church to administer (“to dispense”) Christ’s fullness everywhere (3:2, 9), ministering as a living body, spreading over the Earth and penetrating “the heavenlies.” God’s “manifold wisdom” now demonstrates His glory in the church (3:10, 11), a manifestation that eventually will issue in the believer’s strengthening (3:14–20), maturing (4:15), confrontation, and victory (6:10–20). However, the church cannot approach this without a practical understanding of how this present glory of God’s grace and presence is to affect everyday living.
The great call to “walk worthy of the calling” introduces this letter’s second section (chs. 4–6). Systematically, Paul presents the ethical and moral implications of Spirit-filled living (4:1–6:9). The maturing process of the believer’s “equipping” (4:11–16) and the appeal to help each other forward (“speaking the truth in love”) will bring growth in the disciplines essential to the triumphant spiritual warrior’s life (6:10–20).
Personal Application. In short, Ephesians discloses awesome blessings of grace (“accepted in the Beloved,” 1:6) and awesome dimensions of spiritual authority over evil (“according to the power that works in us,” 3:20). But this awaits the believer’s first accepting the disciplines of unity (4:1–16), purity (4:17–31), forgiveness (4:32), and walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit (5:1–21). With this, relationships at every point must be in order (5:2–6:9), the idea being firmly established that true spiritual power flows from true obedience to the divine order in relationships and personal conduct.
Christ Revealed. Ephesians has been called “The Alps of the New Testament,” “The Grand Canyon of Scripture,” and “The Royal Capstone of the Epistles,” not only because of its grand theme, but because of the majesty of Christ revealed here. Chapter 1: He is the Redeemer (1:7), the One in whom and by whom history will ultimately be consummated (1:10); and He is the Resurrected Lord who not only has risen over death and hell, but who reigns as King, pouring His life through His body, the church—the present expression of Himself on Earth (1:15–23). Chapter 2: He is the Peacemaker who has reconciled man to God and who makes possible reconciliation of man to man as well (2:11–18); and He is the Chief Cornerstone of the new temple consisting of His own people to be indwelt by God Himself (2:19–22). Chapter 3: He is the Treasure in whom life’s unsearchable riches are found (3:8); and He is the Indweller of human hearts, securing us in the love of God (3:17–19). Chapter 4: Jesus is the Giver of ministry-gifts to His church (4:7–11); and He is the Victor who has broken hell’s ability to keep humankind captive (4:8–10). Chapter 5: He is the Model Husband, unselfishly giving Himself to enhance His bride—His church (5:25–27, 32). Chapter 6: He is the Lord, Mighty in Battle, the resource of strength for His own as they arm for spiritual warfare (6:10).
The Holy Spirit at Work. As with Christ, the Holy Spirit is revealed in widely varied ministry to and through the believer. In 1:13 He is the Sealer, authorizing the believer to represent Christ; in 1:17 and 3:5 He is the Revealer, enlightening the heart to perceive God’s purpose; in 3:16 He is the Empowerer whom Christ gives to strengthen within; in 4:3, 4 He is the Spirit of Unity desiring to sustain the bond of peace in the body of Christ; in 4:30 He is the Spirit of holiness who may be grieved by insistence on carnal pursuits; in 5:18 He is the Fountain, from which all are to be continuously filled; in 6:17, 18 He is the Giver of the Word as a sword for battle and the heavenly Assistant given to aid us in prayer and intercession until victory is won.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
