Having come to the end of Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, we are now in better position to look over it and form our estimate of it as a whole. If you have followed these studies thus far, is it necessary to tell you that this is a most wonderful epistle? No, you have perceived as much. Here we have stood on a mountain-peak of God's revelation--in some respects the highest of them all. "That which the apostle has nowhere else proclaimed, he reveals in this scripture," said Chrysostomos, a preacher of the early centuries. If in writing to the Corinthians Paul was restrained by the spiritual babyhood of those Christians, and could give them only milk, not meat--here he seems to have felt no such hindrance. This river of God, flowing forth from the sanctuary, is full of water, not only to wade in, nor waters to the loins, but waters to swim in, and whose depths have never been fathomed. He speaks in sweeping terms. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus (1:3). We have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of His grace. (1:7.) He speaks of the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe (1:18, 19). Our God was not only merciful toward us, but rich in mercy; acted not only in love, but in His great love wherewith He loved us; and He has purposed to show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (2:4, 7). His message is of the unsearchable riches of Christ; and he prays that according to the riches of His glory the Father might make them strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that passeth knowledge, that they might be filled unto all the fulness of God; and adds that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. (3:9, 16-20.) Language breaks down under the weight of the over-abounding and amazing wealth of grace and glory which God has provided through Christ for those who love Him.

      And after taking us into mountain-heights of glory, we are led down to the valley--but with the blest vision for ever in our hearts and minds--down into the common affairs and relationships of life; but no longer "common," for all things are glorified and hallowed to the Christian by His faith. Wives and husbands; children and fathers; servants and masters--all, in whatever relationship of life, now are to stand and walk and conduct themselves upon a new basis. [56] Everything has taken on new significance. For "if any man be in Christ there is a new creation."

      We can study the epistle to the Ephesians now best by taking up the chief themes of its teaching. First of all note what is said of the people to whom it is written. Go through "Ephesians" three times: the first time to gather out any statements as to what those people once were; the second time to find anything that is said about their new state and position in Christ; and the third time to see how they passed from the former condition into the latter. This can be done at one sitting; but if your time is limited take three sittings for it. It will richly repay all the time and study you put on it.

      Then trace the following themes, going through the entire epistle for each: what does the epistle teach

      1. About God?
      2. About Christ?
      3. About the Holy Spirit?
      4. About man--unsaved man--saved man?
      5. About Satan?
      6. About the church?
      7. About Paul?
      8. About grace?
      9. On prayer (Paul's prayers, and teachings concerning prayer)?
      10. The Christian's walk and warfare?

Taking the first of these for an example:

      Something is said of God in 1:1, 2. (Do not pass these first two references lightly, as unimportant, but stop, and think about them.)

      In the "Long Sentence," 1:3-14, God is named once in v. 3 and ten times by pronoun; once in italics in v. 14. Note how all our salvation is God's work. (See how often God is mentioned in Peter's sermon on Pentecost, Acts 2:22-36.) In the rest of the chapter it is not always clear whether the pronouns refer to God or to Christ; but as best we can count it there are statements concerning God (some very important) in 1:17, 18, 19, 20, 22. See what is said concerning God in these verses. In chapter 2--verses 4 to 10 tell of God's wondrous dealings with us in grace. Then in v. 12 we read of people who once were "without God" (think what that means!); in v. 16 of our being reconciled to God; v. 18 speaks of access to God; in v. 19 of members of the household of God. Here is "theology" worth while! In chapter 3:1-13 the apostle speaks [57] of his peculiar work and mission in regard to the Gentiles. In v. 2, "the grace of God" is the ability and inspiration given to Paul, as also in verses 7, 8. (Comp. Rom. 12:3.) In verse 9 he mentions the secret ("mystery") which for ages had been hid in God, and God's purpose in the revealing of it now, in v. 10.--The whole prayer from 3:14 to 21 is addressed to God. See what is said of God in vs. 14, 15; what Paul asks of him in v. 16, and the assurance expressed in v. 20.--Chapter 4 tells us that there is "one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (v. 6). In v. 13 God's Son is spoken of. In v. 24 there is reference; and in v. 30, the relation of the Holy Spirit to Him.--Chapter 5:1 tells of our relation to God, and v. 2 Christ's sacrifice of Himself is said to have been offered unto God. Verse 5 mentions "the kingdom of Christ and God"; and v. 6, "the wrath of God." These are weighty matters! In v. 20 thanks is to be given to God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.--In chapter 6:6 we read of "the will of God," in a special connection. The Christian's armor is the "armor of God" (6:11, 13) and "the sword of the Spirit" is "the word of God" (v. 17). And as in the salutation, so in the benediction, the apostle pronounces peace upon them "from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."--There could be no better Bible study than to note each of these references to God, and what they say in their connection, and to think and meditate and pray over them. And if all the other themes listed above (and perhaps some the student himself will think of) are taken up in the same way--how precious a treasury of Divine truth will the letter to the Ephesians become to us!

      On the last of the themes given above, The Christian's Walk and Warfare--have you noted that the word "walk" occurs five times in chapters 4 and 5? And with 4:17 we should connect 2:2. And each time some wrong is to be put away, he enjoins a corresponding virtue to take the place of it. They are to put off the old man, and put on the new--thus:

      Instead of Falsehood--Truth (4:25).
          "        "  Anger--Forgiveness (4:26).
          "        "  Theft--Benevolence (4:28).
          "        "  Corrupt speech--Words that edify (4:29, 30).
          "        "  Bitterness, etc.--Kindness and Love (4:31 to 5:2).
          "        "  Impurity--Chastity (5:3-12).
          "        "  Foolishness--Wisdom (5:15-17).
          "        "  Rioting and excess--Spiritual joy (5:18-20).

And do not forget the "therefores" and "wherefores"!

      Finally, for a great additional and supplementary study, take up the epistle to the Colossians which was, like Ephesians, written in prison at Rome, and sent at the same time [58] by the hand of the same messenger, to a people who lived in the same general region, and note the many resemblances between the two. Yet, Colossians had also a specific purpose, distinct from that of Ephesians, and each of these epistles brings out truths that in the other are not touched on.

      Thus we close our happy and blessed study of one of the most wonderful portions of God's word. And may this study bear fruit in our hearts and lives, in faith and hope and love, and in devoted service to Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. [59]

[LOE 56-59]