Unlike some of the other letters Paul wrote to the churches, the letter to the church in Ephesus was not written to confront heresy or problems in the church. Instead, Paul simply wanted to strengthen and encourage the churches in the area. Paul had spent years ministering among the Ephesians. As a result, he was very close to these believers. Paul wrote this letter during his imprisonment in Rome. He then sent it back to the believers there with Tychicus, a member of the Ephesian church, who had visited with Paul - Ephesians 6:21. While written to those in Ephesus, Paul may have intended this to be a circular letter to be passed among several churches in the area.
In order to encourage the believers, Paul explained the nature and purpose of the church, the body of Christ. Several pictures of the church are found in this letter. The church is compared to a building with Christ as "cornerstone" - Ephesians 2:20, 21, a "mystery" - Ephesians 3:3, 4, a physical "body" - Ephesians 4:12, and a new man - Ephesians 4:24. As Paul described the nature and appearance of the church, he also challenged the believers to function as the living body of Christ on earth.
An important phrase "in Christ" (or its equivalent) appears about thrity-five time (more than in any other New Testament book) to describe believers' true fellowship with Him. Believers are "in Christ" - Ephesians 1:1, "in the heavenly places in Christ" - Ephesians 1:3, chosen in Christ - Ephesians 1:4, adopted in Christ - Ephesians 1:5, and made acceptable in Christ - Ephesians 1:6. In Christ we've been given hope - Ephesians 1:12 and made alive - Ephesians 2:5 in order to grow in Him - Ephesians 2:22 and make a difference in the world.
It is in Christ alone that we have been saved: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. . . For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" - Ephesians 2:8, 10.
"In Christ." That says it all. No matter where you are, when you're "in Christ," you're right where you should be.
God Bless,
Dan
In order to encourage the believers, Paul explained the nature and purpose of the church, the body of Christ. Several pictures of the church are found in this letter. The church is compared to a building with Christ as "cornerstone" - Ephesians 2:20, 21, a "mystery" - Ephesians 3:3, 4, a physical "body" - Ephesians 4:12, and a new man - Ephesians 4:24. As Paul described the nature and appearance of the church, he also challenged the believers to function as the living body of Christ on earth.
An important phrase "in Christ" (or its equivalent) appears about thrity-five time (more than in any other New Testament book) to describe believers' true fellowship with Him. Believers are "in Christ" - Ephesians 1:1, "in the heavenly places in Christ" - Ephesians 1:3, chosen in Christ - Ephesians 1:4, adopted in Christ - Ephesians 1:5, and made acceptable in Christ - Ephesians 1:6. In Christ we've been given hope - Ephesians 1:12 and made alive - Ephesians 2:5 in order to grow in Him - Ephesians 2:22 and make a difference in the world.
It is in Christ alone that we have been saved: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. . . For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" - Ephesians 2:8, 10.
"In Christ." That says it all. No matter where you are, when you're "in Christ," you're right where you should be.
God Bless,
Dan
