The Christian’s Life in Christ

Introduction to Ephesians

I am including the skeleton of my sermon Sunday to help with background As we read through Ephesians this month.  I suggest reading MacArthur’s Study Bible introduction also. 

The Introduction to the book requires some necessary background information for us to understand the book properly As we walk through it.  
  1. The Author
Paul (1:1; 3:1)
Paul was …
  1. Paul was an Apostle (1:1) Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, 
  2. Paul was a Prisoner (Probably in Rome (3:1, 4:1, 6:20)  Ephesians 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.  This was during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome Acts 28:30 About 60 ad.  This was probably during his first imprisonment in Rome.  
  3. Paul was a Planter - A Church Planter - Paul was a Gentile Church Planter in Asia Minor.  A minister of the blessings of Abraham to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8)

  1. The Recipients
Ephesians 1: 1 … To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus
Paul did know them.  He knew that they were believers (1:13, 1:15).  
Ephesians 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Paul acknowledged that they actively loved their fellow believers (1:15). 1:15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,

Paul also knew they knew who Christ was and what He required of them (4:20). Ephesians 4:20 But you did not learn Christ in this way,

AND Paul prayed for them as seen His prayers for them (1:15-20, 3:14-19).  
And Paul asked them for their prayers for him (6:18-20).  
And finally, Paul pointed to a representative, Tychicus, who was coming to give them an update of Paul’s circumstances (6:21). 

Interesting reading would be to read Revelation 2:1-7 for background.  It was written to the same church 30 years later.

Paul’s main focus was on the growing church in Ephesus and the area of Asia Minor.
  1. The Key themes
The key themes are woven through the whole book.  
 The key themes I believe that are most prominent and thus important to note are:
  1. The Power of God (Synonyms associated power also used include strength, might, etc.). After my read today I would add Work or working is added to this word group!
  2. Love (The noun or verb form of love is used 19 times in Ephesus)
  3. “In Christ” (Stated as in Him or in Christ over 30xs).
  4. “the church” (aka. the body of Christ, the dwelling place of God, and other adjectives describing the believers, holy ones, adopted children, brethren, fellow citizens, members of the household, etc.).
  5. The “fill” word group (This is a real interesting theme we will develop As we go along.  The various forms of the word fill used in the letter include:  Fill, filled, full, fills, fulness, 1:22, 3:19, conceptually 4:6, 4:10, 5:18, 
  6. Walk (Starts in 2:2, 10 …  then exhortation for the believer to walk 4:1, 17, 5:2, 5:8, 5:15 …. Then playing off the concept of walk Paul then exhorts them to stand in 6:11, 13, 14)
  7. The Spirit (Arguably the Spirit is more of a focus in this New Testament epistle than in all the others (with the possible exception of Romans 8) 1:13, 17, 2:18, 22, 3:5, 16, 4:3, 4, 23, 30, 5:18, 6:17, 18)
  1. The Purpose
Unlike many books, especially in the New Testament, the purpose is not clearly spelled out in a verse.  And as I mentioned there doesn’t appear to be a specific false teaching that is addressed.  The sister letter to Ephesians was Colossians.  If you lay them down beside each other and trace their logical flow they are very similar.  However, Colossians addresses the false teaching of that area.  

As we will mention in a little bit the structure of the book breaks down nicely in two main parts.  The calling of God in Christ and the Conduct of the Church in Christ.  This outline points to what I believe is the general purpose of the book.

Ephesians gives the “WHY” and the “How” for the believer’s life before giving the “What” we are required to do in Christ by faith by the Spirit’s power!

How the unified body of Christ should live in light of the Power and Love of God shown toward them in Christ Jesus!

  1. The Structure
Introduction (1:1-2) 
  1. The Calling of God in Christ Jesus (1:3-3:21)
A.  Praise to God (1:3-14) 
B.  Prayer to God (1:15-19a) 
C.  Power of God (1:19b-2:22; 3:2-3:13) 
Christ’s Preeminent Power (1:19b-23)
Christ’s Power in the Individual (2:1-10)
Christ’s Power in the Church (2:11-22)
Christ’s Power in the Paul (3:1; 3:2-13)
D.  Prayer to God (3:1, 3:14-19)
E.  Praise to God (3:20-21)
  1. The Corresponding Conduct of those Called in Christ Jesus (4:1-6:20)
A.  Walk in Unity (4:1-16) 
B.  Walk in Holiness (4:17-32) 
C.  Walk in Love (5:1-5)
D.  Walk in Light (5:6-14)
E.  Walk in Wisdom (5:15-6:9) 
In General (5:15-5:21)
In the Church & Marriages (5:22-33)
In Relationships (6:1-9)
F.  Stand in the Strength of the Lord (6:10-20) 
Stand Against the Devil (6:10-17)
Pray at all Times (6:18-6:20)


Conclusion (6:21-24)

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