This study is part of our series of verse by verse studies of Ephesians, the 49th book in the Bible. Taught by our pastor, Simeon Forder, at our Sunday morning service on the 28th September 2025.

About this book

The letter to the Ephesians is very much one of encouragement, to live the new life we now have in Christ, and not one of correction in the same way that Paul wrote to the Corinthians or to the churches in Galatia. Indeed, the key in all this is who we are, and what we have in Christ. Indeed, in the opening 14 verses we read “in Christ Jesus”, “in Christ”, “in Him”, “in the Beloved”, “in Him”, “in Himself”, “in Christ”, “in Him”, “in Him” (again), “in Christ”, “in Him”, and“in whom” — and it is that foundation that we need, for as one commentator put it “if we simply think through, bask in, and meditate on the doctrine of what Christ has done for us, we find ourselves saying, “I want to serve Him.” Duty then becomes not a demand but a delight.”

About this passage

Zooming in to chapter one, we find that first Paul greets those he is writing to, and then in verses 3-14 goes on to say how God has blessed us so much, having planned our Salvation long ago, that He might gather together, in the fullness of time, a people who love Him, who live for Him, who are to His praise and glory. And then, from verses 15-23 Paul will smile, as it were, at how the Ephesians had also trusted in Jesus, saying how he continually gave thanks for them, praying that they would grow in their understanding of Him, as they sit as Jesus feet, who is Head of the church.

Application questions

• Is your life to the praise of God’s glory? Or your own?
• When was the last time you gave thanks for another believer?
• Are you praying often for other believers? Or only in emergencies?