Summary of the Book of Ephesians

Summary of the Book of Ephesians

This summary of the book of Ephesians provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Ephesians.

Author, Date and Place of Writing

The author identifies himself as Paul (1:1; 3:1; cf. 3:7,13; 4:1; 6:19-20). Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to Colossians, among other reasons, as grounds for doubting authorship by the apostle Paul. However, this was probably a circular letter, intended for other churches in addition to the one in Ephesus (see notes on 1:1,15; 6:21-23). Paul may have written it about the same time as Colossians, c. a.d. 60, while he was in prison at Rome (see 3:1; 4:1; 6:20; see also chart, p. 2261).

The City of Ephesus

Ephesus was the most important city in western Asia Minor (now Turkey). It had a harbor that at that time opened into the Cayster River (see map, p. 2429), which in turn emptied into the Aegean Sea (see map, p. 2599). Because it was also at an intersection of major trade routes, Ephesus became a commercial center. It boasted a pagan temple dedicated to the Roman goddess Diana (Greek Artemis); cf. Ac 19:23-31. Paul made Ephesus a center for evangelism for about three years (see note on Ac 19:10), and the church there apparently flourished for some time, but later needed the warning of Rev 2:1-7.

Theological Message

Unlike several of the other letters Paul wrote, Ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand better the dimensions of God's eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church.

The letter opens with a sequence of statements about God's blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to God's wisdom, forethought and purpose. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to God. The climax of God's purpose, "when the times will have reached their fulfillment," is to bring all things in the universe together under Christ (1:10). It is crucially important that Christians realize this, so in 1:15-23 Paul prays for their understanding (a second prayer occurs in 3:14-21).

Having explained God's great goals for the church, Paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. First, God has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace (2:1-10). Second, God has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, Christ having broken down the barriers through his own death (2:11-22). But God has done something even beyond this: He has united these reconciled individuals in one body, the church. This is a "mystery" not fully known until it was revealed to Paul (3:1-6). Now Paul is able to state even more clearly what God has intended for the church, namely, that it be the means by which he displays his "manifold wisdom" to the "rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms" (3:7-13). It is clear through the repetition of "heavenly realms" (1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12) that Christian existence is not merely on an earthly plane. It receives its meaning and significance from heaven, where Christ is exalted at the right hand of God (1:20).

Nevertheless, that life is lived out on earth, where the practical daily life of the believer continues to work out the purposes of God. The ascended Lord gave "gifts" to the members of his church to enable them to minister to one another and so promote unity and maturity (4:1-16). The unity of the church under the headship of Christ foreshadows the uniting of "all things in heaven and on earth" under Christ (1:10). The new life of purity and mutual deference stands in contrast to the old way of life without Christ (4:17 -- 6:9). Those who are "strong in the Lord" have victory over the evil one in the great spiritual conflict, especially through the power of prayer (6:10-20; see note on 1:3).

Outline

• Greetings (1:1-2)
• The Divine Purpose: The Glory and Headship of Christ (1:3-14)
• Prayer That Christians May Realize God's Purpose and Power (1:15-23)
• Steps Toward the Fulfillment of God's Purpose (chs. 2-3)
  • Salvation of Individuals by Grace (2:1-10)
  • Reconciliation of Jew and Gentile through the Cross (2:11-18)
  • Uniting of Jew and Gentile in One Household (2:19-22)
  • Revelation of God's Wisdom through the Church (3:1-13)
  • Prayer for Deeper Experience of God's Fullness (3:14-21)
• Practical Ways to Fulfill God's Purpose in the Church (4:1;6:20)
  • Unity (4:1-6)
  • Maturity (4:7-16)
  • Renewal of Personal Life (4:17;5:20)
  • Deference in Personal Relationships (5:21;6:9)
    1. Principle (5:21)
    2. Husbands and wives (5:22-33)
    3. Children and parents (6:1-4)
    4. Slaves and masters (6:5-9)
  • Strength in the Spiritual Conflict (6:10-20)
• Conclusion, Final Greetings and Benediction (6:21-24)

Proverbs 10

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.

3 The LORD will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.

4 Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.

5 A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.

6 The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

7 We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.

8 The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

9 People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.

10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.

11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

12 Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.

14 Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.

16 The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.

17 People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.

18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool.

19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.

21 The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

22 The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

23 Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.

24 The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.

25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.

26 Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.

27 Fear of the LORD lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.

29 The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.

30 The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land.

31 The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.

32 The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.

Proverbs 9

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns.

2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table.

3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.

4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,

5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”

7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.

8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you.

9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.

12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

13 The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.

14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city.

15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business.

16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,

17 “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!”

18 But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Proverbs 8

1 Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!

2 On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads.

3 By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud,

4 “I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people.

5 You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.

6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right,

7 for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception.

8 My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it.

9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.

10 Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.

11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.

12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

13 All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.

14 Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.

15 Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees.

16 Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.

17 “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.

18 I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.

19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!

20 I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice.

21 Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.

22 “The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else.

23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.

24 I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.

25 Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born—

26 before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil.

27 I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans.

28 I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth.

29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,

30 I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.

31 And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!

32 “And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.

34 Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!

35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD .

36 But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 7

1 Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands.

2 Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.

3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

4 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.

5 Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.

6 While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain,

7 I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense.

8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house.

9 It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell.

10 The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart.

11 She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home.

12 She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner.

13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said,

14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows.

15 You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are!

16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen.

17 I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning. Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses,

19 for my husband is not home. He’s away on a long trip.

20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won’t return until later this month. ”

21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery.

22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap,

23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life.

24 So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words.

25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her. Don’t wander down her wayward path.

26 For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims.

27 Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.

Proverbs 6

1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—

2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said—

3 follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased.

4 Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.

5 Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.

6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!

7 Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work,

8 they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.

9 But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?

10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—

11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

12 What are worthless and wicked people like? They are constant liars,

13 signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye, a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers.

14 Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble.

15 But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.

16 There are six things the LORD hates— no, seven things he detests:

17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,

18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,

19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.

20 My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

21 Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck.

22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.

23 For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.

24 It will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.

25 Don’t lust for her beauty. Don’t let her coy glances seduce you.

26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life.

27 Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire?

28 Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?

29 So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished.

30 Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving.

31 But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house.

32 But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself.

33 He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased.

34 For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

35 He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.

The Father and His Family