Ephesians 5:15-21, Walk the Talk: You’ve heard the saying, ‘don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk!’ Here we learn to walk the talk as Paul begins by urging us to watch ourselves carefully so that we might live wisely rather than foolishly (5:15–17). This way of walking includes being filled with the Spirit (5:18), … Continue reading Ephesians 5:15-21
Category: Bible Study
Ephesians 5:3-14, Holy Living in a Fallen World: In our previous Bible study we looked at the depths of human sinfulness and discussed the depravity of the world and how we as “God’s holy people” are to live in such a world. Today’s section, 5:8–14, continues the same theme but now uses the imagery of … Continue reading Ephesians 5:3-14, pt2
Ephesians 5:3-14, Holy Living in a Dark World: Following immediately on the heels of 5:2, 5:3 plunges us into the depths of human sinfulness. In fact, it introduces a discussion of the depravity of the world and counsel on how we as “God’s holy people” are to live in such a world. That’s the first … Continue reading Ephesians 5:3-14, pt1
Ephesians 5:1-2, Imitating the Lord: Tonight’s two verse actually complete the thought that begun in 4:31-32. And so the idea here is to still put off & put on, only we are to put on the imitation of God “walk in the way of love,” as Christ did! Walk as Christ did: (1-2) This … Continue reading Ephesians 5:1-2
Ephesians 4:17-32, Walking in Newness, pt2: This portion of Scripture leads into a short description of the ignorant and immoral nature of Gentile living (4:17–19) that contrasts sharply with the way of life we learn in relationship with Jesus Christ (4:20–21). Previously we looked at: 1) The Call to Newness, v17-19 2) The Way of … Continue reading Ephesians 4:17-32, pt2
Ephesians 4:17-32, Walking in Newness, pt1: Here we move onto more detailed commands given to individual believers, but which are also applied to entire congregations! So to sum up where we are heading, our section begins with a fervent request that the Ephesians no longer live as the Gentiles (4:17). This leads into a short … Continue reading Ephesians 4:17-32, pt1
Ephesians 4:7-16, Four Gifts for the Church, pt2: As we established last week, this section deals with the church as the body of Christ – growing. This growth comes from Christ himself through four gifts. Outline: 1) The Gift of Grace, v7 2) The Gift of Giving, v8-10 3) The Gift to Equip, v11-13 4) … Continue reading Ephesians 4:7-16, pt2
Ephesians 4:7-16, Four Gifts for the Church, pt1: In this section, the church as the body of Christ is to mature. This growth in unity, maturity, and stature comes from Christ himself through four gifts. He gives grace to each of us so that we might be active in the ministry of building up the … Continue reading Ephesians 4:7-16, pt1
Click here to download study notes: Ephesians 4 1-6 Study Notes, pt2 Ephesians 4:1-6, Christian Unity, pt1: The first 6 verses of Ephesians chapter 4 deal with the exhortation that the Christians in Ephesus are to “live a life worthy of the calling they have received” (4:1). We have a two-point outline: 1) the instruction … Continue reading Ephesians 4:1-6, pt2
Click here to download study notes: Ephesians 4 1-6 Study Notes, pt1 Ephesians 4:1-6, Christian Unity, pt1: We now move from the narrative to exhortation. In Ephesians 1–3 we read the story of God who saves us in Christ. In Ephesians 4–6 we are drawn into the story, not just as people for whom God … Continue reading Ephesians 4:1-6, pt1
Click here to download study notes: Ephesians 3 14-21 Study Notes, pt2 Ephesians 3:14-21, Prayer for Spiritual Strength, pt2: We have already established that in 3:14-19, there are three major requests of Paul: 1) that God would give them power both through his Spirit, and through the indwelling of Christ; 2) that God would strengthen … Continue reading Ephesians 3:14-21, pt2
Click here to download study notes: Ephesians 3 14-21 Study Notes, pt1 Ephesians 3:14-21, Prayer for Spiritual Strength: This is the second prayer recorded in this letter. We see Paul’s first prayer report in 1:15-19. Now in both passages, Paul’s prayer is directed to God the Father (1:17; 3:14). He asks God to give the … Continue reading Ephesians 3:14-21, pt1
Click here to download study notes: Ephesians 3 1-13 Study Notes Ephesians 3:1-13, Gospel Mystery Revealed: The first two chapters of Ephesians tell the story God’s saving work in Jesus Christ. But in chapter 3, we see Paul’s participation in the story of God’s salvation, yet God remains the primary actor. This is an important … Continue reading Ephesians 3:1-13
Click here for study notes: Ephesians 2:11-22, One in Christ: Just as Ephesians 2:1-10, verses 11-22 begin with bad news! The bad news is our condition apart from God (vv. 11–12). In addition, both portions inform us of God’s intervention (v. 13) which leads to the good news of how God, in Christ, has solved … Continue reading Ephesians 2:11-22
Click here for study notes: Ephesians 2 1-10 Study Notes 2 Ephesians 2:1-10, Alive by Grace: How We Are Saved: For it is by grace you have been saved (2:8). The Greek word for “grace” is charis, which has a range of meaning including: “graciousness, charm, favor, goodwill.” - A better understanding of this word … Continue reading Ephesians 2:1-10, pt2
