Letter 5 of 14 · Overview available
Ephesians
God saves by grace and creates in Christ one new people, who must walk worthy of that calling.
Ephesians reads like a sweeping hymn of praise (1:3–14) followed by a call to live it out. Chapters 1–3 describe what God has done: chosen, redeemed, made alive, saved by grace through faith (2:8–9), and broken down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile (2:14).
Chapters 4–6 describe how to walk: unity amid diverse gifts, putting off the old self, household relationships framed by mutual submission (5:21), and standing firm in the armor of God (6:10–18).
- Date
- c. AD 60–62
- Written from
- Rome (in custody)
- Recipients
- The saints in Ephesus (and possibly a circular letter)
- Chapters
- 6
- Stage
- Imprisonment
- Author
- Paul the Apostle
Written during Paul's first Roman imprisonment and carried by Tychicus (Eph 6:21–22).
Scholarly note: Received as Paul's by the whole early church (Ignatius, Irenaeus, Muratorian Fragment). Some modern scholars question it on grounds of style; see Hoehner, Ephesians, for the full case for Paul. Sources
Why Paul wrote it
No specific crisis is named; the letter strengthens Gentile believers in their identity in Christ.
Why it matters today
Its vision of the Church as Christ's body and God's dwelling has shaped Christian ecclesiology.
Related Acts passages
- Acts 19
- Acts 20:17–38
The World Behind the Letter
Ephesus housed the great Temple of Artemis and a thriving magic trade (Acts 19:19). Its themes of powers and authorities (1:21; 6:12) would resonate there.
Purpose and Problems
Literary Structure
- 1
Spiritual blessings in Christ · 1:1–23
Praise and prayer.
- 2
Saved by grace; one new humanity · 2:1–22
From death to life; the wall broken down.
- 3
The mystery revealed · 3:1–21
Paul's stewardship; prayer for love.
- 4
Walk worthy · 4:1–5:20
Unity, maturity, new life.
- 5
Households and armor · 5:21–6:24
Mutual submission; stand firm.
Passage-by-Passage
Theological Themes
My Notes
Sources
- Andrew T. Lincoln, Ephesians (WBC, 1990) — Argues for non-Pauline authorship.
- Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Baker, 2002) — Defends Pauline authorship.