Epistle to the Ephesians

Dictionary of Biblical Words:

An expression somewhat vaguely used, generally meaning the peculiarly rich and’ full unfolding of the believer’s place in Christ, and of the mystery of the Church, the one body of Christ.

Concise Bible Dictionary:

Paul first visited Ephesus on his way from Corinth to Syria: he did not stay then, but left Priscilla and Aquila there, who were afterward joined by Apollos (Acts 18:18-24¹⁸And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. ¹⁹And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; ²¹But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. ²²And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. ²³And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. ²⁴And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. (Acts 18:18‑24)). Paul soon returned and stayed there two years. There was thus time for the saints to be grounded in the truth. The opposition was so great in the synagogue that Paul separated the disciples, and they met daily in the school of Tyrannus. The word grew mightily and prevailed (Acts 19:1-20¹And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, ²He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. ³And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. ⁴Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ⁵When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. ⁷And all the men were about twelve. ⁸And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. ⁹But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. ¹⁰And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. ¹¹And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: ¹²So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. ¹³Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. ¹⁴And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. ¹⁵And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? ¹⁶And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. ¹⁷And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. ¹⁸And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. ¹⁹Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. ²⁰So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. (Acts 19:1‑20)).

In 1 Corinthians 15:32³²If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. (1 Corinthians 15:32) Paul speaks of having fought with beasts at Ephesus, doubtless alluding to the strong opposition manifested towards him there by the Jews. In Acts 20:17-35¹⁷And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. ¹⁸And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, ¹⁹Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: ²⁰And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, ²¹Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ²²And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: ²³Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. ²⁴But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. ²⁵And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. ²⁶Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. ²⁷For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. ²⁸Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. ²⁹For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. ³¹Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. ³²And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. ³³I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. ³⁴Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. ³⁵I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:17‑35) Paul exhorts the elders of Ephesus, as overseers, to feed the church of God. He warns them that grievous wolves would enter in, and some from among themselves would speak perverse things to draw away disciples after them. As their resource he commends them to God and the word of His grace. Following this was the Epistle he wrote to them during the two years he was a prisoner at Rome.

In 1 Timothy 1:3³As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (1 Timothy 1:3) Paul says he had besought Timothy to abide at Ephesus, and to exhort them to teach no other doctrine, and not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies. In 2 Timothy 1:15¹⁵This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15) there is the sad intelligence that “all they which are in Asia” (which must have included Ephesus) had “turned away from” Paul, doubtless signifying that they had given up the truth as taught by Paul, and settled down with a lower standard. In 2 Timothy 4:12¹²And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. (2 Timothy 4:12) Tychicus had been sent to Ephesus. The great care and watchfulness with which Paul labored for their welfare is very manifest. In Revelation 2:1-7¹Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; ²I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: ³And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. ⁴Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. ⁵Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. ⁶But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ⁷He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:1‑7) we have the address to this church, in which much is said in their favor, though the solemn charge had also to be made that they had left their first love, and the warning is given that if they did not repent their candlestick would be removed.

The Epistle to the Ephesians is remarkable in setting forth the counsels of God with regard to His people as connected with Christ. It is from this standpoint that they are viewed, rather than that of their need as sinners, and how it has been met. This latter is developed in the Epistle to the Romans. The state of the Ephesian believers enabled them to receive a communication of such a nature as this Epistle, in which glorious unfoldings of the mind of God about His own are given in the greatest fullness.

The key note is struck in Ephesians 1:3³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3), where God is blessed as “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”—the God, when our Lord Jesus Christ is looked at as man; the Father, when He is viewed as Son of God. Christians are brought in Christ into these very relationships, as stated by the Lord Himself when risen from the dead, “Go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.” It will be seen that the prayer at the close of Ephesians 1 is founded on the title “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,” while that in Ephesians 3 is on the title “Father.” The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed believers with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ. He has marked them out for adoption to Himself, that is, their being brought into the full position of sons in Christ Jesus, according to the good pleasure of His will. Brought into favor in the Beloved, they have in Him redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The mystery of God’s will is set forth—to head up all things, whether heavenly or earthly, in the Christ for the administration of the fullness of times. Jews and Gentiles are the subjects of salvation according to the purpose of God, believers from among both being sealed by the Holy Spirit, who is also the earnest of their inheritance—an inheritance which will be to the praise of God’s glory when everything is headed up in Christ.

The prayer at the close of Ephesians 1 is that the saints might have the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of the God of the Lord Jesus Christ: that they might know the hope of His calling, His inheritance in the saints, and the greatness of the power towards them which He wrought in raising Christ (a Man) from the dead, and setting Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (Compare Psalm 8). He being head over all things to the body, which is the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 2. This same power had wrought toward the saints (as shown by the subject being continued without a break from Ephesians 1 to Ephesians 2), in that having been dead in sins they had been quickened with Christ; had been raised up together (Jew and Gentile), and made to sit down together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. There is a new creation in Christ by God as regards His people. The apostle would have the Gentile Christians contrast their present privileges with their former hopeless state. Jew and Gentile believers had access by one Spirit to the Father, while the latter were now fellow-citizens of the saints, and were of the household of God, being part of the holy temple He was building. They were also built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 3. This chapter, in a parenthesis, unfolds the administration of the mystery, hid in God, but now revealed by the Spirit, namely, that the Gentiles should be joint heirs and a joint body and joint partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus. A mystery is that which is understood only by the initiated. In the public dealings of God with men this mystery had no place; it is connected (though administered upon earth) with Christ while hid in the heavens, and the saints united to Him there; by its administration would be made known to principalities and powers in heavenly places the all various wisdom of God. A prayer follows that the saints might be strengthened inwardly by the Spirit; that the Christ might dwell through faith in their hearts; that they might apprehend the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and might know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, so as to be filled unto all the fullness of God. Christ is here presented as the center of all the counsels of God, and His love is to be known in all its fullness by the hearts of His people.

Ephesians 4. The apostle applies what is given in the earlier part of the epistle, particularly at the close of Ephesians 2—the bringing together in one in a new and heavenly manner of those who on earthly ground had been at enmity. The saints were to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Gifts are alluded to as given by the Head, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all arrive at the unity of the faith, and the full knowledge of the Son of God, at the full grown man, and at the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ. Everything necessary for the body is derived from the Head. All is to grow up into Christ. Practical exhortations follow in Ephesians 4:17¹⁷This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, (Ephesians 4:17). The truth “in Jesus” is the having put off the old man and having put on the new: consequently all that characterized the old man must be put off, and what is of the new cultivated.

Ephesians 5-6. Believers are to be imitators of God as dear children. They are light in the Lord, and are to walk as children of light. They are to be filled with the Spirit. Earthly relationships are now referred to: wives, husbands, children, fathers, bondmen, masters. Each relationship is to be taken up as in the Lord. Blessed instruction as to the mystery of Christ and the church is given in connection with the word to wives and husbands.

In view of the nature of the spiritual conflict waged in heavenly places, Christians are exhorted to put on the panoply of God. Without this they cannot stand. The apostle asks the prayers of the saints that he might make known the mystery of the glad tidings with boldness; and closes this remarkable epistle with a benediction.

The “heavenlies” characterize the epistle (compare Eph. 1:3, 20³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)
²⁰Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:20); Eph. 2:6⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6); Eph. 3:10¹⁰To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (Ephesians 3:10); Eph. 6:12¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)). In the Epistle to the Romans man is taken up as alive in his sins, and grace meets his need: in Ephesians it is God’s quickening power on behalf of those dead in sins, as displayed in raising Christ up from among the dead. In Colossians the saints are looked at as risen with Christ, but on earth with their hope in heaven: in the Ephesians the saints are seated in Christ in the heavenlies.

Bible Handbook:

Paul’s first visit to Ephesus is mentioned in Acts 18:19-21¹⁹And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; ²¹But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. (Acts 18:19‑21). He did not remain, being on his way to Jerusalem. He left Priscilla and Aquila there, and they were joined by Apollos, one mighty in the Scriptures, but who knew only the baptism of John, until the way of God had been expounded unto him more perfectly by Aquila and Priscilla.

Paul returned to Ephesus and abode there over two years (Acts 19:1-10¹And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, ²He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. ³And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. ⁴Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ⁵When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. ⁷And all the men were about twelve. ⁸And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. ⁹But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. ¹⁰And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:1‑10)). When he paid his last recorded visit to them, Acts 20:31,³¹Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:31) he names three years as the extent of his labours.

He preached in the synagogue, but on account of the opposition to the gospel he separated the disciples, and met in the school of one Tyrannus. The word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed (Acts 19:9-20⁹But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. ¹⁰And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. ¹¹And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: ¹²So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. ¹³Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. ¹⁴And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. ¹⁵And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? ¹⁶And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. ¹⁷And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. ¹⁸And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. ¹⁹Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. ²⁰So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. (Acts 19:9‑20)).

Thus was the work of the Lord well established at Ephesus, and we may conclude that the state of the saints was such that Paul was able, as led of God, to make known to them the truths found in this epistle.

As Ephesus is the only church of the seven addressed in the Revelation to which an epistle is also sent, it may be well to glance at the other references made to this assembly.

Acts 20:17,¹⁷And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (Acts 20:17) etc. where he exhorts the elders, as overseers, to feed the church of God; foretells that grievous wolves would enter in, and some among themselves would speak perverse things to draw the disciples after them. He commends them to God and the word of His grace.

The epistle to the assembly comes next, written when Paul was a prisoner at Rome (Acts 28:30³⁰And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, (Acts 28:30)) about A.D. 62.

In 1 Timothy 1:3³As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (1 Timothy 1:3) we find that Paul had besought Timothy to abide at Ephesus, and to exhort them to teach no other doctrine; and not to give heed to fables and endless genealogies.

In 2 Timothy 1:15¹⁵This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15) we have the sad intelligence that “all they which are in Asia,” which must have included Ephesus, were turned away from Paul. In 2 Timothy 4:12¹²And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. (2 Timothy 4:12) Tychicus had been sent to Ephesus.

In Revelation 2:1-7¹Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; ²I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: ³And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. ⁴Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. ⁵Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. ⁶But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ⁷He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:1‑7) we have the address to this church. Much is said in their favour; but they had left their first love. This was in the eye of the Lord a serious fall, from which they are called to repent, or their candlestick would be removed.

The epistle, though addressed to Gentiles (Eph. 2:11¹¹Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (Ephesians 2:11)), specially shows Jew and Gentile united in one body: doubtless there were Jews also in the assembly. The language at times changes pointedly from ‘us’ (Jews) to ‘ye’ (Gentiles).

It treats of the highest truths. It begins with God and His eternal counsels concerning Christ and the saints, and their relationship to Him as His body. It sets forth new creation: therefore justification, which meets man’s responsibility as of the old creation, is not found here. Whereas Romans takes up the sinner alive in his sins, and meets his need, Ephesians speaks of God’s quickening power on behalf of those dead in trespasses and sins, displayed in raising Christ up from among the dead. The saints are seen in Christ in the heavenlies; whereas in Colossians they are risen with Christ, but are on earth, with their hope in heaven. In that epistle also ‘Christ in us’ is more the subject, and the individual’s portion is more prominent than here in Ephesians, which sets forth fully the collective things belonging to the body, after having, in the opening, stated individual blessings (ch. 1:3-7).

Note also that this epistle does not mention the coming of the Lord, for the saints are seen as made to sit in the heavenlies in Him already. Galatians is the only other Pauline epistle that does not bring in the coming.

The “heavenlies” characterize the epistle: we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ (ch. 1:3), who sits at God’s right hand in the heavenlies (ch. 1:20); we are made to sit together in the heavenlies in Christ (ch. 2:6); through the church is the wisdom of God made known to the authorities in the heavenlies (ch. 3:10); and our conflict is with the spiritual powers of wickedness in the heavenlies (ch. 6:12).

Chapter 1

Verses 1-6. It is addressed to the saints at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.

The Epistle begins with an ascription of praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ, according to His eternal purpose. (Election is in reference to what God is, and predestination to sonship refers to the Father’s good pleasure.)

We were chosen in Christ to be holy and without blame before Him in love (‘holy’ in character, and ‘without blame’ in conduct).

We have the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ, to the praise of the glory of His grace.

We are accepted in the Beloved.

Verses 7-12. We have redemption through His blood, that is, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, in which He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and intelligence.

He has made known to us His will and purpose, for the administration of the fullness of times, namely, to gather together in one all things in Christ, things in the heavens and on the earth.

In whom we have an inheritance, being marked out for the same.

That we (Jews) who pre-trusted in Christ (before the revelation of Christ to the nation at His second coming) should be to the praise of His glory.

Verses 13-14. In whom ye (Gentiles) having heard the gospel of your salvation, ye trusted; and having believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise — who is the pledge of the inheritance until its possession (the earnest of the inheritance while waiting for it).

Verses 15-23. Prayer for the Ephesian saints (after giving of thanks) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory (as the source and power of all true glory) would grant them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of God, that they might know what is of God: (1) the hope of His calling (see verses 3-7); (2) the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (see verses 8-14) The saints are not the inheritance; but the universe (see Eph. 1:10¹⁰That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10)) when filled with glory is God’s inheritance, but He will inherit it in the saints, because united to Christ, the Heir: the saints will also enjoy the inheritance.; (3) the exceeding greatness of His power, which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies, having put all things under His feet, and given Him to be Head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness (as a body to a head) of Him that filleth all in all.

Chapter 2

All were dead in sins (verses 1-2, the Gentiles; verse 3, the Jewish believers), and were by nature the children of wrath.

Verses 4-7. God has co-quickened us (Jews and Gentiles) with the Christ, and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ (not with Him yet), in order that God might display, in the coming ages, His great grace toward us in Christ Jesus.

Verses 8-9. They had been saved by grace through faith; and that is the gift of God: not of works, lest man should boast.

Verses 10-13. We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (corresponding to the heavenly portion: see 2 Cor. 5:5⁵Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 5:5)). Gentiles were without Christ, without promise, without hope, and without God, and afar off; but now, in Christ Jesus believers are brought nigh by His blood.

Verses 14-18. He is our peace who has broken down the wall between Jew and Gentile, having annulled the enmity in His flesh, the law, to make in Himself one new man, making peace; that He might reconcile both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross. By His death the Lord brought into one company Jewish and Gentile saints (see John 10:16¹⁶And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)); but the church, His body, was not formed till the Holy Spirit came down. And He preached peace to the Gentiles who were far off, and to the Jews who were nigh: through Him both now have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Verses 19-22. Gentile believers are now fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and (New Testament) prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone: in whom all the building fitted together increaseth to a holy temple in the Lord (which is going on towards its completion in the glory); in whom they also had been builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit (the church on earth at any time since Pentecost is regarded as a complete structure, and the habitation of God by the Spirit.)

Chapter 3

Verses 1-6. Paul was a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles. (The rest of the chapter is a parenthesis.)

Had they heard that God had committed an administration to Paul, having revealed to him the mystery of the Christ? (named briefly in the end of chapter 1.)

It was not known in other ages, but was now revealed unto the apostles and (New Testament) prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles should be (1) joint heirs, and (2) a joint body, and (3) joint partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus by the gospel.

Verses 7-13. Of which gospel Paul had been made a minister. To whom it was given to evangelize among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of the Christ, and to enlighten all (Jews and Gentiles) as to the administration of the mystery, hid in God from eternity. (T. R. reads ‘fellowship,’ rather than “administration” with but little MS authority.)

In order that now to the principalities and authorities in the heavenlies might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, even as He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. In whom we have boldness and access in confidence by the faith of Him (the faith which is of Him, in whom all the purpose is).

Verses 14-21. The second prayer for the Ephesians, to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom every family (not ‘the whole’ family) in heaven and earth is named.

(1.) That according to the riches of His glory they might be strengthened with power by His Spirit in the inner man. (2.) That the Christ through faith might dwell in their hearts (His presence, in whom all the Father’s glory centers, be realized by faith); (3.) being rooted and founded in love, in order that they might be able to apprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height (the whole boundless arena of God’s glory in Christ), and to know the love of Christ which surpasseth knowledge. (4.) That they might be filled to all the fullness of God. (Christ fills all in all, and the Christian is full of Him by the Holy Spirit.)

(A burst of praise is added. This prayer contemplates their state, and brings in the power of God in them; whereas the prayer in chapter 1 is more standing, and God’s power for them.)

Chapter 4

Verses 1-6. Paul the prisoner of the Lord (carried forward from ch. 3:1) beseeches them to walk worthy of their calling (set forth in the end of ch. 2) using diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace. One of the four ‘worthys’ as to our walk: See Phil. 1:27²⁷Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (Philippians 1:27) — worthy of the gospel; Col. 1:10¹⁰That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10) — worthy of the Lord; 1 Thess. 2:12¹²That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12) — worthy of God.

One body, one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. (T.R. reads “you” instead of “us”; many Editors read simply “in all”: the reading is uncertain.) See also three unities in 1 Cor. 12:4-6,⁴Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. ⁶And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (1 Corinthians 12:4‑6) where the Spirit, Lord, and God are in the same order.

Verses 7-16. The gifts in the body. Each one is given grace according to the gift of Christ (every member having a gift: the grace is the gift: see ch. 3:8).

When Christ ascended He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men. In 1 Corinthians. 12, 14 the gifts are of the Spirit, and are given to persons to use: here Christ is the giver, and the gifts are the persons. See also Psalm 68:18,¹⁸Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. (Psalm 68:18) where gifts for rebellious Israel are also named when they come into blessing. It is the same that descended to the lower parts of the earth that has ascended above all heavens, that He might fill all things. (The power which has overcome Satan is now exercised through gifts, which deliver souls from his authority, and build them up in Christ.)

He gave some apostles; some prophets; some evangelists; some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, with a view to the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all arrive (as a present thing) at the unity of the faith; the knowledge of the Son of God; the full-grown man; the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ. That we be no longer babes, nor be led away by those that deceive: but, holding the truth in love, may grow up to Him in all things, Christ the Head. From whom the whole body, fitted together, each part fulfilling its own function, increases to the building up of itself in love. Notice the order here: apostles and prophets as a foundation; then evangelists to gather in souls; and then pastors and teachers to care for them.

Verses 17-32. Practical exhortations for walk. The two elements on which Christian walk is founded are, first, the truth which is in Jesus: it is that we have put off the old man, and are being renewed in the spirit of our minds, and have put on the new man, which according to God is created in righteousness and holiness of truth (the character of God Himself). If we are righteously indignant (see Mark 3:5⁵And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. (Mark 3:5); 2 Cor. 7:11¹¹For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Corinthians 7:11)) let us not sin; let us not open the door to the devil.

Second, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, therefore we are not to grieve by our spirit or conduct the Holy Spirit of God, by whom we are sealed to the day of redemption.

Forgive, as God in Christ has forgiven us.

Chapter 5

Verses 1-9. Be imitators of God and walk in love. (God is love, and God is light.)

Ye were once darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. The fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. (T.R. reads ‘Spirit’; but ‘light’ is doubtless the correct reading.)

Verses 10-21. Exhortations follow. The light makes everything manifest. A quotation from Isaiah 60:1¹Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1) is applied to the Christian: “Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (The Christian, if morally asleep among the dead world, must awake and arise from among the dead in order that his soul may be in the light of Christ.)

Redeem the time, by seizing every opportunity to do good: for the days are evil.

Be filled with the Spirit. Make melody to the Lord. In everything give thanks. Submit one to the other (recognizing Christ in each other).

Verses 22-24. Wives to submit themselves to their husbands as unto the Lord.

Verses 25-33. Husbands to love their wives, even as Christ (1) loved the church and gave Himself for it; (2) that He might sanctify and cleanse it by the Word, and (3) present it to Himself glorious, without a blemish. So let men love their wives and nourish and cherish them, even as Christ the church.

We are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones (as Eve was of Adam).

A man and his wife are one flesh (see Gen. 2:24²⁴Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)). This mystery is great, but it is spoken of Christ and the church.

Let every man love his wife, and every wife respect her husband.

Chapter 6

Children, obey your parents in the Lord. The first commandment with promise said, “Honour thy father and thy mother.”

Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.

Servants (bondmen), be obedient to your masters (1) as unto Christ; (2) as the servants of Christ; (3) as to the Lord.

Masters, do the same unto them. Your Master is in heaven: there is no respect of persons with Him.

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might.

Put on the whole armour (the panoply) of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. We struggle not against flesh and blood (as Israel did under Joshua), but against all the array of wicked powers in the heavenlies (the deadly opposition of Satan to the gospel or rights of a heavenly Christ).

Put on the whole armour to withstand, and to stand in an evil day.

Having the loins (place of strength) girt about with truth.

Having on the breastplate of righteousness (a good conscience maintained).

On your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace (a peaceful walk: see James 3:18¹⁸And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:18)).

Taking the shield of faith (confidence in God), by which ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Have the helmet of salvation (the assurance of deliverance).

And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, the Christian’s weapon (it was used by Christ against Satan when he tempted Him; but the conflict here is not viewed as in the wilderness, but in the heavenlies).

Praying and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. And for Paul that he might speak boldly as he ought to speak in making known the mystery of the gospel.

Tychicus was sent, and would tell them the affairs of Paul: he counted on the affection of the saints.

A salutation of peace, love, and grace closes the epistle.

Epistle to the Ephesians

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