Ephesians
“Riches” is one of the key words Paul uses in his letter to the Ephesians. The riches he is talking about are the riches of God’s grace, mercy, kindness, and glory in Christ. It is difficult to capture and summarize all the wonderful things that Paul is teaching here. There are many different angles one can take to view this beautiful diamond of the New Testament.
Paul spent three years in Ephesus, and amazing things happened there. Many Ephesians who had worshiped the goddess Artemis, turned to Christ. Magic was popular in Ephesus, and Paul responded to this by emphasizing God’s power over all cosmic authorities. Paul explained the true mystery of the gospel through which God was joining people of all nations to His Son.
The letter to the Ephesians is a good example of “theology as doxology.” That is, our teaching about God leads right into our worship of God. Paul often praises God for the riches we have in Christ. Paul shows how the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together to save us for God’s glory.
Three times in the letter Paul mentions that he was writing from prison. Most likely this was his Roman imprisonment (Acts 28.30) AD 60-62 when he also wrote Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.
One possible theme of the letter might be: Chosen, Made Alive, and United in Christ. The letter definitely falls into two parts. Chapters 1-3 give us the theology of Christ and what God has done for us. Chapters 4-6 give us the life of Christ that we live out in the world.
Chapter Notes
01) Paul praises God for the blessings He has given to us in Jesus. He has chosen us for holiness before He created us. Through Jesus we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He revealed the mystery of His will to gather together all things in Christ and to give us an inheritance. This began when we heard the word of truth, the gospel of salvation which was sealed by the Holy Spirit. Paul thanked God for the faith and love of the Ephesians, and he prayed that God would continue to reveal to them the knowledge and understanding of His inheritance and His power. He prayed that they would know His great power in raising Jesus from the dead and giving Him dominion over all other dominions as the head of the church. We should also note the similarity between this passage and the Ecumenical Creeds (Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian).
02) Jesus made us alive who were dead in sin and under the influence of the spirit of the world that we might sit in the heavenly places. We were saved by grace, through faith, not by our works, so we could do good works. By the blood of Christ the Gentiles were brought to the God of Israel. Through Him Jews and Gentiles have access by the Spirit to the Father. The Gentiles are no longer strangers but members of the household of God. They are part of the temple built on the foundation of the apostles, prophets and Jesus as the cornerstone.
03) Paul revealed the mystery that Gentiles should be fellow heirs of God’s promises through Christ. This was God’s great plan from the beginning. The Ephesians should not lose heart that Paul is in prison. As Paul glorified Christ, he prayed that the Ephesians would be filled with Christ and also glorify Him.
04) Chapters 4-6 is the second half in which Paul teaches how faith in Christ is lived in the world. The calling of faith produces love, and love produces unity. Christ descended into hell and ascended into heaven and rules over all. He gave the body of Christ (church) various servants to equip the saints (believers). They are no longer caught up in lies and falsehoods. They speak the truth in love and grow strong in Christ. They put off the former sinful conduct of the old man and put on the new man of holiness. They live to please the Holy Spirit and live according to God’s will.
05) Believers imitate God like “children” imitate their parents. They don’t join in the sinful, sensual ways of “the sons of disobedience.” They walk in the light and wisdom of Christ. They give thanks for all things and work with other Christians in the fear of God. For most people this begins in marriage. “Submit” must be understood like verse 21 as working together. But the “working together” has God-given roles. The role of the husband is like that of Christ - the first giver and sacrificer in the relationship. The role of the wife is like that of the church - the receiver and supporter of her husband’s sacrificial love. From creation this relationship was a one flesh unity.
06) Paul is following a pattern: Living by faith in Christ in marriage, in family, and in the world. Just as husband and wife submit to one another as they do to God (v.21), so children and parents work together “in the Lord” by keeping the Fourth Commandment. Servants and masters work together “doing the will of God from the heart.” The devil detests all love and harmony and seeks to destroy it. Christians resist with the “armor of God,” the gifts of truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the sword of the Spirit/God’s Word. These pearls are strung on the wire of prayer for ourselves and for each other. Added to the letter was information that Tychicus, Paul’s helper, brought. Paul ends with a benediction (a declaration of God’s blessings) of peace, love, faith, and grace in Christ.