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New Testament · Epistle · Book 49 of 66

Book of Ephesians

A letter about God’s grand purpose in Christ: saved by grace, united in one body, and equipped to walk worthy of our calling.

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6 Chapters

Ephesians 1–6

Author

Paul

Written

c. A.D. 60 – 62

Written From

Rome (in prison)

Summary
Title
Author
Date
Outline
Our Position
Our Walk
Overview

Book of Ephesians Summary

Ephesians describes God’s eternal purpose to bring all things together under Christ, and the church as the body through which that purpose is displayed. Unlike most of Paul’s letters, it responds to no particular crisis. It is a calm, rich explanation of what God has done and how believers should live in light of it.

The first three chapters set out the believer’s position in Christ: blessed with every spiritual blessing, made alive and saved by grace through faith, and joined with Jew and Gentile into one new people, the household and temple of God. Paul closes this section with a prayer and a doxology.

The last three chapters show the walk that fits this calling. Paul urges unity in the body, a new way of life, love in the home, and strength in the Lord. Chapter 6 ends with the armor of God for standing against spiritual forces of evil.

About the Name

Title

The letter is named for Ephesus, the leading city of the Roman province of Asia, in what is now western Turkey. The early Greek title is Pros Ephesious, “To the Ephesians.” Paul had spent about three years there (Acts 19; 20:31).

Some of the earliest manuscripts leave out the words “in Ephesus” in 1:1, and the letter has few personal greetings. Many scholars think it was a circular letter meant for several churches in the region. Tychicus carried it (6:21–22).

Who Wrote It

Author Details

The letter names Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, as its author (1:1; 3:1), and the church has received it as his from the earliest centuries. Paul describes himself as a prisoner for Christ and “an ambassador in chains” (3:1; 4:1; 6:20).

 

When It Was Written

Date of Writing

Paul wrote while he was in prison. The letter is most often dated to about A.D. 60–62, during his first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28:16–31), when he was also writing Colossians and Philemon.

Tychicus delivered Ephesians and Colossians together (Ephesians 6:21–22; Colossians 4:7–9), which is one reason the two letters share so much.

Study Guide

Ephesians Outline

6 chapters in two parts. Tap any section to expand it, and tap a verse reference to read it at BibleGateway.

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Part I

Our Position in Christ

Chapters 1–3 · What God has done

Read this passage · 1:1–2

  1. Chosen before the creation of the world · 1:3–6
  2. Redemption and forgiveness through His blood · 1:7–10
  3. An inheritance in Christ · 1:11–12
  4. Sealed with the Holy Spirit · 1:13–14
  1. Thanksgiving and prayer for wisdom and revelation · 1:15–19
  2. Christ raised and exalted over all things · 1:20–23
  1. Dead in transgressions · 2:1–3
  2. Made alive with Christ · 2:4–7
  3. Saved by grace through faith · 2:8–10
  1. Once far away, without hope · 2:11–12
  2. Christ is our peace; the dividing wall is broken down · 2:13–18
  3. Fellow citizens and a holy temple in the Lord · 2:19–22
  1. The mystery made known to Paul · 3:1–6
  2. Paul’s calling to preach to the Gentiles · 3:7–13
  1. Prayer for strength and for knowing the love of Christ · 3:14–19
  2. Glory to God who is able to do more than we ask · 3:20–21
Part II

Our Walk in Christ

Chapters 4–6 · How we live in response

  1. Walk worthy; keep the unity of the Spirit · 4:1–6
  2. Christ’s gifts for building up the body · 4:7–13
  3. Growing up into Christ, the head · 4:14–16
  1. No longer live as the Gentiles do · 4:17–19
  2. Be made new in the attitude of your minds · 4:20–24
  3. Practical instructions for new life · 4:25–32
  4. Imitate God and walk in love · 5:1–2
  1. Avoid immorality and the deeds of darkness · 5:3–14
  2. Walk wisely and be filled with the Spirit · 5:15–21
  1. Wives and husbands · 5:22–33
  2. Children and parents · 6:1–4
  3. Slaves and masters · 6:5–9
  1. Stand against the spiritual forces of evil · 6:10–13
  2. The pieces of armor · 6:14–17
  3. Pray in the Spirit on all occasions · 6:18–20
  1. Tychicus, the faithful messenger · 6:21–22
  2. Benediction · 6:23–24

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