Notes from Ephesians

These notes are meant to enhance your devotional study of Ephesians. I have divided the letter into
small sections and provided a few notes for each section. You can use these notes in any way you wish.

I would suggest a meditative study. What is meditation? It is turning something over and over in your
mind. It is thinking deeply about something. To do this you will want to eliminate distractions. You will
want to be as disciplined as possible, setting aside a regular time and place to study the Word.

What is most important about biblical meditation is Gods Word. Your complete focus will be on the
words God is using and what message they convey. I would suggest starting with the big picture and
then use an iterative process to narrow it down. So for instance, you could do something like this:

1. To get the context of the section you are studying, use the one line section summaries I provide.
Read these summary lines for the section before the section you are studying, the section you
are studying, and the section after the section you are studying.
2. Then read through the verses for the whole lesson for the day, thinking about what Gods
overall message is.
3. Next slowly read through the lesson sentence by sentence, stopping after each sentence and
contemplating what God is saying. Many times my notes are on a sentence by sentence basis, so
they may be helpful here.
4. Next read through the section again, breaking each sentence down phrase by phrase, thinking
about each phrase and how it fits in and adds to this sentence and section.
5. Finally, read through the section again, picking out and thinking about specific words that are
important for each phrase and their meaning.
6. You might decide to jot down a few notes as you study. If there are certain times of your day
that are routine or monotonous (commute time, lunch time, etc.), you could use your notes to
spark your thoughts for continued meditation throughout the day.

Whatever method you decide is best for you, the important thing is to focus on Gods Word.
Notes from Ephesians

Ephesians Chapter 1
Eph. 1:1-2 The letters greetings

The letter is from the apostle Paul.

The letter is to the faithful saints in Ephesus.
Paul confers on them grace and peace from the Father and the Son.

Eph. 1:3-14 Doxology for all of Gods redemptive blessings carried out in Christ

We are to bless God because of all that he has done for us in Christ.
In Christ he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
He chose us in him.
He predestined us through Christ to be his adopted children.
In him we have redemption and forgiveness.
He made known to us the mystery of his will, which is to unite all things in Christ.
In him we have obtained an inheritance.
In him, when you heard and believed the good news of your salvation, you were sealed with the
promised Holy Spirit.

Eph. 1:15-23 Pauls prayers for the Ephesians

Paul continuously gives thanks for the faith and love of the Ephesians in his prayers.
He prays that God would give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know all that God has
done for them in Christ.
He prays that they be enlightened to know the hope God gives them and the rich inheritance
God promises them.
He prays that they might know and find assurance in the great power God uses for those who
believe.
That power God used supremely when he raised Jesus from the dead.
With that same power, the Father seated Jesus at his right hand and made him ruler over all
things for all ages.
They need to know that God used his power in this way for the benefit of the church.
Jesus is also the head of the church and the church is his body.
Notes from Ephesians

Ephesians Chapter 2
Eph. 2:1-10 Although dead in sin, by grace God made them alive in Christ

The Ephesians were once dead in sin, walking the way of the world and the devil.
They once lived according to the flesh and were children of wrath, as indeed all people are.
In mercy and grace God made them alive with Christ and brought them into the Fathers
heavenly presence in Christ.
He did this in order to show his immeasurable grace toward them in Christ.
This work of salvation is completely Gods gracious gift, so they have nothing to boast about.
They are Gods work of art, created in Christ to do good works.
[Since God did all of this for the Gentiles, it shows that his plan of salvation is universal and that
Gentiles are a part of the church too.]

Eph. 2:11-22 Christ made the Jews and Gentiles into one body and reconciled them to God

The Gentiles were uncircumcised and therefore not part of the people of God.
The Gentiles were once separated from Christ, Israel, and the promises of God.
The Gentiles once had no hope and no connection to God.
But now because of the shed blood of Christ, they have been brought near to God.
Because of Christ the division between the Jews and Gentiles caused by the ceremonial law has
been abolished.
Christ has made the Jews and Gentiles into one body, the church, and reconciled them all to God
through the cross.
Christ came preaching peace to both Jews and Gentiles, giving them both access to God.
The Gentiles are now members of Gods household, the church.
The church is built on the foundation of apostles and prophets.
Christ is the cornerstone of the church. He holds it all together and determines it form and
function.
Using the Jewish and Gentile saints and building upon the foundation and cornerstone, the Spirit
creates the temple of God, the place where God dwells with his people.
Notes from Ephesians

Ephesians Chapter 3
Eph. 3:1-13 Paul has been given the task of preaching and revealing the salvation of the Gentiles

God made Paul a prisoner of Christ in order that he might make a mystery known to them.
The mystery of Gods plan of salvation and grace has been revealed to Paul by God.
The mystery of Gods plan centers on Jesus Christ.
The mystery of salvation through Christ, which had been hidden in ages past, has been made
known now to the apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit.
The mystery that the Spirit is making known is that the Gospel promises in Christ are for the
Gentiles too.
Paul has been made a steward and minister of this gift of Gods grace.
Paul has been given the task of preaching to the Gentiles the riches of Christ and to bring to light
for all Gods hidden plan of salvation.
God reveals his plans and wisdom through the church in order that the angelic powers might
know.
From eternity this is what God planned to do and he has now carried it out through Christ.
Through faith we have access to Christ, which makes us bold.
The suffering Paul is enduring is part of Gods plan of salvation to save the Gentiles, so do not
despair.

Eph. 3:14-21 Through the power of the Spirit, may God convey strength, Christ, and love to you

Because of Gods grace shown to Paul and to the Ephesians/Gentiles, Paul offers a fervent
prayer.
As the Father exerts his power in creating and sustaining all family units, he asks that the Father
use the power of the Spirit to strengthen the Ephesians.
He asks for the Spirits power that Christ might dwell in their hearts through faith.
Christs presence roots and grounds Christians in love.
Spirit supplied strength will help them and all Christians comprehend Gods unlimited love for
them.
Only with the Spirits power can the love of Christ be known and one be filled with the fullness
of God.
In doxology Paul recognizes Gods abundant power at work for and in Christians.
It is in the church and in Christ that God receives glory, now and forever.
Notes from Ephesians

Ephesians Chapter 4
Eph. 4:1-16 The body of Christ is unified in and grows and matures under its Head, Christ

They have been called into Gods family. As such, Paul urges them to live in a humble, patient,
loving way.
They have been unified by the Spirit and are to continue to seek unity.
They are unified in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one
God and Father.
Gods grace has been given to each person as a gift, in a measure that God sees fit.
Paul quotes Ps. 68 which celebrates God the Victor giving good gifts to his people.
The One who is God the Son descended from his throne, defeated sin, death, and the devil, and
then re-ascended in victory where he now gives out his gifts to his people.
As gifts to equip the saints to build up the body of Christ, he gave apostles, prophets,
evangelists, and pastors.
He gives these gifts and equips the saints in order that they might have unity in and knowledge
of the Son of God.
He equips the saints so that they mature in the faith and are not fooled by the deceitful
doctrines of cunning schemers.
When presented with false doctrines, the mature respond by speaking the truth in love.
The whole body of Christ is to grow up under the direction of its Head, Christ.
The Head holds the whole body together, keeps it working properly, and makes it grow in love.

Eph. 4:17-24 Dont live like pagans; instead put off the old self and put on the new self

Being part of the body of Christ means no longer living as the pagans do.
The pagans way of thinking is futile. They have alienated themselves from God by their
ignorance and hardness of heart.
Pagans give themselves over to sensuality, greed, and impurity.
But members of the body of Christ put off the old self and its deceitful desires.
Instead they are taught to put on the new self, which was created like God with true
righteousness and holiness

Eph. 4:25-5:2 Walk in love, following the example of Gods love in Christ

Living as the new self, one puts away falsehood and speaks the truth.
Its ok to be angry, but in doing so dont sin. Dont give the devil an opportunity to influence you.
A thief must change his ways and do honest work so he can share with those in need.
No corrupt talk should come from your mouth; rather use good talk that builds up.
Dont grieve the Holy Spirit by doing any of these sins.
Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice.
Instead be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving to one another as Christ was towards you.
Notes from Ephesians

As loved children imitate their parents, imitate the love God the Father showed to you.
Love others as Christ loved, willingly giving himself up as a pleasing sacrifice to God.
Notes from Ephesians

Ephesians Chapter 5
Eph. 5:3-14 Walk as children of light, avoiding sin and exposing it to the light of Christ

As saints there should not be even a hint of sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness
among them.
There should be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, instead there should be
thanksgiving.
Those who willingly do these things will not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ.
Dont be deceived by those who wish to lead you astray for their words amount to nothing.
Those people are darkness and are spreading darkness, but you are light.
You too were once darkness but now you have been made to be the light of Christ.
As children of light, do what is good, right, and true.
Discern what is pleasing to the Lord and avoid the works of darkness and expose them.
The works of darkness done in secret are shameful even to speak about.
Shining the light of Christ on the works of darkness exposes them for all to see and overcomes
them.
Those who are dead in the deeds of darkness can rise to life when the light of Christ shines on
them.

Eph. 5:15-20 Walk as wise people, knowing Gods will and being influenced by the Holy Spirit

Paul contrasts the wise with the unwise, encouraging Christians to live wisely.
To live wisely is to make the best use of time, to live for the Lord even though we are
surrounded by evil.
The wise understand the Lords will. The foolish dont care or arrogantly oppose it.
The wise are influenced by the Holy Spirit. The foolish allow alcohol and many other things to
influence their lives.
The influence of the Holy Spirit causes Christians to sing songs inspired by the Holy Spirit with a
joyful heart.
The influence of the Holy Spirit causes Christians to always give thanks to the Father in the name
of Jesus.

Eph. 5:21-33 The marriage relationship is like Christs relationship to the church

Having been filled with the Holy Spirit and under his influence and out of reverence for Christ,
Christians are to submit to each other, willingly putting others first.
Just as wives willingly submit to the Lord Jesus, so they should submit to their husbands.
Just as Christ is the head of the church, so the husband is the head of the wife.
Just as the church willingly submits to Christ, so the wife should willingly submit to her husband.
Just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for her, so husbands should love their wives and
give their lives for their wives.
Notes from Ephesians

The reason Christ loved and gave up his life for the church, his body, was to make her holy and
without blemish.
As Christ loved his body (the church), so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
Just as Christ (the Head) nourishes and cherishes his body (the church), so a husband (the head)
should nourish and cherish his own body (his wife).
In marriage a man and woman leave their families and start a new family unit of their own. In
marriage the two of them become one flesh.
When a man and woman (head and body) become one flesh in marriage, they reflect the
mystery of Christ and the church (head and body) becoming one.
Husbands are to love their wives and wives are to respect their husbands.
Notes from Ephesians

Ephesians Chapter 6
Eph. 6:1-4 When families live by Gods design, God will bless them

Children are to obey their parents. They are to keep the fourth commandment.
The promise attached to the commandment indicates that it is Gods intention to bless the
family when they live by his design.
Fathers are not to provoke their children to anger.
Rather, they should discipline them and instruct them about and in the Lord.

Eph. 6:5-9 Slave and Master should serve others as if they are serving the Lord

Slaves were to obey their earthly masters in the same way that they would obey Christ.
They were not to work hard only when the master was watching, but all the time.
The slave should consider himself a slave of Christ who serves the Lord from the heart.
When he serves his earthly master, he is to serve as if he is serving the Lord.
Whether a slave or free, the Lord will reward good service.
Masters too should also serve as if he is serving the Lord.
Masters should not threaten their slaves, for they too have a Master that they are accountable
to.

Eph. 6:10-20 Be prepared for battle. Use the armor God provides.

The Christian church is in a battle which can only be won by the power of God.
The Lord provides armor to protect his church from the devil.
The enemy, which fights against the church, is not an earthly foe but spiritual forces of evil,
demonic powers.
Use the armor of God to withstand evil and stand firm against evil.
Use the belt of truth to respond to the lies of the devil, who is the father of lies.
Use the breastplate of righteousness to protect you against the barrage of unrighteousness that
the devil throws against you.
In the Gospel of peace, God provides shoes that ready us to safely maneuver.
Use the shield of faith to protect yourself from the flaming darts that the evil hurls at you.
Use the helmet of salvation to protect your life.
Use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, as your offensive weapon against the evil powers
that would assail you.
At all times pray for the Spirits protection.
Keep alert and be ready to persevere for the long haul.
Pray for your fellow saints.
Pray that Paul may boldly proclaim the mystery of the Gospel.

Eph. 6:21-24 Paul sends a messenger and Gods peace, love, and grace to Ephesus
Notes from Ephesians

Paul is sending Tychicus to them so that he can tell them how Paul and his companions are
doing, what they are doing, and to encourage them.
Paul sends to them peace and love with faith from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus
Christ.
He also sends grace to them who love the Lord Jesus Christ with a love that cannot be
corrupted.