Comprehensive, clear, practical and winsome, Ephesians was John Calvin’s favourite letter. One theologian called it ‘the greatest … maturest … most relevant’ of Paul’s letters and ‘pure music’. Many have highly praised it. ‘The divinest composition of man’; ‘the grand canyon of Scripture’; ‘queen of the epistles’; ‘the crown of Paul’s writings’ are just some of the phrases used. Dr Lloyd-Jones spent many months expounding it on Sunday mornings at Westminster Chapel. His younger contemporary John Stott described the letter as ‘a marvellously concise, yet comprehensive summary of the good news and its implications’ that nobody can read ‘without being moved to wonder and worship, and challenged to consistency of life.’
Prison letters
It was probably written while Paul was under house arrest at Rome in 60 and 61 AD and, with Philemon, Colossians and Philippians, is one of four New Testament ‘prison epistles’. Some opt for Caesarea in the years 56, 57 AD but the traditional view is that they were written from Rome. Paul makes references in these letters not only to his chains and being a prisoner (Ephesians 3:1, 4:1, 6:20) but also speaks of Caesar’s household and the Praetorian Guard in Philippians, suggesting he was at Rome. The daily sight of Roman soldiers no doubt informs the famous verses about spiritual armour in Ephesians 6.
The letter to Philemon arose out of the specific circumstances of Onesimus. As a letter was being taken from Rome to Asia Minor, it was a good opportunity for Paul to send other letters. Ephesians and Colossians were written at the same time and carried by Tychicus, who accompanied Onesimus back home. Ephesians 6:21 (like Colossians 4:7) says that Tychicus would give the churches further information about Paul and his circumstances. Other men with Paul at this time are Aristarchus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Jesus Justus and Mark, now back with Paul. Ephesus was capital of the Roman Province of Asia and we read about the beginnings of the church there in Acts 19, 20. Another brief letter to the Ephesians is in Revelation 2:1-7.
Circular
By this time Paul had founded many churches in differing cities and cultures. The theme of the church is prominent in Ephesians. In this letter we find the word church being used of the universal body of believers, rather than just individual local groups. Perhaps looking back on his labours had prompted Paul to think further about the nature of the new body that had come into being.
It is possible that the letter was written not only to Ephesus but was a circular letter for all the churches in the area. Some ancient manuscript copies omit the words at Ephesus in 1:1. There are different theories to explain this omission. For instance, was the letter to be read in a number of churches, the reader inserting the church’s name at the appropriate point. Paul does refer in Colossians to a letter he had sent to Laodicea, which he says should be read to the Colossians and that the letter to the Colossians should be read at Laodicea. This Laodicean letter could have been what we call Ephesians. It seems then that such exchanges of letters took place as soon as they were written, not just when the New Testament canon had been drawn up.
Themes
Like Romans, Ephesians gives comprehensive teaching on salvation, but in a different manner and style. It is ‘a mini-course in theology centred on the church’. Paul had already spent two years and three months teaching at Ephesus, and the church there had received the services of Apollos, and of Priscilla and Aquila. It was a well-taught church but he continues to lead them further into Christian doctrine.
Paul’s main theme is the church, a single body composed of both Jews and Gentiles without distinction, with standards of its own and engaged in a spiritual battle. There are other themes. One writer discovered 27 distinct doctrines here. God’s sovereign purpose dominates the first half as Paul elaborates the plan of God in redemption, He chose us ... he predestined us (1:4, 5) his will (1:9,11). He raised Christ (1:20), he has raised us (2:4-6); we are his workmanship (2:10). In the second half of the letter the way of life of the believer in response to this divine initiative is emphasised. We are urged to walk worthy of our calling (4:1), to be imitators of God (5:1) and to put aside our former way of life (4:22-24, 5:8). Another recurring theme and phrase is in the heavenlies, which describes the sphere of our blessings and activities (1:3,10,20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12). This refers to a spiritual rather than a geographical or physical locality. The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is also prominent in the letter. He is the seal (1:13), means of access to God the Father (2:18), source of revealed truth (3:5), source of power (3:16), bond of our unity (4:3-4), One whom we are to avoid grieving (4:30), stimulus to our joy (5:18) and our strength and defence in spiritual conflict (6:17).
Outline
The letter’s theme is the church and its glory. We can divide its six chapters into nine parts. The first six (Chapters 1-3) are doctrinal. The other three (Chapters 4-6) give practical application.
1. Introduction 1:1, 2
2. The Establishment of the Church 1:3-14
By the Father 1:3-6
In the Son 1:6-12
Through the Spirit 1:13, 14
3. Prayer for the Church 1:15-23
Paul prays that his readers would know
The hope of God’s calling
The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints
The greatness of his Power
4. The Creation of the Church 2:1-10
He speaks of
The material: children of wrath
The means: by grace
The purpose: good works
5. The Scope of the Church 2:11-22
The Union of Jew and Gentile in Christ
6. The Calling of the Church 3:1-21
To Reveal the Wisdom of God 3:1-13
To reveal the Fullness of God (a Prayer) 3:14-21
7. The Behaviour of the Church 4:1-6:9
Its Ministry:
Diversity in Unity 4:1-16
Its Moral Standards 4:17-5:14
Its Behaviour Toward the World 5:15-21
Its Internal Relationships 5:22-6:9
8. The Spiritual Conflict 6:10-20
Our Enemy and our Strength and Defence
9. Conclusion 6:21-24
