.Workers For Jesus Online Bible Study

The Book of Ephesians
 


Timeline of the Bible


God creates the world. --- God destroys the world with the flood, but saves  Noah and his family.---
 God chooses Abraham and his descendants to His people. ---Abraham's grandson, Jacob, has 12 sons who lead the 12 tribes of Israel.--- The Israelites become slaves in Egypt.--- God helps the Israelites escape and leads them to Canaan. ---The Israelites fight in wars and take control of Canaan.---Judges lead the Israelites, but the Israelites want to have kings instead of judges. ----  David is Israel's greatest king. -- Israel divides into 2 parts: Israel and Judah.--- The people of Israel and Judah continue to sin and worship false gods.--- God allows the Assyrians and the Babylonians to take the Israelites out of Israel and Judah.---   The Israelites (Jews) live in Babylonia and then Persia. --- When Persia defeats the Babylonians, the Jews go back to Judah.--- The Jews build God's Temple in Jerusalem again.--- Greece defeats Persia, and the Greeks control Judah (also now called Israel).--- The Jews become independent for 100 years.-- The Romans take control of Israel.---Jesus is born. At age 30, Jesus begins his ministry. ---Jesus is crucified and then is resurrected. --- A Roman named Saul is converted to Christianity and becomes Paul.--- Christianity spreads. --- This book of the Bible covers this time  Paul write letters to Christians in other places.  In the year, 70 A.D., God's Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed again.


 
Ephesians was written to the church that was in the city of Ephesus.

Ephesus was located in present-day Turkey.

Paul lived in Ephesus for about 2 years and ministered to the Christians there. Later, Paul wrote the letter to the church in Ephesus during the time that he was in prison in Rome in about 62 A.D.

The letter to the Ephesians is considered to be Paul's most formal letter. Paul wanted to give them instructions
on how to mature in their Christian lives.  He also wanted Christians to be unified.

The first part of Ephesians is about what Christians believe.  It is about how from the beginning of the world, God planned to save us.  God chose every believer. Salvation is by grace, not by good behavior or good works.

The second part is about how Christians should behave. Christians should imitate Christ. Paul gives instructions for husbands and wives. Christians should wear the full armor of God in spiritual battle.




 


Ephesians 4 -6

Our gifts and how we should behave
Instructions for husbands and wives
How parents and children should treat each other
The armor of God

 


 

Ephesians 4

Our gifts and how we should behave

You should walk and behave well so you are worthy for the job God called you for. You should be humble
[1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;


You should try to keep peace. There is one body and one spirit. You were called with one hope. There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God and Father. He is above all, through all, and in you all.
[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
[4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
[5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
[6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.


Every one of us has been given grace.  The grace is the same as the gift of Christ.  When He went up to heaven, He said every believer would receive grace gifts.
[7] But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
[8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.


Jesus ascended and went up to heaven. Before He went up, He went down to the lower parts of the earth.  He went down, then went up to heaven so he could fill the whole universe.
[9] (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
[10] He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

 

Jesus gave people jobs to make the body of Christ strong.  He made some people apostles. He made some people prophets. He made some people evangelists. He made some people pastors and teachers.
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:


The work will continue until there is unity and knowledge about the Son of God. It will continue until we are like Christ.
[13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Then we will not be children anymore.  We will not be fooled by teachers who lie and try to trick.
[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

We will speak the truth in love so that we will grow up in Him. He is like the head. The people are like the parts of His body.
[15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.



We are new people when we believe in Jesus Christ


I am telling you this. You should behave differently from other Gentiles from now on. The other Gentiles think they are better than other people.
[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

They don't understand. They are ignorant and do not follow God. They don't see well.
[18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

They don't feel compassion. They do sinful things. They are greedy.
[19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.


But that is not how you have learned.

[20] But ye have not so learned Christ;


You learned about Jesus and the truth. You are a new person. You changed from your old ways.  Your old ways were sinful. Now, your mind is renewed.
[21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
[22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Now, you are a new man. You are good and holy like God.  Always tell the truth. Do not lie. We are all members of the same group.
[24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
[25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.


Do not get angry. Do not sin. Solve your problems with other people the same day before the sun goes down.

[26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:


Don't let the devil have a place in your life.
[27] Neither give place to the devil.

A person who steals should stop stealing.  He should get a job. He should do good things and work with his hands. Then, he can help needy people.
[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Don't say things that are wrong.  Only say good things. Only say things that help other people.  That gives grace to the people who hear your words.
[29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Do not make the Spirit of God mad. He is saving you. Do not complain or get mad. Do not talk about evil things.  Be good to each other.  Have a tender and good heart. Forgive each other just like God has forgiven you for Christ's sake.
[30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
[31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
[32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
 


Ephesians 5


How we should behave


Follow God and be like children.   Love other people like Christ loved us. He gave Himself to us as an offering. 
[1] Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
[2] And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

You should not sin with sex outside of marriage, be dirty, or be jealous.
[3] But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Do not use bad words. You should always be thankful.
[4] Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

You know that people who are immoral or greedy are worshiping other gods. They will not inherit God's and Christ's kingdom.
[5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Don't let anyone trick you with bad words.  God will be angry.  God is angry with people who do not obey. Don't get involved with them.
[6] Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
[7] Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

You were in darkness before. Now, you are light in the Lord.  Walk like the children of light walk.
[8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

When you have the Spirit, you will be good and righteous and honest.
[9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Find what the Lord will accept.
[10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Do not be around the darkness. Shine the light to show what is in the darkness.
[11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
 

It is shameful to talk about what happens secretly in the dark.
[12] For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

But when things are sinful, they will be seen in the light. Light shows everything.
[13] But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

God said, "Wake up! Dead people live again. Jesus Christ will give you light.
[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Remember to walk wisely. Don't walk like fools walk.  Use your time well. These days are evil.
[15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
[16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Be smart! Understand what God's will is. Do not get drunk with wine. That is too much wine.  But, fill yourself with the Holy Spirit.
[17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
[18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Sing psalms and songs to God. Be happy and sing to the Lord. Always thank God for everything in Jesus Christ's name.
[19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
[20] Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
 



Instructions for husbands and wives.

Put your husband or wife first. Wives should obey their husbands like they obey God. The husband is the head of the home, same as Jesus is head of the church. He is the saviour.
[21] Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
[22] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
[23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.


The church must obey Jesus Christ. So wives should obey their husbands.
[24] Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.


Husbands, you should love your wives like Christ loved the church. Christ gave His life for the church. He gave His life to make the church clean and holy.
[25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
[26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,


He made it clean to give to Himself.  It will not have dirt or wrinkles or anything wrong.  It will be holy and perfect.
[27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.


Men should love their wives like they love their own bodies. The man who loves his wife loves himself.
[28] So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

No man has ever hated his own body. But he takes care of it. This is they way the Lord takes care of his church.
[29] For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
 

We are all part of Christ's body, his flesh, and his bones.
[30] For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

This is why a man leaves his father and mother. He is joined with his wife. They become one.
[31] For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

I am talking about Christ and the church. It is a great mystery.
[32] This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

All of you men should love your wives and you wives should respect your husbands.
[33] Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 



Ephesians 6


How parents and children should treat each other


Children, obey your parents. This makes the Lord happy.
[1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.


Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment.  If you do this, you will get along better and live long.
[2] Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
[3] That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Fathers, do not do things to make your children angry.  Be good to them and help them to grow up and obey the Lord.
[4] And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Workers should follow the laws of their employers.  They should do what is right at work. They should obey like they obey Christ.
[5] Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

They shouldn't just do good work when the boss is looking.  They should work and do God's will from the heart. When they do good work for employers, they are also doing good work for the Lord.
[6] Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
[7] With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

It doesn't matter if a person is working for someone else or working for themselves. When they work well and obey the rules, the Lord will reward them.
[8] Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
[9] And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.


Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord. He is strong and powerful.

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

 



The armor of God



Put on all of the armor of God so that you can defend yourself against the devil.

[11] Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.


We don't fight against other people with flesh and blood. We fight against powerful spirits of darkness.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

So, put on all of God's armor to protect yourself.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand strong. Put truth around your body.  Put on a shield of righteousness (goodness).  Put on shoes of peace. Hold a shield of faith so you will protect against the wicked fiery darts.
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
 

Put on a helmet of salvation because God saves you.  Carry a sword of the Spirit. That is God's word.
[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:


Pray to the Holy Spirit always. Pray for God to help all of the believers.
[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;


Pray for me so that I can tell people about Jesus. I am called to tell people about Jesus. Pray that I can be brave and say what I should say.
[19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
[20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.


One of my helpers is a man named Tychicus.  We love him, and he is faithful to the Lord. He will tell you how I am doing here.  He will make you feel better.
[21] But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
[22] Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.


I pray for peace for all of the believers. I love them with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray for grace for them who love the Lord Jesus Christ truly.
[23] Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[24] Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
 


 

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