Introduction to the letter to the Ephesians
The 49th book of the Bible, the 10th in the New Testament
Ephesus was one of the most important cities of antiquity, both economically—a wealthy trading city on the west coast of modern-day Turkey—and in terms of pagan religion, with its temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis (Roman Diana), one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.”
Paul had already visited Ephesus at the end of his second missionary journey; on his third missionary journey, he spent and worked in the city for over two years. He was persecuted here and imprisoned for a time because his preaching of the Gospel was seen as a financial threat.
Paul likely wrote the Letter to the Ephesians — and thus also to the surrounding churches—as one of his first “prison epistles” during his imprisonment in Rome between the years 60 and 62 AD.
At the heart of the letter is the family of God as the body of Christ, with Jesus as its head.
The global church is meant to represent unity; it consists of all people who have accepted faith in Christ, a single community of Jews together with the other nations.
In his letter, Paul expounds on fundamental teachings regarding God’s plan for His family — for the entire body as a whole, but also for each individual member. In doing so, he explains the blessings and grace that God has provided for His beloved children.
Paul also describes how we should conduct ourselves in the relationships God intends for us to have with one another: between husband and wife, parents and children, and masters and slaves — or, in today’s terms, between supervisors and subordinates.
Finally, the author reminds us in this letter that a Christian is engaged in a spiritual battle throughout his or her entire life on earth, how we are to wage this battle, and what weapons God has provided us for this purpose.
Outline of the Epistle to the Ephesians in its two main parts:
1. Chapters 1–3 – The standing of a Christian that we have attained before God through Jesus:
Chapters 1:1–1:22 – Sonship of God through faith in Christ
Chapters 2:1–2:18 – The individual as a member of the body of Christ
Chapters 2:19–3:21 – The believer as God’s building block for His kingdom
2. Chapters 4–6 – The practical life of a Christian, how we should conduct ourselves as children of God:
Chapters 4:1–6:9 – The Christian’s conduct in his surroundings
Chapters 6:10–24 – Spiritual warfare and our armor
Content of the letter to the Ephesians:
Ephesians chapter 1
Author
I. First (Instructional) Section: The Glory of Christian Salvation (1:3–3:21)
Ephesians chapter 2
Ephesians chapter 3
Ephesians chapter 4
II. Second (exhortatory) main section: Exhortations to the readers to live a life worthy of their calling (4:1–6:20)
Exhortations regarding conduct in their relationships with one another
Ephesians chapter 5
Warning against sexual immorality, greed, and indecent speech
Walk carefully as children of light
Duties of spouses
Ephesians chapter 6
Duties of children and parents
Duties of servants (= slaves) and masters
III. Conclusion of the Letter