Synopsis of Ephesians

Over the last couple of Sundays, Stephen, Mx and Mcebisi have been taking us through the book of Ephesians. Paul is the author of Ephesians and the purpose of the book was to strengthen the believers in Ephesus in their Christian faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the church, the body of Christ.
Key verse – Ephesians 4:4 – 6 “There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Paul had spent over 3 years with the Ephesian church and as a result, he was very close to them. Paul met with the elders at Miletus (Acts 20:17 – 38) – a meeting that was filled with great sadness because he was leaving them for what he thought would be the last time. In this letter, Paul explains the wonderful things that we have received through Christ and refers to the church as the body to illustrate unity of purpose and show how each individual member is a part that must work together with all the other parts. In our own lives, we should eradicate all backbiting, gossip, criticism, jealousy, anger, and bitterness, because these are barriers to unity in the church.

When we respond to Christ’s love by trusting in him, his purpose becomes our mission. Because Christ is central to everything, his power must be central in us. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all creation. The church, under Christ’s control, is a living body, a family, a dwelling. God gives believers special abilities by his Holy Spirit to build the church. We are one family in Christ, so there should be no barriers, no divisions, no basis for discrimination. We all belong to him, so we should live in harmony with one another. As a new community, we are to live by Christ’s new standards.