Ephesians is another letter from Paul to one of his pioneer churches, now part of Turkey. Ephesus was visited by Paul on his second missionary journey but it was on his third and final journey (Acts 19) that he spent a full three years there. Ephesus was a significant Roman commercial centre and port, worshipping the goddess Diana, but despite opposition, amazing things happened during his stay there.
Commentators classify Ephesians as one of the four prison letters written by Paul during his imprisonment in Rome; the others are Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. In 3v1 Paul calls himself a prisoner for Christ Jesus and in v13 mentions his sufferings. Chapter 4v1 he, again, calls himself a prisoner in the Lord. It is thought that they may have been carried to their destination by Tychicus, mentioned in chapter 6v21.
Verse 1 often has a footnote explaining that the place name, Ephesus, is lacking in some ancient authorities and some suggest that this is because the letter was meant to be passed on from one church to another. I think this could well be true because you do not see the same personal greetings to church members that you find in other letters. It is a letter of encouragement and without the corrective advice of Corinthians.
Verse 3 seems to set the tone for the letter: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”
Notice the emphasis on the Father and what He has done; but always through Christ. It is the Father heart wanting to bless us with every spiritual blessing but it was Christ who made it possible. The letter explains what happens in the heavenly places; that spiritual battlefield between the forces of the Father and the opposing evil powers.
WHAT HAS THE FATHER DONE FOR US IN CHRIST
He chose us “in Christ” (v4) before the foundation of the world. He destined us to be adopted as His children, “through Jesus Christ” (v5). He freely gave us His loving grace, “in the Beloved” (v6). And also, in Him (Christ), we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of our sins (v7), according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us (v8). The Father also has future plans, in the fullness of time, to gather up all things in Christ, things in heaven and also on earth. He will give us, His people, an inheritance “in Christ” (v11) where we will live for His praise and glory. Still more; when we believed “in Him” we were marked with the wonderful seal of the promised Holy Spirit” (v13). It is sometimes difficult take in these words and to fully appreciate the wonderful things that Christ has done.
THE CHURCH NEEDS WISDOM AND REVELATION TO UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS
The church in Ephesus showed signs of having, what we know is, a good foundation, a faith in the Lord which reaches out to others, in love (v15). Again, we see the importance of prayer in Paul’s life and, here, he prays that the Father would give the Ephesians a spirit of wisdom and revelation (v17). He desired that the “eyes of their heart” were “opened” to appreciate His blessings, their glorious inheritance and the immeasurable greatness of His power, working on their behalf (v19). God put this power to work “in Christ” (who else?) when he raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (v20). That place is above every evil rule and authority and all things have been put under His feet, for Christ has been made the head of all things. The chapter then ends with a wonderful statement that this was all done “for the church” (v22, 23) which in a wonderful way is “His body”, the place of His fullness. It is through the church that the Lord takes his presence into the world.
RAISED TO HEAVENLY PLACES WITH CHRIST
Chapter two explains, in more detail, how they were originally dead in their sins following the the way of the world and following the “ruler of the power of the air” who rules over his kingdom of disobedience (v2). They were living according to the passions and desires of the flesh (v3) but, in His loving mercy, God reached out and made them alive together with Christ; it was all grace (v5). Where were we raised to? the same place Christ was raised to, the “heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (v6). As we have been reminded in Romans and Galatians, it is by faith alone that we are saved (v8). We do not need to work for it but just receive as a gift and the end result will be a life of good works.
EVERYONE IN THE WORLD CAN BE PART OF THE BODY
Paul reminds them that the Jews and Gentiles have been brought together; we were separate but now we are one body with the same access in one Spirit to the Father (v18). We are in the same city, the same household (v19), have the same foundation (v20), both joined to Christ Jesus and growing into a holy dwelling place for God (v21, 22). Paul had a special ministry given to him by revelation (3v3) which was to reveal the mystery that Gentiles were actually fellow-heirs with Israel. What did he bring to the Gentiles (v8)? He brought the same message, “news of the boundless riches of Christ.” God has wonderful plans to use His church as His vehicle to make the wisdom of God (v10) known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
THE FULLNESS WITHIN US
What a blessing that we have “access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in Him” (v12). There is a very special prayer to the Father starting in verse 14 and it is useful to look at what Paul prays for?
- That they be strengthened in their inner being with power through his Spirit (v16).
- That Christ should dwell in their hearts through faith, as they are rooted and grounded in love (v17).
- That they know the extent of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge (v19).
So that they may be “filled with all the fullness of God” (v19). The Father always wanted His people to have His powerful presence, the Holy Spirit, within them and Christ dwelling in their hearts through faith.
Verse twenty is that glorious verse explaining that the Father “by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine” (v20). Through this He would receive “glory in the church” and “in Christ Jesus” for ever more.
THERE MUST BE LOVING UNITY IN THE BODY
Paul begs them in chapter 4v1 to lead a life worthy of the calling to which they had been called. When Paul talks like this it is usually when there is disunity in the body of Christ for he knew how important unity is, for without it there is no body. Verse 2 talks about bearing with one another in love and v3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is only “one body” (v4).
EVERYONE HAS A GIFT FOR THE BODY
Gifts of the Spirit, Paul reminds them, are gifts of grace (v7) and here he mentions (v11) apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers and their role is to equip people for ministry (v12), for building up the body of Christ so that we should be in unity in our faith and maturity. Growing up from unstable children, deceived by others, to the measure of the full stature of Christ (v13), our head, and that every part of the body be fully equipped as the body grows into Christ the head, building itself up in love (v16).
LIVE RENEWED PERSONAL LIVES
Paul insists that they should live completely differently to the Gentiles around them who are alienated from the life of God (v18). He encourages them to put away their former life, their old self, receive a mind renewal (v23) and clothe themselves with the new self which is created according to God’s likeness and holiness (v23,24). This is a remarkable life of truth (rather than falsehood), not letting the sun go down on our anger and honest work (rather than thieving) so as to share with the needy. It will also transform their speech which should build up others(v29). We should be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit (v30) but “put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as Christ has forgiven you (v31,32).
At the beginning of chapter 5 we find that amazing encouragement to imitate our Father God and live the kind of fragrant and sacrificial life of love that Jesus did.
We should have no time for anything vulgar or impure (v3-5). Once we were darkness but now, in the Lord, we are light and should live as children of the light (v8). And what is the fruit of that light? everything that is good and right and true. Trying to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. We should expose darkness and have no part in it (v11).
Paul slots in some advice about drinking, that we should not get drunk on wine but be filled with the Spirit (v18). It is almost as if one is the worldly alternative of the other. We should sing spiritual songs to the Lord from the heart (v19) and give thanks to God the Father “at all times” and for everything (v20), “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
LIVE RENEWED SOCIAL LIVES
Wives should be subject to their husbands as a picture of how Christ is head of the church (v22-24). Husbands, for their part, have a more difficult command to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her (v25). Christ did this so His church could be beautiful. The husband should nourish and tenderly care for his wife (his own body v29), just as Christ does for the church. The church, all God’s people, is the body of Christ and the husband should love the wife as he does his own body. It is a mystery but in marriage the two become one flesh (v31). The essence of the wife’s position is one of respect for her husband (v33).
The life of Christ affects relationships between parents and their children. Two sides again, the children should obey (6v1) and honour but fathers should not provoke their children and should bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (v4).
Also slaves should obey their masters over them just as we obey Christ and this should come from the heart (5, 6). Serving with enthusiasm just as we serve the Lord (v7). Masters have their part to play, of course, and should not threaten their slaves (v9).
The concept of the church and the headship of Christ is so important that 3 sets of human relationships help us to understand it. It is like a wife obeying a loving husband, a child obeying a loving father and a slave obeying a respectful master. Notice in all these 3 pictures the obedience of the wife, the child and the slave comes before the responsibilities of those they respect. In our dealings with other people, our personal obedience to God is important even when we are wrongly treated.
SPIRITUAL WARFARE
What should be our approach to the evil kingdoms that surround us. In Ephesians 6 we have some advice on spiritual warfare which is, essentially, to trust in the Lord’s strength and power (v10). Notice our ability to engage in spiritual warfare is received through grace, like everything else, for we do not have to work in our own strength but just put on the armour which the Lord provides (v11). It tells us that our enemy is the devil and all his wiles (v11); not people but the evil powers in the heavenly places (v12). It is not easy to stand so we must take up the whole armour that God gives us (v13) for, with it, we can hold firm.
The belt of truth exposes the darkness (v14). The breastplate of righteousness protects our heart because Jesus died that we should be righteous in the eyes of the Father. The shoes (v15) make us ready to proclaim the Gospel of peace and faith (v16) protects us from fiery darts of the evil one; evil thoughts, passions and temptations. The helmet of salvation (v17) protects the head or perhaps the mind. The offensive armour is the word of God, empowered by the Spirit.
PRAY IN THE SPIRIT AT ALL TIMES
We can live in the Spirit. Here again we see the necessity of prayer (v18) in the Spirit, in supplication for other Christians. Paul knew that he needed other people’s prayers (v19) to fulfill his ministry.
In verse 22 we can see the purpose of this letter was to encourage their hearts. It is a magnificent letter that has encouraged the hearts of Christians ever since.