Context
- Ephesians was written while Paul was in Roman prison around 60AD
- Ephesians was a coastal town that Paul had visited - and stayed for anywhere from three months to about two years - earlier in his ministry (see Acts 19)
- This was written to the church in Ephesus, several of which members Paul would have known well
The Gospel Story
Who and what we are in Christ, where we’re going when it’s all over, and why we’re going there
Blessings (1)
- Paul opens with a forever long run on sentence about God’s holiness and how we’re adopted into his family
- God has provided his redeption and forgiveness of our sins to us through His blood, by grace
- This grace, unifies all of heaven and earth to God and God’s will
- Our response to the gospel grants us access to the Holy Spirit, which is the “down payment” of our inheritence - salvation and life everlasting
Prayer (2:1-10)
- Pauls prayer is wordy but boils down to wanting us to know God more
- Knowign God, provides hope, joy, and strengthens our faith, leading to blessing and an outpouring of the same same power that raised Christ from the dead
Death to Life
- We are dead in sin
- God’s mercy and Love has made us alive in Christ
- We have been saved by grace through faith as a gift from God, not from works (2:8-9)
- As a new creation in Christ, we are made for good works (v10), so walk in them
- That is: we are saved by grace but our behavior should change
One Messiah (2:11)
- Those that were not a part of Israel are part of the family
- There is no Jew or Greek, only Christian
One New Man (2:14)
- Jesus is our peace, removing the fence of laws in favor of spirit
- Jesus nullified the traditions to make two - Jew and Greek - into one (Isa 44:5, Ezek 34:24, 37:17,24, John 10:16, Rom 11:17-24)
- Having become one, there is no longer a separation of man, we are to be unified with Jesus as the cornerstone
Paul’s Ministry (3)
- Paul sits in awe of his mission: to reach the “heathens” on behalf of Jesus
- His ministry is to call heathens to become fellow heirs and members of the body of Christ, sharing in Jesus’s promises
- He’s called to preach the gospel, bring to light mysteries / reveal God’s wisdom, and, therefore, give hope and confidence to believers
To Know the Love of Messiah (3:14)
- Because of this ministry, I’m imprisoned, but don’t worry, I’m praying for His spirit to empower you, to strengthen your hearts through faith, and to become rooted in Love such that you can understand the fullness of God
Important
Question: Does Paul’s description of his mission or the Gospel change how you view them? Would you share the gospel in the same way?
Our Story (Therefore…)
The Unity of the Body (4)
- Walk in humility and gentleness, patience, and love, peaceful, and unified in body and spirit
- Become mature in Christ: growing, joining, uniting together with Jesus as the head
- Jesus is growing the body, built up in love
The Old Life and the New (4:17)
- Don’t work futily
- Lay aside the old, destructful, decietful desires
- Allow the renewal of the spirit in: that of righteousness, holiness, and truth
Rules for the New Life (4:25-5:5)
- Speak truthfully
- Be angry but don’t sin (the sun must not set on your anger)
- Do not steal
- Advise and encourage (”rotton” words must never leave your mouth)
- Do not offend the holy spirit - respect God
- Rid yourself of bitterness, impulse, anger, business, and blashpemy
- Be kind, compassionate, forgiving, loving, christ-like
- Do not speak fouly, foolishly, or punch-down
- Be thankful
- Do not worship idols
Walk as Children of the Light (5)
- Do not be lead astray: you are now children of the light
- Live a changed life, don’t allow grace to become license
- Expose darkness
- Redeem your time for the days are evil - understand the will of God
- Speak in psalms and sing praises, play music from your heart, and give thanks to God
Examples
Wives and Husbands (5:21)
| Wife - church | Husbands - Jesus |
|---|---|
| Allow husband to lead | Be the head |
| Submit to husband | Be loving |
| Be pure | Die on her behalf |
Children and Parents (6)
| Children | Fathers |
|---|---|
| Obey | Do not Provoke |
| Honor | Train and instruct |
Slaves and Masters (6:5)
| Slaves | Masters |
|---|---|
| Obey with respect | Do the same things as slaves |
| Remain devoted | Do not threaten |
| Serve enthusiastically | Do not be partial |
The Battle against Evil (6:10)
- Be strong in God
- Be clothed in the armor of God:
- Belt of truth
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Sandles of the gospel of peace
- Shield of faith
- Helmet of salvation
- Sword of the spirit (the word)
- Pray and ask for perseverance
- Be an ambassador in chains, speak boldly
Important
Question: Does this alter your view of how you should live? Does this encourage you? What is one area you can focus on this week that Paul calls out?
Table of Contents
[The Gospel Story](#The Gospel Story)
[Death to Life](#Death to Life)
[One Messiah (2:11)](#One Messiah (2:11))
[One New Man (2:14)](#One New Man (2:14))
[Paul’s Ministry (3)](#Paul’s Ministry (3))
[To Know the Love of Messiah (3:14)](#To Know the Love of Messiah (3:14))
[Our Story (Therefore…)](#Our Story (Therefore…))
[The Unity of the Body (4)](#The Unity of the Body (4))
[The Old Life and the New (4:17)](#The Old Life and the New (4:17))
[Rules for the New Life (4:25-5:5)](#Rules for the New Life (4:25-5:5))
[Walk as Children of the Light (5)](#Walk as Children of the Light (5))
[Wives and Husbands (5:21)](#Wives and Husbands (5:21))
[Children and Parents (6)](#Children and Parents (6))
[Slaves and Masters (6:5)](#Slaves and Masters (6:5))
[The Battle against Evil (6:10)](#The Battle against Evil (6:10))