Ephesians

The Apostle Paul is one of the most influential writers of the ancient world. Learn about the man behind nearly half of the New Testament books.

What do you think when you hear the word “apocalypse?” For Paul, the apocalypse of Jesus is central to his message. Learn about this key biblical word and why Paul wrote Ephesians.

Discover the encounter that lays the foundation for Ephesians—Paul’s apocalypse that transformed his assumptions about God’s plan for humanity.

What can Paul’s encounter with Jesus teach us about ethnic unity and reconciliation? Reflect on Paul's apocalypse and its implications for us today.

Paul's letters are masterpieces of Hellenistic communication. Examine the symmetrical design of the first three chapters of Ephesians.

Study the structure of Ephesians to better understand its meaning and see how Greek rhetorical style and Hebrew biblical symmetry shape Paul’s writing.

Go line-by-line through the opening poem of Ephesians and unpack how Paul lays the groundwork for the rest of the letter.

What does Paul mean by the words “election” and “predestination”? Trace the logic of the biblical story to understand Paul's words in their context.

God promises to bless the whole world through one chosen representative. This is the storyline that informed Paul’s understanding of election.

What does it mean to be chosen in Jesus the Messiah? Break down Paul’s prayer for an apocalypse in Ephesians 1:15-23 and glimpse new depths of this promise.

Examine the phrase “in this age or the age to come” to better understand Paul’s biblical worldview and see how Jesus reconfigured Paul’s expectations.

Coming to terms with the “now and not yet” can bend our categories. Contemplate Paul’s nuanced presentation of our lives in this overlapping reality.

Examine Ephesians 2:1-10 to see how the cosmic reality of God’s new creation work is fleshed out in everyday social relationships.

What does the word “grace” mean to you? Explore what Paul means by this crucial word by studying its literary and cultural background.

Do you think of “the powers” as only immaterial in nature? Examine this concept in its first-century context to better understand Paul's worldview.

The powers of this age are both earthly and spiritual. See how Jesus, Paul, and other New Testament authors talk about this dynamic at work in our world.

Where did Paul get his understanding of the powers? Examine key passages from the Hebrew Bible to construct a biblical worldview of the powers.

Where do you see the powers at work in the world today? Consider the implications of Paul’s teaching on the powers and Jesus’ authority over them.

How does God's good Torah lead to hostile division between people? Study Paul's argument for how Jesus' death destroyed barriers between nations and made a way for unity.

The Torah is both a good gift from God and something that is used by the powers to cause division. Consider how Paul views the Torah in light of Jesus.

What do bodies, trees, and temples have in common? Explore the metaphors Paul uses to explain the profound meaning of the new humanity in Jesus.

God's wisdom shines in the most unlikely places. Follow Paul's argument in Ephesians 3:1-13 to see how the unified people of God embody his wisdom.

Jesus’ love is realized in the unified family of God. Study Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 to uncover the surprising depth of this revelation.

Ephesians 1-3 casts a new light on the world around us. Contemplate a life lived in response to the picture Paul paints in the first part of this letter.

Does Paul change the text's meaning when quoting Psalm 68? Take a deep dive into Psalm 68 to see how Paul has this entire psalm on his mind while writing this letter.

What does it mean that Jesus is the kephale, or “head,” of the body? Survey this word in its context to learn what Paul means by this metaphor.

What does it mean to be “gifted” in the context of the Church? Study how Paul sees spiritual gifts building a whole community and not just the individual.

When Paul calls for certain behavior, his starting point is a new identity in Jesus. Contrast the old humanity with the new and align action with identity.

Examine Paul’s use of light versus dark imagery to call to mind Genesis 1, evoking new creation outshining the old.

Examine the logical flow and literary design of Ephesians 5:15-25, honing in on what it looks like to live as a Spirit-influenced humanity.

What does "submitting to one another" mean? Take a look at how this is tied to the Spirit’s influence on the new humanity in Ephesians 5:18-21.

Analyze how Paul adopts the cultural form of the household code, while entirely reshaping the foundation on which it rests.

Examine Paul’s reimagined household code to see how, in the new humanity, every relationship is reshaped by the apocalypse of Jesus.

Where does Paul get the idea for the armor of God? Examine passages from Isaiah that shaped Paul and prepared him to stand with God against the powers.

Finish Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and reflect on how God’s gift of grace prepares us to stand in unity against the powers that seek to divide.