Ephesians is one of the high points of God's revelation and teaching in the Bible, and it has a unique place among Paul's letters. It is not focused on spiritual problems, leadership issues or controversy within the church, as many of Paul's other letters are. Instead, Ephesians reflects a depth of spiritual maturity, gratitude and insight growing our of Paul's personal prayer life. Paul wrote this letter while in prison for spreading the message of Christ. Ephesians has many similarities to Colossians.
It is commonly believed Paul wrote Ephesians with a wider audience in mind that just the church in Ephesus. many think that Ephesians is the so-called letter to the Laodiceans, mentioned by Paul in Col. 4:16.
Paul's immediate purpose for writing Ephesians is suggested in 1:15-18. He deeply desires for ll the believers to grow in faith, love and wisdom in what God had already done for them. His aim is that they might better know God as Leader of their lives. Paul tries to strengthen their faith by revealing a more complete picture of God's eternal purpose of spiritual salvation and restoration in Christ. He applies this to the church and to individuals.
There are two basic themes in the New Testament: how people are redeemed by God and brought into a right relationship with Him and how those who are spiritually saved must continue to live in relationship with God. Chapters 1-3 are one of the most profound and insightful passages in the Bible. This great declaration of praise celebrates how God chose and set a course for those who by faith accept Him as Father and become His children. God's Son, Jesus, provides forgiveness and spiritual salvation through His own blood for all who accept His sacrifice. Paul stresses how God graciously restores those who surrender their lives to Christ and brings them into a personal relationship with Himself.
Chapters 4-6 contain practical instructions that relate to the demands that following Christ places on people's lives. It contains guidance for fulfilling God's purpose in practical and spiritual ways. Among the 35 directives given in Ephesians, three broad categories are given special attention. 1. Christians are called to a new life of moral and spiritual purity, separation from the ungodly practices of the world and devotion to God's purposes. 2. Christians are called to a new way of life in personal, family and social relationships. 3. And finally, believers are called to stand firm against all the devil's schemes.
Five major features characterize Ephesians. 1. The presentation of great spiritual truths about our relationship with God in chapters 1-3 is interrupted by two of the most powerful prayers of the New Testament. 2. The phrase "in Christ", or its equivalent, which Paul uses 160 times throughout all his letters, is key in Ephesians (36 times). "Every spiritual blessing" and every practical issue of life relate to being "in Christ." 3. Ephesians stresses God's eternal purpose and goal for the church. 4. The many and varied roles of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life also receive much attention in this letter. 5. Ephesians is sometimes recognized as a twin letter" with Colossians because the two have certain similarities in content and were written about the same time.
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