Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Ephesians
Ephesians unfolds the vast riches of our salvation in Christ and God's eternal plan to unite all things in Him. Its first half soars through the heights of doctrine, its second half brings it down to daily life, from the home to the armor of God. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Epistle to the Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul from prison, likely around AD 60. Unlike his letters that address specific crises, Ephesians is a majestic overview of the gospel and the church, and may have circulated among several churches in the region. Its first three chapters unfold the riches of God's grace and His eternal plan to unite all things in Christ; its final three chapters call believers to walk worthy of that calling in unity, holiness, the home, and spiritual warfare.
This commentary covers Ephesians verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. The letter opens with a hymn to every spiritual blessing in Christ, proclaims salvation by grace through faith, reveals the church as Christ's body, and ends by arming believers with the whole armor of God. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
This commentary on Ephesians is now complete, covering all six chapters verse by verse.
Author
The apostle Paul, writing from prison.
Setting
A majestic overview of the gospel, likely circulated among churches.
Key Themes
The riches of grace, the church as Christ's body, and holy living.
Famous Passages
Grace through faith (2:8-9) and the armor of God (6:10-18).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
Ephesians Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
Ephesians 1:1-23
Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ
Paul's soaring hymn of praise traces salvation from God's eternal choice to redemption through Christ's blood to the sealing of the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our inheritance, all to the praise of His glory.
Read Chapter 1 →Ephesians 2:1-22
By Grace Through Faith
We were 'dead in trespasses and sins,' but 'God, who is rich in mercy... hath quickened us together with Christ,' for 'by grace are ye saved through faith... it is the gift of God: not of works.' Those 'far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ,' for 'he is our peace, who hath made both one.' The church is built into 'an holy temple in the Lord... an habitation of God through the Spirit.'
Read Chapter 2 →Ephesians 3:1-21
The Unsearchable Riches of Christ
God reveals 'the mystery of Christ,' that Gentiles are 'fellowheirs... of the same body' in Christ, and sends Paul to preach 'the unsearchable riches of Christ.' He prays that believers, 'strengthened... by his Spirit,' would have 'Christ... dwell in your hearts by faith,' and 'know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,' being 'filled with all the fulness of God,' closing with a soaring doxology.
Read Chapter 3 →Ephesians 4:1-32
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
Walk worthy of your calling, 'keeping the unity of the Spirit,' grounded in the sevenfold oneness: 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.' The ascended Christ gives ministers to equip the saints, that we 'grow up into him... which is the head, even Christ.' Then 'put off... the old man' and 'put on the new man,' being 'kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.'
Read Chapter 4 →Ephesians 5:1-33
Be Filled with the Spirit
'Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us.' Once darkness, believers now 'walk as children of light,' wisely 'redeeming the time,' and 'be filled with the Spirit,' overflowing in song and thanksgiving. Marriage pictures the gospel: husbands love 'even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.' 'This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.'
Read Chapter 5 →Ephesians 6:1-24
The Whole Armour of God
Children obey their parents 'in the Lord,' fathers raise them 'in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,' and servants serve 'as unto Christ.' Then Paul sounds the call to battle: 'Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,' for 'we wrestle not against flesh and blood.' Girt with truth, righteousness, faith, and salvation, believers take 'the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,' and pray 'always with all prayer.'
Read Chapter 6 →