Ephesians

The book of Ephesians begins with Paul expressing gratitude for the faith and love of the saints in Ephesus, thanking God for blessing them with every spiritual blessing in Christ. He explains that God chose them before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless, and that through Christ, believers have redemption, forgiveness, and an inheritance. Paul prays for the Ephesians to have wisdom and revelation to know the hope and power of their inheritance in Christ. He then explains that humans were once dead in their sins but have been made alive through Christ, and that Gentiles have been brought near and reconciled to God through Christ. Paul reveals God's mystery that Gentiles are equal heirs with Jews in Christ, and asks the Ephesians not to lose heart over his suffering. He urges believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, with humility and patience, and to put off their old selves and put on the new self, created in the likeness of God. Believers are to imitate God by walking in love, avoiding immorality, and being filled with the Spirit, and are given instructions on how to live in marriage, family, and society. The book concludes with an exhortation to put on the armor of God to stand against evil forces and a request for prayer.