Ephesians Part 01

It is always helpful to understand the context of the literature we read, especially the inspired Word of God. To understand who wrote the book, when it was written, and to whom it was originally written helps us to understand the concepts and issues that were relevant to the audience at the time. We can then see more clearly how the issues are analogous to those that we experience.  

The book of Ephesians is considered a prison epistle, written by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned around A.D. 61 during the reign of Nero Caesar. Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, the fifth Roman emperor and last of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruled from A.D. 54–68. Nero was known for his debauchery, misrule, incompetence and brutality. He became infamous for his persecution of Christians and Jews, who he saw as too dogmatic in their beliefs. Some reasons that the Jews and Christians were considered so dogmatic was their insistence that there was only one God and His Son to be worshipped, that the seventh day Sabbath was set apart as holy time, and that there were other holy days throughout the year that were to be considered holy and could not be substituted with secular holidays. It was during this period of hostility that Paul, under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30; 2 Timothy 2:8–9), wrote several epistles, including Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon.  

Ephesians is an epistle originally written to the church of Ephesus, giving a vision of how the body of Christ should be. It has been a source of vision, the foundation for much Christian teaching, and remains a reward for those who prayerfully study it.  

Through this letter, believers have an opportunity to obtain tools for spiritual growth, strengthened fellowship, and deeper application of Jesus’ words. Matthew 4:4 instructs: 

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” 

This epistle, or letter, gives us practical application of God’s word.  

The book of Ephesians belongs to a group of foundational New Testament writings—alongside Romans, Galatians and Colossians—that emphasize both doctrine and practice. For example, Colossians 3:2 exhorts us to “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth,” which echoes the heavenly focus of Ephesians. 

Unlike many of Paul’s letters, Ephesians is not written to address specific church problems but rather to explain the great themes and doctrines of Christianity. Because of its depth and elevated theology, it has been highly praised through the centuries. Commentators have called it “the Queen of the Epistles,” “the quintessence of Paulinism,” “the divinest composition of man,” and even “the crown of Paulinism.” Its words, inspired by God, rise far above human literature.  

The letter itself unfolds into two major sections. Chapters 1-3 present the role of Christ and His work with the New Testament Church through the Spirit, with an emphasis on unity between Jews and Gentiles and a clear summary of Christian doctrine. Chapters 4-6 turn toward Christian living—addressing marriage, ministry, unity within the church, and warnings against Satan’s devices. These themes remain as relevant today as they were in the first century. 

The city of Ephesus was a political and cultural center in the Roman province of Asia, located in what is now modern-day Turkey. Paul spent about two years there (Acts 19:1-10), teaching the people about the Kingdom of God, and Scripture records that “the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (Acts 19:20). Ephesus was strategically situated with roads, rivers and access to the Mediterranean, making it a hub of commerce and influence.  

The city also holds a prominent place in the New Testament: it was connected with Paul’s ministry (Acts 19-20), the later epistles of John, and even Christ’s direct message to the Ephesians in Revelation 2. We know more about the church in Ephesus than any other congregation because it is mentioned multiple times by multiple authors.  

Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians was intended to strengthen the church, make believers more conscious of their oneness in Christ, and encourage them to live faithfully in the midst of a challenging world. That same message is just as needed today as it was in the first century, reminding us that the unity, vision and spiritual truths Paul set forth continue to guide the church of God in every generation. 

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.