Paul Plants Ephesian Church | Paul’s Extended Stay in Ephesus | Paul Imprisoned, Writes Ephesians |
c. AD 53 | c. AD 54–56 | c. AD 60–62 |
The depth of the gospel’s message is unfathomable. Since the beginning of the church, pastors and scholars have written countless books attempting to address the nature and implications of Jesus’ work. There is perhaps no greater and more succinct summary of the gospel message, however, than the book of Ephesians.
Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and was a major thoroughfare in the Roman Empire. Its location made it a multicultural, cosmopolitan city, bustling with activity and influence.
Paul visited Ephesus on his second missionary journey and witnessed the birth of the church in that region. He then returned on his third missionary journey and spent three years working to establish the church (Ac 18:18–21; 19:1–41). God used the inhabitants’ spiritual fervor and the strategic location of the city to make the church a center for evangelism and mission to the surrounding region (Ac 19:18–20). Upon leaving, Paul warned the church that fierce wolves would attack the church from inside and outside (Ac 20:17–38).
Years later, Paul wrote from a Roman prison to his beloved friends in Ephesus. He wanted to remind them of the gospel he proclaimed, spur them on to perseverance in the face of suffering and encourage them with the blessed hope the gospel brings. There is evidence to suggest that Ephesians may also have been a circular letter that was used to instruct and encourage believers in the broader world. The first three chapters explore many of the central doctrines of the Christian faith to show that Jesus’ work brings peace with God and peace with others. The grace of God lies at the heart of Paul’s letter (Eph 2:8–9). This grace saves God’s people apart from their works so that, through salvation, God gets all the glory.
In light of Jesus’ work, then, Paul discusses the “good works” that naturally flow from a high view of God’s grace and a proper understanding of the peace he brings (2:10). The peace God provides transforms every aspect of life—especially the relationships Christians have with one another. As the head of his church, Jesus shapes human relationships to model and display the love, grace and mercy he demonstrated through his death and resurrection. Dynamic, countercultural love for God and one another was to distinguish the church, in Ephesus and throughout all history, as God’s people.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.