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.

Rom. 16:21-24 - Timothy and Other Workers

21 Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother.
24 [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]

Fellow Workers for Christ

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V. 21 - “Timothy... Lucius and Jason... Sosipater” - We met Timothy in Acts 16:1-3. Lucius was a teacher in the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1). Jason may have been a leader of a house-church in Thessalonica when Paul arrived there. In the hubbub of persecution, Jason was dragged out of his house to the city authorities. Jason made sure Paul and Silas escaped from Thessalonica. (Acts 17:5-9)
When Paul left Greece after another riotous persecution, Sosipater (a.k.a. Sopater), a Berean Christian accompanied him on the way to Troas to meet with Timothy. (Acts 20:4-6).
Lucius, Jason and Sosipater are called Paul’s “kinsmen’. It is not clear if they were Jewish Christians or men from Paul’s home town, or if he was identifying them as family since they are Christian brethren.

V. 22 - “Tertius” - The person writing out the letter for Paul. I believe Tertius was a Christian, who was hired by Paul as an amanuensis (a three-dollar word for ‘scribe’).

V. 23 - “Gaius... Erastus... Quartus” - Three workers from Paul’s missionary journeys. We met Gaius in 1 Cor 1:14. He may have been from the city of Derbe, and is mentioned in 3 John 1:1. Erastus was mentioned in Acts 19:22, when he is sent with Timothy into Macedonia to work there. He is also mentioned in Paul’s letter to Timothy (2 Tim 4:20). Erastus may have been a city official - treasurer. Quatrus is not mentioned anywhere else in scripture, and maybe he was Erastus’ brother (or so some commentators have spevulated).

V. 24 - “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” - Some manuscripts do not have this verse. That’s okay.

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Rom. 16:17-20 - Trouble Makers

17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

I Want You to be Wise - Don’t be Fooled by These People

V. 17 - “keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances” - Paul is warning against two type of opposition: false teachers and persecutions. Paul knew of persecution because of his faith in Jesus. (For example, see: Acts 4:3; 5:17; 6:11; 8:58; 9:1, 23, 29; 12:1; 13:45, 50; 14:2, 19; 16:22; 17:5, 14; 18:12; 19:28; 20:3; 21:28; 23:2; 25:3 - to list a few.) You can generate a similar list for opposition to Jesus in the Gospels.
He reminds them they have learned the Good News about Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and they are to hold fast to those teachings and turn away from false teachings. Compare what is being taught by these people to what Paul has just written to them in this letter. Do not follow deviations from Christ and Him crucified and resurrected!

V. 18 - “such men are slaves... of their own appetites” - Look back to the first chapter of Romans - “professing to be wise, they became fools” (1:22); “they exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (1:25); “although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death...” (1:32)

"By their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.” - These men are listening to themselves, urged on by Satan, rather than listening to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us to the truth, and it is our choice to hear and obey the truth or reject and die. Do not follow the ones who reject the truth of Christ as Lord.

V. 19 - “the report of your obedience has reached to all” - The Roman church has a reputation of hearing and believing in the Lord. Paul is happy and praises them for their steadfastness.

“I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil” - The quality of being morally wise, not just intellectual smart. James writes, “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (Jam 4:17) In Proverbs, there is distinction between the ‘wise’ and the ‘foolish’. The wise man learns the morally right way to behave and holds to that. The foolish man knows the wrong way, and does it anyway - guilty of knowing the way and turning from it. (For example, see: Prov 10:1, 8, 13, 14, 21, 23, 32)

V. 20 - “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” - Be patient. Be faithful. Victory is yours in Christ Jesus. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote “To leave everything behind at the call of Christ is to be content with Him alone, and to follow only Him... This exclusiveness of this adherence is the only power which can overcome evil.” (From: “A Testament to Freedom” - 317)

“The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” - Peace cannot be manufactured within you. It is a gift of God through the power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ! His grace will grant that gift to you. Claim it. Live it.

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Romans 16:1-16 - Recognitions given

CHAPTER 16
16:1-16 - Recognitions
16:17-20 - Trouble makers
16:21-24 - Timothy & workers
16:25-27 - Paean of Blessing

Signing off, Acknowledgements and a Benediction

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea;
2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
4 who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;
5 also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them.
15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

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V. 1-2 - “Phoebe” - A deaconess of the church. From dictionaries, we find that Corinth had two major harbors, Cenchrea (East of Corinth) and Lacheum (west of Corinth). There was a church located in Cenchrea, and it is possible a Paul founded a church there, and perhaps witnessed the Gospel to Phoebe.

“You receive her in the Lord” - Phoebe may have been the messenger carrying the letter to the Roman church. There was no mail service “R.E.P.S. - Roman Empire Postal Service”. Letters required a courier to make the trip and deliver the document. She was to be treated as they would any other Christian believer - as a ‘saint’.

“You help her” - What kind of help she might need is unknown. Since she was the courier, perhaps she would need lodging and food, help to find her way around Rome, making arrangements for her return to Cenchrea, etc. Paul recommends her because she has helped many people including himself.

V. 3-5 - “Prisca and Aquila” - This husband and wife team is mentioned several times in the NT writings. (See: Acts 18:2, 18, 26; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19) Paul first meets them in Corinth on his second missionary journey. They must have been vital to the church ministry as it spread throughout the Roman Empire. Priscilla and Aquila were working in Rome when Paul sent this letter, and later in Ephesus with Timothy. They held church meetings in their home.

“Epaenatus” - One of the first Christian converts in Asia. (This is the only place where he is mentioned in scripture.)

Vss. 6-15 - A list of workers in Rome: Andronicus, Junias, Amplias, Urbonus, Stacitys, Apelles, Aristubulus, Herodian, Persis, Rufus, Asynchritus, Phleogeon, Hermès, Patrobos, Hermas, Philogus, Nereus, and Olympas. I do not know if these people are part of Paul's travelling group, or Paul knows these people in Rome because they were saved there. As far as I know, Paul had not been there (Rome) when he wrote the letter. They are not mentioned anywhere else in scripture.

Women mentioned in the list: Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Julia, Nereus’ sister, Rufus’ mother, and Mary: From the beginning of the church, women have had a prominent place. Paul worshipped in women’s homes on his missionary trips. This is a 'big' change from Jewish sabbath worship, where women sat on one side of the room from the men, and were not allowed to speak. I do not think this practice (separating women from men) was carried forward in the Christian church.

It is really different from the pagan religions of the nations all around the Mediterranean sea and in northern Africa. My impression is that women were not equal to men, and in many cases women were used as temple prostitutes. (I don't think that married women were offered by their husbands to be prostitutes.) Many of the Roman or Greek religions used sex as part of the 'worship'.

The Christian faith elevated women to be saved on their own 'right' by the love and sacrifice of Jesus, not just because their husbands were saved. Women did not need a husband to be a Christian. Praise the Lord for that!

V. 16 - “Greet one another with a holy kiss” - Great each other, warmly and friendly-like. Hugs and kisses are fine. Not kisses that lead to making love, but show the affection of one Christian for another. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Even if you do not have a brother or a sister, you know how you greet family members.

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Rom. 15:30-33 - Strive with Me

30 Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
31 that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;
32 so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Pray for Me. Pray With Me.

V. 30 - “strive together with me in your prayers to God for me“ - Not asking for prayer telegrams. He asking for a dedicated commitment of prayer. Founded in the power of Jesus, and fueled by the Holy Spirit - prayer that lifts Paul and encourages him.

V. 31 - “I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea” - Ironic isn’t it - the Christian church (Side note: don’t know if synagogues were ever called ‘churches’, nor if any pagan religion has groups of believers called churches) was started in Jerusalem, and the epicenter of hatred against the church of a Jesus Christ was also Jerusalem. Paul knew he was going to the worst possible place for him to be. The Jewish high priests and leaders must have felt betrayed, that Paul was a traitor. They must have felt scorned, and they were seeking revenge.

“my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints” - Paul, risking his life to bring alms to the believers in Jerusalem - how could that not be acceptable?

V. 32 - “I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest“ - Just get through this one task, then he could come to Rome. He would be refreshed by their faith and joy in Christ. What a blessing they would be to him. Paul has been on the road for about 25 years, preaching the gospel, building up the faithful, and dodging ‘bullets’.

V. 33 - “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” - I suspect this verse should have been included in chapter 16 (see note 1). This blessing fits nicely with the greetings and acknowledgements making up most of chapter 16.

Note 1: Chapter numbers/divisions were identified in the 1200s AD. Verse numbers came about 1555 AD.

End of Chapter Romans 15:1-33 (NASB)

Rom. 15:22-29 - Paul’s journey

22 For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you;
23 but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you
24 whenever I go to Spain--for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while--
25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints.
26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.
28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.
29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

I Am Finally Getting to Come to You!

V. 22 - “For this reason” - Paul was ‘driven’ to spread the gospel to places and people who had not heard. He wanted to revisit Philippi, but was compelled to go to other places.

V. 23 - “with no further place for me in these regions” - Paul believes the gospel message has been shared, through his ministry and of others, throughout the area. He is looking for new places to evangelize (See below). Paul was a traveling evangelist. Sometimes he stayed in one place for a while to build up the believers so the local church would be strong, and he used that church as a hub to spread the gospel throughout a region.

“I have had for many years a longing to come to you” - He’s been constantly on the move, but still wants to come see them and find out first hand how they are growing in Christ. Paul had not been to Rome, nor started a church there. Perhaps the church was started by people converted around the day of Pentecost, when so many believers were joined to the body of Christ. I am sure Paul wanted to come to Rome to see this church in the center of the Roman empire. He knew the influence of this church would be massive, since it could spread from the capital of the empire to the outer edges - basically the whole known western civilization.

Some commentaries say that Paul was not writing a systematic theology treatise, yet they recognize the foundational principles of our faith are found here in this letter.

V. 24 - “whenever I go to Spain” - His next adventure for Christ. Rome was to be a stop-over on his way to Spain. There is no record in Acts or Paul’s letters of him being directed to go to Spain. Paul was told by the Lord to go to Rome (Acts 24:11). (See note 1)

“to see you... to be helped on my way... to enjoy your company” - As he passes through Rome on the way to Spain, he wants to visit with them, spend some time with them, and get some help from them to be able to complete his missionary journey. I think Paul is very interested in this church since it was started without apostolic imprimatur. And perhaps that is why Paul wrote this detailed instructive letter - in order to build them up in the faith.

V. 25-26 - “I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints” - But first Paul wants to go to Jerusalem, carrying gifts from churches to Jerusalem. The believers in Jerusalem were suffering, either from natural causes (famine, etc.), or from persecution. In any case, churches in Macedonia, Galatia, and Eur-Asia were sending help via Paul and his fellow workers. (Achaia is the part of Greece which has Corinth, Athens and Sparta.)

V. 27 - “they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them” - The far flung churches, hundreds of miles from Jerusalem, are pleased to help the brethren in Jerusalem.

How are the Gentile churches indebted to the Jerusalem churches? The Jerusalem church sent apostles and missionaries to spread the Good News! To make it personal: we are thankful and grateful that some people who don’t know us or know anything about us will care enough to about us to send a messenger with the Gospel. We gain eternal life because someone care enough to send a messenger!

“the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things” - They have shared the Good News of eternal life by faith in Jesus Christ.

“indebted to minister to them also in material things” - In return for the generosity in sharing Jesus with the Gentiles, the Gentiles will share some of their wealth and physical goods.

V. 28 - “I have finished this... I will go on by way of you to Spain.” - After the offerings are delivered to Jerusalem, and the church there knows the Gentile churches care about them, he will stop in Rome as he passes through. We know from the account in Acts that Paul never got beyond Rome. In fact his trip to Rome was not exactly voluntary.

V. 29 - “I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.” - Even though Paul’s trip to Rome was not what, nor the way, he had planned.

*** Note 1: This letter was written in Corinth. Paul was there about three months. (On Paul’s third missionary journey - re-visiting some of the cities of the second missionary journey - see: Acts 20:1-2) He had not yet been instructed by the Lord about going to Rome. On the way from Greece to Jerusalem, to take some offerings to the church there, Paul tells the Roman soldiers and governors that he, Paul, was a Roman citizen. This simple statement, “I am a Roman citizen,” changed the demeanor of the governors and Roman commanders. All of a sudden, he was no longer someone they could beat and imprison as they wished. There was immediate deference to Paul as a Roman citizen. The Roman commander provided 270 soldiers to escort Paul to safety, on his way to Rome.
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