The Book of Ephesians
Who you are in Christ — grace, unity, and a new way to live, stand, and love.
Overview
Ephesians divides neatly in two: the first half soars through what God has done for us in Christ — chosen, adopted, saved by grace — and the second half works out how that changes the way we live, love, and stand firm.
It is a letter about identity. Before it asks anything of us, it spends three chapters telling us who we already are in Christ, so that everything after flows from grace rather than toward it.
Key themes
Grace alone
Salvation is God's gift, not our achievement — by grace through faith, not of works.
One new people
In Christ, old divisions fall; God is making one new humanity reconciled to himself and each other.
Standing firm
Clothed in the armour of God, believers stand against evil in the strength he supplies.
Key verses from Ephesians
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The heart of the gospel of grace.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
How to read Ephesians
Read chapters 1–3 first as pure gift before you reach the 'therefore' of chapter 4.
Let it tell you who you are in Christ before it tells you what to do.
Read the armour of God (chapter 6) as God's provision, not your effort.