The letter written to the Ephesians by the Apostle Paul was penned around 60AD. Paul wrote with an intent to teach and further the spiritual growth of the Ephesian church. Right off the bat, Paul reminds the Ephesian believers of who they are in Christ. He describes how amazing it is that God predestined us before hand. Before the creation of the earth before anything existed other then God, He knew us and predestined His grace upon us. This opening of the letter is important to the attitude and way the Ephesians would have read the rest of the letter. Paul gets the Ephesian’s minds on track with the amazingness of God and His bigger picture.
In chapter two Paul describes our life before and after Christ. We are made alive in Christ and before we were made alive we walked in our sins and transgressions. He even goes as far to call the Ephesians, children of wrath before they were saved (as were we). God instead of leaving us in this state raised us up so He may make known His “surpassing richness of His grace” (Ephesians 2:7). The process of salvation is only by God, only because He made it all happen. Salvation is not of our works or decisions so that we can boast and rob God of His glory. No, it is by the working of His grace.
In chapter four Paul talks about unity in one Spirit. There is only one God and one Spirit and we are all in this Spirit. We must be united in this way. If we live against each other how can we be of one Spirit but if we live as we are called and in harmony then we show to the world the Spirit that connects us and has guided us to salvation. In verse 17 Paul explains that we are to walk in the ways of the Lord.
Paul says the gentiles are “being darkened in their understanding” in all they do they have no light, no hope. The gentiles live a life of darkness and an absence of God in their lives as we all once did. We must not walk in the ways of the world and in darkness but rather in the light of God. Paul implores the Ephesians to walk in a way worthy of the Gospel which we have been called. In the beginning of chapter five Paul states “be imitators of God, as beloved children.” We are to be imitators of God in the fact that He loved us so much and sacrificed Himself for us. Our God gave His life for us what stronger example could we have of love. Paul is imploring the readers to live in love and in the unity of the Spirit.
Towards the end of Chapter 5 Paul while describing the mystery of the Church provides direction and clarity to Christian marriage. Paul instructs wives to submit or follow their husbands as if he were the Lord. While wives are to follow their husband, husbands are to love their wives in sacrifice as Jesus loved the Church (body of believers) and died for her. Husbands are the head of the house/marriage while women are to follow and support. Paul’s direction for husbands to love their wive’s in sacrifice would have been significant at his time. Women and children were mostly unimportant and property. In contrast Paul ascribes value to the wife. She is worth loving in sacrifice.
The book of Ephesians is important in understanding the Christian life, marriage, the Church and living in peace within the Church. It is clear, short and practical. Paul mainly makes know the great glorious grace of God and tells us to live in a way honoring His grace. Because God is so great and has given us so much, the least we can do is live for Him and live in a way that is honoring to Him. The book of Ephesians is a great reminder of what God has done, what we are in Him, and what we are called to.
References
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.