New: Plus articles on faith, family and the Bible. Read them →

Join

New Testament

Ephesians

6 chapters

Start reading: Ephesians 1

About this book

Ephesians is a letter that lifts the eyes. It opens with a long burst of praise for what God has done in Christ: choosing, forgiving and adopting people before they ever asked. Paul then describes how those who were spiritually dead have been raised by grace, not by achievement, and how Jews and non-Jews have been made one new people, a household and a temple where God lives by his Spirit. The second half turns to daily life. Because of this calling, believers are to live with humility, patience and truthfulness, to guard the unity the Spirit gives, and to let the gospel reshape marriage, parenting and work. The letter ends with a picture of spiritual struggle and the armor God supplies, and with a call to prayer. Some scholars think it was a circular letter meant for several churches, and a minority doubt Paul wrote it, but the church has long read it as one of his richest statements of who the church is.

Author
The apostle Paul; a minority of scholars propose a close follower writing in his name.
Date
Most likely about AD 60–62, while Paul was under house arrest in Rome.
Audience
Believers in Ephesus and the surrounding region, mostly of non-Jewish background.

Themes

Blessings in ChristSaved by graceOne new peopleUnity and holy livingThe armor of God

Outline

  1. 1:1–1:14Greeting and praise for God's plan
  2. 1:15–2:10Prayer, Christ's power and salvation by grace
  3. 2:11–3:21One new people and the mystery revealed
  4. 4:1–5:21Walking worthy: unity, growth and new life
  5. 5:22–6:9Households: marriage, children and work
  6. 6:10–6:24The armor of God and closing words

Key verses

Ephesians 2:8-10Ephesians 4:1-3Ephesians 6:10-11

Chapters of Ephesians

  1. 1Ephesians 1After greeting the believers, Paul praises God for blessing them in Christ with every spiritual blessing.
  2. 2Ephesians 2Paul reminds the Ephesians that they were once dead in their sins, following the ways of the world, yet God, rich in mercy, made them alive with Christ.
  3. 3Ephesians 3Paul, a prisoner for the sake of the Gentiles, explains the mystery that was hidden in earlier generations and is now revealed: Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body and sharers in the promise in Christ.
  4. 4Ephesians 4Paul urges believers to live worthy of their calling with humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another in love and working to keep the unity of the Spirit.
  5. 5Ephesians 5Paul calls the Ephesians to imitate God as dearly loved children and to walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.
  6. 6Ephesians 6Paul continues his household instructions: children are to obey their parents, which comes with a promise, and fathers are told not to provoke their children but to raise them in the Lord's training.
All books