A brief introduction to the book of Ephesians

Ephesians has been described by a New Testament teacher as “unveiling the

mystery of the church as no other espistle”1. In this time in our fellowship it is fitting
that we should be attempting to understand (so far as it is possible) the mystery of
the church and in particular how it is to be understood and lived out in our daily lives
and in our context of Cedarville.

Ephesus as a city and religious center:

Ephesus was a port on the Coast of Asia Minor. It was considered one of the
greatest cities of the first century AD and had a population of about 250,000
inhabitants. The temple to the goddess Artemis (Diana to the Romans) was situated
in the city and was possibly the largest physical structure of the then western world.
The temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the World at that time. A reading of
Acts 19 is of assistance in understanding the setting of the people to whom the book
appears to be written2. The apostle Paul spent 2 – 3 years in Ephesus teaching,
preaching and spreading the gospel. When the silversmith Demetrius, who made
silver shrines and images of the goddess Artemis, realized that his business was
suffering as a result of the spread of the new religion in Ephesus3, he organized an
uprising of the people (some of whom did not know what they were protesting
about!4) against the Christians. Acts 19:34 indicates that the crowd shouted “Great is
Artemis of the Ephesians” for about 2 hours and the city was in chaos (one wonders
what spiritual forces were operating in opposition to the gospel and what power they
held over the people to be able to sweep up the crowd to frenzied chanting for 2
hours). None-the-less it would appear that Ephesus was a major religious center
and that the spread of the gospel was having a major impact on the city. I would
suggest a reading of the book of Acts to further understand the context of the spread
of the gospel and the first church and in particular Acts 19 and 20 before reading
Ephesians.

Date of writing, authorship and audience

It is accepted by scholars that the apostle Paul is the author of Ephesians and wrote
the letter from prison in Rome during the period 61 – 65 AD. Some commentators
indicate that the impersonal style of the letter indicates that it was written for
circulation to more than one church or group of believers. It would appear that the
letter may have been circulated to other groups and is of general application for all
believers – as opposed to one particular group in one particular setting5.

The Structure of Ephesians

The book can be divided into two broad sections:

1) Our standing / position in Christ

1
Jack Hayford, Background to Ephesians, Commentary to Sprit Filled Life Bible p 1784
2
Some commentators indicate that early manuscripts do not indicate to whom the book “Ephesians”
was written and that the word “Ephesus” only appears in later manuscripts.
3
Not the first or last time that business and religion have been inextricably intertwined…
4
Acts 19:32
5
Col 4: 16 with reference to a letter in Laodicea which was being circulated.
 The first 3 chapters deal with doctrine wherein Paul explains the position of
the Christian in Christ – individually and corporately. He describes what
Christ has done for us and who we are in Him. Paul uses very distinct
terminology in his descriptions and the word “riches” appears at least 5 times
in these chapters with reference to the Lord’s glory and grace bestowed on
us. Paul builds up his doctrinal statements to the unity of Jew and Gentile 6 in
one Body which “grows into a holy temple in the Lord7” with Christ as the
cornerstone. The descriptions of Christ in the whole book of Ephesians
reveal his majesty in dramatic terms and each description is worth studying
individually to give us a glimpse of His glory and greatness.8

2) Our walk in Christ

Chapters 4 – 6 describe how we should live based on the revelation of the

doctrine set out in Chapters 1 –3 – individually and corporately. This can be
described as the walk of the Christian with Chapter 6 in particular telling us
how we should stand as Christians in the world and in the struggle we have
been called to. The word “walk” is used a number of times in Chapters 4 and
5. Some translations use the word “live”9 instead of walk, but the word “walk”
somehow has more impact on me conjuring up images of the journey we as
Christians are on.

The message of Ephesians:

If Ephesians can be described as being a revelation of the mystery of the Church one
can possibly further describe the message of Ephesians as being “How the Church
operates on a day to day basis”. It is fascinating to see that the church is not
described along structural and authority lines with emphasis on leadership and
meetings etc but is described as individuals walking in:

a) Unity 10;
b) Purity11;
c) Forgiveness12 and
d) the Fullness of the Holy Spirit13 14
.

Paul places great emphasis on relationships being in good order15 and it would
appear that these are all disciplines without which we cannot expect to move to the
next phases of “standing” in the terms described in Chapter 6 where we are
participants in a war. We would be exposing ourselves to great danger in the war
should we enter without proper preparation!

6
Eph 2: 11 - 13
7
Eph 2: 21
8
He is the Resurrected King, the Peacemaker, the Chief Cornerstone, the Treasure, the Indweller of
our Hearts, the Head of the Church, the Saviour of the Body……
9
For example the TNIV
10
Eph 4: 1 -16
11
Eph 4: 17 - 31
12
Eph 4:32
13
Eph 5: 1- 21
14
See Hayford at 1785 who describes these as “disciplines”
15
Eph 5:22 – 6:9
I would suggest that Chapters 4 – 6 clearly demonstrate that we as Christians cannot
practice Christianity in isolation. Paul addresses relationships in basic units making
up the then society such as marriage16, families17 and slaves18 and further talks of
relationships beyond such units19 showing a Body of Christ existing in community
with one another. Paul speaks of “the equipping of the saints for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.“ 20 This cannot be limited to a
particular individual, his / her family and or a group or teacher that the individual
might particularly like. As Christians we have to find room in our hearts to love each
and every member of the Christian community - despite the warts, spots, blemishes
and specks we might see and be put off by (and forgetting for a moment all the spots
and blemishes we carry with us which they might see). Not to mention loving all our
neighbours – believers or non. A hard call –but one we must fulfill.

A warning

The church at Ephesus is one of the recipients of a letter in Revelation 2. In this

letter the church is commended for their good works and purity. The church could
clearly identify false teachers and evil. It would appear that they had purity of
doctrine and the ability to discern BUT they had lost their first love.

It is possible to live in relationship with someone in a respectful, pure, proper and

dignified manner - but without loving him. In the same way we as Christians can
practice Christianity by adapting our lives to purity of doctrine and leading good lives,
but without loving Christ.

We so often forget the starting point of loving Him. I am convinced that many
denominations in this world have started at the correct point: They have loved Jesus,
sought to truly serve Him, experienced great revival as individuals and communities,
changed their lives to live as He would have them live….. and then slowly but surely
the Christian walk, doctrine, purity and holiness crowd out the First Love.

And without the First Love we lose the power to walk the Christian walk, we lose the
ability to love one another, we can no longer stand against the enemy and we fall.

The warning is simple: Practise what is taught in Ephesians, but learn from their
mistake. Never, ever, ever forget and lose our First Love.

As we study this book over the next 6 Sundays may the Lord teach us His ways that
we may walk in them and stand, but may we love Him with all our Hearts, Minds and
Souls as never before.

16
Eph 4: 22 - 33
17
Eph 6: 1-4
18
Eph 6: 5-9
19
For example Eph 4:25 referring to our neighbour
20
Eph 4:12