Ephesians - A Study in Christian Maturity

The first Sunday of 2012 the ABF began our most adventurous study to date:

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians

We will approach his Letter asking the question, “How do I adjust my life to be Biblically Balanced today in the 21^st Century?” The purpose of our study is to receive from the Word of God information on becoming a mature person (Paul’s metaphor of walking) in Christ. Paul gives us the foundational principles of God’s Providence which are key to understanding the Biblically Balanced Life. With the foundation set, Paul then gives us the requirements for a Balanced Life. Our focus will be as Paul states in chapter 4:1

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called”

The following information is from the study I did of Ephesians in Seminary, and as such it will come across when you read it as somewhat academic. However it is good information for background.

The church at Ephesus was founded in the early 50s by the Apostle Paul on his 2^nd missionary journey, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila, whom he left behind to build the church (Acts 18:18-21). Ephesus was a major “Metroplex” (as is the DFW area) and commanded the main highway between east and west. Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians while in prison in Rome in the early 60s. This letter is profound in that Paul writes about the Church, Individual Maturity (his metaphor of “walking”), and the Holy Spirit’s guarantee of God’s promises. The responsibility is on us individually not corporately (the elimination of distinction between Jew and Gentile).

An outline of the Book of Ephesians is as follows:

Ephesians – God’s Providential Plan for Believers to Discover Maturity

I. God’s Providential Plan for Gentiles - Eph. 1:1 – 2:22

A. The Trinity's Actions are the Key to the Plan – Eph. 1:1-18

B. Paul prays for their Comprehension – Eph. 1:19-23

C. Salvation is by Grace not Works – Eph. 2:1-10

D. Gentiles through Jesus Christ are the Way – Eph. 2:11-22

II. Paul’s Life is an Example – Eph. 3:1-21

III. The Christian’s Pursuit of his/her Lifework – Eph. 4:1 – 5:15

A. Walk in a Manor Worthy – Eph 4:1-10

B. Who Equips the Saints – Eph. 4:11-16

C. Renewing of the Mind is Key to Maturity – Eph. 4:17-32

D. Being Mature Requires Work – Eph. 5:1-15

IV. Family Joy and Responsibility – Eph. 5:17 – 6:9

A. A Family Submitting to One Another – Eph. 5:17-21

B. Wife’s Relation to her Husband – Eph. 5:22-24

C. Husband’s Relation to his Wife – Eph. 5:24-33

D. Children’s Relations to Parents – Eph. 6:1-4

E. Servants and Masters Relations – Eph. 6:5-9

V. Spiritual Warfare – Eph. 6:10-17

VI. Prayer and Paul’s Personal Requests – Eph. 6:18-24

The overriding significance of Ephesians is Paul’s interpretation, explanation, and clarification of the previously “classified” (the modern vernacular of his use of the word “mystery”) program of God’s inclusion of the Gentiles into His Providential plan. Ephesians “declassifies” God’s plan of having the “Church” bring hope to the world as the nation of Israel is now “on hold” during this dispensation. Additionally, Paul gives specific instructions for the Christian’s personal lifework along with his/her family which is pleasing to God. Lastly, Paul informs the believer that, unlike the physical Jewish worship and blessings of the Old Testament, the Christian struggles and blessings will not just be physical but, more critically, spiritual.

Hope this information is helpful.

Theological Question/Thought: Are Predestination & Free Will opposites?

C'ya Sunday