Ephesians is book 10 of the 27 books of the New Testament and belongs to the Paul's Letters section. See how it fits with the rest in our guide to all 66 books of the Bible.
Quick facts
- Section
- New Testament · Paul's Letters
- Genre
- Letter (epistle): theological and practical
- Author (traditional)
- The apostle Paul, writing from prison (1:1; 3:1; 4:1).
- Other views on authorship
- Many scholars think Ephesians was written by a close follower of Paul after his death because of differences in style and emphasis; many others continue to defend Paul's authorship.
- Date (traditional)
- About AD 60–62, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome.
- Other views on dating
- If by Paul, about AD 60–62; if by a disciple, often placed around AD 80–90.
- Chapters
- 6
- Verses
- 155
- Reading time
- About 15 minutes (3,003 words in the BSB)
What is Ephesians about?
Ephesus was a major city of the Roman province of Asia, home to the great temple of Artemis, where Paul spent more than two years (Acts 19). Yet the letter is surprisingly general, with no personal greetings, and some early manuscripts lack the words 'in Ephesus'. Many think it was a circular letter meant for several churches in the region.
Chapters 1–3 are a long act of worship and teaching. God chose and adopted his people, redeemed them through Christ's blood and sealed them with the Spirit. People once dead in sin are saved by grace through faith — not by works — and created for good works. Christ has broken down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, making one new humanity, and Paul prays that readers may grasp the immense love of Christ.
Chapters 4–6 turn to how this new people should walk: keeping unity, growing to maturity through gifts Christ gives, putting off old habits of lying, anger and impurity, and imitating God's love. Paul then addresses households — wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters — and closes with the call to stand firm in the armor of God.
Outline of Ephesians
| ChaptersCh. | Section |
|---|---|
| 1 | Every spiritual blessing Praise for God's plan in Christ and a prayer for wisdom. |
| 2 | Saved by grace, made one From death to life, and Jews and Gentiles reconciled in one body. |
| 3 | The mystery revealed Paul's mission to the Gentiles and his prayer for Christ's love to fill them. |
| 4:1–5:20 | Walking in unity and light One body, many gifts, new self, and lives that imitate God. |
| 5:21–6:9 | Household relationships Mutual submission in marriage, family and work. |
| 6:10–24 | The armor of God Standing firm in spiritual battle, and closing greetings. |
Key themes
- Grace. Salvation is entirely God's gift, received through faith. Good works follow as the purpose of salvation, not its cause.
- One new people. The cross removes the hostility between Jews and Gentiles. The church is meant to be a living sign of reconciliation.
- The church as body, temple and bride. Ephesians uses rich pictures for the church: Christ's body, a holy temple for God, and a bride he loves and cleanses.
- New life in practice. Doctrine shapes daily conduct — truthful speech, controlled anger, kind words, and Spirit-filled worship.
- Spiritual warfare. Believers face real spiritual opposition and stand firm not in their own strength but in God's provision.
Key people and places
- Paul — Author, a prisoner for Christ.
- Tychicus — Trusted co-worker who carried the letter.
Places: Ephesus, Rome, Asia Minor.
Key verses in Ephesians
Quoted from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.”
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.”
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility”
“Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
How Ephesians fits the big story
Ephesians shows the goal of God's plan: to bring all things together under Christ. The divided humanity of Babel in Genesis and the separation of Israel from the nations give way to one family. The temple, once a building in Jerusalem, becomes a people in whom God lives by his Spirit. The armor imagery draws on Isaiah 59. Ephesians is closely related to Colossians, which shares many phrases, and builds on the argument of Galatians. The church in Ephesus appears again in Revelation 2.
How to read Ephesians
At 2 chapters a day you can read Ephesians in 3 days. Notice the movement from sitting (chapters 1–3, what God has done) to walking (chapters 4–5) to standing (chapter 6). Read chapter 1 slowly as a prayer of praise.