The Book of Ephesians

This opening lesson introduces the letter and its author, Paul, tracing his path from Saul of Tarsus and student of Gamaliel to apostle of the Gentiles who penned Ephesians during his first Roman imprisonment. It surveys the city of Ephesus and its temple of Diana, then maps the book's structure: chapters 1-3 as positional truth and 4-6 as the practical walk, with "rich" as its keyword.

Working verse by verse through chapter 1, this lesson unpacks Paul's greeting to the saints and the distinction between grace and mercy. It explores being chosen before the foundation of the world, adoption as sons, redemption through the blood, and being sealed with the Holy Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance, closing with verse 19's fourfold Greek language for God's power and Christ seated above all principalities.

Chapter 2 is the focus, beginning with humanity dead in trespasses and sins under the prince of the power of the air, then the pivotal turn, "But God, who is rich in mercy." The lesson stresses salvation by grace through faith apart from works, and how Christ broke down the middle wall of partition, reconciling Jew and Gentile into one new man and one household built on Christ the cornerstone.

This session covers chapter 3 and Paul's identity as a prisoner and ambassador in bonds. It centers on the mystery of the church, Jews and Gentiles joined as one body, hidden through past ages but revealed to Paul and teaching even principalities the wisdom of God. It closes with Paul's kneeling prayer for a strengthened inner man, a rooted experience of Christ, a grasp of God's love, and the fullness of God.

Turning to chapter 4, this lesson shifts from doctrine to duty, calling believers to walk worthy in unity. It examines the graces that preserve unity, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and love, and the sevenfold ones, one body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God, that ground it. It ends with the fivefold ministry and practical commands to put off lying, anger, stealing, corrupt speech, and bitterness.

Chapter 5 frames the believer as an imitator of God through three attributes and their matching walk: because God is love, we walk in love; because God is light, we walk as children of light, forsaking fornication, filthiness, and foolish jesting; because God is truth, we walk circumspectly, redeeming the time. It closes on being filled with the Spirit and the marriage of Christ and His church.

This lesson works through the household instructions opening chapter 6, addressing children, fathers, servants, and masters. Children are to obey and honor parents, the first commandment with a promise of blessing and long life, while fathers must not provoke but nurture and discipline. Drawing on Absalom and Eli, it warns how wrong discipline breeds guilt, and calls employers to seek their workers' welfare without favoritism.

Taught by a second instructor, this concluding lesson expounds the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-24. Believers are urged to be strong in the Lord against principalities and spiritual wickedness, then to put on each piece: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit, all sustained by prayer for the saints.