One of the most well-known scriptures from the book of Ephesians is Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
This passage highlights the Christian belief in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and emphasizes that it is a gift from God rather than something earned through human effort.
The Book of Ephesians (PDF download)
An Overview
The Epistle to the Ephesians, often referred to simply as Ephesians, is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Here’s an introduction to the Book of Ephesians:
- Authorship: The letter is universally attributed to the Apostle Paul, who wrote it during his imprisonment in Rome, likely around AD 60-62. Paul had a close association with the Ephesian church, having spent three years ministering there during his third missionary journey (Acts 20:31).
- Purpose: The primary purpose of Ephesians is to expound on the profound spiritual blessings and realities that believers have in Christ. Paul writes to encourage and instruct the Ephesian Christians in their faith, unity, and spiritual maturity. He also addresses issues related to the Gentile believers’ inclusion in the body of Christ and the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in the Church.
Themes
- The Riches of Christ: Ephesians emphasizes the incomparable riches and blessings that believers have received in Christ. Paul highlights themes such as adoption, redemption, forgiveness, reconciliation, and inheritance in Christ, emphasizing the believer’s identity and standing as a child of God.
- Unity in the Body of Christ: Paul emphasizes the unity of believers in Christ and the formation of a new community, the body of Christ. He stresses the importance of maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and of using spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ.
- Spiritual Warfare: Ephesians addresses the spiritual warfare that believers face against spiritual forces of evil. Paul exhorts believers to put on the whole armor of God to stand firm against the schemes of the devil and to pray fervently for spiritual strength and discernment.
- Christian Ethics and Relationships: Paul provides practical exhortations for Christian living and relationships, including instructions for husbands and wives, parents and children, and masters and slaves. He emphasizes the importance of love, submission, mutual respect, and spiritual growth in all relationships.
- Walking in Wisdom and Unity: Paul encourages believers to walk in wisdom and to live as children of light, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. He emphasizes the need for humility, gentleness, patience, and mutual submission in all interactions.
Structure
The Book of Ephesians is structured as a letter from Paul to the Ephesian believers, with an emphasis on the spiritual blessings and realities of the Christian life. It includes:
- Introduction and Greeting (Ephesians 1:1-2)
- The Blessings of Redemption (Ephesians 1:3-14)
- Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom (Ephesians 1:15-23)
- Salvation by Grace through Faith (Ephesians 2:1-10)
- Unity in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22)
- Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-13)
- Prayer for Strength and Unity (Ephesians 3:14-21)
- Instructions for Christian Living (Ephesians 4:1-6:9)
- Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20)
- Conclusion and Final Greetings (Ephesians 6:21-24)
In summary, the Book of Ephesians is a profound and uplifting letter that explores the spiritual blessings and realities of the Christian life. It emphasizes the believer’s identity in Christ, the unity of the body of Christ, and the call to live in love, wisdom, and spiritual maturity.