OK...this one is going to be difficult. I'm finishing up preaching through the book of Ephesians right now and it has taken me over a year to do so. How in the world do I cram all of that into one blog post?!?!?! How about just a few highlights?!
The theme of the book of Ephesians as I see is this: God's purpose and plan for the Church in the world through Jesus Christ. This is seen through God's calling people to Himself, saving them, creating a unified body out of diverse peoples, and then enabling them to live distinct lives in the midst of a sinful world.
The book of Ephesians divides nicely into two sections: chapters 1-3 - these chapters focus on truth and doctrine; our position in Christ; who we are; lots of "indicatives" (statements of fact); etc. chapters 4-6 - these chapters focus on the practical outflow of the truth and doctrine already laid down; our practice in Christ; what we are to do; lots of "imperatives" (commands); etc. This is actually quite important to understand. The main point being that we must know what is true before we can act in a truthful manner. Our "doing" in the Christian life must flow from our "knowing." If we short-change ourselves in the "truth" department, then we will be weak and inconsistent in the "do" department.
Prayers. There are two incredible prayers in the book of Ephesians (1:15-23; 3:14-19). These are well worth their own blog posts, but I will simply recommend to you that you spend some extra time meditating on them and then modeling your own prayers after these "gems."
The second half of the book (ch4-6 - the "practical" section) is broken up into several sections that can easily be identified by the repetition of the word "walk." The whole last half of the book is a description of the "worthy walk" of the believer, yet how that is brought about is detailed in the separate sections. We are called to walk in unity (4:1-16), in holiness (4:17-32), in love (5:1-6), as children of light (5:7-14) and finally in wisdom (5:15-6:9). The book is then concluded by a call to "stand" in the battle.
One part of this book in particular that I saw in a new light after having gone through it verse by verse is the beginning of chapter 2. Verses 8-9 are so often quoted as proof-texts showing how salvation is not by our works, but by the grace of God. These verses do, in fact, prove that point, and they do it very well. However, they are not the "high point" in Paul's argument. In fact, they are somewhat of a footnote to what Paul is saying. The pinnacle of the first part of chapter 2 actually comes in verse 7. See if you can track this with me from verse 1 until verse 7. Chapter 2 begins with Paul's description of all of lost humanity - dead, unable to save themselves. Verse 4 sounds the nearly deafening "BUT GOD" and then proceeds to shine the light on the great love, mercy and grace of God in saving dead, sinful humans. After laying this out, Paul gives us the purpose for all of it--the glory of God. The purpose of God's saving us miserable creatures was to put on display for the world to see now and in all ages that are to come "the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." In other words, God saved us in order to demonstrate His glorious grace. Then, and only then, do verses 8-9 describe that it is that grace alone that saves us apart from our works! This set of verses (1-9) is another reminder that salvation is all of God and all about God! Soli Deo Gloria!
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