Ephesians

Ephesians
A Suggested Outline of Ephesians

I. Doctrine: The Believer’s Blessings in Christ (1–3)  
A. Our Possessions in Christ (1:1–14)        
1. From the Father (1:1–6)        
2. From the Son (1:7–12)        
3. From the Spirit (1:13–14)  
B. Prayer for Enlightenment (1:15–23)  
C. Our Position in Christ (2)        
1. Raised and Seated on the Throne (2:1–10)        
2. Reconciled and Set into the Temple (2:11–22)  
D. Prayer for Enablement (3)

II. Duty: The Believer’s Behavior in Christ (4–6)  
A. Walk in Unity (4:1–16)  
B. Walk in Purity (4:17–32)  
C. Walk in Love (5:1–6)  
D. Walk in the Light (5:7–14)  
E. Walk Carefully (5:15–17)  
F. Walk in Harmony (5:18–6:9)      
1. Husbands and Wives (5:18–33)      
2. Parents and Children (6:1–4)      
3. Masters and Servants (6:5–9)  
G. Walk in Victory (6:10–24)

Ephesians balances doctrine and duty. First Paul reminds us of what God has done for us; then he tells us what we must do for Him in response to His mercies. Christian living is based on Christian learning. The believer who does not know his wealth in Christ will never be able to walk for Christ. Our conduct depends on our calling. Too many Christians live in chapters 1–3 and study the doctrines but fail to move into chapters 4–6 and practice the duties.

Introductory Notes to Ephesians
I. The City
Ephesus was one the great cities of Asia Minor: a Roman capital, a center for the worship of Diana, and a wealthy commercial center, located on an ample harbor that invited world trade. The temple of Diana was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and the worship of this goddess was jealously guarded (see Acts 19:23ff). Ephesus was the chief city of that area, so it is no wonder Paul stayed there for three years (Acts 20:31) and that from the city the Gospel spread out to “all Asia” (Acts 19:10).
II. The Church
Paul paid a brief visit to Ephesus on his second journey, leaving his associates Priscilla and Aquila there (Acts 18:18–28). He returned to Ephesus on his third journey and remained there for three years (Acts 20:31). He began his ministry in the Jewish synagogue; when his countrymen rejected his message, he moved into the school of a teacher named Tyrannus (Acts 19:9) and preached and taught for about two years. His ministry had a tremendous effect on the city: those who practiced witchcraft turned to Christ and burned their books of magical incantations; many people were won to the worship of the true God; and the profits of the silversmiths (who sold shrines of Diana) were greatly undermined. Paul’s clear teaching and preaching of the Word of God so aroused the enemy that a riot resulted, and Paul was forced to leave the city. Later (Acts 20) he met the Ephesian elders while he was traveling back to Jerusalem.
III. The Letter
Paul was a Roman prisoner when he wrote this letter (Eph. 3:1; 4:1). How he became a prisoner is recorded in Acts 21:15ff. While in Jerusalem, Paul went to the temple and was arrested on false charges. His “trial” was indecisive, but he was imprisoned for two years at Caesarea (Acts 21:27–26:32). When Paul appealed for a trial before the emperor, he was then sent to Rome (Acts 27–28). While a prisoner in his own house, Paul was free to receive visitors, and it was at this time that he wrote Ephesians. The letter was carried by Tychicus (6:21), who probably also helped to deliver the letter to Colosse, along with Onesimus (Col. 4:7–9). While the letter was directed to the church at Ephesus, there is reason to believe that it was circulated among the many churches of Asia Minor. You will note that the letter deals with church truth in general, not the kind of local problems you would find in the two Corinthian letters or 1 Thessalonians. In every sense, Ephesians is Paul’s greatest word on the church, teaching us what the church is in the mind of God, and what it ought to be in practice before the eyes of men. Paul’s theme is Christ and the church, the eternal plan of God to gather together all things in Christ Jesus. The letter begins in eternity past and carries us to eternity future! We see the believer seated in the heavenlies, but also walking with Christ on earth and fighting against Satan. While Ephesians does not tell us all God wants us to know about the church, there is no part of the Bible that soars any higher in church doctrine or practical Christian living. It is interesting to compare the description of Paul’s Ephesus ministry in Acts 20 with the doctrines taught in the Ephesian epistle.
IV. The Church in Ephesians
In the prison letters (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians), Paul deals with the church collectively as the body of Christ, the bride, and the temple. In the pastoral epistles (such as Timothy and Titus), he deals with the church serving Christ as a local body. Both emphases are necessary for a balanced ministry. Certainly God sees the whole body with Christ as the Head; but as far as the ministry is concerned, He works through the local assemblies in different places. The “church universal” (body of Christ) into which the believer is baptized by the Spirit is a valid concept; but the “universal church” concept is not a substitute for the action of the local church. The “universal church” never sent out a missionary, built a hospital, observed the Lord’s Supper, or helped a needy family. It is the local church that receives the greater emphasis in the NT, but the ministry of the local church will be stronger if the members realize their position in the body of Christ.