Paul wrote the book of Ephesians to the saints in Ephesus while he was in jail in Rome.
In chapter one, Paul pointed out that it was God’s will “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”
Chapter two starts out by reminding us that we were dead in our transgressions and sins, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. But because of God’s great love for us, God made us alive with Christ by grace. Paul then shared Ephesians 2:8-10, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”
Paul then pointed out that Gentiles had originally been excluded from citizenship in Israel – without access to Israel’s covenants and promises – without hope. But Jesus’s sacrifice abolished the law with its commandments and regulations, and reconciled not only Jews and Gentiles but also gave Jews and Gentiles peace with God.
Paul shared in 3:16-19, “I pray that out of his glorious riches, he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.”
I love how Paul squashed “spiritual elitism” in 4:4-6, when he said, “There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Paul then went on to say that as Christians, we must live as new people, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. … Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God has forgiven you.”
And if this wasn’t hard enough, Paul went on to say, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us.”
In Ephesians 5, Paul showed that the marriage relationship is a beautiful reflection of the relationship between Christ and the church. The husband is supposed to be the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. And the husband should love his wife, and sacrifice himself for his wife – as Christ sacrificed himself for the church. In turn, the wife should submit to her husband – just like the church submits to Christ. (I am absolutely convinced that this is the only pattern to follow in order to be happily married.)
Paul closed the book of Ephesians with the warning that we’re in a battle against spiritual forces – so we need to put on the whole armor of God and stand firm.
In closing, I’d like to echo Paul’s words from Ephesians 1:17, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
-Steve Mattison
Seek Grow Love 