The Epistle to the Ephesians

Author and Date

• Written by Paul the Apostle (Ephesians 1:1, 3:1)
• Date: Around 60-62 AD, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome (Ephesians 3:1, 4:1, 6:20)

Recipients

• The church in Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia (Ephesians 1:1)
• Possibly a circular letter, intended for multiple churches in the region (Ephesians 1:15)

Themes

• The unity of all believers in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22, 4:1-6)
• The mystery of Christ and the church (Ephesians 1:9-10, 3:1-13, 5:22-33)
• Christian living and spiritual warfare (Ephesians 4:17-6:20)
• The role of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:3-14, 2:18-22, 3:14-21, 4:4-6)

Outline

• Blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:1-23)
• Salvation and unity (Ephesians 2:1-22)
• The mystery of Christ and the church (Ephesians 3:1-21)
• Christian living and spiritual warfare (Ephesians 4:1-6:20)
• Conclusion and benediction (Ephesians 6:21-24)

Key Verses

• Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast."
• Ephesians 4:4-6: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all."
• Ephesians 6:10-18: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Author and Date

• Paul the Apostle is the author of Ephesians, as indicated in Ephesians 1:1 and 3:1.
• The letter was written around 60-62 AD, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome, as mentioned in Ephesians 3:1, 4:1, and 6:20.

Recipients

• The church in Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia, is the primary recipient of the letter, as stated in Ephesians 1:1.
• It is possible that the letter was intended for multiple churches in the region, as hinted in Ephesians 1:15.

Themes

• The unity of all believers in Christ is a major theme, emphasized in Ephesians 2:11-22 and 4:1-6.
• The mystery of Christ and the church is explored in Ephesians 1:9-10, 3:1-13, and 5:22-33.
• Christian living and spiritual warfare are discussed in Ephesians 4:17-6:20.
• The roles of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are clarified in Ephesians 1:3-14, 2:18-22, 3:14-21, and 4:4-6.

Outline

• The letter begins with blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:1-23).
• It then moves on to discuss salvation and unity (Ephesians 2:1-22).
• The mystery of Christ and the church is explored in Ephesians 3:1-21.
• Christian living and spiritual warfare are discussed in Ephesians 4:1-6:20.
• The letter concludes with a benediction (Ephesians 6:21-24).

Key Verses

• Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes the importance of faith and grace in salvation.
• Ephesians 4:4-6 highlights the unity of believers in one body, Spirit, Lord, faith, baptism, and God.
• Ephesians 6:10-18 provides guidance on spiritual warfare, urging believers to be strong in the Lord and put on the whole armor of God.