Ephesus was a city well situated in the Roman Empire and a business hub. The residents of the city, Ephesians, were mainly Greeks who devotedly served pagan gods. The city was also the custodian of the great Roman goddess called Diana or Artemis (Acts 19). The city of Ephesus also had the largest temple of the Artemis measuring 425 by 220 feet with 127 pillars. It had taken 200 years to build this temple. It was the same city where Paul had left Timothy to instruct elders on the ways of the Lord (1 Timothy 1:3) and it is also the same Ephesus we see the Lord writing a letter to in Revelation 2.
Paul and the Ephesians
Paul visited the city of Ephesus during his second missionary journey on his way to Syria from Corinth. He only spent a few days in Ephesus but promised to come back to the city later (Acts 18:18-21). However, he left behind Pricilla and Aquinas who played a key role in establishing the Church at Ephesus. Paul later came back to the Ephesus and spent about three years teaching (Acts 20:31). Consequently, Paul must have established a good relationship with the Ephesians for these three years. It is argued that it was at Ephesus that Paul spent the longest time during his missionary journeys.
The bold between Paul and Ephesians was strong, such that he called them to bid them farewell on his way to Jerusalem. Paul was convinced that something awful would happen to him in Jerusalem. Thus calling the elders from Ephesians for an emotional farewell moments (Acts 20:17-38).
The Authorship and Audience of Ephesians
It is widely accepted that Paul wrote the letter while he was under house arrest in Rome (Ephesians 1:3,3:1,4:1 and 6:20). In Rome, he was allowed to receive visitors and had a lot of time to reach out to churches through letters (Acts 28:30). The letter must have been written between 61-62 AD.
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Chapter 1 verse 2 states the letter’s recipients to be Saints at Ephesus, Ephesians. Paul seems to have been writing this letter to encourage the Church in their new community built on Jesus. The community is composed of both Jews and Gentiles in equal measure.
The Structure and Outline Ephesians
The book can be divided into two main halves. The first half (Chapters 1- 3) covers the story of Jesus and His redemption. The second half, chapters 4 -6, covers our story and our response to the Gospel (Application). The two halves are linked with the conjunction “therefore” (οὖν) in 4:1. Perhaps, the conjunction’s role is to shift the focus from what Christ has done to what is expected of us.
The two halves can further be divided into the following divisions
1:1-2 – Introduction and Salutation.
1:3-14 Spiritual Blessings in Christ
He shows his audience what God has done in Christ Jesus. God chose to bless the covenant people (Jews) but through Christ, God brings both Jews and Gentiles into one family in equal measure. The pronoun “we” in vs 11 refers to Jews while the personal pronoun “you” in verse 13 refers to the Gentiles. Paul in this session shows the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
1:15 – 23 Thanksgiving and Prayer
He gives thanks and prayers that they would experience the power of the Gospel (Vs 17-18).
2:1-10 God’s Grace
He points to them that we were physically alive but spiritually dead before knowing Jesus but we were saved by grace, not works (Vs 8-9). In our dead state, Paul shows that the Gentiles were with no purpose, deceived, in sin, and selfish but God who is full of mercy made them alive with Christ (2:4-5). He is comparing the old life and the new life in Christ Jesus.
2:11-22 New Life – One In Christ
He therefore calls them to remember who they were before they received Christ. He specifically calls them to remember that they were strangers to the covenant of the promise, without Christ, separated from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, having no hope and without God. Nevertheless, Christ reconciles them to the Father and through Christ the ethnic barrier between Jews and Gentiles has been broken. Consequently, they are no more strangers nor foreigners in the promises of God but part of the family of God.
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3:1-21 Paul a Preacher to the Gentiles
For this reason, Paul counts himself as a preacher to the Gentiles calling the Gentiles to this new family of God (Vs 8). He ends the first half by praying for them again that they will be strengthened to grasp the love of God (Vs 16).
4:1-16 Unity in the Body of Christ
The author shows that believers are one and their response to the gospel should be evident in their lifestyle. The community of believers is a big family with different kinds of people but they are one body, unified by one Spirit, under one Lord, with one faith, one baptism and believing in one God. The body is further gifted differently with many gifts to empower and build the body.
4:17 – 6:9 New Man Vs Old Man
He urges them to take off the old humanity and put put on the new humanity. For instance, he urges them to put away lies and instead be truthful, instead of anger, they be peaceful, instead of stealing they be generous.
6:10- 24 Reality of Spiritual Evil
The author finally challenges them to remain firm and put on the full armor of Christ showing them the reality of the evil spiritual realm.
Conclusion
The book of Ephesians shows us today how we should respond to the gospel by living a new life in Christ. The letter further helps us to understand the cost that Jesus paid for us to be included in the family of God. As a result, we who were without hope, now have hope through Christ Jesus.