Ephesians

·       Summary (church, strengths and weaknesses, reference to Acts):

We see the accounts of Paul’s interactions with the Ephesians in Acts 18:20, 21 and 19:1-20. One of the biggest problems in the Ephesians’ church was that they didn’t know their identity, their calling (4:1) and their idea of God was skewed by their pagan mindsets of how to serve their gods. We also see that there were problems with greed and sexual immorality (5:3). The Ephesians seemed to be having trouble with relationships and honoring one another (5:21-6:9). There was also some false doctrine and gentile influence (4:17). However, they were strong in their faith and had love (1:15) recognized by Paul.

·       Main ideas, key words and repeated ideas:

There are two ideas which go together in this book and that is the hope of gods calling and the believers’ riches in Christ. We see the repeated idea of having their identity in Christ and being united in the Spirit. Two important verses which sum up this book are Ephesians 1:3 and 2:19-22,” All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” and “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.”

·       Character and nature of God:

There is much about God to be found in Ephesians but while reading the following four scriptures stood out to me. I have taken some of what they say about God out and you start to see the repetition.

 In 1:7-8 we see His kindness, grace, unselfishness, love, forgiveness, wisdom and understanding.

In 2:4-5 we see His mercy, love and grace. He gives life.

In 3:7 we see God’s grace and mighty power.

In 3:15-16 we see that He is the creator which has glorious unlimited resources, He empowers us and is our strength.