The Analysis of Ephesians

Chapters I-III

The Epistle to the Ephesians is composed of two parts. In chapter iv:l we read, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called.” With the fourth chapter the second part of this Epistle begins. The preceding chapters, the first three, then tell us of the calling wherewith the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has called those, who believe in His Son, and from the fourth chapter to the end of this letter we find exhortations to walk worthy of that calling. To walk worthy as a Christian it is needful to know the calling wherewith He has called us. In the first great prayer in this Epistle we read, “That ye may know what is the Hope of His calling.” Every Christian believer must know the Calling above everything else. The true knowledge of it is to govern our lives on earth.

Chapter 1. How God planned for and works in the production of His Masterpiece.

1. The Introduction. Verses 1-2.

2. The Great Doxology. Verse 3.

3. The Plan and Work of the Godhead. Verses 4-14.

A. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.

a. Chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Verse 4.

b. Predestinated us unto the Son-place in Christ. Verse 5.

c. Made us accepted in the Beloved. Versed. “To the Praise of the Glory of His Grace.” Verse 6.

B. The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

a. Redeemed us through His blood. Verse 7.

b. The Revelation in Him of the mystery of His will. Verses 8-10.

c. In Him we obtained an Inheritance. Verse 11.

“To the Praise of His Glory.” Verse 12.

C. The Holy Spirit of God.

a. Quickened by Him in hearing and believing the Gospel. Verse 13.

b. Sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise. Verse 13.

c. The Earnest of our Inheritance. Verse 14.

“Unto the Praise of His Glory.” Verse 14.

4. The parenthetical Prayer to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory. Verses 15-23.

A. Thanksgiving. Verses 15-16.

B. The Prayer for Enlightenment in the Knowledge of Him. Verses 17-18.

a. To know the Hope of His Calling (God the Father). Verse 18.

b. To know the riches of the Glory of His inheritance in the Saints (God the Son). Verse 18.

c. To know the exceeding greatness of His power to usward, who believe (God the Holy Spirit). Verse 19.

C. The Manifestation of the Power to usward. Verses 20-23.

a. Christ raised from the dead. Verse 20.

b. Seated at God’s right hand far above all. Verses 20-21.

c. All things under His feet. Verse 22.

d. Head of the Church, His body. Verses 22-23.

Chapter 2:1-10. The Masterpiece produced.

1. What Man is by Nature. Verses 1-3.

A. Dead in Trespasses and Sin. Verse 1.

B. Enemies of God under the Prince of the Power in the Air. Verse 2.

C. Children of Wrath. Verse 3.

2. What God does rich in Mercy. Verses 4—6.

A. The foundation: His great love wherewith He loved us. John 3:16. Verse 4.

B. Giving Life together with Christ. Verse 5.

C. Hath raised us up with Him. Verse 6.

D. Seated us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Verse 6.

3. The Destiny of the Masterpiece. Verse 7.

The Ages to come.

4. Saved by Grace through Faith. Verses 8 10.

A. The positive statement. Saved by Grace Verse 8.

B. The negative side: Not of Works. Verse 9.

C. The Purpose of the Masterpiece. Verse 10.

a. His Workmanship.

b. Created in Christ unto good works.

Chapter 2:11- 3:21. The Mystery of the Masterpiece, the Church, the house of God and the Body of Christ.

1. The Conditions of the Gentiles. Verses 11 — 12.

A. Called the Uncircumcision. Verse 11.

B. What they were. Verse 12.

a. Without Christ. (Aliens).

b. Strangers to the covenants.

c. Without Hope and without God.

2. But Now in Christ Jesus. Verses 13-18.

A. Made nigh by the blood of Christ. Verse 14.

B. What the work of Christ has accomplished. Verses 15-18.

a. He is our Peace; made both One. Verse 14.

b. Broken down the middle wall.

c. Abolished the law of commandments in ordinances. Verse 15.

d. To make one new Man. Verse 15.

e. In Himself.

C. The Reconciliation. Verse 16.

a. Both (Jews and Gentiles) reconciled unto God in one body.

b. The enmity slain.

c. By the Cross.

D. The Peace and Reconciliation preached. Verse 17.

a. To those afar off (Gentiles).

b. To them that were nigh (Jews).

E. The gracious Result. Verse 18.

Both have access by one spirit unto the Father.

3. The great Relationship of the Masterpiece. Verses 19-22.

A. The relationship changed. Verse 19.

a. No more strangers and foreigners.

b. Fellow citizens with the Saints.

c. Of the Household of God.

B. The church as the Spiritual House. Verse 20.

a. The foundation of the house laid.

b. The chief cornerstone.

C. The Holy Temple. Verse 21.

a. Building framed together.

b. Growing unto an holy temple.

D. The Church, the habitation of God through the Spirit.

4. The ministry of the Mystery of the Masterpiece. Chapter 3:1-13.

A. Paul the prisoner of Jesus Christ. Verse 1.

B. His Ministry concerning the Masterpiece. Verses 2-5.

a. Made known by revelation.

b. The mystery of Christ.

c. Hidden in other ages.

d. Now made known by the Spirit.

C. The Mystery revealed. Verse 6.

a. Gentiles fellowheirs.

b. Of the same body.

c. Partakers of His promise in Christ.

D. Paul made a Minister of it. Verse 7.

a. According to the gifts of His Grace.

b. According to the working of His Power.

E. The Proclamation of the unsearchable Riches. Verse 8.

a. The Apostle’s humility.

b. The unsearchable riches of Christ.

F. The dispensation of the mystery and its purpose. Verses &-10.

a. To make all see what it is. Verse 9.

b. To show the manifold wisdom of God to the heavenly principalities and powers. Verse 10.

c. According to the eternal purpose. Verse

d. Access with confidence. Verse 12.

e. The tribulations of the Minister of the Mystery. Verse 13.

5. The Prayer unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 14-19.

A. The Prayer unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 14-15.

B. The Petitions of the Prayer. Verses 16-19.

a. To be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner Man. Verse 16.

b. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. Verse 17.

c. Rooted and grounded in love.

d. To comprehend with all saints. Verse 18.

e. To know the Love of Christ. Verse 19.

f. To be filled with the fullness of God.

6. The Great End Doxology. Verses20-21.

This marvellous section of the Word of God begins with a great doxology (1:3) and ends with another great outburst of Praise. All is unto the Praise of the Glory of His Grace.