Ephesians

INTRODUCTION

The epistle to the Ephesians was written by Paul the apostle around A.D. 62 while he was a prisoner in Rome. The purpose of the letter was to tell the Ephesian Christians God’s eternal plan and purpose for the body of Christ. Paul want Christians to know that God had a plan even before the foundation of the world.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” (Ephesians 1:4-5) (NIV).

Also, one of the main points that he would like Christians to know is that we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith is a gift from God.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9) (NIV).

Author: Paul the Apostle

Place: Rome

Date: AD 60 or 61

Theme: The Church, the Body of Christ

OUTLINE:

CHAPTER 1

• Greetings from Paul (1:1-2)
• God’s Divine Purpose & Spiritual Blessings (1:3-14)
• Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom (1:15-23)

CHAPTER 2

• Salvation by Grace (2:1-10)
• Reconciliation of the Jews and Gentiles through Christ Jesus (2:11-18)
• Both Jew and Gentile together, are the Temple of the Lord (2:19-22)

CHAPTER 3

• God’s Plan for the Church is revealed (3:1-13)
• Prayer for Spiritual Growth (3:14-21)

CHAPTER 4

• Unity in the Church (4:1-32)

CHAPTER 5

• Living in the Light (5:1-20)
• Spirit-Guided Relationships: Wives and Husbands (5:21-33)

CHAPTER 6

• The relationship between Children and Parents (6:1-4)
• The relationship between Slaves and Masters (6:5-9)
• The whole Armor of God (6:10-20)
• Final Greetings and Benediction (6:21-24)

EPHESIANS READING SCHEDULE

☐ Chapter 1: 1-14
☐ Chapter 1: 15-23
☐ Chapter 2: 1-10
☐ Chapter 2: 11-18
☐ Chapter 2: 19-22
☐ Chapter 3: 1-13
☐ Chapter 3: 14-21
☐ Chapter 4: 1-32
☐ Chapter 5: 1-20
☐ Chapter 5: 21-33

☐ Chapter 6: 1-9
☐ Chapter 6: 10-20
☐ Chapter 6: 21-24

KEY VERSES IN THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS

Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (KJV)

Ephesians 1:4: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” (KJV)

Ephesians 1:7: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (KJV)

Ephesians 2: 8-10: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (KJV)

Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” (KJV)

Ephesians 4:1: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” (KJV)

Ephesians 4:4-6: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in 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 you all.” (KJV)

Ephesians 4:29: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (NLT)

Ephesians 5:21: “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (KJV)

Ephesians 5:22: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” (KJV)

Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” (KJV)

Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (KJV)

Ephesians 6:13-17: “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet A shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (KJV)

PRAYER IN THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS TO PRAY FOR YOURSELF AND FOR OTHERS:

Ephesians 1:17-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom^[and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. ¹⁸ I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

PRAYER: Father, in the name of Jesus. I ask that you give me the spirit of wisdom and insight so that I might grow in the knowledge of God. Flood my heart with light so that I can understand the confident hope you have given to me. Help me to understand the greatness of your power. The same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 3:16-19 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

PRAYER: Father, in the name of Jesus. I ask that you empower me with inner strength through your Spirit. That Christ will dwell in my heart as I trust in him. Therefore I will be rooted and grounded in the love of God. Thank you for giving me the power to understand how wide, long, high, and deep your love is. 

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