Ephesians

Introduction

The book of Ephesians written to a church in the city of Ephesus. Paul planted this trip on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:19) and it remained fruitful and continued to grow.

Ephesus was a Gentile city, which was given to idolatry and worship of the goddess ‘Diana’ or Artemas. She was a fertility goddess that would offer ritualistic sexual experiences in her temples.

When the majority of this city was converted to Christianity, it caused an uproar and a great riot from the people who made idols and trinkets for Diana and ultimately thrust Paul out of the city for his safety. He would return later and set up a ministry in the lecture hall of "Tyrannus” until “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:9-10).

Eventually Timothy would take over the pastorate in Ephesus while Paul was absent (1 Tim 1:3).

This book is written with a very clear objective. Paul is not correcting issues; he is revealing doctrine. There are no specific people mentioned by name in the Ephesian church, so get the sense that it is not deeply personal though he would have known them well and begins the epistle revealing his prayers for them (1:16).

The theme of this book is certainly the church of Christ, as a plan for it made before the foundation of the world, and then clearly revealed in mystery from in chapter 3 and then illustrated in picture in chapter 5.

This book is a magnificent document which will give the reader a greater respect and understanding of God’s plan for the church.

Chapter 1 The Position of the Believer in Christ

The first chapter of Ephesians gives us the sense of what Paul wanted to accomplish in writing. He gets right to his point to exhort by reminding them of their position in Christ and the church. Although not deeply personal, he expresses his thanks and prayers for this church and placed Christ “far above” all things, including them as “his body” (v23).

V1-2 Greeting

This letter begins quickly with only a short greeting from “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (v1). He writes to “the saints which are at Ephesus” (v1), wishing them “grace” and “peace” (v2). There are no other names mentioned in the introduction, as Paul frequently does to mention those around him when he writes.

V3-6 Christian Position

The beginning verses in Ephesians 1 are masterfully written. This chapter is made up of only 5 sentences! But they are masterfully written and packed deep and rich with doctrinal teaching. There was a lot to say about the position of the believer in Christ. Once we have accepted Christ as our Lord (Rom 10:9-10) these truths become our reality, whether we know it or not!

If we break these verses down we learn that Christians are “blessed” (v3), “chosen”, “holy and without blame” (v4), “predestinated” (v5), and have been “accepted” (v6) by God. We need these powerful truths to remind us of who we are and keep our focus on eternal things instead of this world.

The mention of being “chosen” (v4) and “predestinated” (v5) in these verses are taken by some to mean that God elected certain to salvation and not others, but it could not be further from the truth. These verses simply explain the position of believers once they have been placed into Jesus Christ by faith. God would have all to be saved (1 Tim 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9).

What God chose before the foundation of the world, was the church and His purposes for it – not individual believers. Every believer in Christ is predestinated, but not until after their salvation, at which time he “did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom 8:29). Every Christian has received the “adoption of children” (v5, Rom 8:15) to become a son of God (John 1:12), but still await the day in which they are glorified in new bodies to be like Jesus Christ, “waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Rom 8:23). In this way, we have a predetermined destiny, being “predestinated” (v5) to be like Jesus Christ at glorification (Phil 3:21).

V7-12 Christian Predestination

All Christians receive the “forgiveness of sins” (v7) when they are born again. We do not await a future day of forgiveness, “we have redemption through his blood” (V7). This is in the present tense! And even more than forgiveness, God has “abounded toward us in all wisdom” (v8) and “made known unto us the mystery of his will” (v9). Once we are in Christ, we are now able to be taught by His Spirit to understand His word and “his will” (v9). Part of God’s revelation about His will from “before the foundation of the world” (v4) is His plan for the church.

The plan that God had for the church was not something that we previously understood, as we will learn in chapter 3 that it was a “mystery” (3:3) that “in other ages was not made known” (3:4). Chapter 1 then gives us the big picture of God’s plan coming to fruition in the days of the apostles, “that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ” (v12). No Old Testament saints had ever experienced ‘the church’ before, though allusions were made to it in the congregation of Israel (Acts 7:38).

Those of us today who are “in Christ” (v10), get the unique privilege of experiencing this special part of God’s plan, and we look forward with anticipation when he will “gather together in one all things in Christ” (v10), when all of the church over time will be present before the Lord and will “reign with him” (2 Tim 2:12). Phillips says,

During the millennial reign of Christ on earth, the believers of this present age—those who comprise the church, the body of Christ, and who are God’s heavenly people—will reign with Christ on high.[1]

V13-14 Christian Salvation

These verses give us incredible insight into the workings of salvation. Ephesians makes it most clear in all of the bible that we are “sealed with the holy Spirit of promise” (v13), and since we have been “predestinated” (v11) to be like Christ, we are “sealed unto the day of redemption” (4:30). But what comes first, the chicken or the egg? The Spirit or salvation? These verses are a dagger in the heart of the reformed theologian’s core tenant of regeneration preceding salvation – for they say that man cannot believe the gospel until they are first regenerated by the Spirit, but that is not what Ephesians says! This gives us the proper order of salvation: hearing, believing, receiving. This is not to say that the Spirit of God is absent in the process of reproving the world of sin (John 16:8), but that He does not come to indwell and regenerate until faith has been placed in the gospel.

For anyone to be saved, and a part of this wonderful purpose of God in the church, they must hear “the word of the truth”, then believe it, “after that ye believed”, then they are “sealed with the holy Spirit” (v13). Every Christian has the Holy Spirit, and does not need to ask for Him or seek a second blessing (Rom 8:9). We are sealed up! 

V15-23 Christian Prayer

After his glorious introduction to the Ephesians, Paul lets them know that he has been praying for them after he “heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus” (v15). It had to please Paul greatly that his church he had planted remained strong, considering the warning that he gave them of impending false teachers (Acts 20:29). Paul was thankful and did not “cease to give thanks” for them, “making mention” (v16) of them in his prayers. He is such a good pastor and ‘father’ to the churches that he planted, that he remained in earnest prayer for them even in his absence.

This prayer, which fills the remainder of this chapter, is a great outline for us in our prayers for others, and a good reminder that God’s plans are so much bigger than ours.

He Prays for Wisdom (v17-18)

Even though Paul spoke highly of the position of believers in Jesus Christ, fulfilling God’s eternal purposes before we could ever realize it, there was still so much to learn, so he prays that God would “give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” (v17). Simply being saved and being in church is not enough. We need the Spirit of God to teach us who we really are and who Jesus really is! Paul begs the Lord for it, and we should also for our churches. It is a divine revelation to see Christ clearly, it opens our eyes, “your understanding being enlightened” (v18). For this we can trust the Spirit of God and the word of God (Psalm 119:18).

He Reminds of Power (v19-20)

He reminds the Ephesians of the power of God, “what is the exceeding greatness of his power” (v19), but this power is not just in the heavens, it reaches down to us, “to usward who believe” (v19). The same power which was “mighty” and “wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead” (v20) is at work inside of us through the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11). What an incredible reminder that God has not left us powerless to wait for a future state, but that He is with us now working in and through us as His people.

He Exalts Christ (v21-23)

Lastly, Paul’s prayer reminds the Ephesians that Jesus is “far above all principality and power” (v21), which would greatly encourage them when they read the end of this letter (6:12), and that the world will all be subject to Jesus, “and hath put all things under his feet” (v22). The church here is positioned under Christ as “his body” (v23) and He is placed at, “the head over all things to the church” (v22). In many ways this prayer ends like one of our prayers today – we pray ‘in Jesus name’ (John 16:23), resting on His authority and not our own. All things, even our prayers are to be submitted to the ‘headship’ of Jesus Christ, who is over us because we are in His body the church.

Chapter 2 Then Vs Now

This chapter gives us an incredible look at the difference made in the life of the believer. We are vividly reminded of who we “were” (v1), which was changed upon salvation in Christ, who saved us by His grace. The chapter concludes with the collection of Christians into one body as “one new man” (v15),  who now makes up the “temple” (v21) whereby we worship the Lord together.

V1-5 The Grace of God

Paul begins this chapter with a reminder of who the Ephesians were before the gospel. The same is true for all people before they were saved. The bible contrasts salvations as the difference in life and death, where salvation is to be “quickened” ˆor made alive and to be lost is to be “dead in trespasses and sins” (v1).

Before we were saved our lives were completely different, “wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world” (v2). He starts with the world that we live in. It is set on a “course” against God, and God has saved us out of it, “to deliver us from this present evil world” (Gal 1:4). Christians still live on the planet though! We just live in enemy territory, as Jesus wanted it that way (John 17:15). Satan is the “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4), called here the “prince of the power of the air” (v2). God has allowed him to have control over the world and its direction, though God is still ultimately in charge and will continue to accomplish His purposes. 

In our lost state we were also spiritual creatures, for God made us so to be. We did not listen to God’s Spirit but rather were subject to “the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (v2). Every lost person is in some way influenced or controlled by what the bible calls the “spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:3). The Ephesians would have experienced the course of this world and the spirit that controls lost men in their own city during the Ephesian riot (Acts 19:34). The whole place was in an uproar against the Lord!

We are also reminded of the fleshly nature from which we were saved from the “lusts of the flesh” and the “desires of the flesh and… mind” (v3). The “nature” of the lost is still found in the saved, in the physical body (Rom 7:23), but the saved have power of the flesh to crucify it. The lost, without the Holy Spirit, are subject to their nature, thus being “the children of wrath” (v3). This doesn’t mean that they are always angry, but that they abide under the wrath and judgment of God until they are saved.

Verse 4 begins with, “but God”, which are probably the greatest words in the chapter for what they represent! In all the preceding verses, we are reminded of our nature before salvation. What changed? Did we reform? Did we get religious? No, God did something. In “his great love wherewith he loved us” (v4) He “quickened us together with Christ” (v5) and saved us “by grace” (v5). Meaning that while we were in this gross state of subjection to the world, the devil, and the flesh, God made a change to save us out of it! This change is true of every Christian whenever they put their faith and trust in Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sin (Rom 10:9-10).

Grace is unmerited favor. It is something not earned, as we see clearly here, the “children of wrath” (v3) have been “raised… up” in salvation and now “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (v6). This is an unprecedented change that can only happen on a supernatural basis, for we did nothing to ‘earn’ this kind of favor, it is “not of works, lest any man should boast” (v9). Salvation is simply “by grace” (v8), because God offers it freely to the undeserved, and it is received “through faith” (v8) in Jesus Christ. It is here considered a “gift” (v8) from God which we must receive. Jesus Christ is that gift (John 4:10).

Those that have been saved are given future hope as well, we have a home in heaven (v6), we also have a purpose on earth (v10), and we have a future purpose “in the ages to come” (v7). While the future encourages us, and we have much to look forward to in eternity, we also have a new life to live now. At salvation God changed us and made us a new creature, “created in Christ Jesus” (v10. 2 Cor 5:17). He made us into something that would have been impossible for the “old man” (Rom 6:6) to be, for we saw his wretchedness in the previous verses. The new creature is called “his workmanship” (v10) and has been created “unto good works” (v10), which means we have work to do now that we are saved. These works do not accomplish our salvation, else there is no more grace (Rom 11:6), they are because of it. In fact, God has gone before us in recreating us and “ordained” (v10) us to serve Him in new ways. Spiritual gifts are an example of this – something that was impossible prior to conversion.

V11-18 The Peace of God

We see again, after salvation is mentioned so clearly (v8-9), that the Christian is called to remembrance of their old ways, “remember that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh” (v11). When we have been in grace for a while it can be easy to forget who we use to be and just how much grace the Lord had on us who were, “at that time… without Christ” (v12). Before God’s grace we were so far away from Him that we were “aliens” (v12) or literally foreigners and “strangers” (v12) to the word of God which left us “having no hope, and without God” (v12). This is the position of the lost man. Previously we saw their spiritual state (2:1-3) and now we see the results of their lostness… they are literally hopeless, and no matter how much they ‘do right’ or dress up in religion, the lost are “without God” until they are saved.

Change though is possible and can take place for anyone that puts their faith in Christ. We see a similar dramatic phrase used here to distinguish the change, “But now” (v13). These Ephesian Christians were just like their pagan and polytheistic Gentile fellowcitizens before they had accepted Christ. The only difference in the lost and the saved is the acceptance and application of “the blood of Christ” (v13). Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is what makes us “nigh” (v13) unto God, not the works of religion or the anything we can do in the flesh.

Christ then, to those that have accepted Him has become “our peace” who “hath broken down the middle wall of partition” (v14). Jesus reconciled us to God and removed the barriers that were between us. Here the wall of partition is mentioned in reference to the temple and the tabernacle. Before Christ, when God’s people were under the law, they were separated from the ‘Holy of Holies’. It was the most precious place of Judaism, which contained the ark of the covenant and was only able to be accessed by the High Priest, but when Christ came, who is our High Priest, He “entered in once in the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb 9:11-12) so that there is no longer a wall “between us” (v14) and God. Furthermore, Christ “abolished in his flesh” (v15) the “curse of the law” and “took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Col 2:14) so that righteousness with God is now obtained by faith alone instead of keeping “the law of commandments” (v15, Gal 2:21).

The result of reconciliation with God (v16) is a new identity in Jesus Christ, by being immersed into His Body as “one new man” (v15). God has gathered together a group of people that stretched from “nigh” (V17) unto Jerusalem all the way to the uttermost of the Ephesians, “you which were afar off” (v17). But somebody had to GO to them and share that message. Paul says that God “came and preached peace to you” (v17), but really it was through him. He says something similar to the Corinthians, “as though God did beseech you by us” (2 Cor 5:20). If God is going to save people by His grace, He has designed it to happen through His messengers, for, “how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom 10:14). Those that are in Christ “through faith” (v18).

V19-22 The Building of God

Because Paul was so clear on the lost state of the Ephesians and all Christians for that matter, he ends this chapter in an uplifting manner. Verse 19 essentially cancels out verse 12, which gives man all the things that they did not have prior to salvation. Now we find those things in Christ, being “no more foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (v19). We are then brought into a new country and a new family by the blood of Christ. These are highly relational, as all Christians have become “one new man” (v15) in Christ, therefore the people of God must act together as a “household” (v19) and work together. There is no place in biblical Christianity for a ‘rogue Christian’. Every Christian needs to be in a church, meeting together with their spiritual family.

Paul uses the illustration of the building to further describe the church. The saved are a “builded together” (v22), as a “building fitly framed together” for an “habitation of God” (v22). This means that we need each other! We are literally holding each other up, and as we gather together we become the place that God takes up residence in. Certainly, we are indwelt with the Spirit at salvation, but here we see the building as a “ye” (v22), which is plural! Though the things mentioned in previous verses are true of Christians individually, we were designed to come together as a “temple in the Lord” (v21). The plural nature of the church being the temple is consistent in Paul’s other writings (1 Cor 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16). Do you believe this to be true? Take note of it. Who are the Christians in your life that are thriving in their faith, fruitful and being used by God? They are not rogue Christians. Those that are functioning together as the temple of God with others will always do better than those that stay at home and focus on themselves.

The language at the end of this chapter grows more into the identity of the church than of the individual believer. It is important to remember what a church is. In many Christian gatherings the word ‘church’ is used to describe what they do, but it is not representative of what the bible describes as a church. If God’s people, the church, will be the organization that He has designed, it must be according to the blueprints of His word, “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (v20). This is certainly true doctrinally of the revelation of the church as a mystery (Eph 5:32), but it is also true practically for how we function together. Christian churches are bound by God’s word to ‘build’ correctly, on “Jesus Christ… being the chief corner stone” (v20). Whatever our ‘expression’ of the church is, it must be solidly founded upon the gospel and the atoning work that Jesus did on the cross for the sins of the world. It is then built upon a “stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence” (1 Pet 2:8). This will severely limit the attractiveness of the church to the lost world. When the lost comes to church, let me find an unshaken foundation built upon reconciliation with God through Jesus!

Lastly, as we consider what a church is, we must also continue building beyond the foundation. The building “groweth unto an holy temple” (v21), meaning that as new believers are added to the church it will continue to grow, as it should. The church should grow numerically and quantitatively, but as it does, it cannot compromise how it is “built” (v20). Even if we do not tear up the foundation, we are responsible for how we “build upon this foundation” (1 Cor 3:12). God cares just as much about church health as salvation. We must build as God has said in His word, through what has been revealed in the “apostles and prophets” (v20). These epistles then serve as the greatest source of church information that we have in all of the bible. The epistles then are our blueprints.

Chapter 3 God’s Purpose in the Church

This chapter puts the church on prominent display, revealing the mystery of what was not previously known about it, the purpose of God in it, and the blessing to those that are in the church.

V1-9 The Mystery of the Church

Paul reminds us of his present state. He is currently under Roman guard awaiting trial in Rome at the time of this writing (Acts 28:16-17, 30-31). It is under these conditions that God uses him to reveal some of the greatest and most powerful truths of the bible! Here he is about to help us “understand my knowledge” (v4) which was “in other ages… not made known” (v5). This is here called the “mystery of Christ” (v4), which will be clearly described as the church.

God had given Paul a special role in the church as a revelator, “how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery” (v3), and a steward of that information, “the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me” (v2). The word dispensation means a ‘stewardship’, as it is seen in other place (1 Cor 9:17, Col 1:25), and translated as “stewardship” in Luke 16:2-4 from the Greek word G3622 ‘oikonomia’. Paul saw his role as being “put in trust with the gospel” (1 Thess 2:4), being counted faithful to be put “into the ministry” (1 Tim 1:12). Even in his most difficult times, Paul stewarded saving truth and saw it as a ministry for others, “which is given me to you-ward” (v2). Paul’s knowledge and revelations were for the benefit of others, and upon writing would benefit believers of all time!

The mystery that Paul is about to reveal was “in other ages … not made known” (v5) because “it hath been hid in God” (v9). A biblical mystery then is not an unknowable truth; it is one that was previously unknown but now revealed for us to understand. There are several other ‘mysteries’ revealed in the bible as well. It is important to note that this mystery was “revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (v5). The source of this information is God and He used “holy men of God” (2 Pet 1:21) as a vehicle for delivery. The church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets” (2:20), and we can trust the supernatural enablement that God gave to them.

There are some today who claim to have ‘hidden truth’ about the bible that nobody else has. We ought to be incredibly cautious when we hear such claims, as there are no more ‘revelations’ or ‘interpretations’ of the bible. In fact, we aren’t interpreting anything in these passages, we are simply reading what they say, “that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body” (v6). This mystery is clearly revealed. There is no ambiguity or sleight of interpretation. The bible is clear that the church would include Jews and Gentiles in “the same body” (v6), that God would “reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross” (2:16). The Old Testament prophets bore witness of Gentile salvation (Isa 11:10, Hosea 2:23), but they did not see the church clearly, as it was “hid in God” (v9) until being later revealed.

It should be noted that both Jews and Gentiles enter the church in the same way, “by the gospel” (v6). There is only one “way” (John 14:6) to be saved, no matter a person’s ethnicity or background. All become one in Christ (1 Cor 12:13).

Paul’s humility is on display here, always being reminded that he wasn’t one of the ‘original’ apostles, but one “born out of due time” (1 Cor 15:8). He considered himself “less than the least of all saints” (v8), yet he did not denigrate his role to, “that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (v8). Although he saw himself as less, he was still a “minister” (v7) and saw his role as a “gift of the grace of God” (v7), which every Christian should as well, while we serve with our own spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:7). Paul recognized the ways that God would use him, “by the effectual working of his power” (v7). What a phrase! If we are going to do anything meaningful in the kingdom it will come at the cost of grace and require the power of God to accomplish it. Paul is a great example of stewarding his ministry, that even while imprisoned with an uncertain fate, he was faithful to write, preach and teach “those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31). We have these truths today because of how God worked through him.

V10-12 The Purpose of the Church

We have these incredible verses tucked in here that display God’s purpose for the church. He had hidden it “from the beginning” (v9) and chosen to reveal it later “to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (v10). The church then is NOT about the individual. There is something much more significant at work! God is using the church, which is the collection of all believing saints in the gospel, to put His wisdom on display to “principalities and powers” (v10). Others watch on! In fact, this same phrase is used in chapter 6, which lets us know that they are connected to “spiritual wickedness in high places” (6:12). These watches “in heavenly places” (v10) are a mixture of angels and fallen angels. God has been working out an “eternal purpose” (v11) through the church, which all began in Jesus Christ. This is the predestination of the believer. When a person is saved and immersed into the body of Christ, they are then “predestinated” (1:11) to be used by God to put His glory on display.

What incredible “boldness” (v12) this revelation gives us! God thinks more about His church than most people realize! We are His “peculiar people” (1 Pet 2:9) and we have “access with confidence by the faith” (v12) of Jesus Christ. Friends, if you are in Christ, you have a duty and a privilege of being used by God as an example of His grace to fallen angels which will never be able to receive it. Knowing that our life is less about us and more about His glory, we ought to bring our issues to Him so that He can work mightily through us, to get the maximum glory in our lives!

V13-19 The Privilege of the Church

Being a part of Christ’s body has incredible benefits! First, we gain a different perspective on life, as Paul told the Ephesians not to “faint” (v13) at his tribulations but instead to glory in them! This is the backwards living of being in Christ – we see the world differently because of our allegiance to “our Lord Jesus Christ” (v14). All of “heaven and earth” (v15) is given unto Him, and once we recognize that, we can tap into His power.

Being in Christ also produces an unmatched strength “by his Spirit in the inner man” (v16). God gives us strength according to “the riches of his glory” (v16). The inner life of a Christian is of utmost importance. If we are going to endure affliction on the outside, we must be strong on the inside. The Ephesians are reminded that Christ dwells in their heart (v17) and that His presence within us helps us to be “rooted and grounded in love” (v17).

Christians have a new way of thinking, in which we are able to “comprehend with all saints” (v18) something that the world cannot ascertain. The “breadth, and length, and depth, and height” (v18) of “to know the love of Christ” (v19), which is boundless to those in Him. We will spend the rest of our days attempting to count it up only to find that it “passeth knowledge” (v19). This doesn’t mean that we cannot ascertain if God loves us or not, for it we are in Christ, we are in His love. It simply means that it surpasses human wisdom and comprehension how God would make His enemies His friends and fill them “with all the fullness of God”(v19). It has been well said by the hymn writer:

Could we with ink the ocean fill
and were the skies of parchment made,
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill
and ev’ry man a scribe by trade
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry
nor could the scroll contain the whole
tho' stretched from sky to sky.

V20-21 The Blessing of the Church

The final remarks of this chapter conclude this section of the book. We get an “Amen” at the end of verse 21 to identify that for us. Paul wraps up the mystery of the church by reminding Christians that God “is able” (v20). No matter how we may feel about something, God is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (v20). What an incredibly encouraging thought! Since His love is without limits to those in Christ, so is His power, “the power that worketh in us” (v20). God, through His Holy Spirit which indwells His people, can do more than we can imagine or even ask Him to do! Wow! I don’t know about you, but I can image some pretty grand things, and yet still, the Lord will do greater works than those if we would walk with Him and obey His voice.

The exceeding abundance of great things that God can do through His power in us is all aimed at His glory, not just our personal benefit, “unto him be glory in the church” (v21). If God is going to answer our prayers or use us in a substantial way beyond what we could imagine, it will only be if He gets the glory. As we are reminded of His power and how He wants to use us, let words of Christ help to shape our requests, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7).

Whether the Lord does “exceeding abundantly” (v20) in this life or not, based on who we are in Christ, our future in eternity and in Christ’s millennial kingdom will be more than we could possibly imagine.

Chapter 4 Structure and Unity in the Church

This chapter begins a new section of Ephesians in which things become more practical. It begins with the unity of the body, stressing the importance of being “one body” (v4) and gives us a clear picture of leadership in the church. Leaders are given special gifts to “perfect” and “edify” (v12) the persons in the church, to protect them from evil and false doctrine. The results should change the character of individuals and enable them to “put on the new man” (v24) and live a life differently than the lost world around them.

V1-6 Charge to Christian Unity

With Jews and Gentiles now becoming “one new man” (2:15) in the church, instruction is give on how to function together in unity. Since Christians are called by Jesus name, we are to “walk worthy” (v1) of it. We no longer self-identity, we identify with Him, therefore we ought to act as He does, first beginning with each other, “with all lowliness and meekness” (v2) these are applied to other Christians, “forbearing one another in love” (v2). Being in the same body and having the same Lord (v4) should cause us to rally together around an identity and a mission that is greater than ourselves! This kind of unity must be kept with effort and will not happen accidentally, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” (v3).

To accept this charge to Christian unity, we must agree on some things together. There are many items mentioned here: body, Spirit, calling, Lord, faith, baptism, God, etc. To function well together we must conclude that our identity is no longer our own and rally ourselves around our new spiritual realities. We do not have an independent “calling” (v4), for example. God has proposed the church to reach the world with the gospel; therefore we must do it together. We also do not have a difference in our faith or our baptism – those things are clearly defined for us in the word of God; therefore we must submit ourselves to God’s word, and our leaders (v11) to only have one teacher and manner of execution of our faith!

While we have independent soul liberty (Gal 5:13, Rom 14:5), growth and maturity in Jesus Christ submits the identity of the individual to the identity of the whole because we are called to serve the Lord together as His church.

V7-12 Charge to Christian Leadership

These next verses subtly address spiritual gifts, but mainly focus on Christian leadership in the church. Though all Christians are given the Holy Spirit, and a supernatural enablement whereby to serve the church, “every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (v7, 1 Cor 12:7), not all Christians are called to lead in the church. When Jesus offered Himself on the cross, he reconciled us to God along with the Old Testament saints awaiting the resurrection, “he led captivity captive” (v8), and along with that he “gave gifts unto men” (v8).

There is a parenthesis here in verses 9-10 which better explains the phrase in verse 8. We all know that Christ “ascended up on high” (v8), but what follows is more difficult for some to believe, “he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth” (v9). During Christ’s death, he did not remain in the grave for three days, he entered into the heart of the earth, “Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22-23) to deliver the Old Testament saints awaiting release, and also “preached unto the spirits in prison” (1 Per 3:19), which he are fallen angels awaiting judgment. A considerable amount more could be said on this subject, and this is an important place in the scriptures to give us an understanding of this account, but let us not overshadow the depths with what Christ brought out of the depths: souls and  “gifts unto men” (v8)!

Verse 11 is a unique listing of spiritual gifts, for it only includes leaders in the church, whereas other lists include all members and roles (Rom 12:4-8, 1 Cor 12:1-11). God has specially selected some to serve the church to build it up. The list begins with “apostles” (v11), which is a special role given to Christ’s disciples upon their sending (Matt 10:2), along with a few others called as apostles later (Acts 1:26, 1 Cor 15:8-9). This role would bring the gospel to a new place and use special sign gifts to verify the message preached (2 Cor 12:12). It is no longer active today, but seen in picture as missionaries continue to expand to new horizons.

As the list progresses we see “prophets” and “evangelists” before finally arriving at “pastors and teachers” (v11). The progression starts with the most outspoken and forward roles, expanding the church and preaching the word of God, and then landing more squarely on a shepherding role of the pastors, or caretakers of the church, who ‘lead and feed’ the flock (1 Peter 5:2).

All of these church leadership roles had the responsibility of building up the saints to ‘perfect them’ (v12), prepare them “for the work of the ministry” (v12), and to edify “the body of Christ” (v12). Church leaders must have a healthy balance of focus on the individuals, “the saints”, while also building up the whole edifice of “the body of Christ” - as it is likened unto a building (2:22, 1 Cor 3:9). This is a daunting task and will take a diversity of mature, willing, called and gifted leaders to accomplish. When the church’s leaders are qualified men with a supernatural enablement, the church benefits greatly! If the leadership team is diverse enough, it should grow quantitatively from evangelists and qualitatively from its pastors. Let us pray the Lord gives us our churches His gifts in these men!

V13-16 Charge to Christian Participation

Just because Christian leadership exists, doesn’t mean that everyone will submit to it. Christian people can rebel against even the godliest leaders. Paul had his mockers. Stephen, as a deacon, had rocks thrown at his head, and Jesus was crucified being the best leader the world has ever known. The church must choose to show up and grow. If they will see their leaders as appointed by God to grow them up in the Lord, then they will value them even more as “gifts” (v8).

The Christian leader’s main focus is to bring “unity” (v13) in the body, to help them know “the Son of God” (v13), to grow up “unto a perfect man” to be like Christ, in His “fulness” (v13). This is only possible by supernatural means! As leaders trust God for wisdom to lead and guide the church, they use the word of God to ‘wash and cleanse’ (Eph 5:26) Christ’s bride to become more like Christ. Once the church has been equipped in the word of God, they can encourage each other by “speaking the truth in love” (v15), which will continue to sanctify the church and produce unity  (John 17:17), growing it up “into him in all things” (v15) and submitting it to Christ as “the head” (v15).

The benefits outweigh the costs! Showing up to church, growing, and getting involved in ministry are significantly better than what happens to those who dismiss God’s leaders as their shepherds. Failure to appear for godly edifying will result in spiritual immaturity, “that we be no more children” (v14), a lack of doctrinal comprehension and conviction, “carried about with every wind of doctrine” (v14), and a vulnerability to believe false teaching, “whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (v14). While it is unlikely that a ‘lone ranger’ Christian is reading this, if that is you, you are likely immature. There is safety in “multitude of counsellors” (Prov 11:14). If you don't show up to church and submit to your leaders, according to God’s word, you will be missing out and messing up.

V17-24 Charge to Christian Character

The church ought to live their lives differently than the lost world, “this I say therefore” (v17). Because of who we are in Christ, we should “not walk as other Gentiles walk” (v17). The Gentiles here represent the lost world that is void of God and not a part of the body of Christ. Because of their sin they are “alienated from the life of God” (v18) and have “blindness of their heart” (v18). The lost world, without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, becomes “past feeling” (v19) in their sin, meaning that they become numb to sin as if it affects their conscience, “having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim 4:2). The flesh is seen operable in their ways including their sexuality “lasciviousness” (v19), their spiritual life “uncleanness” (v19) and the desire of their heart, “with greediness” (v19). This is kind of like saying the Gentiles of this day were all about sex, spirits, and spending!

The church has no business identifying with the old nature, as “such were some of you” (1 Cor 6:1). Many of the Ephesians would know the ways of the Gentiles, having them as their life before being saved and part of the body of Christ. Paul reminds them though, “ye have not so learned Christ” (v20), that they are changed now because they have “heard him, and have been taught by him” (v21). Though this church did not see Jesus in the flesh during His lifetime, they were visited by His messengers the apostles and preached the word of God, which is here considered the same as hearing from Jesus Christ Himself. What they heard was “the truth is in Jesus” (v21), as He is “the truth” and it is the truth of His word that makes the difference in us (John 17:17, Rom 10:17)!

The old nature still lives inside the believer. Even though a Christian is born again and placed into the body of Christ, they still have sin “warring” in the members of their body (Rom 7:23). The physical body is not redeemed; it remains sinful in nature until the day of redemption in which we will get a new glorified body. Until then, Christians are charged to use their own volition via the power of the Spirit of God to “put off concerning the former conversation the old man” (v22). This is a choice that we must make. When we accept Christ, we do not immediately lose all proclivity to sin. Instead, we are given a new nature in the “new man” (v24) which has been redeemed. At the time of salvation there was a division made, a “circumcision made without hands” (Col 2:11), which gave us God’s Spirit and separated our “inner man” (Eph 3:16) from the “old man” in the flesh, giving us the ability to overcome the old nature. Here we find that the battle is won in the mind, “be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (v23). Although this war is not exclusively academic, the new man is “put on” (v24) by renewing it with the word of God. There is no greater strategy against the flesh than to be “renewed in knowledge” (Col 3:10) and being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2). Friend, if you are struggling with the ways of your old life before Christ, immerse your mind into the word of God, grow in the knowledge of Him, and He will give you the strength to put to death “the former conversation” (v22).

The remainder of this chapter is a very practical list of Christian character items that Paul wanted to address in the church. This is the standard of Christian behavior. Usually in his letters, Paul will address deeply theological items and then conclude with practical application. That is the case here! And that makes him such a wonderful example of a pastor. For the remainder of this chapter, we will briefly address each issue. Perhaps there is one of these areas that are more natural to your old man which we could address today? Be open to the Spirit and God’s direction.

Lying

It is not becoming a Christian to lie to others because we have the truth in Christ and steward the truth of God’s word, therefore put away lying, especially towards each other (V25). 

Anger

Though not sinful itself, we are told not to be controlled by anger or to let it continue to the next day. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul says to “put off… anger” (Col 3:8). Therefore, it is something that we are trying to pacify instead of stir up, lest we “give place to the devil” (v27). Forgiveness is spiritual warfare (2 Cor 2:10-11).

Stealing

Christians should provide for their own (1 Tim 5:8) instead of taking from others, “let him that stole steal no more” (v28). Get to work with your own hands so that you will have something left over to share with others.

Swearing

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth” (V29). Instead, let the “high praises of God” (Psa 149:6) be in our mouth so that we may use our words to “edifying” and “grace” (v29). Is your speech becoming a Christian or do you talk like a lost man?

Grieving

This generalization reminds us that the Spirit of God lives inside of us. If we would listen to His voice, then He will keep us from sin and error, but it is possible to “grieve” (v30) Him in disobedience. Though there is no sin that can separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:38-39), and we are “sealed unto the day of redemption” (v30), when we sin it produces great pain and sorrow to the Spirit within us. Have you ever felt that turmoil?

Bitterness

Verse 31 describes a series of things that are connected. One emotion will often be related to another. As “bitterness” begins the list, it provokes “anger” and eventually our words with “evil speaking” - this is an emotional progression. We are told to “put away” these things because they are destructive to our relationships (v32).

Kindness.

This verse reminds us that these character issues are Christian in nature - how we treat other Christians. Even within the church “anger” and “bitterness” can creep in and produce painful results to the body. We are told to remember how God “hath forgiven you” (v32) and to likewise forgive “one another” (v32). Forgiveness then is the antidote to anger and the pathway to be “tenderhearted” towards our fellow Christians. Kindness will overflow as we remember the cross.

Chapter 5 Live Like the Church

In chapter 5 we continue to see the difference in the believer and the lost. The church is charged to “walk” (v2, 8, 15) differently than they did before Christ, which is represented at the end of the chapter as a bride that follows her husband. In all things, Christ should be the head, even in our character and lives.

V1-17 Living In the Light

Christians get to choose how they will live their lives after they are born again. If they behave in the flesh, they will forfeit a reward and “inheritance in the kingdom of Christ” (v5), not their salvation.

There are two different groups of people mentioned in this chapter, the “dear children” (v1), or believers in Christ also called, “children of light” (v8) and the “children of disobedience” (v6), which are the lost who abide under the “wrath of God” (v6). Noting the difference, Christians are encouraged not to be “partakers” (v7) with the lost, which means not to participate in their lifestyle, seen clearly in verses 3-4.

Lifestyle is the issue here, not company (1 Cor 5:10), for the lost can only be reached by Christians. We have to interact with the world! We just cannot act like them or be “unequally yoked” (2 Cor 6:14) with them. There are three descriptive ways that this chapter tells the Christian how to “walk”.

Walk in Love (v1-4)

We are reminded of how Christ loved us, “and hath given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God” (v2) and are called to “walk” in the same manner, which is to “walk in love” (v2). The lifestyle of a Christian ought to be sacrificial, caring for others even when it does not benefit them. This is ‘agape’ Christlikeness seen in John 3:16. It is contrasted with the flesh in verse 3-4.

Walk in Light (v8-14)

Christians are likened to light because of our closeness with the source of Light, Christ Himself, “Christ shall give thee light” (v14), who is the “light of the world” (John 8:12). We do not have light of our own, as humanity is born sinful and in need of redemption to become the “children of light” (v8). Upon conversion, we are saved out of “darkness” (v8, Acts 26:18) and “now are ye light in the Lord” (v8). Walking in the light is likened unto walking in the Spirit, which is simplified here as producing “goodness and righteousness and truth” (v9). The light will “reprove” the “works of darkness” (v11), revealing them for everyone to see. In this we can clearly see the source of our actions and the actions of others!

This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Walk in Time (v15-17)

The third “walk” in this chapter is for the Christian to be wise with their time, “redeeming the time” and walking “circumspectly” (v15). To redeem is to ‘buy back’, it has been ransomed. That is the life of the believer! It has been saved from darkness and now it is of profit to the Lord. We then should be “wise” (v15) and ‘circumspect’, so as to observe all areas of our life in light of our present reality in Christ, with the word of God and the Spirit of God helping us to understand “what the will of the Lord is” (v17). God’s will is clearly revealed for us in scripture in places like 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3, but discerning our steps and “proving what is… will of God” (Rom 12:2) for our lives takes a combination of the word of God and spiritual discernment. We all live at a very specific moment in time. What are you doing to redeem the time and how are you living for “such a time as this” (Esh 4:14)?

V18-21 Walking In the Spirit

We see clearly what walking in the Spirit looks for in these verses, beginning first with a command and an illustration, “be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess” (v18). Alcohol is not prohibited here, though it is not wise to indulge (Prov 20:1). Control is what is in view. Alcohol has a dominating effect, which takes over the sensibilities and causes man to behave differently than they would in sobriety (Prov 23:29-35). This is pictured, yet in contrast, for the believer walking in the Spirit, “but be filled with the Spirit” (v18). Just as alcohol influences the sensibilities and causes one to act differently, so should the Spirit of God if we are “filled” (v18) with Him. This filling is not an extra amount of the Spirit that we acquire later, because every Christian has all of the Holy Spirit that they will ever get (Rom 8:9). He is received at the moment of salvation (Eph 1:13), when we believe the gospel, and He stays until the “day of redemption” (4:30). Submission to Him is what is in view. There are 3 practical evidences of walking in the Spirit here:

Speaking and Singing

We will speak and sing praises to God and each other, making melody in our hearts to the Lord (v19). This isn’t a forced song service or a ritualistic singing. It is a natural one in which the Spirit, for the purpose of exalting Christ, will bring songs and melodies to our heart in a cheerful manner. You cannot refuse to sing and walk in the Spirit.

Gratitude

When filled with the Spirit, it is natural to give “thanks always for all things unto God” (v20). This isn’t a forced gratitude, but a change of mind that sees God as the provider of all things and has an ideal and optimal perspective regarding outcomes for their life because of it. You cannot be complaining and walking in the Spirit.

Submission

One that we may not expect is “submitting yourselves one to another” (v21). With so much emphasis being placed on individualism in modern society, this will not come easy to the American, but it can come naturally to the Christian. Submission to God is one thing, but here there is a mutual submission to other Christians which is indicative of our surrender to the Spirit. He will give us a natural inclination to be subject to God’s order of things, as the following verses will teach. You cannot be rebellious and walking in the Spirit.

V22-33 Thriving In the Marriage

The remainder of this chapter is committed to the most personal relationship a person can have with another: marriage. Very clear instructions are given for each role.

The marriage relation here comes into full view. It first begins with wives, who are called to “submit yourselves unto your own husbands” (v22), which would be an incredible ask, but as we saw in the previous verses for walking in the Spirit, we will have God’s help in this area. Submission on the part of the wife is in accordance with God’s design for woman, she was made “for man” (1 Cor 11:9) as an “help meet for him” (Gen 2:18). In God’s design for marriage it was “not good for man to be alone” (Gen 2:18), therefore woman serves in the role of a companion for man and a helper in his cause.

The man is here considered “the head of the wife” (v23), which means that she is not free to be an independent woman. Though she still has her own personality and will, she has become “one flesh” (v31) with the man and does not get to make lifestyle decisions without consulting her husband. This may sound derogatory towards women, but God has created them equal in value and both the “image of God” (Gen 1:27). The difference is in the role that each member in the marriage plays.

The husband is also given a command “love” (v25) your wife! Men are not allowed to “lead about… a wife” (1 Cor 9:5) through domineering means (Luke 22:25-26). They are called to sacrifice for their wives, to care for them “as their own bodies” (v28). This standard of love ensures no mistreatment, for “no man ever yet hated his own flesh” (v29). If a man treats his wife’s desires as his own, she will be well taken care of!

While these directions in marriage are clear and critical for Christians, they are also a teaching illustration to reveal an even deeper truth: marriage is a picture of Christ’s relationship with the church, as we see in verse 32, “I speak concerning Christ and the church”. For this reason, each member in the marriage is called to mutual submission to Christ to fulfill their role. When we do so, it is a living example that represents a greater spiritual reality.

The “great mystery” (v32) here is that until this time, it was not fully revealed that Jesus would purchase the church as His bride. Now we see it clearly, and we see it most often in a healthy marriage.

What does Jesus do for His bride the church? He leads it (v23), loves it (v25), dies for it (v25), cleanses it (v26), and makes it “glorious” (v27). Submission to our mutual roles in marriage will lead to both parties thriving, with the husband leading sacrificially as Christ, and the bride being “holy and without blemish” (v27).

Chapter 6 Spiritual War of the Church

This chapter concludes the book of Ephesians by continuing the theme from the last chapter and then transitioning into spiritual warfare. It is always good to be reminded about what is truly happening in the spirit world, beyond what we can see, and Christians must continue in prayer and watching to stay focused on our mission.

V1-9 Submitted Roles

These verses are a continuation of the same thought from chapter 5 in which we saw a natural response of walking in the Spirit is to be submitted “one to another in the fear of God” (v21).

Man’s most important relationship in marriage was dealt with first and now it continues naturally unto children, “obey your parents in the Lord” (v1). The Christian home is the subject of order. God desires that children are submitted to both of their parents because “it is right” (v1). It may not be easy for kids, but it is good and comely for Christians to fall under their authority with a good attitude, for even Jesus did this, he “was subject unto them” (Luke 2:51). Even beyond simply obeying, children are told to “honour” (v2) their parents, which brings with it a blessing from God, “with promise” (v2). Even if kids do not agree with their parents, if they submit to them and respect them, it will “be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (v3). This is an incredible reason to respect them, even if they aren’t respectable enough in our own eyes. Note: it should go without saying that children need not be subject to abuse of any kind! Only in what is “right” (v1)!

Since children are addressed, so is parenting, “ye fathers” (v4). God deals exclusively with men in this list, as they are the “head of the wife” (v23) and consequently the home. Fathers are to give leadership to parenting include “nurture” (v4), to care, and “admonition” (v4), to correct. They are not to simply enforce what was thrust upon them, for that could be worldly or unbiblical, their parentage should be “of the Lord”(v4) and aligned with the Christian principles addressed in this letter and the new testament – which means it must be in sacrificial love, just like the marriage. Though parenting includes discipline (Prov 3:12, 13:24), it should always correct and strengthen the relationship, not provoke them “to wrath” (v4). Dads, if you are only making your kids angry without love and reconciliation you are doing it wrong. How does your heavenly father correct you (Heb 12:6)?

At the time of writing Ephesians, the Roman empire had a multitude of slaves. These instructions remind us of the differences of the world we live in today and what has been many people’s normal experience throughout history. We do not condone slavery! But we also have no idea what it’s like to live in this world. Many Christian slaves were saved in the first century, and they were told not to rebel, but to “be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh” (v5) and were told to consider their service to their master “as unto Christ” (v5). Can you imagine? We think it hard to submit to authority voluntarily, but how about these Christians that were never able to be free. They were called “the servants of Christ” (v6) and God still held them accountable to what was going on in their “heart” (v6) and to focus their time “doing the will of God” (v6). Their service was “not to men”, even though they were not free, and they were encouraged with the thought of the same reward as a person that lived in liberty, “whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord” (v8). God is no respecter of persons, we are all called to serve Him according to His will, no matter our calling. However, if a servant was able to purchase their free, they are told “be not ye the servants of men” and “use it rather” (1 Cor 7:20-24), so the Lord permits servants acquiring freedom to serve Him if there are means for it.

Often slaves harbored deep resentments. The Holy Spirit, however, told the enslaved Christians to accept their lot in life. The time had not yet come when the shackles could be removed. As slaves they had one supreme social duty: to obey their masters.[1]

Those that had servants in the first century were told, “do the same things unto them” (v9), meaning treat your servants well and submit yourselves also unto Christ. As masters were coming to Christ they were not told to ‘free’ their servants, for the culture would not have had this understanding, they were instead told to treat them better than any other master would. They were to “forbear threatening” (v9), meaning that they were not allowed to be cruel or harsh, as they were also subject to the “will of God from the heart” (v6). They were reminded that they also have a “Master… in heaven” (v9) who watches on to see and reward just as he does to the servant. God did not give masters any more or less grace than servants, for there is no “respect of persons with him” (v9). God expects us all to have the same level of obedience to Him no matter our lot in life. The more responsibility and leadership we have, the more that is expected of us!

V10-20 Spiritual Warfare

These next verses will be Paul’s final teaching before benediction, “finally, my brethren” (v10). He leaves them with a charge to be strengthened for battle, as they were about to pull back the curtain on ‘spiritual warfare’. These verses give us the clearest picture in all the scriptures of a Christian’s daily war with the forces of evil outside of themselves. For this battle we will need the Lord’s help, and “the power of his might” (v10). The preceding verses are impossible to the natural man and all the equipment and tactics observed will only apply to the Christian submitted to the will and Spirit of God. An attempt to face the forces of darkness with any other means or motive will be impotent and only provoke a greater response from the enemy (Acts 19:14-16).

The Christian has an enemy, called here “the devil” (v11). We often either forget about this foe or make everything out to be his fault. Before we can enter a battle, we must understand who we are fighting. Our enemy is not “flesh and blood” (v12), but instead spiritual. He can stir up the flesh of others to provoke them against us, but the means of provocation is supernatural. This enemy has a network of forces at his disposal, “principalities… powers… rulers of the darkness of this world… spiritual wickedness in high places”(v12). These are the unclean spirits that we see active throughout the life of Christ. Here their power is placed far above the human experience, even over the world in “high places” (v12). We get the sense then that we are in enemy territory and that we should not underestimate the complexity of the enemy’s scheme.

The focus here is less on the enemy and more on how to win the battle. Resources are given for the Christian to endure even the greatest of foes, “put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (v11). To think that a fallen and sinful man, made from dust, can stand against God’s most powerful super creature Satan who, “sealest up the sum, full of wisdom” (Ezk 28:12) is incredible! If we will “take” the “whole armour of God” (v13), we will be able to endure such attacks! But armour is a defensive resource, not an offensive one. With it we can “withstand”, “to stand” (v13) and “stand”(v14). Our posture is clearly defensive. Christians are not charging the forces of darkness; we are simply trying to endure them and stand our ground. We have no power in ourselves; it is only Christ who can “bruise Satan” under our feet (Rom 16:20).

The Christian armour is broken down and described in individual components: the belt of truth (v14), the breastplate of righteousness (v14), the shoes of the gospel (v15), the shield of faith (v16), the helmet of salvation (v17), and the sword of the spirit (v17). We could make much ado about each of these components and perhaps we will at another time. They can be studied out in the scriptures to identify their usefulness in spiritual war, but much of it is on the face and plainly understood. We would do well to simply read and mediate on these to see if our armour is defective and our adversary spots a weakness.

Prayer is mentioned as a final resource in spiritual war, “praying always with all prayer and supplication” (v18). This should remind us of the words of the Lord Jesus, “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). Prayers on the battlefield are with our eyes wide open, “watching thereunto” (v18) and they may not be answered immediately, “with all perseverance” (v18). It may take time for our prayers to reach headquarters or for the response to be given (Dan 10:12-13, 1 Thess 2:18).

Paul requests prayer for himself, recognizing his own battle, which teaches us that prayer is not just for the individual in battle, but good for others also. Christian soldiers (2 Tim 2:3) can wield their weapons to the protection and enablement of others. What is Paul’s request? Any easy life? Freedom from warfare? No, it is the expansion of the kingdom! He requests “that utterance may be given unto me” (v19). Paul recognized that it was God who ‘opened doors’ (Col 4:3) and we needed to be praying for them. What did he want to say? Even the great apostle had to request boldness to step into the doors God provides to “make known the mystery of the gospel” (v19). He knew full well that when “a great door and effectual is opened… there are many adversaries” (1 Cor 16:9).

This battle was Paul’s reason for his present state, as he reminds us again of his “bonds” (v20). Even in his present situation though, he is always on duty as “an ambassador” (v20) of the Lord Jesus. While he was imprisoned in Rome, we know that he “spake boldly” (v20) because there were “saints… of Caesar’s household” (Phil 4:22). Even people within the highest ranks of the Roman empire were getting saved!

V21-24 Benediction

Paul mentions the man by whom this letter was delivered to the Ephesians, “Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord” (v21). He had more news to share with them upon his arrival, “shall make known unto you all things” (v21). Paul had a high level of trust in him! He had been on many other delivery missions for him (Col 4:7, Titus 3:12). What a joy it is to have a “faithful ambassador” (Prov 13:17) to speak on our behalf!

Though this letter is not deeply personal, you can hear the care in his voice as he concludes, “that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts” (v22). This church cared about Paul and was eager to hear from him. His words would console them and Tychicus would help to fill in the gaps for the details that the letter wouldn’t address.

Peace and grace, as always, is Paul’s manner of conclusion. He “love with faith” (v23) to be “with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ” (v24). Such is the heart of a great minister of God – to end with an uplifting word that would settle the heart and endeavor to keep the unity that was earlier taught (4:3).

[1] John Phillips, Exploring Ephesians & Philippians: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Eph 6:5a.