Ephesians

Authorized King James Version

Author: Paul the Apostle · Written: c. AD 60-62 · Category: Pauline Epistles

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Introduction

Ephesians stands as Paul's most sublime and soaring theological vision, unveiling the eternal purpose of God to unite all things in Christ and create a new humanity—the church. Written from Roman imprisonment, the letter transcends the immediate concerns of local church problems to present the cosmic scope of redemption. From before the foundation of the world to the consummation of all things, Ephesians sweeps across eternity to reveal God's grand design: in Christ, through the church, displaying His manifold wisdom to the heavenly realms.

The letter opens with a magnificent benediction cataloging the spiritual blessings believers possess in Christ—chosen before creation, adopted as sons, redeemed through His blood, sealed with the Spirit, destined for an inheritance. These are not future hopes but present realities in the heavenly places. Paul's prayer follows, asking that believers would comprehend the immeasurable greatness of God's power—the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at the Father's right hand, far above all rule and authority. This exalted Christ is given as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The theological heart of Ephesians is the mystery of the church—Jew and Gentile united as one new man in Christ. The dividing wall of hostility has been demolished through the cross. Those once far off have been brought near by Christ's blood. Together, Jewish and Gentile believers form one household of God, one holy temple, one dwelling place for God by the Spirit. This was God's eternal purpose, hidden for ages but now revealed. Through the church, the principalities and powers in the heavenly places come to know God's manifold wisdom. The church is not plan B after Israel's failure but the pinnacle of God's redemptive purpose.

After three chapters establishing believers' exalted position in Christ and in the heavenlies, Paul transitions to the ethical implications with his signature 'therefore.' The indicative demands the imperative—we must walk worthy of our calling. Unity must be maintained through humility and patience. Spiritual gifts exist to equip the body until all reach maturity measured by the fullness of Christ. The new life in Christ requires putting off the old self corrupted by deceitful desires and putting on the new self created in God's likeness. Every relationship—marriage, family, workplace—is transformed by the gospel. The letter concludes with the armor of God, reminding believers that we are in a cosmic battle requiring divine resources. Ephesians lifts our eyes from earthly struggles to heavenly realities, from temporal concerns to eternal purposes, from individual salvation to cosmic redemption.

Book Outline

Key Themes

Key Verses

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

— Ephesians 1:3-4 (The opening benediction establishes that believers possess every spiritual blessing in Christ—not some, not most, but all. The foundation is God's eternal choice before creation to make us holy and blameless in love. This is the security and dignity of the Christian position—chosen by God, blessed in Christ, destined for holiness.)

But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).

— Ephesians 2:4-5 (The two most beautiful words in Ephesians—'But God.' We were dead in trespasses and sins, following the prince of the power of the air, under God's wrath. But God, rich in mercy and great in love, made us alive together with Christ. The parenthetical 'by grace ye are saved' emphasizes that salvation is entirely God's work, motivated by His mercy and love.)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

— Ephesians 2:8-10 (The clearest statement of salvation by grace through faith in all Scripture. Every aspect is God's gift—the grace, the salvation, the faith itself—'not of yourselves.' Works are excluded as the basis but included as the purpose—we are God's workmanship created for the good works He prepared. Salvation is by grace alone, but never alone—it produces the fruit of works.)

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.

— Ephesians 2:13-14 (The gospel's power to unite what was divided. Gentiles who were far off—alienated from Israel, strangers to the covenants, without hope and without God—have been brought near by Christ's blood. The dividing wall that separated Jew and Gentile has been demolished. Christ Himself is our peace, creating one new humanity from two hostile groups.)

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

— Ephesians 3:20-21 (The doxology concluding the doctrinal section. God is able to do not just what we ask, not just abundantly above what we ask, but exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think. This infinite capacity is according to the power already working in believers. Glory belongs to God in the church—the very purpose for which the church exists—through all generations forever.)

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

— Ephesians 4:4-6 (The sevenfold basis of Christian unity—one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God. Unity is not created by human effort but acknowledged and maintained. It is rooted in the Triune God: one Spirit who indwells, one Lord to whom we belong, one Father over all. This theological unity demands practical expressions of love and peace.)

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

— Ephesians 5:25-27 (Christ's love for the church is the pattern and power for marital love. He gave Himself sacrificially, sanctifies progressively through the Word, and will present the church gloriously at the consummation. This reveals both the nature of Christian marriage and the purpose of redemption—Christ will have a bride worthy of Himself, holy and blameless, reflecting His glory.)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

— Ephesians 6:12 (The nature of the Christian conflict. Our struggle is not merely horizontal (against people) but vertical (against cosmic evil powers). This explains why human solutions fail—education, politics, social reform alone cannot defeat spiritual forces. Only God's armor suffices. The battle is in the heavenly places where Christ is already victorious, and we fight from His triumph, not toward it.)

Historical Context

Paul wrote Ephesians from Roman imprisonment around AD 60-62, during the same period as Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon—the so-called 'Prison Epistles.' He was likely under house arrest as described in Acts 28, able to receive visitors and write letters but awaiting trial before Caesar. Tychicus carried the letter to Asia Minor, probably delivering Colossians at the same time (Ephesians 6:21-22 parallels Colossians 4:7-8).

Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and the fourth largest city in the empire. It was a center of commerce, culture, and pagan religion—home to the magnificent temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The city was steeped in occult practices and magic arts. Paul spent three years there on his third missionary journey (Acts 19:1-20:1), longer than anywhere else. His ministry was marked by extraordinary miracles, public burning of occult books, and a riot provoked by silversmiths whose idol-making business was threatened by conversions to Christianity.

The letter's original audience is debated. The words 'at Ephesus' in 1:1 are missing from the earliest and best manuscripts. The letter lacks personal greetings unusual for a church where Paul spent three years. Some scholars suggest it was a circular letter intended for multiple churches in Asia Minor, with copies sent to different cities. Alternatively, it may have been addressed to Ephesus but written in such a universal style that it lacks local references.

The church at Ephesus was predominantly Gentile but included Jewish believers. Tension between these groups is not as pronounced as in Galatians or Romans, suggesting the church had matured in understanding their unity in Christ. By the time of writing, the church had apparently grown strong in faith and love (1:15), though Paul still prays for deeper spiritual insight and experience.

Literary Style

Ephesians is noted for its elevated, liturgical style and majestic theological content. The opening blessing (1:3-14) is one continuous sentence in Greek—202 words in a cascade of praise cataloging spiritual blessings. This extended sentence structure, rare in Greek literature, reflects Paul's overwhelming emotion as he contemplates redemption's riches. The prayer sections (1:15-23; 3:14-21) are magnificent expressions of spiritual desire and doxology.

The letter exhibits careful structure and balance. Chapters 1-3 establish doctrine, chapters 4-6 apply it to practice. The first half emphasizes the indicative (what God has done and who we are in Christ); the second half emphasizes the imperative (how we should live in response). The transition at 4:1—'I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy'—explicitly connects ethics to theology. The 'walk' vocabulary appears repeatedly in chapters 4-5, structuring the ethical section.

'In Christ' and 'in the heavenlies' are Ephesians' characteristic phrases. The letter uses 'in Christ,' 'in Him,' or similar expressions over 30 times, emphasizing that every blessing and calling derives from union with Christ. 'In the heavenly places' (or 'heavenlies') appears five times (1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12), always in Ephesians. This is not heaven itself but the spiritual realm where Christ is enthroned, where believers are seated with Him, where powers and principalities observe God's wisdom through the church, and where spiritual warfare occurs.

The Christ-hymn of 4:8-10, quoting Psalm 68:18, interprets Christ's ascension as the basis for giving gifts to the church. This parallels the Philippians 2:6-11 and Colossians 1:15-20 hymns, suggesting these poetic passages may reflect early Christian worship.

Mystery is a key term, appearing six times (1:9; 3:3, 4, 9; 5:32; 6:19). The mystery is not something incomprehensible but something hidden that has now been revealed—specifically, that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Jews in one body through the gospel. This theme links to the 'one new man' concept central to Ephesians' ecclesiology.

The household codes (5:22-6:9) addressing wives-husbands, children-parents, and slaves-masters parallel Colossians 3:18-4:1 but are more developed, especially regarding marriage. Paul grounds these instructions in profound theology—marriage reflects Christ's relationship to the church (5:32).

The armor of God passage (6:10-20) uses vivid military imagery familiar to Paul's Roman guards. Each piece of armor—belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, sword—represents a spiritual reality necessary for standing firm against evil. This memorable metaphor has shaped Christian understanding of spiritual warfare.

Theological Significance

Ephesians presents the most comprehensive ecclesiology in the New Testament. The church is not merely a voluntary association or human organization but the very body of Christ (1:23; 4:12), His bride (5:25-32), a holy temple (2:21), and the household of God (2:19). It is the sphere where God's fullness dwells (1:23), the instrument through which God displays His wisdom to cosmic powers (3:10), and the community that will span all generations glorifying God forever (3:21).

The mystery of the church—Jew and Gentile united as one new man—is central to God's eternal purpose (3:1-13). This was not plan B after Israel's failure but God's intention from before creation, hidden in past ages but now revealed. The cross demolished the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile (2:14), abolishing the law of commandments that separated them. Together they form one body with equal access to the Father through one Spirit (2:18). This radical unity transcends the most fundamental ethnic and religious division of the ancient world.

Ephesians' Christology is exalted. Christ is seated far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, above every name that is named (1:21). All things are under His feet (1:22). He ascended that He might fill all things (4:10). The church's unity is grounded in the supremacy of the one Lord (4:5). The love of Christ surpasses knowledge (3:19). He is the head from whom the whole body grows (4:15-16). Every blessing, every hope, every calling is 'in Christ.'

The doctrine of election appears in Ephesians' opening verses—God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (1:4). This election is unto holiness and love, not merely salvation. It is according to the purpose of His will (1:5, 11), motivated by grace and love, resulting in the praise of His glorious grace (1:6). God's eternal purpose eliminates human boasting and grounds assurance—salvation originated in eternity past and extends to eternity future.

Salvation by grace through faith receives its clearest articulation: 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast' (2:8-9). Every element—grace, salvation, faith—is God's gift. The 'not of yourselves' excludes any human contribution. Works are excluded as the basis but included as the purpose—we are created in Christ Jesus for good works God prepared beforehand (2:10). Salvation is monergistic (God's work alone) in origin but transformative in outcome.

The letter develops spiritual warfare theology. Believers are seated with Christ in the heavenly places (2:6), positioned in the realm where cosmic powers dwell. Our struggle is against these principalities and powers, the rulers of this present darkness, spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (6:12). Yet Christ is already far above all these powers (1:21). The battle is real but the outcome is certain—we stand firm in the victory Christ has won, wearing the armor God provides.

Unity is both theological reality and ethical mandate. There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father (4:4-6). This unity already exists; believers must maintain it through humility, gentleness, patience, and love (4:2-3). Disunity denies the gospel that creates one new man from formerly hostile groups. Gifts are given to build up the body until all reach unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God (4:12-13).

The relationship between indicative and imperative structures the letter. Chapters 1-3 establish who believers are—blessed with every spiritual blessing, made alive together with Christ, seated in the heavenly places, members of God's household, recipients of the mystery. Chapters 4-6 command how believers should walk—worthy of their calling, in unity, putting off the old self, in love and light, in transformed relationships, in spiritual armor. Ethics flow from identity; imperatives rest on indicatives. We live out what God has made us to be in Christ.

Christ in Ephesians

Christ is absolutely central to Ephesians, mentioned more than 90 times. Every spiritual blessing is 'in Christ' (1:3). God chose us 'in Him' before the foundation of the world (1:4). We have redemption 'through His blood' (1:7). God purposed to unite all things in heaven and earth 'in Him' (1:10). We were sealed with the Spirit 'in Him' (1:13). The revelation of God's power was displayed 'in Christ' when He raised Him from the dead (1:20).

Christ is exalted far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion—above every name that is named not only in this age but in the age to come (1:21). All things are put under His feet, and He is head over all things to the church (1:22). He fills all in all (1:23). God made us alive together 'with Christ,' raised us up 'with Him,' and seated us with Him in the heavenly places 'in Christ Jesus' (2:5-6). This demonstrates the immeasurable riches of His grace 'in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus' (2:7).

Christ is our peace who made both groups—Jew and Gentile—one (2:14). He broke down the dividing wall of hostility 'in His flesh' by abolishing the law of commandments (2:14-15). He created in Himself one new man from two, making peace, and reconciled both to God 'in one body through the cross' (2:15-16). Through Him, both have access in one Spirit to the Father (2:18). He is the cornerstone in whom the whole structure is joined together (2:20-21).

The unsearchable riches of Christ are proclaimed to the Gentiles (3:8). God's eternal purpose is accomplished 'in Christ Jesus our Lord' (3:11). We speak truth 'in Christ' (4:21). God in Christ forgave us (4:32). Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her (5:2, 25). He sanctifies and cleanses her that He might present the church to Himself glorious, without spot or wrinkle (5:26-27).

Christ gave gifts when He ascended on high (4:8). He descended into the lower regions and ascended far above all the heavens that He might fill all things (4:9-10). The gifts He gave—apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers—are for equipping the saints until all attain to mature manhood measured by the stature of the fullness of Christ (4:11-13). The body grows as each part works properly, building itself up in love (4:16).

Believers are to be imitators of God and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (5:1-2). Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her (5:25). This great mystery refers to Christ and the church (5:32). Children are to obey parents 'in the Lord' (6:1). Slaves are to serve 'as to Christ' (6:5), doing the will of God from the heart, serving the Lord Christ (6:6-7).

Believers are strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (6:10). We stand firm not in our own power but in the victory Christ has won. The grace of God is 'with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible' (6:24). From election before the foundation of the world to the putting on of God's armor, from the breaking down of dividing walls to the glorious presentation of His bride, Christ is the beginning, middle, and end of God's eternal purpose.

Relationship to the New Testament

Ephesians has the closest relationship to Colossians among Paul's letters. Both were written during the same imprisonment, carried by Tychicus, and address similar themes with similar language. Colossians confronts false teaching with Christ's supremacy; Ephesians builds on that foundation to develop ecclesiology. The Christ-hymns (Colossians 1:15-20; Ephesians 1:20-23), household codes (Colossians 3:18-4:1; Ephesians 5:22-6:9), and even closing verses (Colossians 4:7-8; Ephesians 6:21-22) parallel each other. Yet Ephesians is more universal and less polemical—less about countering error and more about unveiling mystery.

Romans shares Ephesians' emphasis on salvation by grace through faith (Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:8-10), the inclusion of Gentiles in God's people (Romans 9-11; Ephesians 2:11-22), and the body metaphor for the church (Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:11-16). But Romans is more focused on justification and individual salvation; Ephesians emphasizes the corporate reality of the church and cosmic reconciliation. Romans addresses Jewish-Gentile tensions with heated urgency; Ephesians presents their unity as an accomplished mystery.

The Corinthian correspondence discusses spiritual gifts and the body (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:7-16), sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 5-6; Ephesians 5:3-5), and marriage as reflecting Christ and the church (1 Corinthians 7; Ephesians 5:22-33). First Corinthians addresses specific church disorders; Ephesians presents the ideal pattern of body life. The resurrection chapter (1 Corinthians 15) connects to Ephesians' emphasis on God's power displayed in raising Christ (Ephesians 1:19-20).

Galatians defends Gentile inclusion against Judaizers; Ephesians celebrates it as the revelation of God's eternal mystery. Both present one people of God, but Galatians argues for it polemically while Ephesians expounds it majestically. Both emphasize walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 5:18-21) and bearing one another's burdens in love (Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:2).

The Pastoral Epistles (1-2 Timothy, Titus) share vocabulary and concerns with Ephesians—church structure, elder qualifications, sound doctrine, household relationships. Ephesians provides the theological vision (the church as God's household, pillar of truth); the Pastorals provide practical implementation (selecting elders, organizing worship, addressing false teaching).

Philippians 2:6-11—the Christ-hymn describing Jesus' descent and exaltation—parallels Ephesians 4:8-10 where Christ descended and ascended. Both letters emphasize humility (Philippians 2:3; Ephesians 4:2) and joy (Philippians throughout; Ephesians 5:18-20). Philippians focuses on individual Christlikeness; Ephesians on corporate unity in Christ's body.

Ephesians illuminates Hebrews' emphasis on Christ's superiority to angels (Hebrews 1; Ephesians 1:20-21), the new covenant superseding the old (Hebrews 8-10; Ephesians 2:14-15), and believers' access to God (Hebrews 10:19-22; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12). Both describe the church as God's household (Hebrews 3:6; Ephesians 2:19).

The General Epistles echo Ephesians' themes. First Peter's living stones built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5) parallels Ephesians' temple imagery (2:21-22). James' emphasis on faith producing works (James 2:14-26) aligns with Ephesians 2:10—created for good works. First John's walk in light versus darkness (1 John 1:5-7) parallels Ephesians 5:8-14.

Revelation's cosmic conflict between God's kingdom and Satan's forces (Revelation 12-13) reflects Ephesians' spiritual warfare (6:12). The bride of the Lamb adorned for her husband (Revelation 19:7-8; 21:2) fulfills Ephesians' vision of Christ presenting the church glorious without spot or wrinkle (5:27). The new Jerusalem where God dwells with His people (Revelation 21:3) consummates Ephesians' temple imagery—the church as God's dwelling place (2:22).

Practical Application

Ephesians grounds all Christian living in identity in Christ. Before commanding how to walk, Paul establishes who we are—chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, sealed, seated with Christ in the heavenly places. We act not to become something but because of what God has made us. The indicative always precedes the imperative. When we forget our position in Christ, we lack both motivation and power for godly living. When we remember—when we 'sit' in the heavenlies with Christ—we can 'walk' worthy on earth.

The letter teaches that unity is not optional but essential to the gospel. Christ died to create one new man from two hostile groups. To perpetuate division—whether ethnic, economic, or any other—contradicts the cross. Unity does not mean uniformity; the body has diverse members with different gifts (4:11-16). But it does require humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love (4:2). We must be eager to maintain the unity the Spirit has created. Churches that major in secondary issues while ignoring gospel unity fail to understand Ephesians.

Every believer has a ministry in the body. Christ gave gifts not to a special class but to equip all the saints for ministry (4:11-12). The body grows as each part does its work (4:16). No member is insignificant; no one can say 'I have no ministry.' The question is not whether you serve but whether you are using your gifts to build up the body. Maturity is measured by how much we look like Christ (4:13)—individually and corporately.

Ephesians revolutionizes marriage and family relationships. Marriage is not merely a social contract or means of happiness but a living parable of Christ and the church (5:32). Husbands love sacrificially as Christ loved—giving themselves up, sanctifying, nourishing. Wives submit voluntarily as the church submits to Christ. Neither command makes sense apart from the gospel. Children obey parents 'in the Lord' (6:1); fathers do not exasperate but train children in the Lord's discipline (6:4). Even master-slave relationships are transformed—both recognize they have the same Master in heaven (6:9). Every relationship provides opportunity to display the gospel.

The put off/put on dynamic (4:22-24) structures sanctification. The old self must be put off like filthy clothes—corrupted by deceitful desires. The new self must be put on—created in God's likeness in righteousness and holiness. This is both definitive (done at conversion) and progressive (ongoing). Specific sins are named—lying, sinful anger, stealing, corrupting speech, bitterness—and replaced with virtues—truth, honest work, edifying words, kindness, forgiveness. Transformation is concrete, not abstract.

Believers must be filled with the Spirit (5:18). This is not a one-time experience but a continuous command—keep being filled. The evidence is not ecstatic phenomena but addressing one another in psalms and hymns, singing and making melody to the Lord, giving thanks always, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (5:19-21). Spirit-filled living is corporate worship, constant gratitude, and mutual submission. This contrasts with drunkenness (5:18)—both involve being controlled, but one destroys while the other transforms.

Spiritual warfare is real and requires God's resources. Our struggle is against cosmic powers of evil, not merely human opponents (6:12). This explains why cultural reform, political activism, or education alone cannot bring ultimate victory—we face spiritual forces requiring spiritual weapons. Yet we do not fight for victory but from victory—Christ is already enthroned far above all powers (1:21). We put on God's armor and stand firm in the triumph Christ has won. Prayer 'at all times in the Spirit' (6:18) is essential—the battle is won on our knees.

The letter teaches that the church exists for God's glory, not merely human benefit. God's purpose is that through the church, His manifold wisdom would be made known to cosmic powers (3:10) and glory would come to Him through all generations forever (3:21). We gather not primarily to meet our needs but to worship Him. We serve not to earn rewards but to reflect His glory. When the church becomes consumer-focused, it forgets its reason for existence.

Paul's prayers (1:15-23; 3:14-21) model what to pray for believers. Not health, wealth, or comfort, but spiritual insight—knowing God better, comprehending our hope and inheritance, experiencing His power. Not ease but strength in the inner being. Not happiness but that Christ would dwell in our hearts by faith, that we would comprehend His love that surpasses knowledge, that we would be filled with all God's fullness. These are the prayers that align with God's purposes, the requests He delights to answer.

Ultimately, Ephesians calls us to think cosmically—to lift our eyes from petty concerns to God's eternal purposes. Before the foundation of the world, He chose us. Through Christ's cross, He created one new humanity. In the heavenly places, He seated us with Christ. Through the church, He displays His wisdom to cosmic powers. In the coming ages, He will show the immeasurable riches of His grace. We are part of a drama that spans from eternity past to eternity future, that encompasses heaven and earth, that involves angels and demons, that culminates in Christ summing up all things in Himself. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing. We are His workmanship created for good works. We are members of Christ's body and His beloved bride. Walk worthy of this calling.