Understanding Ephesians: A Complete Guide for Christians

Ephesians is Paul's grand vision of God's cosmic plan—a theological masterpiece revealing how God is uniting all things in Christ through His church. Unlike letters addressing specific crises, Ephesians presents a comprehensive picture of Christian faith and life. It's theology as doxology, truth for worship, displaying God's riches of grace in Christ.

1. Central Theme: The Riches of God's Grace in Christ for His Body

The central message of Ephesians is: God's abundant riches of grace in Christ Jesus for His body, the church, which displays His glory and unites all things.

The key word is "mystery," appearing seven times (1:9; 3:3, 4, 6, 9; 5:32; 6:19). Paul declares that God is revealing "the mystery of his will"—uniting all things in heaven and on earth in Christ (1:9-10). The great evidence this cosmic redemption is happening is the church, Christ's body and new humanity (1:23; 2:15).

In the church, God unites Jew and Gentile, reconciling them and tearing down the "wall of hostility" through the cross (2:14). This "mystery of Christ," hidden in past ages but now revealed, is that "the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (3:6).

Ephesians presents the church as God's precious possession, a colony where the Lord fashions renewed humanity (1:10-14; 2:11-22), a community where God's reconciling power transforms relationships (2:1-10; 4:1-16), a new temple built of people (2:19-22), an organism where power follows Christ's pattern (1:22; 5:25-27), and ultimately Christ's bride preparing for her husband (5:22-32).

Paul strains language to express God's inexpressible glory (1:19; 2:7; 3:20), which comes through Christ in fullness (1:23). God's riches consist particularly of the Holy Spirit with all His gifts and fruit (1:13-14, 17; 2:18, 22; 3:5, 16; 4:3-4, 30). The letter is profoundly Trinitarian—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit operate in harmony to save a people for God's glory.

2. Purpose: Strengthening a Healthy Church in God's Riches

Unlike epistles addressing specific crises, Paul wrote Ephesians to strengthen a healthy church. His purpose: to lead believers into richer experiential knowledge of their Savior in everyday life.

Paul teaches believers about glorious riches belonging to them through union with Christ, calling them to walk worthy of their privileges through vital church membership, lifelong repentance, well-ordered households, and spiritual combat against the devil.

The letter accomplishes several aims: revealing God's eternal plan to join people from all nations to His Son (1:9-10; 3:3-6); establishing believers' identity in Christ through extensive "in him" language showing they are blessed, raised, and seated with Christ (1:3; 2:6, 10); promoting unity as one body, one Spirit, one Lord (4:4-6); calling to holy living in relationships, households, and conduct (chapters 4-6); and equipping for spiritual battle against evil forces (6:10-18).

Paul's tone is more meditative and prayerful than instructional, celebrating what God has done in Christ and calling believers to live out the implications.

3. Historical Context: Author, Audience, Date, and Genre

Authorship: The letter identifies Paul as author (1:1; 3:1). Though some modern scholars question Pauline authorship noting dependence on Colossians and expanded phrases, strong evidence supports Paul. The language is so Pauline that even without his name, the church would credit it to no one else. The similarities with Colossians are best explained by Paul writing Ephesians shortly after Colossians, continuing his reflections on Christ and His church.

Audience: Some oldest Greek manuscripts omit "in Ephesus" at 1:1, reading "to the saints who are also faithful in Christ Jesus." The letter lacks typical personal references. Yet no manuscript names another city. Many believe Ephesians was a circular letter to multiple churches, explaining its sweeping contents. Possibly Paul sent it to Ephesus but it circulated with the address omitted, or two forms existed—one for Ephesus and one general.

Date: The imprisonment mentioned (3:1; 6:20) is likely Paul's Roman house arrest (AD 60-62, Acts 28), same as Colossians. Both were delivered by Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7).

Historical Context: Ephesus was capital of Roman Asia, among the empire's five most prominent cities. Paul's long stay made it the evangelism center for western Asia Minor (Acts 19:10). Ephesus's temple of goddess Diana was one of the Seven Wonders. The city nurtured Diana while she made Ephesus "most glorious." Readers would appreciate the irony of Paul's words about Christ nourishing His body (5:29) and the church as glorious bride (5:27). Paul's preaching conflicted with pagan trade (Acts 19:23-41), and the gospel inspired turning from the occult (Acts 19:17-20). His call to expose darkness (5:8-14) and prepare for spiritual warfare (6:12) would resonate powerfully.

Genre: Though some suggest Ephesians is a sermon or theological essay, it follows first-century letter conventions with opening (1:1-2), body (1:3-6:20), and conclusion (6:21-24). Paul adapts form by introducing an extended rhapsody (1:3-14) after greeting, creating one of Scripture's most magnificent doxologies.

4. Special Issues: Important Considerations

Indicatives and Imperatives: Chapters 1-3 build "indicatives"—glorious facts undergirding Christianity, laying out riches in Christ. Chapters 4-6 offer "imperatives"—commands for living in light of our calling. This pattern—doctrine before duty—is foundational to Paul's thought.

The "Walk" Metaphor: Repetition of "walk" structures chapters 4-6. Believers formerly "walked" in sin (2:1) but now are created for good works to "walk in them" (2:10). Paul calls us to walk worthy of calling (4:1), not as Gentiles (4:17), in love (5:1-2), as children of light (5:8), and carefully as wise (5:15). Paul borrowed this conduct metaphor from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 5:32; Psalm 1:1; 119:1).

Old Testament Engagement: Though not quoting formally often, Ephesians alludes extensively. Terms like "redemption," "adoption," and "inheritance" evoke Old Testament covenant blessings (1:5-6, 11). Paul invokes "circumcision," "commonwealth of Israel," and "temple" to explain the new covenant people's identity (2:11-12, 21). The armor of God picks up Old Testament imagery (6:17; cf. Isaiah 59:17; Psalm 144:1-2).

The Household Code: Ephesians 5:21-6:9 presents Scripture's most detailed "household code," addressing wives/husbands, children/parents, slaves/masters. Paul transforms ancient moral teaching by grounding it in the gospel and relating marriage to Christ and the church (5:22-33).

Spiritual Warfare: Ephesians 6:10-18 presents Christian life as cosmic conflict against spiritual forces. The armor pieces—truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation, God's word—are primarily defensive, emphasizing standing firm rather than aggressive attack.

5. Relation to Scripture and Contemporary Application

Continuity with Old Testament: Ephesians reveals God's plan spanning redemptive history. The mystery was planned before creation (1:4-5) and foreshadowed in Old Testament promises. The church fulfills God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Gentiles aren't second-class but "fellow heirs, members of the same body" (3:6).

Connection to Pauline Letters: Ephesians develops earlier themes. Justification by faith (Romans, Galatians) is assumed. The body metaphor (1 Corinthians 12) is expanded. Christ's headship (Colossians) relates to the church. Ephesians represents Paul's mature reflection on lifelong truths.

Theological Foundations: Ephesians provides crucial foundations: the Trinity's work in salvation, predestination (1:4-5, 11), union with Christ, the church's nature and purpose, Jewish-Gentile relationships, and redemption's cosmic scope.

Contemporary Relevance:

• Identity Crisis: Against confused identity, Ephesians grounds us in who we are in Christ—chosen, adopted, redeemed, sealed, raised, seated in heavenly places (1:3-14; 2:4-6).
• Church Division: Against fragmentation, Ephesians calls us to unity—one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith (4:4-6).
• Purpose and Meaning: Against meaninglessness, Ephesians reveals we're part of God's eternal plan, created for good works prepared beforehand (1:10; 2:10).
• Relationships: Ephesians transforms relationships through gospel principles—mutual submission, sacrificial love, honor in marriage (5:21-33), godly parenting (6:1-4), fair workplace relationships (6:5-9).
• Spiritual Battle: Against naïve views, Ephesians reminds us we face real spiritual opposition requiring God's armor and prayer (6:10-18).
• Grace Alone: Ephesians 2:8-9 remains Christianity's clearest statement that salvation is "by grace...through faith...not a result of works," liberating from performance-based religion while motivating good works (2:10).

6. Outline and Structure

Ephesians divides into two equal halves—doctrine (chapters 1-3) and duty (chapters 4-6).

I. Greetings: Grace and Peace (1:1-2)

II. The Doctrine of God's Grace in Christ for His Body (1:3-3:21)

A. Praise of God's Grace in Christ (1:3-14)
Magnificent doxology celebrating every spiritual blessing—election, predestination, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, sealed with the Spirit. The Trinity's harmonious work.

B. Power of God's Grace in the Risen Lord (1:15-2:10)
Prayer for spiritual wisdom. God's power raised Christ and seated Him at His right hand. The same power raised us from spiritual death—salvation by grace through faith, not works, created for good works.

C. Peace of God's Grace in the Crucified Lord (2:11-22)
Christ broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. Both have access to the Father. The church is God's temple with Christ as cornerstone.

D. Purpose of God's Grace Revealed in Christ (3:1-21)
Paul explains the mystery—Gentiles are fellow heirs. The church makes known God's wisdom. Prayer for inner strength, that Christ would dwell in hearts. Doxology to God who does abundantly beyond what we ask.

III. The Calling to Walk as the Body of Christ (4:1-6:22)

A. Walk Worthy as One Body (4:1-16)
Walk worthy with humility, gentleness, patience. Unity—one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. Christ gave gifts to equip saints for ministry, building up the body to maturity.

B. Walk in the New Man, Not Old Ways (4:17-5:14)
No longer walk as Gentiles. Put off the old self, be renewed, put on the new self. Put away falsehood, anger, stealing, corrupting talk. Be kind, forgiving. Imitate God, walk in love. Avoid immorality—these bring God's wrath. Walk as children of light.

C. Walk in God's Wisdom for Relationships (5:15-6:9)
Walk carefully as wise. Be filled with the Spirit. Submit to one another. Wives to husbands; husbands love wives as Christ loved the church. Children obey parents; fathers don't provoke but discipline in the Lord. Bondservants obey as serving Christ; masters treat servants justly.

D. Walk in the Lord's Armor for Spiritual Warfare (6:10-22)
Be strong in the Lord. Put on God's full armor to stand against spiritual forces. Stand with truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation, and God's word. Pray at all times in the Spirit.

IV. Concluding Blessing: Peace and Grace (6:23-24)

Conclusion: Living in Light of God's Riches

Ephesians calls us to see ourselves as God sees us—blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, raised and seated with Him in heavenly places, part of God's eternal plan to unite all things. This isn't wishful thinking but solid reality grounded in Christ's death and resurrection.

When you understand your riches in Christ, you live differently. You walk worthy of your calling, pursue unity, put off the old self, order relationships by gospel patterns, and stand firm against spiritual opposition.

As you read Ephesians, let its vision expand your understanding of God's purposes. Let its truths ground your identity in Christ. Let its ethics shape your relationships. Let its warfare instructions prepare you for spiritual battle. Most importantly, let it lead you into deeper worship of the God whose riches of grace in Christ are immeasurable, whose power accomplishes far more than we imagine, and whose glory fills the church in every generation.

Bibliography

• The CSB Study Bible. Edited by Trevin Wax and Andy McLean. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.
• ESV Study Bible. Edited by Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
• The MacArthur Study Bible. Edited by John MacArthur. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997.
• NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible. Edited by D. A. Carson. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018.
• Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible. Edited by Joel R. Beeke. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2014.
• The Reformation Study Bible. Edited by R. C. Sproul. English Standard Version. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2015.