Pauline Epistles · New Testament
Ephesians
c. AD 60–62
- Section
- Pauline Epistles · New Testament
- Events span
- c. AD 60–62
- Written
- c. AD 60–62, from Roman imprisonment critical view: Disputed; possibly a later disciple, c. AD 80–90
- Author
- Paul the Apostle critical view: Paul or a later disciple (authorship disputed)
Written from prison, Ephesians unfolds God's grand plan to unite all things in Christ. The first half celebrates our spiritual blessings and salvation by grace through faith; the second calls the church to live worthy of that calling — in unity, holiness, marriage, and the armor of God.
Key themes
- Salvation by grace
- Unity of the church
- In Christ
- The new life
- The armor of God
The letter's message
- God chose and blessed believers with every spiritual blessing in Christ
- "By grace are ye saved through faith" — dead in sin, made alive in Christ
- Jew and Gentile are made one new body, reconciled through the cross
- A call to walk worthily, in unity and maturity, each using their gifts
- Instructions for the new life: husbands, wives, children, and servants
- Put on the whole armor of God to stand against spiritual forces of evil
“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.”