Ephesians - Outline and Introduction to Paul’s Letter

Ephesians Introduction and Outline

Welcome to the start of a new Bibe Study Notes, this one on the letter to the Ephesians (like the title above says). I have enjoyed thinking and praying over this letter, and pray that you will appreciate this letter, along with me.

1. Introduction
Written by: Apostle Paul
Written to: Church in Ephesus
Reason for writing: The converted Jews tended to be exclusive and to separate themselves from their Gentile brethren.
Main Theme: Christian unity, or the Unity of the Church. Two commentaries in my ‘Blue Letter Bible’ App said the following: “The letter was written to highlight the themes and doctrines of our Christian faith.” (D. Guzik)
And, “The Epistle to the Ephesians is a complete Body of Divinity. In the first chapter you have the doctrines of the gospel; in the next, you have the experience of the Christians; and before the Epistle is finished, you have the precepts of the Christian faith. Whosoever would see Christianity in one treatise, let him ‘read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest’ the Epistle to the Ephesians.” (Spurgeon)

2. Outline

Note: NASB, 1977 edition printed by Holman Bible Publishers was used for the Bible verses in this set of notes.

Chapter 1
1-2: Greetings
3-6: Blessed with every spiritual blessing
7-14: Everything we have comes from Christ. Key words - “in Him” (meaning Christ)
15-19: Paul’s prayers for the believers
20-25: All things under Christ

Chapter 2
1-3: - Former condition - separated
4-7: - Rich in Mercy
8-10: - New condition - saved by grace
11-13: - Gentiles especially separated
14-16: - One from Two
17-18: - He preached peace
19-22: - No longer foreigners

Chapter 3
1-3: - Paul has a secret
4-7: - The Mystery of Christ
8-10: - Servant of the Gospel
11-13: - Eternal purpose
14-16: - Bow My Knees Before the Father
17-19: - A prayer
20-21: - Benediction

Chapter 4
1-3: - Unity of the church in Christ
4-7: - One...
8-10: - Descending & Ascending
11-13: - Equipped for the Ministry
14-16: - Building and strengthening of the body
17-19: - You did not learn like that
20-24: - Warning to not revert to the old ways
25-32: - Do not give the Devil the Opportunity (Christian behavior, guidelines, rules)

Chapter 5
1-2: - Imitators of a God
3-6: - No impurity
7-10: - Let no one deceive
11-14: - All will be exposed
15-17: - Do not be foolish
18-21: - Walk in light, not darkness (Be filled with the Spirit)
22-24: - Wives
25-33: - Husband/wife and Christ/church likenesses

Chapter 6
1-4: - Children & Fathers
5-9: - Slaves & Masters
10-18: - Whole armor of God
19-24: - Closing words.

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Ephesians may be divided into two (2) major sections:

In the first, chs 1-3, Paul lays out what God has done for us. No commands for us to obey, it has been done for us by God through Jesus.

In the second, chs 4-6, Paul shows us what our response to God’s mercy and grace should look like. This is how you live when you have Christ in you.

Key Thoughts in Ephesian Letter
Chapters 1-3	Chapters 4-6
Blessed with … (1:3) Made Alive … (2:5) Made - New Humanity … 2:15 Members of One Body … (3:6) Together - Grasp Depth of God’s Love … (3:15) God’s Blessings	Live/Walk Worthy … (4:1) Unity of the Spirit … (4:3) No Longer Walk … (4:17) Walk in Love … (5:1) Walk as Children of Light … (5:8) Walk - As Wise … (5:25) Our Response

(Note: The info in the table is from Gene Curtis’s sermon on 10/2/22.)

 

Rom 16:25-27 - A Paean of Blessing

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,
26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;
27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

A Hymn of Praise, a Benediction, and a Blessing

The following verses close the letter.

V. 25-26 - “Now to Him who is able to establish you” - We are saved (established) by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

“according” - This can be read “on the basis of”. This begins a list of foundational thoughts:

“(On the basis of) my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ” - Paul’s gospel: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Cor 15:3-4 ) And: “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (1 Cor 2:2 ) Jesus’ preaching: “Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6 )

“(On the basis of) the revelation of the mystery” - A mystery, as mentioned in the NT, is a truth undisclosed except by revelation. (Examples of mysteries: 1 Cor 13:2, 15:51; Matt 13:1; Rom 11:25; Eph 5:3-32.) That Christ would die for our sin, and be resurrected for our life in Him; that the church would be the "believers who come to Christ in faith be saved; that Gentiles would be welcomed (hinted at in the prophets, but not understood until revealed after Pentecost, are some of the ‘mysteries’ that have been ‘manifested’ - made known clearly and plainly to us.

“(On the basis of) the Scriptures of the prophets” - God spoke to us through his prophets. But the people then (and now as well) have rejected the message. See: "But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.” (Zec 7:11-12 )

“(On the basis of) the commandment of the eternal God” - God has been calling to us: “Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’ “ (Eze 33:11) And: "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut 6:4-5) Also: "You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you.” (Deut 6:13-14)

“Leading to obedience of faith” - According to all of the above, you may be led to a faith in Christ. The reason I say “you may be led” is that the information is there, the call to you is there; it is your choice how you respond. If you obey the Lord and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, your salvation is established, that is: rooted and built up in Christ, drawing life from Christ, protected by Christ. (See: John 3:35; 10:28-29)

V. 27 - “To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” Glory to God in the highest. “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. Then all the people said, ‘Amen,’ and praised the LORD.” (1 Chr 16:36 )

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End of Chapter
End of Letter.
Romans 16:1-27 (NASB) Finished 13-Mar-2020.