• THE AUTHOR

    The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians around 60–62 A.D. while he was under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16–31). This is one of his four “Prison Epistles” (along with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon).  He wasn’t writing from a mountain resort or a place of success—he was in chains for the gospel, yet he wrote with joy, authority, and clarity about our identity in Christ and our calling as the Church.

    THE CITY

    Ephesus was a massive, wealthy, and strategic city in the Roman Empire. It was known for:

    • The Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

    • A hub of commerce, idolatry, witchcraft, immorality, and spiritual confusion.

    • A deeply pagan culture, proud of its philosophy, superstition, and tolerance of every belief—except exclusive faith in Jesus.

    • It was a city not unlike ours today—successful but spiritually broken, wealthy yet idolatrous, full of spiritual seekers but starving for truth.

    THE CHURCH

    The church in Ephesus was founded by Paul during his second missionary journey, and he spent more time there than in any other city—over three years (Acts 19–20). During that time:

    • Miracles took place, and many turned from witchcraft and idol worship.

    • The gospel disrupted the economy—people stopped buying idols!

    • Revival broke out... and so did persecution.

    Later, the church was pastored by Timothy, Paul’s spiritual son (1 Tim. 1:3).

    Tradition even tells us that the Apostle John later ministered there—and possibly Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived there during that time.

    This wasn’t just any church—this was a flagship church in early Christianity.

    THE PURPOSE

    Unlike some of Paul’s other letters, Ephesians doesn’t address a specific crisis or controversy.
    Instead, Paul writes to strengthen, remind, and establish believers in two core areas:

    1. Who they are in Christ – their identity, inheritance, and calling (chapters 1–3).

    2. How to live out that identity – in unity, holiness, relationships, and spiritual strength (chapters 4–6). 

    It’s Paul’s way of saying: “You’ve been chosen. Redeemed. Seated with Christ. Now… walk like it. Live like it. Fight like it. Become who you are!”

    DETAILS

    • Ephesians may have been intended as a circular letter, passed among multiple churches in the region.

    • It contains some of the most lofty language in all of Paul’s writings—scholars call it the “Crown Jewel of the Epistles.”

    • Paul uses the phrase “in Christ” or “with Christ” over 30 times—it’s the heartbeat of the letter.

    • The letter ends with spiritual warfare, not to scare the believer but to equip them to stand in victory.

    We’re reading a Spirit-breathed letter from a chained apostle to a radiant church in a dark city.

    It’s a letter that calls us to remember:

    • Who we are,

    • Whose we are,

    • And how we’re called to live in the power of God’s Spirit.

    This isn’t just theology for the classroom—it’s identity for the battlefield.

  • EPHESIANS 1

    WEEK 1: JUNE 8

    Text: Ephesians 1:1-14 (NLT)
    Theme:Our Identity in Christ—Chosen, Adopted, and Redeemed

    Reading Plan

    DAY 1: Ephesians 1:1-3

    DAY 2: Ephesians 1:4-5; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Timothy 1:9

    DAY 3: Ephesians 1:6-8; Romans 3:24

    DAY 4: Ephesians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:26-28; Romans 8:28

    DAY 5: Ephesians 1:12-14; 2 Corinthians 1:22