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)
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.
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.
| 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.)
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