What Is The Purpose Of The Book Of Ephesians? A Bible Study

Why did Paul write the Book of Ephesians? What timeless truths can we glean from this special book?

The Author

There is little doubt that the Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Ephesians and likely around AD 62. This book is among my favorites because it is so rich in biblical doctrine like the sovereignty of God in predestining those whom He has called (1:4) to be adopted as the children of God (1:5) but the primary emphasis might be that it is “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).  Since Paul wrote “since I heard about your faith” (Eph 1:15)  it may indicate that he didn’t know the church in a personal way but had heard reports about the faithfulness of the Ephesians.

The Purpose

There may be two purposes for Paul having written the Book of Ephesians. Perhaps the greatest of all points Paul makes in this book is the fact that it is “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9). This doctrine that we are saved only by grace and it is a free gift of God had been written about in the Book of Romans as well as in the Book of Galatians. Paul wanted the readers to know that is was only because of the mercies of God that we are saved by grace through faith and that faith is in Jesus Christ but even that faith is a gift from above. Even more, Paul wanted to prepare the Christian for their walk with God and to know that we “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12) so they will need to put on the full armor of God so that they “may be able to withstand in the evil day” (Eph 6:13) and the evil one and his demons.

The Focal Point

Perhaps one of the greatest theological points Paul makes in the Book of Ephesians is that it is only “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9). Why would we ever boast about our salvation? God was the initiator of our calling (Eph 1) and not we ourselves and it is He Who provided the way through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12) to make possible our work-free salvation. This should keep us humble because we can look at the lost and say “there we go except for the grace of God.” He also wants to prepare the Christian for a spiritual battle that is too much for us; not too much for us if we put on the armor of God but even that, He provides for us (Eph 6:10-17).

Predestination

If someone doesn’t believe in predestination or election, then my question is; what did they do with the first chapter of Ephesians? What about Paul writing that God “chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Eph 1:5-6) by “making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” (Eph 1:9). Part of this mysterious calling is that “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph 1:11) and when we “heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Eph1 :13-14). What an amazing doctrine revealed by an awesome God through the Apostle Paul’s writing in the Book of Ephesians.

Conclusion

The Book of Ephesians is an incredible book, rich in the doctrines of God that gives the reader hope, assurance, and the protection they’ll need and we’ll need it because the enemy is out there trying to destroy our faith in Christ and abolish our testimony. That’s why every one of us needs to armor up and be prepared for a spiritual battle that we’re already in and for the battles yet to come.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.