ephesians

EphesiansAfter studying 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians,

and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians comes as a pleasant surprise. Paul isn’t scolding anyone, correcting warped theology, or defending his

authority as an apostle send by God.

Instead, he’s stretching and exercising the faith and mind of his readers, helping Christians improve their understanding of what

God is doing in the world and how He is doing it. The short answer to the “what” question is that God is restoring His relationship to

human beings, and human relationships to one another. The “how” is through Christ, and the church He started from a motley crew of a

dozen common folk, the likes of fishermen and tax collectors.

Ephesians has a lasting message: God has a plan to return unity and peace to His creation, and the church will play a leading role in

that plan.

Historical BackgroundThe City Of Ephesus:• Ephesus was located on the west coast of the Roman

province of Asia (Asia Minor) in what is now ____________.

• Ephesus was an important commercial _________ city, a

major population center, and the capital of the Roman province

of Asia. It contained a theater that was one of the largest known

of all that have remained to modern times.

• Adding to the attraction of Ephesus was the temple of the

Greek goddess Artemis, who in the Latin language was called

___________. This temple was one of the seven ____________

of the ancient world.

Turkey

Diana wonders

port

Historical BackgroundThe City Of Ephesus:• Ephesus was home to a large number of Jews who had a

_______________ in the city.

Authorship and Audience:• Ephesians was written by _________, around A.D. 60, while he

was in a Roman __________(Ephesians 3:1; 4:1; 6:20).

• Ephesians was written to the ____________ at Ephesus, and a

wider audience in Asia Minor to include the surrounding area.

• When some of the Jews who had hardened their hearts against

the gospel of Jesus began persecuting those who believed in

Jesus, Paul turned to the ____________.

synagogue

Gentiles

Paulprison

church

Why was Ephesus Written? Several reasons for the writing of this epistle can be

discerned from the text:1. Read 1:3. Paul wanted to inform believers of their exalted

position of _____________ in Christ.

2. Read 4:1-6. Paul wished to urge them to maintain in

__________ in Christ.

blessings

unity

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Why was Ephesus Written? (cont’d) 3. Read 5:2 and Revelation 2:4. Paul wanted to encourage

believers in the ________ of Christ.

4. Read 6:11-14. Paul desired to encourage believers to

__________ for Christ.

love

stand

Ephesians 5:2 - And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Revelation 2:1a, 2a-4 - “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write”: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,…

Why was Ephesus Written? (cont’d) 5. Read 1:9-10 and 3:1-7). Paul wanted to set forth the

divine purposes in Christ of the ___________ involving the

Christ.

mystery

Ephesians 1:9-10 - 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

Ephesians 3:1-7 - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

Outline of EphesiansI. Positional – Our Heavenly Calling (Doctrine): chapters 1-3

A. Praise for God’s Redemptive Work (1:1-14) B. Prayer for an Understanding of God’s Grace (1:15-23) C. Salvation Because of God’s Grace (2:1-10) D. Jew and Gentile Reconciled Because of God’s Grace (2:11-22) E. Paul, A Steward of the Gospel of God’s Grace (3:1-13) F. Prayer for Power and Understanding (3:14-21)

II.Practical – Our Earthly Conduct (Duty): chapters 4-6 A. Walking in Unity (4:1-16) B. Walking in Holiness (4:7-32) C. Walking in Love (5:1-6) D. Walking in Light (5:7-14) E. Walking in the Spirit’s Control (5:15-21) F. Walking in Wisdom (e.g., marriage, home) (5:15-6:9) G. Standing in Warfare (6:10-20)

III.Conclusion (6:21-24)

Chapter1: Church as

_______

TEMPLE

BODYChapter 2: Church

as_________ Chapter1:

Church as_________FAMILY



There are 4 Bodily Positions of the Believer:

1.1.SEATEDSEATED in Christ (chapters 1-2) – 2:62.2.KNEELINGKNEELING before Christ (chapter 3) – 3:143.3.WALKINGWALKING for Christ (chapters 4-5) – 4:14.4.STANDINGSTANDING for Christ (chapter 6) – 6:11, 13



A. The church came to be as a result of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit working actively in the redemption of mankind.

B. Christ was established as Head of the church by His resurrection; therefore the church is God’s inheritance, which includes the availability of God’s riches and power.

C. Our good works do NOT contribute to our salvation. Salvation is a gift of God.



D. The church (the Body of Christ) has no distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Because of the work of salvation, we can all be reconciled to God and part of God’s family.

E. The “mystery” is revealed by Paul: Jews and Gentiles are equal in the Body of Christ.

F. Paul offers a prayer for the believers that they live Christian lives by the power and love of God, and for His glory.

Outline of EphesiansII.Practical – Our Earthly Conduct (Duty): chapters 4-6

A. Walking in Unity (4:1-16) B. Walking in Holiness (4:7-32) C. Walking in Love (5:1-6) D. Walking in Light (5:7-14) E. Walking in the Spirit’s Control (5:15-21) F. Walking in Wisdom (e.g., marriage, home) (5:15-6:9) G. Standing in Warfare (6:10-20)

A. Walking in unity is walking together with oneness of inner heart and essential purpose; with different spiritual gifts working to help mature other believers and strengthen the one united church.

B. Walking in holiness is living a Godly life, getting rid of sinful habits; this is done “progressively” by the renewing of our minds through God’s Word .

C. Our love for one another should imitate the love Christ has for us. Not only did He love us when He give Himself for us, He perpetually loves us unconditionally.



D. Before the truth of God’s Word, we walked in darkness (sin). The truth is light; it exposes and dispels darkness. As believers, we are to walk in the light (the truth) according to His Word.

E. The Holy Spirit provides the ongoing power and control we need for righteous living.

F. We need the Holy Spirit’s control and God’s Word to instruct us with words of wisdom regarding our relationships, including family and marriage.


G. Standing in Warfare (6:10-20)

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.



In Ephesians chapter 1, you can STAND because you realize that your salvation is a part of God’s plan, decreed before the earth was created and time even began. You know you are part of an eternal plan, and privileged to take part in bringing glory to God. You know from this chapter that the power of God was evidenced in the raising of Christ from the dead, and of exalting Him above all other powers. The entire celestial host is under His power, and that power is exercised toward “us who believe” (1:18-23).



In Ephesians chapter 2, you can STAND because you know there is a significant reason for the spiritual war. As unbelievers, we were under the power and control of Satan, even though we didn’t know it. But when we came to faith in Christ by His grace,

we were delivered from his “kingdom of darkness” and made citizens in the “kingdom of light.” Our salvation caused us to no

longer be the enemies of God; we became the enemies of Satan. No wonder he so aggressively attacks Christians. We were once

his subjects.



In Ephesians chapter 3, you can STAND because you realize you’ve been given and even more complete picture of the eternal plans and purposes of God. Here, Paul speaks of the “mystery” which God purposed to reveal through him. The mystery is the

church, and that God would reconcile both Jews and Gentiles to Himself and to each other, so that they would become fellow-

heirs and fellow-partakers of the promise of Christ in the Gospel. And this mystery is now been revealed through the church, even

as Paul has revealed it to the church.



In Ephesians chapters 4 and 5, you can STAND because of your obedience to the commands of Paul: Children in terms of their

obedience to their parents, as to the Lord. Slaves stand firm in the faith as they obey their masters. Fathers stand fast as they love their wives and as they teach their children the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Wives stand fast when they submit to their husbands as to the Lord. We all stand fast as we cease to walk as we once did as Gentiles (4:17-32), and as we walk in love (5:1-6), in light (5:7-13),

and in wisdom (5:15.) and in submission one to another (5:22–6:9).

The war is a matter of trusting and obeying our Lord. As we do so now, in these evil days, we prepare ourselves for the great “evil day”

which is yet to come.

Colossians EphesiansPolemical (strongly critical,

controversial)Irenic (peaceful)

Christ over the cosmos Christ over the churchAbout heresy About unity

Emphasis on the head Emphasis on the body

A Contrast Between Colossians and Ephesians

Contrast With the Gospels

Gospels EphesiansThe physical body of Christ The mystical body of ChristThe humiliation of Christ The glorification of Christ

Corinthians EphesiansThe local church (visible) The universal church (invisible)

A Contrast With Corinthians

Ephesians teaches felicity, unity, equality, mystery, and eternity of the faith.

Universal Church Local ChurchOne church Many churchesAn organism An organization

Only saved members Saved and unsaved membersDead and living members Only living members

Whole body of Christ Only part of the body of ChristChrist is the visible head (in

heaven)Christ is the invisible head (on

earth)No elders or deacons Elders and deacons

No ordinances Two ordinancesNo denominations Many denominations

Indestructible Destructible

The Universal Church and the Local Church

Did Jesus Descend into Hell?(Ephesians 4:9-10)

4:9 9 (Now this, “He ascended” – what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who

descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

PROBLEM: Paul claims here that Jesus “descended into the lower

parts of the earth.” And the ___________ Creed declares that after

Jesus died, he “descended into ________.” HOWEVER, when

Jesus was dying, He committed His Spirit into His ___________

hands (Luke 23:46) and told the _________ that He would be with

Him in “Paradise” (v. 43), which is in the “third heaven” (2

Corinthians 12:2,4).

Where did Jesus go –to heaven or to hell?

Apostles’hell

Father’sthief

Did Jesus Descend into Hell?(Ephesians 4:9-10)

4:9 9 (Now this, “He ascended” – what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the

earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

SOLUTION: There are 2 views as to where Jesus went the three days His body was in the grave before His

resurrection:

1.The ___________ View

2.The ____________ View

Hades

Heaven

The Hades ViewThis position claims that Christ’s Spirit went to the spirit

world, while His body was in the grave. Here, they believe, He spoke to the “spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:18-19) who

were in a temporary holding place until He came and “led captivity captive” (Ephesians 4:8), that is, took them to

heaven.

According to this view, there were two compartments in Hades (or sheol), one for the saved and another for the unsaved. They were separated by a “great gulf” (Luke

16:26), which no person could pass. The section for the saved was called “Abraham’s bosom” (v. 23). When Christ,

as the “firstfruits” of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20), ascended, He led these Old Testament saints into heaven

with Him for the first time.

The Heaven ViewThis teaching holds that the souls of Old Testament believers went

directly to heaven the moment they died. It offers the following arguments in support of its teaching:

1.Jesus affirmed that His Spirit was going directly to heaven, declaring, “Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit” (Luke

23:46).

2.Jesus promised the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (v. 43). “Paradise” is defined as the “third heaven” in 2

Corinthians 12:2, 4.

3.When Old Testament saints departed this life, they went directly to heaven. God took Enoch to be with Himself (Gen. 5:24: Heb.

11:5), and Elijah was caught up into heaven when he departed (2 Kings 2:1).

4.“Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:23) is a description of heaven. At no time does it ever describe hell. It is a place where Abraham

went, which is the “kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11).

The Heaven View (cont’d)5.When Old Testament saints appear before the cross, they appear

from heaven, as Moses and Elijah did on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3).

6.Old Testament saints had to await Christ’s resurrection before their “bodies” could be resurrected (Matthew 27:52-53); I

Corinthians 15:20), but their “souls” went directly to heaven. Christ was “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ (Rev. 13:8), and they were there on the merits of what God knew Christ would

accomplish.

7.“Descending into the lower parts of the earth” is not a reference to hell but to the grave. Even a woman’s womb is described as “lowest parts of the earth’ (Psalm 139:15). The phrase simply

means caves, graves, or enclosures on the earth, as opposed to higher parts, like mountains. Besides this, hell is not in the lower

parts of the earth – it is “under the earth” (Phil. 2:10).

The Heaven View (cont’d)

8.The phrase “descended into hell” was not in the earliest Apostles’ Creed. It was not added until the fourth century. And, as a creed, it is not inspired – it is only a human confession of

faith.

9.The “spirits in prison” were unsaved beings. This term may refer to angels, not to human beings (see 1 Peter 3:18-19).

10.When Christ “led captivity captive” (Ephesians 4:8), He was not leading friends into heaven, but bringing foes into bondage. It is a reference to His conquering the forces of evil. Christians

are not “captives” in heaven. We are not forced to go there against our own free choice (see Matthew 23:37; 2 Peter 3:9).

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