THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS
Introduction:
“The city of Ephesus is, by Pliny, called the other light of Asia; Miletus was one, and Ephesus the other: it was the metropolis of the lesser Asia, and one of the twelve cities of Ionia, and the first and chief of them: it is said to be built by the Amazons: it was famous for the magnificent temple of Diana; and the inhabitants of it were very much given to superstition and idolatry, and even to devilish arts, Acts 19:19.” — John Gill’s Expositor.
“It was this temple which gave unity to the city, and to the character of its inhabitants. Oxford in England is not more Oxford on account of its University, than Ephesus was Ephesus on account of the Temple of Diana. The highest title the city could have assumed, and that which was impressed on its coins, was newkopov, Temple-sweeper, —servant of the great goddess. One of the most lucrative occupations of the people was the manufacture of miniature representations of the temple, wrought in silver, which being carried about by travellers, or reverenced at home, found an extensive sale, both foreign and domestic.” — Charles Hodge.
“Paul’s first visit to Ephesus (on the seacoast of Lydia, near the river Cayster) is related in Acts 18:19-21. The work, begun by his disputations with the Jews in his short visit, was carried on by Apollos (Acts 18:24-26), and Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:26). At his second visit, after his journey to Jerusalem, and thence to the east regions of Asia Minor, he remained at Ephesus “three years” (Acts 19:10, the “two years” in which verse are only part of the time, and Acts 20:31); so that the founding and rearing of this Church occupied an unusually large portion of the apostle’s time and care; whence his language in this Epistle shows a warmth of feeling, and a free outpouring of thought, and a union in spiritual privileges and hope between him and them (Ephesians 1:3, etc.), such as are natural from one so long and so intimately associated with those whom he addresses. On his last journey to Jerusalem, he sailed by Ephesus and summoned the elders of the Ephesian Church to meet him at Miletus, where he delivered his remarkable farewell charge (Acts 20:18-35).” — Jamieson, Fausset, Brown.
Writer: The apostle Paul.
Date: Probably written at Rome between 60 and 64 A.D.
Paul’s Ministry at Ephesus:
1) His first visit, Acts 18:18-21.
2) His second visit, the Holy Spirit is given to believers who were baptized “Unto John’s baptism,” Acts 19:2-7.
a. His continuance of the work with remarkable success, Acts 19:9-20.
b. His conflict with the silversmiths, Acts 19:23-41.
3) His last visit and his address to the Ephesian elders, Acts 20:17-35.
Historical Occasion of the Writing: The converted Jews in the early churches were inclined to be exclusive, and separate themselves from their Gentile brethren. This condition of affairs in the church at Ephesus may have led to the writing of this epistle, the keynote of which is Christian Unity.
Key Verse: Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”
Main Theme: the unity of the church at Ephesus, especially between Jew and Gentile believers. This is shown by the recurrence of certain words and phrases, such as:
1) The word, “together:”
a. Gathered Together, Ephesians 1:10;
b. Quickened Together, Ephesians 2:5}
c. Raised up Together, sitting Together, Ephesians 2:6}
d. Builded Together, Ephesians 2:22}
2) The word, “one,” indicating unity:
a. One new man, Ephesians 2:15}
b. One body, Ephesians 2:16}
c. One spirit, Ephesians 2:18}
d. One hope, Ephesians 4:4}
e. One Lord, One faith, One baptism, One God and Father of all, Ephesians 4:5-6.
Other Recurrent Words and Phrases:
1) “In Christ,” Ephesians 1:1, 3, 6, 12, 15, 20; 2:10, 13; 3:11; 4:21.
2) “In heavenly places,” Ephesians 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10.
3) “Riches,” of grace, Ephesians 1:7; 2:7.
4) Riches,” of glory, Ephesians 1:18; 3:16.
5) “Riches,” of Christ, Ephesians 3:8.
Synopsis:
I. The Church and the Plan of Salvation.
NOTE: Paul in discussing the plan of salvation in the different epistles, somewhat varies the emphasis. In Romans he especially dwells upon faith apart from works. In Galatians, faith apart from ceremonial observances. In Ephesians he lays great stress upon the unity of believers.
1) The salutation, {#Eph 1:2}
2) The divine origin of the church, {#Eph 1:3-6}
3) The plan of salvation.
3a) Through the redemptive work of Christ, {#Eph 1:7,8}
3b) Universal in its scope, {#Eph 1:9-10}
3c) Insuring a rich spiritual inheritance, {#Eph 1:11-14}
3d) Prayer that believers might be fully enlightened as to the riches of its provisions, {#Eph 1:15-23}
3e) The plan provides for a spiritual resurrection from sin and the exaltation of the believer into heavenly places, {#Eph 2:1-6}
3f) It is wholly of grace and not of works, {#Eph 2:7-10}
3g) It embraces the Gentiles who were far from God, but were brought nigh by the blood of Christ, {#Eph 2:11-13}
3h) It removes all barriers between Jews and Gentiles and unites them into one body for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, {#Eph 2:14-22}
3i) The mysteries of the divine purpose revealed to Paul, and his appointment as apostle to the Gentiles, {#Eph 3:1-12}
3j) Paul’s second prayer for the spiritual fullness of the church and her enlightenment concerning the matchless love of Christ. {#Eph 3:14-21}
II. Practical Application.
A. The Divine Plan Calls for the Unity of Believers:
1. In the Spirit, Ephesians 4:1-3.
2. The Seven Unities Mentioned, Ephesians 4:4-6.
3. Diversity of Gifts but unity “for the edifying of the body of Christ,” Ephesians 4:7-16.
B. The Divine Plan Calls for Consistent Christian life, the believers’ walk:
1. Not as Other Sinful People, Ephesians 4:17-21.
2. In Newness of Life, Abandoning the Old Sins, Ephesians 4:22-32.
3. Walking in Love and Purity, Ephesians 5:1-7.
4. Walking in the Light, Ephesians 5:8-14.
5. Walking Circumspectly, Filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:15-21.
C. The Divine Plan for Home life:
1. Duties of Husbands and Wives, Ephesians 5:22-33; Ch. 6.
2. Duties of Children, Fathers, Servants and Masters, Ephesians 6:1-9.
D. The Divine Plan for Spiritual Warfare:
1. Source of Strength, Ephesians 6:10.
2. The Armor and the Enemy, Ephesians 6:11-18.
E. Concluding words and benediction, Ephesians 6:19-24.