Chronological Bible Study – Dec 16

Key Themes (Ephesians)

The book of Ephesians, written by the Apostle Paul, is a profound letter that explores the nature of the Church, the unity of believers in Christ, and the practical implications of living out the Christian faith. It emphasizes both the spiritual blessings believers have in Christ and the ethical responsibilities that flow from those blessings. The key themes include:

1. The Unity of the Church in Christ: A central theme in Ephesians is the unity of all believers in Christ. Paul emphasizes that both Jews and Gentiles are united into one body, the Church, through the work of Christ. This unity is based on the shared faith in Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This theme highlights the importance of reconciliation and unity within the Church, breaking down barriers of ethnicity, culture, and social status.
2. The Spiritual Blessings in Christ: Paul opens Ephesians with a powerful declaration of the spiritual blessings believers have in Christ, including election, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. This theme emphasizes that these blessings are a result of God’s grace and are intended to inspire worship, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of believers’ identity in Christ.
3. The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed: Ephesians speaks of the "mystery" that has been revealed in Christ—namely, that Gentiles are now fellow heirs with Jews in the promises of God. This theme underscores the inclusivity of the Gospel and the breaking down of the wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity in Christ.
4. The Church as the Body of Christ: Paul presents the Church as the body of Christ, with Christ Himself as the head. Each believer is a member of this body, with unique gifts and roles that contribute to the growth and health of the Church. This theme highlights the importance of unity, diversity, and mutual support within the Christian community, as well as the Church’s role in manifesting Christ’s presence on earth.
5. The Fullness of Life in Christ: Ephesians emphasizes that believers are called to live out the fullness of life that is available in Christ. This includes living a life of holiness, love, and obedience to God’s will. Paul encourages believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, reflecting the character of Christ in their daily lives. This theme highlights the ethical implications of the Gospel, calling believers to live out their faith in practical, everyday actions.
6. Spiritual Warfare: Ephesians concludes with a powerful section on spiritual warfare, urging believers to "put on the full armor of God" to stand against the schemes of the devil. Paul describes the Christian life as a battle against spiritual forces of evil and emphasizes the importance of prayer, faith, and the Word of God in resisting these forces. This theme underscores the reality of spiritual conflict and the need for believers to be vigilant and equipped for battle.
7. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a significant role in Ephesians, empowering believers, uniting them in the body of Christ, and serving as the seal and guarantee of their inheritance. This theme emphasizes the transformative work of the Spirit in the lives of believers, enabling them to live according to God’s purposes and to experience the fullness of life in Christ.
8. Grace and Salvation: Ephesians highlights the centrality of grace in the process of salvation. Paul emphasizes that believers are saved by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast. This theme underscores the unmerited favor of God in granting salvation and the transformation that comes through faith in Christ, leading to a life of good works prepared by God.
9. The Ethical Implications of the Gospel: Throughout Ephesians, Paul provides practical instructions on how believers should live in light of the Gospel. He addresses relationships within the household, including marriage, parenting, and the relationship between masters and servants. This theme emphasizes that the Gospel transforms every aspect of life, calling believers to reflect Christ’s love, humility, and integrity in their relationships and conduct.
10. The Cosmic Scope of Christ’s Lordship: Ephesians presents Christ as the exalted Lord over all creation, with all things being brought under His authority. Paul describes the Church as the instrument through which God’s wisdom is made known to the "rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms." This theme emphasizes the cosmic significance of Christ’s work and the Church’s role in God’s redemptive plan for the entire universe.

The book of Ephesians is a rich and theologically profound letter that offers a comprehensive vision of the Church, the Christian life, and the cosmic scope of Christ’s redemptive work. Through its themes of unity, grace, spiritual blessings, and the ethical implications of the Gospel, Ephesians encourages believers to live out their faith in a way that reflects their identity in Christ and the power of God’s grace at work in their lives.

What I Noticed Today (Ephesians 1-3)

Paul often begins his letters with doctrine and follows with an application. The letter to the Galatians follows this pattern; the first three chapters cover doctrinal issues, and the second three chapters provide the application.

Ephesians 1

In verses 1-2, Paul has the usual opening to the letter: he identifies himself as the author, specifies the saints (believers) in Ephesus as the audience, and includes a greeting.

Paul makes a point of establishing his authority, saying he was made an apostle by God’s will.

In verses 3-14, Paul discusses the reason God is to be praised is because of the spiritual blessings God has for those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

• God chose us before the foundation of the world (v. 4).
• God predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ to Himself (vv. 5-6).
• The purpose of God’s plan of redemption is to praise His glorious grace (v. 6).
• Man was redeemed from slavery to sin, and our sins were forgiven because of God’s grace (v. 7).
• God’s grace provides wisdom and understanding of the mystery of His will to bring all things in heaven and earth under the headship of His Son (Jesus’ Millennial reign) (vv. 8-10).
• We (Jewish) believers were also predestined to receive this inheritance (vv. 11-12).
• You also (Gentile) believers received the Gospel, and believed, and were sealed with the Holy Spirit (v. 13).
• The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our redemption (v. 14).

In verses 15-23, Paul says because of this (God’s redemptive plan vv. 3-14), he is thankful for the faith of the Ephesians and their love for the saints.

In verses 16-17, Paul prays for the Ephesians:

• Paul prays the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would give them a spirit of wisdom and knowledge.
• That the perception of their mind (hearts) will be enlightened (they would know God).

In verses 18-23, Paul desires the Ephesians to know:

• The hope of His calling is an assurance of eternal life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• The riches of His glorious inheritance among the saints.
• The immeasurable power of God’s greatness. The proof of God’s power includes 1) God raising Christ from the dead, 2) God placed all things under Christ’s feet, and 3) God appointed Christ head over the body of believers; the church.

Ephesians 2

In Ephesians 2, Paul shifts focus to how sinners pass from death to life, from facing God’s wrath to enjoying God’s grace.

In verses 1-3, Old Life—Dead to God:

• We were dead in our trespasses and our sins.
• We followed the ways of the world.
• We were ruled by Satan (ruler of the kingdom of air).
• We followed the ways of this world.

In verses 4-6, New Life—Alive in God:

• God is rich in mercy because of His great love for us.
• God has made us alive in Christ.
• God raised us up with Christ.
• God seated us with Christ in the heavens.

In verses 7-10, Paul describes the work of reconciliation:

• Kindness (v. 7). God gave us His Son.
• Grace (v. 8). We are saved by grace.
• Faith (vv. 8-9). We are saved through grace by faith and not by works.
• Saved (v. 8).

The reason for God’s work in redeeming mankind is 1) we are God’s workmanship, 2) created in Christ Jesus, 3) to do good works, 4) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

In verses 11-22, Paul develops the theme of unity in the church between Jewish and Gentile believers.

In verses 11-13, Paul begins by exhorting (in the strongest way possible) the Ephesians to remember:

• That at one time, you were uncircumcised Gentiles.
• At that time, they were excluded from knowledge of the Messiah and citizenship in Israel. Without the promised covenant, they had no hope and were without God.
• But now, because of Christ, you who were once far away are now brought near by the blood of Christ.

In verses 14-18, Paul discusses the peace that exists between Jew and Gentile, and the peace that exists between God and man:

• Christ himself made the Jews and Gentiles one. He broke down the barriers and established peace between them.
• The enmity (the Law) between them ceased to exist because of Christ’s death on the cross. Jesus had rendered the Law inoperative.
• Because of this, a new man was created out of the two so that they might be reconciled as one body to God.
• Messiah also preached the good news of peace because through Jesus, we both (Jew and Gentile) have access through the Holy Spirit to the Father.

In verses 19-22, Paul describes the result of the union between God and man, Jew, and Gentile.

• Gentiles are no longer strangers in a foreign land but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household.
• Gentiles are fellow citizens with Jews because their faith is built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles.
• Christ, Himself is the cornerstone of the church, and in Christ, the whole church is joined together, a holy temple (sanctuary) to the Lord.
• The purpose of this sanctuary is to become a dwelling in which the Spirit of God lives.

Ephesians 3

Paul concludes his discussion of doctrine in Ephesians 3. He began to offer a prayer (v. 1) but interrupted himself to tell about the mystery of Christ (through v. 13). He then continued his prayer (vv. 14-21).

In verses 2-13, Paul discusses the mystery of God’s grace.

• The administration of God’s grace was given to him by God. Paul’s ministry was given to him by God.
• The mystery was made known to Paul through revelation (the Damascus Road experience).
• The Ephesian believers would understand the “mystery” by reading what Paul had already written. The mystery that is now revealed is that God had planned, through the work of Christ on the cross, to join Jews and Gentiles together as one church body under Christ.
• Paul was made a servant of this Gospel by the gift of God’s grace.
• The grace was given to me (Paul), least of all the saints, to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles and to make known the administration of the mystery.
• This is so God’s wisdom will be known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.
• This was God’s eternal purpose, accomplished in the Messiah, Jesus, our Lord.
• We have boldness and confident access to the Father through our faith in Jesus.

Paul concludes this section telling the Ephesians not to be discouraged over his afflictions on their behalf because they are for their glory.

In verses 14-21, Paul returns to the prayer he began in verse 1.

For this reason (the unity of the Jewish and Gentile believers in one church), Paul prays that:

• Out of God’s glorious riches, He would strengthen believers with His power, through the Holy Spirit, so that through faith, Christ might dwell in their hearts.
• The Messiah would dwell in their hearts, rooted and established in love.
• So that believers would understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ.
• And know that Messiah’s love surpasses knowledge so that you will be filled with the fullness of God.

In verses 20-21, Paul closes the prayer with a doxology (a short hymn of praise to God) describing God’s abilities, His power, and His glory in the church and in Christ Jesus.

Some thoughts for further consideration:

• Salvation comes from God as a result of His grace for His glory to reveal His greatness.
• Because of God’s redemptive plan, sinners have moved from bondage to freedom, from separation from God to reconciliation with God.
• God’s eternal plan was to unite Jews and Gentiles together into one body, based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

Tomorrow: Ephesians 4-6