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Ephesians is the great Pauline letter about the church. It deals, however, not so much with a congregation in the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor as with the worldwide church, the head of which is Christ (Eph 4:15), the purpose of which is to be the instrument for making God's plan of salvation known throughout the universe (Eph 3:9-10). Yet this ecclesiology is anchored in God's saving love, shown in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:4-10), and the whole of redemption is rooted in the plan and accomplishment of the triune God (Eph 1:3-14). The language is often that of doxology (Eph 1:3-14) and prayer (cf Eph 1:15-23; 3:14-19), indeed of liturgy and hymns (Eph 3:20-21; 5:14).
The majestic chapters of Ephesians emphasize the unity in the church of Christ that has come about for both Jews and Gentiles within God's household (Eph 1:15-2:22, especially Eph 2:11-22) and indeed the "seven unities" of church, Spirit, hope; one Lord, faith, and baptism; and the one God (Eph 4:4-6). Yet the concern is not with the church for its own sake but rather as the means for mission in the world (Eph 3:1-4:24). The gifts Christ gives its members are to lead to growth and renewal (Eph 4:7-24). Ethical admonition is not lacking either; all aspects of human life and relationships are illumined by the light of Christ (Eph 4:25-6:20).
The letter is seemingly addressed by St. Paul to Christians in Ephesus (Eph 1:1), a place where the apostle labored for well over two years (Acts 19:10). Yet there is a curiously impersonal tone to the writing for a community with which St. Paul was so intimately acquainted (cf Eph 3:2 and Eph 4:21). There are no personal greetings (cf Eph 6:23). More significantly, important early manuscripts omit the words "in Ephesus" (see the note on Eph 1:1). Many therefore regard the letter as an encyclical or "circular letter" sent to a number of churches in Asia Minor, the addressees to be designated in each place by its bearer, Tychicus (Eph 6:21-22). Others think that Ephesians is the letter referred to in Col 4:16 as "to the Laodiceans."
St. Paul, who is designated as the sole author at Eph 1:1, is described in almost unparalleled terms with regard to the significant role he has in God's plan for bringing the Gentiles to faith in Christ (Eph 3:1-12). Yet at the time of writing he is clearly in prison (Eph 3:1; 4:1; 6:20), suffering afflictions (Eph 3:13). Traditionally this "Captivity Epistle" has, along with Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon, been dated to an imprisonment in Rome, likely in A.D. 61-63. Others appeal to an earlier imprisonment, perhaps in Caesarea (Acts 23:27-27:2). Since the early nineteenth century, however, much of critical scholarship has considered the letter's style and use of words (especially when compared with Colossians), its concept of the church, and other points of doctrine put forward by the writer as grounds for serious doubt about authorship by St. Paul. The letter may then be the work of a secretary writing at the apostle's direction or of a later disciple who sought to develop St. Paul's ideas for a new situation around A.D. 80-100.
The principal divisions of the letter to Ephesians are the following:
| I. |
Address (Eph 1:1-14) |
| II. |
Unity of the Church in Christ (Eph 1:15-2:22) |
| III. |
World Mission of the Church (Eph 3:1-4:24) |
| IV. |
Daily Conduct, an Expression of Unity (Eph 4:25-6:20) |
| V. |
Conclusion (Eph 6:21-24) |
Key Themes
| 1. |
All people are by nature spiritually death, transgressors of God's law, and under the rule of Satan.
(1:7; 2:1-3, 5, 11-12) |
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| 2. |
God predestined his elect to redemption and holiness in Christ according to the free counsel of his will.
(1:3-14; 2:4, 8-9) |
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| 3. |
God's rich mercy in Christ has saved sinners; this free gift if by grace through faith alone.
(1:7-8; 2:4-14) |
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| 4. |
Christ's earthly work of redemption was part of his cosmic reconciliation and exaltation in this age and the next.
(1:15-23; 3:1-13) |
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| 5. |
Christ's reconciliation entails uniting all people, whether Jew or Gentile, into his one body, the church, as a new creation.
(1:23; 2:10-22; 3:1-21; 4:1-6) |
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| 6. |
Christ's people are renewed to new lives of holiness in thought, word, and deed, and must reject their old, sinful lifestyle.
(4:1-3, 17-32; 5:1-20) |
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| 7. |
Holiness of life entails submission to proper authorities, and loving and considerate care for those in submission.
(5:21-6:9) |
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| 8. |
Christ has given powerful gifts to his church to bring about her unity, maturity, and defense against the onslaughts of the devil and his allies.
(4:7-16; 6:10-19) |
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