Ephesians

Welcome to the study of the letter to the Ephesians. It was written from a Roman prison by the apostle Paul. Originally it was sent to the church in Ephesus by Epaphras, a colleague of Paul in his mission travels. This letter is called a general epistle, for its message relates to all congregations of the Lord’s people for all times. It seems not to have been directed to one particular congregation, though it was first sent to the Ephesian church. It was intended to be circulated among all the churches. From Colossians 4:6 it is evident that congregations of the church in New Testament times distributed and exchanged copies of apostolic correspondence. Thus, every congregation could have a copy of all inspired letters.

Ephesians is a companion letter to the Colossian correspondence. The book of Colossians was written to exalt the figure of Christ as “the head of the body” in all of His glory, His honor, and His dignity as a divine person. Ephesians is the counterpart to Colossians, and it completes the composite of Christ and His church because it exalts “the body of that head.” It therefore shares in all of the glories, honors and dignities of Him who is the head of the church. 

The Characteristics of the Ephesians Letter

Ephesians Is Not Written in a Context of Controversy

Ephesians is not a controversial book like some of the other apostolic letters. Be aware that there were, and still are, satanic forces at work against the church. They try to destroy its unique constitution by creating false notions about Christ, His church, and the moral standards of Christian people and their ultimate destiny. 

Other Apostolic Books Are Written in a Context of Controversy

All other apostolic books contained some controversy on doctrinal, moral or practical issues. Other books did give an adequate picture of the church in many instances, but then proceeded to correct various teachings that tended to divide, corrupt or pervert the doctrine of the church.

Ephesians Has a Different Purpose

Ephesians, however, has a different purpose. It presents the church as God sees it, a model for all succeeding generations to imitate. Ephesians explains the plan of the ages that was made by God before time began, and it shows how Christ accomplished that plan in His sacrificial death on the cross. It also presents the Holy Spirit as He involved Himself as a guarantee to the church through the inspired message it would live by and conducting the church through that message to its ultimate destiny in Christ Jesus.