The Book of Ephesians is all about who we are in Christ. Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the believers in Ephesus (Eph 1:1). Ephesus was located in the province Asia, in present-day Turkey, see the map in The Book of Colossians.
In the New Covenant that we have as Christians, we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places (Eph 1:3, 1 Pet 1:3–4). We aren't promised
physical blessings, such as physical healing. God can heal people physical, but we aren't promised that in this New Covenant, because it's a spiritual covenant. See chapter False Teaching on Healing in Word of Faith Movement in the U.S.
The following applies to us as Christians:
- We have been chosen by God before the creation of the world
(Eph 1:4–6). However, this doesn't mean that the condition of lost people is set in place by God before they are borne and and is fixed, see
The Predestination Theory. - God has adopted us into his kingdom (Eph 1:5–6). Adoption is no less valuable than biological connection to a family. An adopted child is considered by law to be the same as a biological child.
- God had redeemed us by his blood (Eph 1:7–8).
That is, Christ has given his life for us. We are forgiven. - God has made known to us the mystery of his will (Eph 1:9–10). It speaks of the intimacy of the relationship with Christ (John 15:15). The mystery has been revealed to us through the word of God by the Holy Spirit.
- God has given us an inheritance (Eph 1:11–12, 1 Cor 3:21–23,
Rom 8:16–17). It's a spiritual heritage. See Jesus and the Law. - We are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13–14, Rom 8:29, i Cor 15:49). It's a living seal. We are sealed with a person. It's a picture of Christ.
It's a guarantee of our inheritance in Christ.
Paul doesn't stop giving thanks for them because he has heard of the following:
- their faith in the Lord Jesus, see How to Build Your Faith
- their love for all brothers and sisters in Christ, see Unity
Paul gives a picture of what we were like before we were saved:
- Spiritually dead (Eph 2:1). It's not about feeling, it's something we were.
We are born into this world disconnected from God as a result of the Fall, see The Fall of Man in The Biblical Creation and the Fall of Man. - Walking according to the world (Eph 2:2a).
- Under the Devil's control (Eph 2:2b, 1 John 5:19).
- Indulging the flesh (Eph 2:3a),
see The lust of the flesh in The Book of John. - Subject to the wrath of God (Eph 2:3b), see Body, Soul, and Spirit in
The Danger with Gnosticism and God has wrath in God's Attributes.
After we are saved the following happens:
- We become spiritual alive (Eph 2:4–5), see Body, Soul, and Spirit in
The Danger with Gnosticism. It's based on God's grace, mercy and love.
It's not because we deserve it in any way, because we don't. - We are seated with Christ (Eph 2:6).
- We become a living display of God's grace and goodness (Eph 2:7).
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
(Eph 2:5b, 8–9). See Jesus and the Young Rich Man.
(Eph 2:5b, 8–9). See Jesus and the Young Rich Man.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim 1:15).
We have all sinned (Rom 3:23).
We have all sinned (Rom 3:23).
Now that we have been saved, God has given us good works to do
(Eph 2:10, Mat 25:34–36, 41–43) to bring forth the fruits of our salvation,
see The Parables of the Talents and the Ten Minas and The Sheep and the Goats.
see The Parables of the Talents and the Ten Minas and The Sheep and the Goats.
- Separated from Christ. Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of Israel
(Mat 15:24). - Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel.
We aren't part of God's chosen nation. - Strangers to the covenant of promise, the Abrahamic covenant,
it's the coming of Christ (Gal 3:16, 29, Heb 6:13). - Having no hope, see Hope in Faith, Hope, and Agape Love.
- Without God in the world we were godless.
But we Gentiles have been brought near to God through the blood of Christ
(Eph 2:13, 3:6), see The Depth of the Riches in The Book of Romans.
When we respond with faith in Jesus, we come to him and are saved, see
salvation. As Christians; Gentiles and Jews belong to the same family
(Eph 2:14, 19). We are all equal in Christ, whether we are Gentiles or Jews,
rich or poor, popular, or unpopular (Gal 3:28, Rom 3:20–24). We are one body
(Eph 2:16–18, 3:5–6). As born again Christians (John 1:12–13) we have become
a holy temple for the Lord (Eph 2:21–22), see born again in The Book of Peter.
(Eph 2:13, 3:6), see The Depth of the Riches in The Book of Romans.
When we respond with faith in Jesus, we come to him and are saved, see
salvation. As Christians; Gentiles and Jews belong to the same family
(Eph 2:14, 19). We are all equal in Christ, whether we are Gentiles or Jews,
rich or poor, popular, or unpopular (Gal 3:28, Rom 3:20–24). We are one body
(Eph 2:16–18, 3:5–6). As born again Christians (John 1:12–13) we have become
a holy temple for the Lord (Eph 2:21–22), see born again in The Book of Peter.
We are now living in the church age which will end at the time of the Rapture. The meaning of a church in this case isn't a building. We born again Christians are the church, the Body of Christ. This doesn't mean that the promises to Israel have been taken over by the church, see The Depth of the Riches in The Book of Romans. The church age wasn't revealed by the Old Testament prophets. It wasn't known to them and is therefore called The Mountain Peaks of Prophecy. These prophets saw only the peaks of the prophetic timetable, but couldn't see what was in the valleys between the peaks.
All Christians are called to reflect the very character of Jesus' heart
(Rom 8:29a). We should live it out in our daily lives (Eph 4:1). This can
be done only by the power of the Holy Spirit and not in our own strength.
(Rom 8:29a). We should live it out in our daily lives (Eph 4:1). This can
be done only by the power of the Holy Spirit and not in our own strength.
We will then strive for the following (Eph 4:2–3 (ESV)):
- Humility (Mat 11:29). This is how we see ourselves in the light of God and his word. If we do, we can also see and treat others in a better way. See 3) Blessed are the meek in The Sermon on the Mount.
- Gentleness (Mat 11:29). Biblical gentleness is how we respond to people when we feel attacked. The ability to be hurt without getting angry, vengeful, or bitter, which we naturally do (Eph 4:26, Psalm 4:4 (5 in some translations)). See Love and not revenge in The Sermon on the Mount.
- Patience. This refers to how we react to failures, mistakes, and annoyances from other beings. To persevere with our temper intact.
See Do not judge others in The Sermon on the Mount. - Eagerness to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
(Eph 4:3). The Holy Spirit has already done a work within all born again
Christians to unite us with each other (Eph 4:15–16), see Unity.
- One Body. The Body of Christ consists of all born again believers in Christ, see The Book of Peter. We belong to each other, see Unity.
- One Spirit. It's the Holy Spirit. All who receive Jesus as their Savior receive the Holy Spirit in their lives (Eph 4:30). It means that there is only one truth.
We as Christians can be divided in the area of truth. We may have been wrongly taught or misunderstood the word of God, it happens all the time
(Eph 4:13–15). - One Hope. Our hope should be based on the return of our great God
and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13, 1 Cor 15:19), see Hope in
Faith, Hope, and Agape Love. - One Lord. This refers to Jesus Christ as the Creator of the world
(1 Cor 8:5–6). See Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. - One Faith. There is only one true faith in the Bible (Jude 1:3),
see Faith in Faith, Hope, and Agape Love. See also How to Build Your Faith. - One Baptism. Baptism means immersed. It means immersed in water and is done after receiving Jesus as my Savior (Mat 28:19, 1 Cor 12:13).
It's a picture of my salvation. It doesn't save, but is an act of obedience.
See Christian Water Baptism in The Book of Romans. - One God and Father of all, see The Trinity. There is only one God
(Isaiah 43:10). God is over all our lives and works through all believers,
and is in all believers through the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:6).
God the Father is the Father of all born again believers in Christ.
There are differences between natural abilities and spiritual gifts. Both are given by God. Musical talent is an example of a natural ability. We are born with natural abilities. Spiritual gifts are abilities empowered by the Holy Spirit, see Spiritual Gifts. We aren't born with them. They are abilities to do what we would otherwise not be able to do. Natural abilities and spiritual gifts can be used together.
Jesus has distributed spiritual gifts (and natural abilities) in the following ways:
- Jesus has given every member of his body power to do work by grace
from God (Eph 4:7a), see The Parables of the Talents and the Ten Minas. - Jesus has chosen to distribute his power and ability to each member
of the body as he sees fit (Eph 4:7b). He doesn't do it equally in
the Body of Christ.
Spiritual gifts can be discovered in the following ways:
- Continue to grow in the word, especially from the New Testament.
- Ask the Lord to reveal your gifts.
- Serve wherever there is a need.
- Notice your passions/burdens.
- Be patient with God's timing.
Jesus gave the following services to the Body of Christ (Eph 4:8b, 11):
- Apostle. One sent forth with authority.
- Prophet. Gives a message from God. God speaks through
one of his children. See Prophecy in Spiritual Gifts. - Evangelist. Reaches the lost with the message of Christ.
- Shepherd (=Pastor), see The Book of Timothy.
- Teacher. Explains God's word.
The purpose of these leadership services is to equip the believers,
to build up the Body of Christ (Eph 4:12, 16).
to build up the Body of Christ (Eph 4:12, 16).
Apostles and prophets have built the foundation of the early church
with Jesus as the cornerstone (Eph 2:19–20), see
The Parable about the Wise and Foolish Builders.
with Jesus as the cornerstone (Eph 2:19–20), see
The Parable about the Wise and Foolish Builders.
But an apostle today must not write down things that are revelatory, words that would add to the revelation of God's word (Rev 22:18–19). If it was allowed,
it wouldn't be possible to test what is taught according to God's word, the Bible,
if new revelations happened all the time (Acts 17:10–12).
An apostle today is more like a missionary, see the following explanations:
it wouldn't be possible to test what is taught according to God's word, the Bible,
if new revelations happened all the time (Acts 17:10–12).
An apostle today is more like a missionary, see the following explanations:
The word apostle in Greek means "one sent forth with authority". In Christianity, it's someone who has been sent out to spread the good news about Jesus Christ and to establish churches. The term apostle was coined by Jesus himself (Mark 3:14–15). Among other things, Jesus was also an apostle and a high priest (Heb 3:1).
Paul called himself an apostle (Eph 1:1). An apostle needs to have an evangelical heart, but doesn't necessarily need to be an evangelist.
One who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort (1 Cor 14:3, Acts 15:32), see Prophecy in Spiritual Gifts.
An evangelist isn't necessarily sent out. It's a person who is gifted to share the gospel. It's not a person to bring people along in their faith, unless you are a teacher, but to bring them to the place of decision to become a Christian and to encourage them. We are all called to be prepared for some aspect of evangelism
(1 Pet 3:15b–16).
(1 Pet 3:15b–16).
A shepherd is usually also a teacher. If you aren't also a teacher, there must be a person who acts as a teacher, who is close to the shepherd.
A teacher doesn't have to be a shepherd. A congregation needs a teacher who conveys the truth from God's word. That is, reading a text from the Bible and being able to explain what it means, and encourage the application of this message. However, not many of us should become teachers, because those who teach will be judged with greater severity (Jas 3:1). Whenever we speak for God, it's important that we know what we are saying, that it's truly from God (2 Pet 2:1-3). A teacher must not go beyond what is written (1 Cor 4:6). Our attitude when teaching should be that we do only what is our duty (Luk 17:10).
When Jesus came into our lives, we received the Holy Spirit, and we received the benefits of what Jesus did on the cross for us. He broke the dominion of the sinful nature in our lives (Rom 6:6, 11). We have been set free from living a life of sin
(Rom 8:2). We have been given a new nature even though the old nature remains.
We should choose to live differently according to the new nature
(Eph 4:22–24, 5:15, Rom 6:15–16). When we struggle with something in our lives that stems from the old nature, we should look to the solution; on Jesus, instead of on the problem (2 Pet 1:3–4, 1 Cor 10:13), see Sanctification.
(Rom 8:2). We have been given a new nature even though the old nature remains.
We should choose to live differently according to the new nature
(Eph 4:22–24, 5:15, Rom 6:15–16). When we struggle with something in our lives that stems from the old nature, we should look to the solution; on Jesus, instead of on the problem (2 Pet 1:3–4, 1 Cor 10:13), see Sanctification.
We should be slow to anger and not let it cause us to sin (Eph 4:26–27,
James 1:19–20). When we are treated badly by other people, we should first
take it to the Lord before we act (Eph 4:29–32, James 3:8–10, Heb 12:15),
see Forgive and You will Be Forgiven.
James 1:19–20). When we are treated badly by other people, we should first
take it to the Lord before we act (Eph 4:29–32, James 3:8–10, Heb 12:15),
see Forgive and You will Be Forgiven.
We should walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us
(Eph 5:2a). We are commanded to love one another (1 John 3:14, 16, 18, 23),
see the end part of The Ten Commandments. Love is the determination of the will,
not a feeling. We should love sacrificially (Eph 5:2b, Mat 5:43–46),
see Love and not revenge in The Sermon on the Mount.
(Eph 5:2a). We are commanded to love one another (1 John 3:14, 16, 18, 23),
see the end part of The Ten Commandments. Love is the determination of the will,
not a feeling. We should love sacrificially (Eph 5:2b, Mat 5:43–46),
see Love and not revenge in The Sermon on the Mount.
As Christians, we should live a life that is consistent with our calling (Eph 4:1).
We are called to live not only for ourselves, but for God. Sexual immorality and all impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among us (Eph 5:3, 5). We aren't to get drunk with alcohol (Eph 5:18), see What does God think about Christians drinking alcohol? in The Woman's Place in the Congregation. If we fall into any of these areas, we must repent, see Sanctification.
We are called to live not only for ourselves, but for God. Sexual immorality and all impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among us (Eph 5:3, 5). We aren't to get drunk with alcohol (Eph 5:18), see What does God think about Christians drinking alcohol? in The Woman's Place in the Congregation. If we fall into any of these areas, we must repent, see Sanctification.
The husband has a special authority in a family, see The order of leadership in a marriage in The Woman's Place in the Congregation.
Children should obey their parents, see the 5th commandment in
The Ten Commandments. It should be like obeying the Lord.
The Ten Commandments. It should be like obeying the Lord.
As Christians, we are members in the New Covenant which is a spiritual one, with a spiritual enemy (1 Pet 5:8, James 4:7–8a). We must therefore act as follows:
- Be strong in the Lord and in his strength (Eph 6:10).
- Put on the (full) armor, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Eph 6:11–13).
- Take our stand (Eph 6:14–17 and live in:
- truth (John 8:32), see Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life,
- righteousness which I received through Jesus Christ,
in him we have become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21), - readiness is given by the gospel of peace so that we can stand without falling,
- faith to discern lies and deceptions (Isaiah 7:9b, 1 Pet 5:8–9),
- hope that salvation gives (1 Thess 5:8b, Rom 8:30–31),
- use God's word.
- Be alert (Eph 6:18b, Rom 13:11–12),
see The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. - Continue to pray always (Eph 6:18a),
see The Parable of the Persistent Widow.
Summary (James 4:7–8a):
- Life is a battlefield.
- A dangerous enemy is on the loose.
- Worldly temptations are many.
- Our flesh is weak.
- Jesus won the victory on the cross.
- In Christ we are more than conquerors!
