A STUDY OF THE EPISTLE
TO THE EPHESIANS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LESSON ONE INTRODUCTION ...... 1
LESSON TWO GOD’S WORKMANSHIP CREATED UNTO GOOD WORKS...... 3
LESSON THREE GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE...... 5
LESSON FOUR THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL 9
LESSON FIVE RECONCILED BOTH UNTO GOD IN ONE BODY...... 14
LESSON SIX THE FULNESS OF CHRIST...... 18
LESSON SEVEN THE CONFLICT IN THE HEAVENLIES...... 22
LESSON ONE
Note first the following verses in this Epistle:
Ephesians 3:1
“For this cause I Paul the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you GENTILES.”
Ephesians 2:11 to 13
“Wherefore remember, that you being in time past GENTILES in the flesh. who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made with hands That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world, But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
Ephesians 3:6 and 8
“That the GENTILES should be fellow heirs and of the same Body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel,”
“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the GENTILES the unsearchable riches of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:17 and 18.
“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other GENTILES walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”
While it is true that in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Gentile, yet the Epistle to the Ephesians contains a very definite message to Gentile saints; to those who had been Gentile sinners. It is interesting to note in Matthew 15:21 to 26 the great difference between Jews and Gentiles and the “no” difference in Romans 10:12 and Ephesians 2:13 to 17. Ephesians is addressed to the saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:1. Unlike some of Paul’s other Epistles, Ephesians does not deal specifically with the local assembly at Ephesus, but rather with the Body of Christ and the members of that Body. Some authorities say that Ephesus does not appear in some of the original manuscripts.
Note one of the principal reasons why Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to write this profound and Divine message:
Ephesians 4:14.
“That ye henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and whereby they lie in wait to deceive”
In this connection let us study carefully I Corinthians 13:10 and 11—Hebrews 5:12 to Hebrews 6:1. Compare the verses in Hebrews with some statements of Paul’s to the Corinthians:
“But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; But when I became a man, I put away childish things.” I Corinthians 13:10 and 11.
“Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.” I Corinthians 12:2.
“And I, brethren, would not speak unto you as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” I Corinthians 3:1 to 3.
Now note:
Hebrews 5:12 to 6:1:
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrines of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.”
By carefully studying and comparing Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians with Ephesians we learn that most of the Corinthian Epistle is Divine truth for babes in Christ, while much in Ephesians is the Holy Spirit’s strong meat for those who are of full age and to be received by members of the Body of Christ and taught by the pastors and teachers:
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect Man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13.
This statement itself is “meat diet.”
If I Corinthians 2:14 is true, concerning the understanding of the milk of the Word, how much more so if saints are to understand the strong meat of Ephesians. Read that verse as to how Divine truth is spiritually discerned and then to understand the deep truth of Ephesians, note the Divine method in Ephesians 1:17 and 18:
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
Note Paul’s second prayer in Ephesians 3:16 to 19: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
Thus we see that more than ordinary spiritual discernment is necessary for the comprehension of the deeper truth of Ephesians.
As a foundation, the student of Ephesians should first understand Galatians and Romans and he should by all means study carefully with Ephesians, the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians, and also II Timothy:
But note here Ephesians 1:1 and 5:3:“TO THE SAINTS”—“AS BECOMETH SAINTS”.
The Epistle to the Ephesians plainly tells how sinners become saints and how they are then to behave as becometh saints. Sinners do not become saints by behaving, but by believing. Then as believers they are to behave as becometh saints.
A saint is a saved person. “By the which will we are sanctified by the offering of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10. Read also Hebrews 13:12 and Hebrews 10:14.
Note carefully II Thessalonians 2:13, that the believer is chosen unto salvation by sanctification. Then read I Corinthians 6:9 to 11 and see that sanctification precedes justification. But there is also a sanctification that follows.
LESSON TWO
GOD’S WORKMANSHIP CREATED UNTO GOOD WORKS
Sinners are made saints by God’s grace, by God “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
God’s workmanship. Created in Christ Jesus. Unto good works. This is the Divine order. God’s workmanship. Then God’s workmen.
Compare with Ephesians 2:9 “Not OF works, lest any man should boast.” There is a great difference between OF good works, a contributing factor, and UNTO good works, the fruit and evidence of salvation. No sinner’s works in any way help to save him. They that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8.
The particular sinners referred to in Ephesians 2:1 to 10 were Gentiles who had been aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. Note their history, what they were before becoming new creatures in Christ Jesus:
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:2 and 3.
“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” Ephesians 4:18.
Then carefully note the “BUT GOD” in Ephesians 2:4 and the “BUT NOW” in Ephesians 2:13. “But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us.” “But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off were made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
Thus we see the human material out of which God made saints—and still makes saints—and the Divine process by which these sinners were made saints. Because of the grace, the rich mercy and great love of God and because of the power, and value, and efficacy of the precious shed blood of the Son of God a supernatural transformation took place; dead sinners were made living saints.
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:6 to 8.
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints and of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:19.
“For ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8.
Made alive. Raised up and seated in the heavenlies. Saved. No longer afar off. Members of the Body of Christ. In the light. All by the infinite grace of God and by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:24.
SAVED AND SEALED
Then note:
Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30:
“In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
“After that ye believed”, in the Greek, is one word, “PISTEUSANTES”. The word is “BELIEVING” or “On believing” the gospel of salvation the believer is sealed unto the day of redemption; that is, until the day, hour, and moment that the dead in Christ and those who are alive rise in glorified bodies to meet the Lord Jesus Christ.
So then the believing sinner:
Is saved,
Is sainted (sanctified),
Is sealed,
Is seated in the heavenlies,
Is secure.
All of the spiritual blessings and benefits guaranteed to the believer are summed up in the one statement:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3.
Blessed with ALL spiritual blessingsin the heavenlies.
Note also Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” God is able. Note God’s ability and His mighty power in this verse and in Ephesians 1:19 and 20: “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places.”
The redemption of the believing sinner is according to the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7. Where sin abounded grace did much more abound. There is no limit to God’s grace and God’s power.
So we see that the blessings of the believer are according to the mighty power of God and according to the riches of God’s grace. What human being can estimate the mighty power of God or the riches of God’s grace? Surely we all believe and know that God is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. This power is toward us. Ephesians 1:19. This power worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20.
When the believer believes the glorious truth of Ephesians and realizes what God guarantees him in Christ, he will surely not seek for more power by resorting to some fantastical religious scheme. Neither will he be looking for a second blessing when he knows the truth of Ephesians 1:3.
“All blessings (in the heavenlies)”, “All power”—and according to II Corinthians 9:8; “all grace”. And God is the God of all grace. I Peter 5:10.
LESSON THREE
GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE
God’s eternal purpose. The Epistle to the Ephesians tells us of God’s eternal purpose. The message and program of Ephesians is according to that Divine purpose. Note Ephesians 3:11:
“ACCORDING TO THE ETERNAL PURPOSE WHICH HE PURPOSED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.”
Before we study the eternal purpose in Ephesians let us see how it is stated in Romans 8:28 to 32—II Timothy 1:9 and 10—Romans 16:25—I Corinthians 2:7 and 8.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:28 to 32.
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” II Timothy 1:9 and 10.
“Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.” Romans 16:25.
“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory; Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it. they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” I Corinthians 2:7 and 8.
Here we learn the fallacy of teaching that God’s eternal purpose, His mystery or secret, was not made known to the apostle Paul until after the “Acts” period closed, for Corinthians and Romans were written during the “Acts” period. But we know that there is no clear statement concerning this blessed truth, explaining the mystery, until we come to Paul’s prison Epistles.
Note in Romans 8:28: According to God’s purpose, He foreknew and predestinated:
Note in II Timothy 1:9, according to God’s eternal purpose, grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
Note in I Corinthians 2:7 and 8, this was ordained to our glory before the world began.
Note in Romans 16:25, the preaching of Paul’s gospel, according to the revelation of the mystery, was kept secret since before the world began.
Thus we have the light from other Scriptures on the eternal purpose of God in Christ Jesus. God purposed this before the world began: God kept His eternal purpose a secret. The risen Lord revealed it to Paul by revelation. It is called “the mystery of God’s will.” (Ephesians 1:9). “The mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19 and 20). This eternal purpose of God concerning the members of the Body of Christ and His dispensation of grace was not made known to the sons of men in other ages:
Colossians 1:25 and 26.
“Whereof I Paul am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill (complete) the Word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.”
God predestinated this Divine economy, purpose and program, but He did not permit His Old Testament servants to prophesy it. He did not even disclose it to them. Therefore, it is called “THE MYSTERY” in Ephesians.
Note:
Ephesians 3:8:
“Unto me who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles “THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST”.
Here the Holy Spirit refers to “the mystery of God’s will”, “the mystery of the gospel”, “the eternal purpose of God”, as “THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST.” The Greek root of the word “unsearchable” is a word meaning “step” or “track.” Therefore the word means “UNTRACEABLE” or “CANNOT BE TRACKED”.
By way of contrast note truth concerning Christ that could be tracked: