Book 49 of 66 · New Testament

Ephesians

A soaring letter on the church as one new humanity in Christ — and the armour of God.

6 chapters155 versesWritten in GreekSet To the church in Ephesus (and perhaps others)

Overview

Ephesians is less about a specific problem and more a soaring meditation on the church itself: how God has, in Christ, brought Jew and Gentile together into one new humanity. The first half lifts up what God has done; the second half draws out how to live it — in the home, at work, and in spiritual struggle, taking up "the whole armour of God."

Book facts

Author: Paul (traditionally)Attributed to Paul; some scholars think a close follower wrote it in his name.
Date written: c. AD 60Written from prison, possibly as a circular letter to several churches.
Original language: GreekLong, rolling sentences of praise.
Setting: To the church in Ephesus (and perhaps others)A general letter on the nature of the church.

How it came to be

Ephesians is attributed to the apostle Paul, writing from prison. It reads like a general or circular letter, lacking the personal greetings of his other letters.

Some scholars think a close follower wrote it in Paul's name; traditionally it is Paul's own.

What is arguedWhether Paul wrote it himself. Its style and themes differ enough from his undisputed letters to raise the question.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

Chapter	What this chapter covers
What God has done — the church united in Christ, chapters 1–3
Chapter 1The blessings in Christ	A hymn of praise for every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Chapter 2The wall broken down	Saved by grace, Jew and Gentile are made one, the dividing wall broken down.
Chapter 3The mystery revealed	The mystery now revealed: Gentiles are fellow heirs in Christ.
How to live it — unity, love, and the armour of God, chapters 4–6
Chapter 4The one body	One body and one Spirit; grow up together into maturity in love.
Chapter 5The walk in love	Walk in love and light; instructions for husbands and wives.
Chapter 6The armour of God	Put on the whole armour of God to stand in the spiritual battle.

All 6 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

The apostle to whom the letter is attributed.

Key places

Written to the church in Ephesus.

Known for

Some of the best-known verses in Ephesians — tap the verse to read it.

"By grace are ye saved through faith"Ephesians 2:8
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism"Ephesians 4:5
"Be ye kind one to another"Ephesians 4:32
The whole armour of GodEphesians 6:11