The Ephesian Letter of Inclusion
The Epistle of IN – Ness.
A short introduction to the Letter to the Ephesian church.
 

Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 
 

This has been called the “Epistle of In-ness, because there are so many references to, “the church” being “in”.

In chapter 2, Paul shows a contrast between what we were to what we are.
He tells us, we were:

Dead in Sin: Eph 2:1 We were dead in trespasses and sins; Eph 2:5 we were dead in sins,
In the Lust of the flesh: Eph 2:3 in the lusts of our flesh,
Without God: Eph 2:12 without God in the world: 

Paul tells us, in contrast to these.
 

We are in Christ and Christ is in us.
Predestined – Chosen: Eph 1:3, 2:6. We were chosen in him before the foundation of the world
We are in the heavenlies, Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 
Holy and blameless: Eph 1:4 should be holy and without blame before him in love.
Redeemed: Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption. 
Abounded toward us: Eph 1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 
We have an inheritance: Eph 1:11 An inheritance in Him.
We are trusted and sealed: Eph 1:13 Trusted and sealed in Him.
Reconciled to God: Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
A building, a holy temple, Built together:  Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 

Partakers of the Gospel: Eph 3:6 and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 

Boldness and access: Eph 3:12  In whom we have boldness and access

Indwelt by Christ: Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;

Partakers of Glory: Eph 3:21  Unto him be glory in the church
 

Paul goes on in chapter 4 to show us the benefits of being in Christ.
 

In love: Eph 4:2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 
In peace: Eph 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

In us: Eph 4:6  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

Speaking the truth: Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love,

 

The church in Ephesus was mainly a gentile church and there are those that think that the Apostle Paul was only writing to those of the gentiles that had been converted to Christ.
However, the fact that he includes himself in the narrative, “us and we” and the fact that he himself was a converted Jew, seems to suggest that he is speaking generally to all who are part of the body of Christ. Eph 1:4. and showing the reconciliation between both Jew and Gentile.

Although, we do see that Paul refers to the Gentiles specifically and separately from Jewish Christians.

E.G.”You Gentiles”.
 

Eph 2:11  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 

Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 

He also points out that the reason he is imprisoned is for the preaching of the Gospel.
Eph 3:1  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 

Paul a Jew was called the Apostles to the Gentiles. However we know from the scriptures, that whilst his mission was mainly to the Gentiles, he also preached to the Jews. This was his custom.
 

We see this in the Acts of the Apostles.
Act 17:1  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 
Act 17:2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 
Act 19:8  And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 

On the whole, Paul’s success in Ephesus, in the gospel was more with the Gentiles rather than the Jews.

There are no words of rebuke or correction in this letter. Ephesians, being one of the best taught churches by the Apostle, having spent 3 years in ministry there. It is a letter of encouragement and teaching of the major theme on the position of the Gentile Church in the Body of Christ.
It is a declaration of the Mystery of the Gospel. The inclusion of the Gentiles into the Body of Christ.

Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 

It is not a personal letter, such as the letters to Timothy, Titus or Philemon but a letter to the church, the saints in Christ.
It does seem to be addressed mainly to the Gentile believers, to assure the Gentile position in Christ and a confirmation of membership in the Body of Christ and heirs to the promise made to the Jews.

Therefore breaking down the partition between Jew and Gentile and making one of both.
 

Eph 2:11  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 

Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 

Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 

Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 

Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 

Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 

Eph 2:17  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 

Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 

Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 

Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 

Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. 
 

The letter to the Ephesians is a beautiful revelation of the standing of the church in Christ. It is a wonderful reminder of all the spiritual blessings the church has in Christ.

What was revealed to the Apostles, it is the mystery of the church and Paul is taking this opportunity to press home this truth and how the church should live in the light of this truth.

Throughout this epistle, Paul shows how the Gentiles. along with saved Jews, are heirs of Christ.
He shows how we have been adopted as sons, we have been chosen by God, forgiven, redeemed, (saved by faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone, apart from works of the law) and sealed by the Holy Ghost.  
    

The book progresses from Spiritual blessings in Christ to how we are made alive in Christ.

Paul expounds the Mystery of Christ, the unity in the Body of Christ.

He exhorts the church to be imitators of God and how we should live in the power of God, whether children, wives or husbands.
Finally how we should act as soldiers of Christ.
Using the analogy of Roman armour as the Whole armour of God.
 

Paul ends with his usual blessing of grace and peace to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ.

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