The Letter of the Apostle Paul to the
EPHESIANS
Author:
Paul an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Date:
Sometime about 60 AD.
Themes:
There are several very important themes in this letter: God’s eternal purpose of bringing glory to His grace in the salvation of believers, the high position believers in Christ have by God’s grace, the great truth of the Body of Christ, the life worthy of this high position and this truth, and the spiritual warfare of believers and how they can win it.
Contents:
Opening words 1:1-2
The believer’s position in Christ 1:3—2:22
They have been given every spiritual blessing 1:3
They are God’s chosen ones 1:4-6
They have forgiveness of sins 1:7
They have God’s revelation 1:8-10
They have God’s Holy Spirit 1:13-14
Paul prays that believers will better
understand their position in Christ 1:15-21
They have Christ as their Head
and they are Christ’s body 1:22-23
They have new life in Christ 2:1-5
They are seated with Christ in the
heavenly places 2:6
They have a glorious future 2:7
They are God’s workmanship 2:8-10
They are near to God and have access to
His presence 2:11-18
They are citizens of heaven and members of
God’s household 2:19
They are God’s holy temple 2:20-22
Paul the apostle to the Gentiles 3:1-13
He preached the mystery of God 3:1-7
He considered himself less than the least 3:8
He speaks of God’s purpose 3:10-11
He prays that they might experience Christ’s
presence in them, His love and God’s fullness 3:14-21
How believers should behave in view of their
position in Christ 4:1—6:20
They should endeavor to maintain unity 4:1-6
They should be prepared for service 4:7-12
They should grow up spiritually in Christ 4:13-16
They should reject the old way of life
and adopt the new holy way 4:17-32
They should follow God, live a life of love,
and be clean and pure 5:1-7
They are children of the light and must
behave in accordance with this truth 5:8-17
They should be constantly filled with God’s Spirit 5:18-21
Husbands and wives should maintain a loving
and respectful relationship 5:22-32
Parents and children should behave well and
wisely in the Lord 6:1-4
Masters and servants should do likewise 6:5-9
Believers must learn to fight the spiritual
battle in which they are engaged 6:10-18
They should be constant in prayer 6:18-20
Closing remarks 6:21-24