Because Ephesians is so lavishly heart-warming, its thoughts so richly complex, and its teachings about the nature of what God has done for us, about God's intention for the Church, and about the consequences of our membership in it, so important and relevant, the letter is a must-preach. While it has been a gem in the hands of seasoned preachers and expositors like John Calvin, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and John Stott, it also makes an excellent "first series" for budding preachers and teachers, a fact made even more enticing because of the rich resources available to help budding preachers. We have gathered here what we think are some of the best and most useful insights into this gem of a letter from Paul, but these are mere crumbs. Crumbs, or no, we hope these insights will now give you no excuse for not preaching and teaching Ephesians.
Preaching and teaching that honours the integrity of the text of Scripture will expound it about the lines along which the text unfolds. One of the minor joys of preaching Ephesians is how well almost every expositor and commentator is agreed on how the letter is put together (at least broadly speaking), and therefore to be divided up for convenient handling for the purpose of preaching and teaching. For the purpose of his exposition John Stott, a master exegete and expositor, divided the letter like this:
Introduction to the letter (1:1-2)
I. The New Life which God has Given us in Christ (1:3-2:10)
1. Every spiritual blessing (1:3-14)
2. A prayer for knowledge (1:15-23)
3. Resurrected with Christ (2:1-10)
II. The New Society which God has Created through Christ (2:11-3:21)
4. A single new humanity (2:11-22)
5. Paul's unique privilege (3:1-13)
6. Confidence in God's power (3:14-21)
III. The New Standards which God Expects of His New Society (4:1-5:21)
7. Unity and diversity in the church (4:1-16)
8. A new set of clothes (4:17-5:4)
9. More incentives to righteousness (5:5-21)
IV. The New Relationships into which God has Brought Us (5:21-6:24)
10. Husbands and wives (5:21-33)
11. Parents, children, masters, and servants (6:1-9)
12. Principalities and powers (6:10-20)
13. Conclusion (6:21-24)
An alternative strategy is suggested by the outline by Brian Wintle & Ken Gnanakan (#1 & #2 and #9 & #10 may be combined to give eight sermons or studies):
1. Opening Introduction and Greetings (1:1-2)
2. The Purpose of God from Eternity to Eternity (1:3-14)
3. God's Power that Gives Life to the Dead (1:15-2:10)
4. One New Community of Jews and Gentiles (2:11-22)
5. Paul, The Jewish Apostle to the Gentiles (3:1-21)
6. Unity in Diversity in the Body of Christ (4:1-16)
7. Transformed Relationships in the Community (4:17-5:20)
8. Transformed Relationships in the Household (5:21-6:9)
9. Defences against the Forces of Division and Disunity
(6:10-20)
10. Closing Remarks and Benediction (6:21-24).
Personally, I like Francis Foulkes' division (even though his commentary is too brief and now somewhat dated) which provides a convenient outline for 6 sermons or studies on Ephesians:
I. Introduction (1:1-23)
a. Salutation (1:1-2)
b. Praise for God's Purpose & Blessings in
Christ (1:3-14)
c. Prayer for Divine Enlightenment (1:15-23)
II. Life in Christ (2:1-3:21)
a. New Life from the Dead (2:1-10)
b. The Reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles (2:11-22)
c. The Privilege of Proclamation (3:1-13)
d. Renewed Prayer (3:14-21)
III. Unity in the Body of Christ (4:1-16)
a. Maintaining the Unity (4:1-6)
b. Diversity in Unity (4:7-16)
IV. Personal Standards (4:17-5:21)
a. New Life to Replace the Old (4:7-24)
b. Truth and Love to Replace Falsehood and
Bitterness (4:25-5:2)
c. Light to Replace Darkness (5:3-14)
d. Wisdom to Replace Folly (5:15-21)
V. Relationships (5:22-6:9)
a. Husbands and Wives (5:22-33)
b. Children and Parents (6:1-4)
c. Servants and Masters (6:5-9)
VI. Conclusion (6:10-24)
a. The Christian Conflict (6:10-20)
b. Final Message and Greeting (6:21-24).
Another possible approach to teaching Ephesians is to work through its teaching via a series of thematic vignettes. Here are some suggestions:
1. The Greatness of God.
2. The Exalted Christ.
3. Salvation Here and Now.
4. Our Glorious Status in Christ.
5. Victorious Over the Powers.
6. Our Ethical Obligations.
7. The Church of Our Lord.
It is, of course, possible to preach many more sermons than suggested by these outlines. As mentioned earlier, John Calvin preached 48 sermons on the letter. Martyn Llyod-Jones of Westminster Chapel, London, found enough to preach 33 sermons on Chap 2 of Ephesians alone. But if you are ready to do things like that, you certainly will not have much use for the materials here.
Low Chai Hok
©Alberith, 2022
r2022lch-o14