The Writings of Ephesians

For four years the apostle Paul has lived as a prisoner following a confrontation with the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Paul has spent the last two years of this time under house arrest in Rome. Paul has had a chance to think deeply on the 20 years he spent preaching the gospel in cities across the Roman Empire. Using his time wisely, Paul decides to write letters that will share the magnificent truths that have been revealed to him about the saving power of Jesus and God’s plan for the church. 

It has been six years since Paul was in Ephesus and he has not been able to get much news of how the church there is doing. Whatever news he does get comes to him through friends who visit him in jail. As a well-known spiritual leader Paul knows that any letter he writes to the church in Ephesus will be circulated to many others in the region. With Paul’s future uncertain he doesn’t know if he will ever have the chance to share his thoughts with these churches again. The words he chooses will need to feed these churches with truth, encouragement and wisdom, in case he never sees them again. Paul could not have known how far and wide this letter would travel. Indeed, his words are still feeding churches the world over 2000 years later! 

Paul starts his letter to the Ephesians by telling of God’s goodness. Through Jesus, God has revealed his good plan for all people. God has chosen everyone to be part of his family. God wants to adopt all people as his sons and daughters. When the blood of Jesus was poured out on the cross, Jesus became the sacrifice for the sins of everyone. Paul reminds the readers of this letter that this unusual act of love means that they are now forgiven. It is like having their bad debts paid for in full by someone who loves them. It is like having someone willingly suffer the punishment for their crimes so they can live in freedom. Paul tells his readers that anyone who believes in Jesus also receives the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a special sign from God that they are part of his family and will receive an inheritance like true sons and daughters. The Holy Spirit helps them to know God better. The Holy Spirit also gives them power over evil, just like the power that raised Christ from the dead. 

Paul gives his readers great reasons to be confident. But Paul also reminds his readers not to be proud in themselves. They should not boast. They should remember that they did not earn their freedom. Rather a generous and loving God gave it to them as a gift. Paul is full of encouragement and joy that both Gentiles and Jews have their place side-by-side in God’s plan. Even though Jews and Gentiles have different practices, they are united through their shared faith in Jesus. They are one church! Paul urges them to let go of old habits and live their lives in ways that bring glory to God. Paul tells them that they are to grow and mature together and support one another in love. They are to turn from unrighteous living. They are to be filled with the Spirit and worship God. They are to give thanks. They are to have healthy and loving marriages, strong families and honoring and respectful relationships. 

Finally, Paul reminds his readers that they are in a spiritual war. Paul knows that the battles are tough. He faced chains, floggings, prison, shipwreck and hostile enemies wherever he went. He also knew that the only way to win was to daily put on every piece of God’s armor. Most of this armor is defensive but Paul also points out that they have been given a weapon – the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Knowing God’s word will enable them to stand firmly against the enemy’s attacks. Paul encourages his readers to keep on praying in the Spirit with all kinds of prayers and requests. He wanted them to depend on God’s strength and power, not their own. After all they are God’s children, fighting the good fight, to advance God’s kingdom throughout the world!