Survey of the Bible - Ephesians
Text: Acts 20:17-38
I. Paul spent a good bit of time in Ephesus
A. He first came to the city near the end of his second journey - Act 18:18-19
1. He was invited to stay longer but he was traveling to Jerusalem - Acts 18:20-21
B. On his third journey he returned - Acts 19:1
1. He ended up staying for three years - Acts 19:10, 20:31
2. It was the disturbance stirred up by Demetrius that forced Paul to leave - Acts 20:1
3. As he returned from his third journey, he stopped nearby to speak with the elders of Ephesus once again - Acts 20:17-38
C. Ephesus was a major Roman city
1. It was the capital of the region of Asia as well as the commercial center for the region
2. It is an old city, being mentioned in a Hittite document, dated in the 14th century BC, as “Apasas”
3. Its temple to Diana or Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the world - Acts 19:35
II. The Letter
A. Paul wrote a set of four letters while he was in prison the first time in Rome.
1. The letters are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, commonly called the prison letters - Acts 28:16, 30-31
a. Reference to his imprisonment - Ephesians 3:1; 4:1; 6:20
2. Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon appear to have been written about the same time. Philippians was written just before Paul’s release.
3. That puts the date of these letters to be between AD. 60 and 62
4. Tychicus and Onesimus were the messengers who delivered the letters - Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-9; Philemon 10-12
B. Unlike other letters, this one focuses on a grand theme instead of addressing issues specific to Ephesus. Nor do we find personal greetings as in other letters.
C. The purpose is set forth in Ephesians 1:18-19
1. What is the hope of God’s calling
2. What are the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance in the saints
3. What is the greatness of God’s power toward those who believe
D. The book is divided into two parts, each three chapters long
1. Chapters 1-3 focuses on the rich blessings we have in Christ - Ephesians 1:3
2. Chapters 4-6 focuses on walking worthy of the calling - Ephesians 4:1
III. Outline
A. Introduction - Ephesians 1:1-2
B. The rich blessings in Christ - Ephesians 1:3-3:21
1. Our blessings - Ephesians 1: 3-21
a. Chosen in Christ by the Father - Ephesians 1:3-6
b. Redeemed by the Son - Ephesians 1:7-12
c. Sealed by the Spirit - Ephesians 1:13-14
d. Prayer for enlightenment - Ephesians 1:15-21
2. Our position in Christ - Ephesians 2:1-3:21
a. Dead to sin but alive to God - Ephesians 2:1-10
b. The reconciliation of Jews and Greeks into one temple - Ephesians 2:11-22
c. The gospel is the revealed mystery that Gentiles can be saved - Ephesians 3:1-13
d. Prayer for ability - Ephesians 3:14-21
C. Walk worthy of the calling - Ephesians 4:1-6:24
1. Walk in unity - Ephesians 4:1-16
a. Preserve the unity - Ephesians 4:1-7
b. Edify the body to obtain the unity - Ephesians 4:11-16
2. Walk in holiness - Ephesians 4:17-5:21
a. Walk as you were taught in Christ - Ephesians 4:17-32
b. Walk in love - Ephesians 5:1-6
c. Walk as children of light - Ephesians 5:7-14
d. Walk as wise - Ephesians 5:15-21
3. Walk in subjection - Ephesians 5:22-6:9
a. Wives and husbands - Ephesians 5:22-33
b. Children and parents - Ephesians 6:1-4
c. Slaves and masters - Ephesians 6:5-9
4. Walk in conflict - Ephesians 6:10-20
D. Conclusion - Ephesians 6:21-24
