EPHESIANS
(Answers)

 

(Updated 02/2024)

 




CHAPTER 1

  1. Before the foundation of the world God chose us to be holy and blameless in Christ. Jesus was the means for our holiness.
  2. God predestined that we who believe in His Son would also become sons of God.
  3. The one who believes in Jesus has redemption and forgiveness through Jesus.
  4. a. The Holy Spirit in us is our spiritual promise of the life to come. b. The Spirit is our guide and teacher to sanctify us to eternal life.
  5. God saved us from the eternal death of sin to the power of eternal life after death.

CHAPTER 2

  1. a. The Gentiles were dead in their trespasses and sins and faced the wrath of God because they had no propitiation for their sins. b. The grace of God saved the Gentiles through Christ when God included them for the kingdom. c. They were saved from the eternal death and the wrath of God.
  2. a. The gift was God’s grace to the Gentiles. b. The grace was their salvation from their fate by being included in the kingdom along with the Jews (vs. 11-13). They are saved from destruction by believing in Christ. c. We did nothing to impress or earn God’s grace of including us into God's kingdom with the Jews. It was God's love for us who He had created to be in His image.
  3. God wanted us to do good works in Christ from the beginning.
  4. a. The Gentiles were not included in the covenant with Israel. They did not know God (closely) or have an opportunity for salvation. b. The law was a barrier between the Jews and the Gentiles causing hostility and enmity between them. Not only did the Gentiles once have no part in the kingdom of God, they could not serve God with the Jews.
  5. Through Jesus the Jews and the Gentiles are now together as one body by one Spirit serving and worshiping God. We all have access to the Father, His mercy, and grace (there is no veil between God and us).

CHAPTER 3

  1. The riches of Christ are unending. They are more than we can understand but the basics is love, joy, peace, and eternal life in Him.
  2. The mystery was that the Gentiles should be heirs with the Jews, be of the same body, and partake of the promises of God in Christ.
  3. The fellowship of the Jews and Gentiles is made known or worked out by the church so that even the heavenly host understand God’s plan.
  4. a. The Holy Spirit inside us strengthens us. b. We are strengthened in our faith, love, and understanding in Christ.
  5. a. The fullness of God should be in all believers. b. We are filled with the divine blessings and presence of God.
  6. God is able to do more than we can imagine or hope through His Spirit working in us. If we grow in His Spirit than He can do more.

CHAPTER 4

  1. Paul wanted both the Jew and the Gentile to walk together in unity and peace as one body in one Spirit.
  2. Christ defeated all spiritual enemies and fears that brought us into the captivity of sin and death. Jesus conquered those things that conquered us before; sin, the devil, and death.
  3. All ministries work together to build our faith, increase our knowledge of Jesus, and mature us to be like Christ.
  4. We should measure our faith and walk by the example of Jesus in His service to God.
  5. a. We should put off our former conduct of sin, lewdness, uncleanness, and greediness. b. We should renew our conduct and the way we think to be like that of Christ. c. We should think and choose to be righteous and holy.
  6. a. Lying, anger, stealing, bad mouthing, wrath, and bitterness are some of the things we should stop doing. b. Being kind, tender hearted, and forgiving are how we should treat one another.
  7. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. We shall not let it grow in us to cause us to sin. We shall not cherish it or harbor it until it causes ill will.
  8. By not heeding the Spirit or allowing it to work in us we grieve the Spirit.

CHAPTER 5

  1. The fruit of the light (Spirit) is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth and exposing the works of darkness.
  2. a. We should find out what is acceptable to the Lord. b. By studying the scriptures and through the Holy Spirit in us we can find out what is acceptable to the Lord.
  3. Instead of the spirit of intoxication and the things that come with it flowing from you we should be filled and controlled by the Spirit so that goodness, righteousness, and truth flow from us. We fill ourselves with the word of God and with spiritual songs and hymns.
  4. By the washing of water by the word of God we become sanctified and therefore clean.
  5. As a husband and wife do, we forsake a life of independence to be joined with God and to live in harmony with Him.

CHAPTER 6

  1. A long life is promised to those who honor and obey their parents.
  2. Parents must train children in the ways of the Lord.
  3. The Lord will return good to you in return for the good that you do.
  4. We need our armor to fight and persevere against spiritual conflicts that threaten to weaken our faith and hope of salvation.
  5. a. The breastplate of righteousness is to walk in righteousness, purity, and integrity in God. b. The gospel of peace is standing firm in the love and peace of Christ. c. The shield of faith is our trusting, enduring, and being secure against all spiritual attacks of Satan. d. The helmet of salvation is our hope of salvation, which will preserve us against spiritual conflicts. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God that will be used to fight against spiritual conflicts.