THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS
OUTLINE WITH TEXT
"What You Have In Christ"

 

J. Deering, AncientPath.net

 


 

The Book of Ephesians, Text (NASB) 1,With Built-In Outline:

  1. CHAPTER ONE, 1:1-23

    1. Introduction, 1:1-2

      1. From: Paul the Apostle, 1:1a
        Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

      2. To: The Faithful Ones in Ephesus, 1:1b
        to the saints who are at Ephesus, and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

      3. Grace and Peace, From: God and The Lord Jesus Christ, 1:2
        Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  2. WHAT YOU HAVE IN-CHRIST, 1:3-2:22

    1. The Triune Blessing, 1:3-14

      1. Blessed by The Father's Gift of Every Spiritual Blessing to Every Believer,  1:3
        Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

      2. Blessed by The Father's Choosing of Every Believer In Christ the Beloved,  1:4
        just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love

      3. Blessed as The Father Predestined Every Believer to be an Adopted Son,  1:5-6
        He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

      4. Blessed by The Son's Redemption for Every Believer,  1:7-8a
        In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us.

      5. Blessed by the Revelation of His Will to Every Believer,  1:8b-10
        In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth.

      6. Blessed In the Inheritance given to Every Believer,  1:11-12
        In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

      7. Blessed by The Spirit of God's Sealing of Every Believer,  1:13-14
        In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

    2. Paul's Prayer List for Every Believer, 1:15-19a

      1. Paul's Prayer List, Part 1, 1:15-17

        1. Thanks for you Faith, 1:15
          For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints,

        2. Mentioning you in Prayer, 1:16
          do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;

        3. Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of The Father, 1:17
          that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

      2. Paul's Prayer List, Part 2, 1:18-19a

        1. Knowing God's Calling, 1:18a
          I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling,

        2. Knowing God's Inheritance, 1:18b
           what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

        3. Knowing God's Power toward us who believe, 1:19a
          and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might

    3. The Workings of God's Might In Christ, 1:19b-23

      1. God Raised Christ from the dead, 19b-20a
        which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead,

      2. God Seated Christ at His Right Hand, 1:20b
        and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

      3. God Subjected all things to Christ, 1:21-22a
        far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.  22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet,

      4. God Made Christ Head over all things to the Church , 1:22b-23
        and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

    4. Salvation, 2:1-10

      1. You Were Dead, and Among the Dead Without Christ 2:1-3

        1. You were Dead in Trespasses and Sin 2:1
          And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

        2. You Walked According to the Prince of the Power of the Air 2:2
          in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

        3. We All Lived in the Lusts of Our Flesh 2:3
          Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

      2. But Now God made You Alive Together With Christ 2:4-10

      3. God Loved Us 2:4-6

        1. Being Rich in Mercy 2:4
          But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

        2. "Even When" We Were Dead 2:5a
          even when we were dead in our transgressions,

        3. He Made Us Alive 2:5b
          made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

        4. He Raised Us Up 2:6a
          and raised us up with Him,

        5. He Seated Us with Him 2:6b
          and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus,

      4. God Showed the Surpassing Riches of His Grace to Us 2:7-10

        1. In Kindness Toward Us In Christ Jesus 2:7
          in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

        2. By Grace You Have Been Saved as the Gift of God 2:8-10

          1. By Grace 2:8a
            For by grace you have been saved

          2. Through Faith 2:8b
            through faith;

          3. As The Gift Of God 2:8c
            and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

          4. Not As the Result of Works 2:9
            not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

          5. We Are God's Workmanship 2:10a
            For we are His workmanship,

          6. We Were Created For Good Works 2:10b
            created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

    5. Unity (of the Jew and the Gentile), 2:11-22

      1. Therefore REMEMBER You were Excluded 2:11-12

        1. You Were Formerly Gentiles 2:11
          Therefore remember, that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands --

        2. You Were Separate From Christ 2:12
          remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

      2. But Now You Are Brought Near In Christ (All believers are Included) 2:13-22

        1. You Were Once Far Away 2:13a
          But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off

        2. You  Have Been Brought Near By The Blood Of Christ 2:13b-17

          1. He Brought You Near, 2:13b
            have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

          2. He Is Our Peace 2:14a
            For He Himself is our peace,

          3. He Made The Jew and The Gentile One 2:14b-22

            1. He Made Both Into One 2:14b
              who made both groups into one,

            2. He Destroyed the Dividing Wall of Hostility 2:14c
              and broke down the "barrier of the dividing wall,"

            3. This Was His Purpose � To Reconcile Them Both in One Body 2:15-17
              by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. "AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR;"

        3. You Have Access To The Father 2:18

          1. Jew or Gentile - Immediate Access To Him 2:18a
            for through Him we both have our access

          2. By God's One Spirit 2:18b
            in one Spirit to the Father.

        4. But Now You Are Part of God's City 2:19-22

          1. You Are No Longer  Strangers and Aliens to God 2:19a
            So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,

          2. You Are Now Fellow Citizens 2:19b
            but you are fellow citizens with the saints,

          3. You Are Now Members of God's Household 2:19c
            and are of God's household,

          4. Built Upon A Strong Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets 2:20a
            having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,

          5. Jesus Christ is The "Cornerstone," "Capstone," "Keystone" 2:20b-22

            1. In Him - The Key 2:20a
              Christ Jesus Himself being the keystone,

            2. In Him the Whole Building is being Fitted Together 2:21a
              in whom the whole building, being fitted together

            3. In Him the Whole Building is Growing Into A Holy Temple 2:21b
              is growing into a holy temple in the Lord;

            4. In Him You are being Built Together Into A Dwelling In Which God Lives By His Spirit, 2:22
              in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
               

  3. "Why You Have It" - The Mystery of The Church Revealed, 3:1-21

    1. Introduction to the "Mystery," 3:1-5
      For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles � if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.  And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

    2. The "Mystery" Itself, 3:6
      to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

    3. Paul's Ministry, 3:7-12
      of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.  To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

    4. Paul's Request, 3:13
      Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.

    5. Paul's Prayer, 3:14-19
      For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

    6. Paul's Benediction, 3:20-21
      Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.

  1. "How You Respond," 4:1-6:9

    1. Through Unity, 4:1-6
      I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

    2. Through Christ's Gifts, 4:7-16

      1. Grace comes with each Gift, 4:7
        But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

      2. Christ has Filled All Things, 8-10
        Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."  (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?  He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

      3. Full Gifts to make the Body Full, 4:11-13
        And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

      4. Therefore, We Are To Grow-Up, 4:14-16
        As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

    3. Through Our Walk, 4:17-32

      1. Stop walking the Gentile Walk, 4:17-19
        This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

      2. Lay aside the Old Self, Take on the New Self, 4:20-24
        But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

      3. Speak Truth, 4:25
        Therefore, laying aside falsehood, "SPEAK TRUTH, EACH ONE" of you, "WITH HIS NEIGHBOR," for we are members of one another.

      4. Be Angry apart from sin, 4:26a
        "BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN;"

      5. Let Anger Go, 4:26b
        do not let the sun go down on your anger,

      6. Don't give the Devil opportunity, 4:27
        and do not give the devil an opportunity.

      7. Stop Stealing and Work, 4:28
        Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.

      8. Stop Verbal Offence and give Grace, 4:29
        Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.

      9. Stop Grieving the Holy Spirit of God, 4:30
        And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

      10. Stop Bitterness, Wrath, Anger, Clamor, Slander, and Malice 4:31
        Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

      11. Instead - Be Kind to one another, Tender, Forgiving - Just As Christ has Forgiven You, 4:32
        And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

  1. Be Imitators of God, as beloved Children, 5:1-17

    1. 5:1-2 You - be imitators of God
      Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

    2. 5:3-6 You - do not conform to the marks of the un-believer
      But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

    3. 5:7-17 Therefore do not be partakers with them
      Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, redeeming your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
       

  2. Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ, 5:18-33

    1. 5:18 A Matter of the Spirit
      And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

    2. 5:19-20 The evidences of the Spirit filled life
      speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

    3. 5:21-33 Be Subject to One Another

      1. 5:22-24 Wives subject to Husbands
        Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

      2. 5:25-31 Husbands subject to Wives
        Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. "FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH."

      3. 5:32-33 Reference to Christ and His Bride
        This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband. 

      4. 6:1-3 Children subject to Fathers
        Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER" (which is the first commandment with a promise), "THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH."

      5. 6:4 Fathers subject to Children
        And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

      6. 6:5-8 Slaves subject to Masters
        Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

      7. 6:9 Masters subject to Slaves
        And, masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

    4. 6:10-18, The Matter of Fully putting on God's Armor, Be Strong - in the Strength of His Might - The Elements of Faith Strength
      Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore,

      1. 6:14b With Truth
        "HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH," and

      2. 6:14c With Righteousness
        "HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS," and

      3. 6:15 With Preparation
        having shod "YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;"

      4. 6:16 With Faith
        in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And

      5. 6:17a With Salvation and The Word of God
        take "THE HELMET OF SALVATION," and

      6. 6:17b with The Word Of God
        the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

      7. 6:18 with Prayer
        With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
         

  3. Paul's Salutation, 6:19-22

    1. 6:19 The Ministry of the Gospel
      and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

    2. 6:20 An Ambassador for Christ, and the Gospel, in Chains
      for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

    3. 6:21 Paul's Circumstances
      But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.

    4. 6:22 Knowledge and Comfort
      And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.
       

  4. Paul's Benediction, 6:23-24

    1. 6:23-24 Peace and Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ
      Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible.


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1 "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE,
 © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968
1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988.
Used by permission."


49_eph_OutTxt.htm
2023-04-18

2023-09-04 update