The apostle Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians contains 6 chapters, 155 verses, and 3,022 words. This is not a detailed commentary on every verse, but rather a collection of my personal study notes on this great epistle. Due to a busy schedule, time has not been spent on editing for grammatical and spelling mistakes. Thank you in advance for overlooking them. I do not claim complete originality for everything written in these notes. I appreciate the help that I have gleaned from others.
It is my goal in these notes to help you gain a basic understanding of what each passage says and teaches as you study the book for yourself. Of course, this will not be possible unless you personally:
1. Believe the word of God (1 Thess. 2:13)
2. Submit to and rely upon its Author (2 Tim. 3:16)
3. Consistently follow His rule of study (2 Tim. 2:15)
The Pauline epistles are not arranged chronologically but according to a divine order for the spiritual edification of the Body of Christ. According to 2 Tim. 3:16, we must have doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction to be edified in the faith. The apostle Paul wrote nine epistles by inspiration of God to seven churches (Galatians actually written to a number of local churches in the region of Galatia).
Salvation in Christ
• Romans - doctrine of salvation by grace through faith: justification & sanctification
• 1 & 2 Corinthians - reproof for not living by the doctrine of Romans (sanctification)
• Galatians - correction for listening to doctrine not in line with Romans (justification)
Body of Christ
• Ephesians - doctrine of the one Body of Christ: the Head and His members
• Philippians - reproof for not living by the doctrine of Ephesians (lack of unity, members)
• Colossians - correction for listening to doctrine not in line with Ephesians (“not holding the Head”)
Coming of Christ
• 1 & 2 Thessalonians - doctrine, reproof, and correction concerning the coming of the Lord
Taken together these epistles provide the “form of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13) for instruction in righteousness for the Body of Christ in this present mystery age. The apostle Paul also wrote four epistles to individuals. The epistles to Timothy and Titus concern the proper order for the church. The second epistle to Timothy deals with the apostasy of the last days. The epistle to Philemon is fittingly placed last because it illustrates the doctrines of Paul's epistles through a real-life situation.
Apostasy is a willful denial and departure from the truth. It is apostasy in this present age to deny the distinctive message and ministry of the apostle Paul (2 Tim. 1:13-15). Satan attacks the three main doctrines of the church epistles like nothing else. A study of church history shows a clear departure from and resurgence of Pauline truth.
Ephesians is built upon the doctrinal foundation laid in Romans. The last verses of Romans mentions the great mystery that Ephesians unfolds (Rom. 16:25-27). Ephesians is the pinnacle of divine revelation. In Romans we learn that we are crucified, buried, and risen with Christ (Rom. 6:3-4). In Ephesians we learn that we are ascended up and seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).
The six chapters of Ephesians are naturally divided in half (Eph. 1:3; 4:1) and provided a perfect balance between doctrine and practice:
Ephesians 1-3 Ephesians 4-6
Wealth Walk
Standing State
Calling Conduct
Blessings Behavior
Riches Responsibilities
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