The Book of

Ephesians

Describes our new identity and unity in Christ.

Ephesians

WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE
 

You've believed in Jesus. You've been saved by grace. You've received the Holy Spirit. But do you actually understand what that means? Do you know who you are now?

Most Christians live far below their identity. They know they're forgiven, but they don't grasp the magnitude of what God has done. They know they're going to heaven, but they don't understand their position now.

Ephesians changes that.

Paul wrote this letter from prison to explain the breathtaking reality of what it means to be in Christ. He pulls back the curtain on God's eternal plan, your position in the heavenly realms, the mystery of the church, and the spiritual battle you're in.

The first three chapters are pure theology: who you are, what God has done, and the astonishing plan He's been unfolding since before time began. The last three chapters are pure application: how you live out that identity in your relationships, your work, your family, and your spiritual battles.

This isn't just information. This is identity. Ephesians tells you who you are in Christ. And when you grasp that, everything changes.

A note before we begin:

Ephesians is six chapters of rich, layered theology and practical application. This summary hits the major themes, but Paul's language is so packed with meaning that every verse rewards careful study. After reading this overview, open your Bible and read Ephesians yourself. Let the full weight of your identity in Christ sink in.

Blessed in Christ

Paul opens with an explosion of blessings. One long sentence in Greek that runs for twelve verses, listing everything God has done for you in Christ.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Stop and think about that. Every spiritual blessing. All of them. Already yours. In Christ. Not someday. Now.

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 for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.

Before God created the world, He chose you. He predestined you for adoption. Not because you deserved it. Because it pleased Him. To display His glorious grace.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment, to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

You have redemption. Forgiveness. Through Jesus' blood. God lavished grace on you. And He revealed the mystery of His will: to bring everything in heaven and earth under Christ's authority.

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.

You were chosen. Predestined. According to God's plan. For the praise of His glory.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession, to the praise of His glory.

When you believed, God sealed you with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is your guarantee. Your down payment. Proof that God will complete what He started.

Paul's Prayer for Wisdom

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.

Paul prays that you'd understand three things: the hope of your calling, the riches of your inheritance, and the incomparably great power available to you.

That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you. That's not metaphor. That's reality.

And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.

Jesus is head over everything. And the church is His body. You're part of that body. The fullness of Christ fills the church.

Dead in Sin, Alive in Christ

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

You were dead. Not sick. Not struggling. Dead. You followed the world, the devil, and your own sinful nature.

All of us also lived amongst them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Everyone was in the same condition. Dead in sin. Deserving God's wrath.

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. It's by grace you've been saved.

Here's the shift. But God. Because of His love and mercy, He made you alive. Even when you were dead. By grace.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

You're not just alive. You're raised up. You're seated in the heavenly realms with Christ. Right now. Your position is secure.

For it's by grace you've been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it's the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Saved by grace. Through faith. Not by works. It's a gift. You can't boast. But you were created for good works. God prepared them in advance for you to do. You're not saved by works, but you're saved for works.

One in Christ

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called uncircumcised by those who call themselves the circumcision, remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

If you're not Jewish, you were outsiders. Separate from Christ. Excluded from Israel. Foreigners to the promise. Without hope. Without God.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

But now. In Christ. You've been brought near. By Jesus' blood.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.

Jesus destroyed the barrier between Jew and Gentile. He created one new humanity. He reconciled both to God through the cross.

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Jews and Gentiles both have access to the Father. By one Spirit. No distinction.

Consequently, you're no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.

You're not outsiders. You're citizens. Family members. Part of God's household. Built on the foundation of apostles and prophets with Jesus as the cornerstone. You're being built into a temple where God lives by His Spirit.

The Mystery Revealed

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles, surely you've heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation.

Paul's in prison. But he calls himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus, not of Rome. And he's there for the sake of the Gentiles.

In reading this, then, you'll be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which wasn't made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

The mystery: Gentiles are co heirs with Jews. Members of the same body. Sharers in the same promise. This wasn't known in previous generations. It's been revealed now.

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of His power. Although I'm less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Paul's job is to preach the boundless riches of Christ to Gentiles and to explain the mystery that was hidden for ages.

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The church displays God's wisdom to spiritual powers in the heavenly realms. This was God's eternal purpose.

In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

You can approach God with freedom and confidence. Not cowering. Not unsure. With boldness.

Paul's Prayer for Power

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

Paul prays that you'd be strengthened with power. In your inner being. Through the Spirit. So Christ dwells in your heart through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

He prays you'd grasp the dimensions of Christ's love. Width, length, height, depth. A love that surpasses knowledge. And that you'd be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

God can do immeasurably more than you ask or imagine. According to His power that's at work in you. Not someday. Now.

Unity in the Body

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you've received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Live worthy of your calling. Be humble, gentle, patient. Bear with each other. Make every effort to maintain unity.

There's one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

One body. One Spirit. One hope. One Lord. One faith. One baptism. One God and Father. Unity is foundational.

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Unity doesn't mean uniformity. Grace is given to each person individually.

So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Christ gave leaders to equip you for service. The goal is maturity. Growing up into the fullness of Christ.

Then we'll no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we'll grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Maturity means you're not tossed around by every new teaching. You speak truth in love. You grow up into Christ.

From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

The body grows when each part does its work. You're essential. The body needs you functioning properly.

Put Off the Old Self

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They're darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that's in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they've given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they're full of greed.

Don't live like unbelievers. Futile thinking. Darkened understanding. Hard hearts. Sensuality. Impurity. Greed. That's the old life.

That, however, isn't the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that's in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

You learned a different way. Put off the old self. Be renewed in your mind. Put on the new self. Created to be like God.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we're all members of one body. In your anger don't sin: don't let the sun go down whilst you're still angry, and don't give the devil a foothold.

Practical instructions: don't lie. Speak truth. If you're angry, deal with it before the day ends. Don't give the devil an opportunity.

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

If you used to steal, stop. Work. Earn money. So you can give to others.

Don't let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Watch your words. Only say what builds up. Don't grieve the Holy Spirit.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, slander, malice. Be kind. Compassionate. Forgiving. Just like God forgave you.

Live as Children of Light

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Imitate God. Live in love. Like Christ loved you and gave Himself for you.

But amongst you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

No sexual immorality. No impurity. No greed. Not even a hint. No obscenity or crude joking. Instead, thanksgiving.

For of this you can be sure: no immoral, impure or greedy person, such a person is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore don't be partners with them.

These sins are serious. They evidence idolatry. Don't let anyone deceive you with empty words justifying sin.

For you were once darkness, but now you're light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

You were darkness. Now you're light. Live like it. Find out what pleases God. Have nothing to do with darkness. Expose it.

It's shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, and everything that's illuminated becomes a light. This is why it's said: wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

Light exposes darkness. Wake up. Rise from the dead. Let Christ shine on you.

Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Live carefully. Wisely. Make the most of every opportunity. Understand God's will.

Don't get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Don't get drunk. Be filled with the Spirit. Sing. Give thanks. Always.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Submit to each other. Out of reverence for Christ.

Husbands and Wives

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Paul addresses wives first. Submit to your husbands as to the Lord. As the church submits to Christ.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Husbands, love your wives like Christ loved the church. He gave Himself up for her. He cleanses her. He presents her holy and blameless. That's the standard.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church, for we're members of His body.

Love your wife as your own body. Feed her. Care for her. Like Christ cares for the church.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery, but I'm talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Marriage is a mystery pointing to Christ and the church. Husbands, love your wives. Wives, respect your husbands.

Parents and Children

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

Children, obey your parents. Honour them. This comes with a promise: long life.

Fathers, don't exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Fathers, don't provoke your children. Train them. Instruct them in the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they're slave or free.

Work as if you're serving Christ, not people. The Lord rewards good work.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don't threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there's no favouritism with Him.

Masters, treat those under you well. God doesn't show favouritism. You answer to Him too.

The Armour of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

Be strong in the Lord's power, not your own. Put on God's armour. You're in a battle.

For our struggle isn't against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Your real enemy isn't human. It's spiritual. Rulers, authorities, powers of darkness, spiritual forces of evil.

Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you've done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The armour: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet ready with the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit (God's word).

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.

Pray constantly. In the Spirit. For all believers.

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I'll fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I'm an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Paul asks for prayer. That he'd speak boldly. He's an ambassador in chains.

Final Greetings

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I'm doing. I'm sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

What This Means for You

Ephesians reveals your identity in Christ. You're blessed with every spiritual blessing. Chosen before the world began. Adopted as a son. Sealed with the Holy Spirit. Raised up and seated in the heavenly realms. Part of God's temple. A member of Christ's body.

Here's what Ephesians teaches you:

You're blessed with every spiritual blessing. Not some. All. In Christ. Right now.

You were dead in sin. God made you alive. By grace through faith. Not by works. You can't boast.

You're seated in the heavenly realms with Christ. Your position is secure. You're not trying to get there. You're already there.

The church is one body. Jews and Gentiles. One new humanity. No division.

God can do immeasurably more than you ask or imagine. According to His power at work in you.

Live worthy of your calling. Be humble, gentle, patient. Maintain unity.

Put off the old self. Put on the new. Created to be like God in righteousness and holiness.

Live as children of light. Have nothing to do with darkness. Expose it.

Be filled with the Spirit. Sing. Give thanks. Submit to one another.

Marriage reflects Christ and the church. Husbands, love sacrificially. Wives, respect and submit.

You're in a spiritual battle. Put on God's armour. Stand firm. Pray constantly.

Your Next Steps

Ephesians challenges you to live out your identity in Christ.

Do you know who you are? You're blessed, chosen, adopted, redeemed, sealed, raised up, seated in the heavenly realms. That's not future. That's now. Believe it. Live in it.

Are you maintaining unity? The church is one body. Make every effort to keep unity. Bear with each other. Be patient.

Have you put off the old self? Stop lying. Stop stealing. Stop crude talk. Get rid of bitterness. Be kind. Forgiving.

Are you living as a child of light? No sexual immorality. No impurity. No greed. Not even a hint. Walk in love.

Are you filled with the Spirit? Sing. Give thanks. Submit to one another. Let the Spirit control you, not alcohol or anything else.

Are you wearing God's armour? You're in a battle. Truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, God's word. Put them on. Pray constantly.

Read It Yourself

This summary covers Ephesians' major themes, but every sentence in this letter is loaded with meaning. Paul's vision of the church, your identity in Christ, the mystery revealed, the practical applications, all of it deserves slow, careful reading.

Don't just read about Ephesians. Read Ephesians. Open your Bible to chapter 1 and work through all six chapters. Read it multiple times. Let the reality of who you are in Christ transform how you think, how you live, how you relate to others, and how you fight spiritual battles.

You Are in Christ

The phrase in Christ appears over and over in Ephesians. It's your position. Your location. Your identity.

In Christ, you're blessed. In Christ, you're chosen. In Christ, you're adopted. In Christ, you're redeemed. In Christ, you're sealed. In Christ, you're raised up. In Christ, you're seated in the heavenly realms.

Everything you have, you have in Christ. Everything you are, you are in Christ.

When you grasp that, when you really understand your position, your behaviour changes. You don't act like the old you anymore. You live like the new creation you are.

That's the message of Ephesians. Know who you are. Then live like it.

Scripture paraphrased and quoted from various translations for clarity.

© The Unknown Believer