Summary of Ephesians

The Message of Ephesians

1. The Ephesians are to “know” the hope to which God has “called” (1:18), and “walk” in a manner worthy of that “calling” (4:1). They are to “know” two things:

a. The “riches” of God’s “glorious inheritance in the saints” (1:18) which are the “spiritual blessings” (1:3) in Christ, i.e. predestination (1:5), adoption (1:6), redemption (1:7), forgiveness (1:7), and final unity (1:10). Paul uses the shorthand “salvation” (1:13) for this, and it is received “by grace through faith” (2:5, 8) not by “works” (2:9)

b. The “immeasurable greatness” of God’s “power” toward those “who believe” (1:18-19) which is the same power that God used to raise Jesus, and seat him at his right hand (1:19), that breaks down the wall of hostility between man and God, and between man and man (3:16), equips for ministry (3:7), strengthens the saints (3:17), enables the comprehension of God’s love (3:18) et al. This “power” also works to strengthen against the devil’s schemes (6:11).

2. Then, they are to “walk” with “humility and gentleness” (4:2); “patience, bearing with one another in love” (4:2)’ and “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:3). These traits are worked out within the church (4:11 - 5:21), the family (5:22 - 6:4) and between slaves and masters (6:5-9).

Possible Application

3. Right practice birthed from right belief – Paul does not begin with the imperatives, but rather with what God has done in Jesus Christ. How they “walk” must be determined by what they “know”. Even when talking about “walking”, the connection is drawn back to the “knowing” e.g. he tells husbands to “love your wives” (the “walking”), as “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (the “knowing”) (5:25). This distinguishes Christianity from other belief systems. Other systems say, “You obey and therefore you are accepted”. Christianity says, “You are accepted and therefore you obey”. In pragmatic Singapore, there is a tendency to focus on ‘getting the job done’, with the ends justifying the means. The problem with this is that without drawing the link to the Cross of Jesus Christ, we may do good works, but not proclaim Christ. We will have mere religiosity that ultimately does not commend us to God, as only Christ can. We must recover this important link.

4. The Spirit is essential to live and ministry – The Holy Spirit is prominent in Ephesians. By Him, the Ephesians are “sealed” in what Christ has done (1:13). He is the “guarantee” of their inheritance (1:14). Through Him they have access to God (2:18). He strengthens them so that Christ can dwell in their hearts (2:22, 3:15-17). He unites (3:4). He can be grieved (4:30). He is the Spirit of true worship (5:18-20). He is the one that helps them to fight the good fight of faith (6:17-18). In essence, the Holy Spirit is essential in life and ministry. His work is however described in a more qualitative, than quantitative manner. From this observation perhaps that “conservatives” can come to realize the importance of the Spirit, while the “charismatics” can learn not to emphasize outward manifestations (e.g. signs and wonders) over qualitative change in persons and churches.