Study Ephesians with Wittenberg Door
The New Testament letter to the Ephesians is a treasure trove of study. Not only does it provide a glimpse into the life of a community in the middle of the first century, but it provides a winsome description of who the Christian really is in Christ, as well as how our Savior would have us live out that identity. Many of these notes and chapter summaries were initially prepared in order to teach a course at the American Lutheran Theological Seminary. Now we hope you will jump in through the comments and ask your questions or make your observations. Watch this page for links to additional resources!
EStudy Introduction - Authorship, Recipients, and Setting
Evaluating the Authorship of Ephesians
Where and When was Ephesians Written?
Ephesus and the Ephesians - Who Receives the Letter?
Paul's Epistles and a Culture of Orality
Who Are the Ephesians?
The City of Ephesus and Paul's Relation to It
Ephesians and Colossians - Two Similar Letters
What's the Letter to the Ephesians About?
Structure and Rhetoric of Ephesians
Study and Discussion Prompts for Ephesians Introduction
Ephesians 1 Study Plan
Ephesians 1 - Greek Text, Annotated
Ephesians 1:1-2 Greetings from Paul
Ephesians 1:1-2 Epistolary Setting
Ephesians 1:3-14 Blessing God Who Blessed His People
Ephesians 1:3-14 God and His Glory
Ephesians 1:3-14 God as the Blessed One
Ephesians 1:3-14 God Gives Us His Blessings
Ephesians 1:3-14 Election and Unity in Christ
Ephesians 1:15-23 The Point of Resurrection and Ascension
Ephesians 1:15-23 Paul and the Saints
Ephesians 1:15-23 Thanksgiving and Intercession
Ephesians 1:15-23 A Hodayah Prayer
Ephesians 2:1-10 Study Plan
Ephesians 2:1-10 Greek Text, Annotated
Ephesians 2:1-10 Grace and Good Works
Ephesians 2:1-10 Change of Identity
Ephesians 2:1-10 Alive Together in Christ
Ephesians 2:1-10 God's Favor
Ephesians 2:11-22 Study Plan
Ephesians 2:11-22 Greek Text, Annotated
Ephesians 2:11-22 The Broken Wall
Ephesians 2:11-22 Becoming a Member of Christ
Ephesians 2:11-22 Reconciliation Is In Christ
Ephesians 2:11-22 The Wall Is Broken Down
Ephesians 2:13-22 Reconciled to God and One Another
Ephesians 2:19-22 Strangers? Or Not
Ephesians 3:1-21 Study Plan
Ephesians 3:1-21 Greek Text, Annotated
Ephesians 3:1-12 Jew and Greek Together
Ephesians 3:1-12 God's Purpose for You Too
Ephesians 3:1-13 God's Wisdom, Not Ours
Ephesians 3:1-13 Purpose in Suffering
Ephesians 3:1-13 The Gospel as Mystery
Ephesians 3:14-21 God Revealing Mysteries
Ephesians 3:14-21 The Fullness of God
Ephesians 3:14-21 God Gives Inner Strength
Ephesians 3:14-21 God Gives His Name to the Family
Ephesians 4:1-16 Study Plan
Ephesians 4:1-16 Greek Text, Annotated
Ephesians 4:1-16 Creedal Unity
Ephesians 4:1, 4:7 Belief and Behavior Together
Ephesians 4:1-6 A Walk Worthy of the Calling
Ephesians 4:7-13 The Humble Christ Calls to Repentance
Ephesians 4:7-16 Christ's Victory
Ephesians 4:1-16 Life in God's Presence
Ephesians 4:1-16 Doctrines Which Require Unity
Ephesians 4:1-16 A Life Worthy of the Calling
Ephesians 4:11-16 Grown-Up Christianity
Ephesians 4:17-5:2 Study Plan
Ephesians 4:17-5:2 Greek Text, Annotated
Ephesians 4:17-32 God's Positive and Negative Commands
Ephesians 4:17-5:2 A New Creation
Ephesians 4:17-5:2 Estrangement and Restoration
Ephesians 4:17-5:2 Put Off and Put On
Ephesians 4:17-5:2 Christian Garments
Ephesians 4:22-28 Finding Unity
Ephesians 5:3-21 Study Plan
Ephesians 5:3-20 Greek Text, Annotated
Ephesians 5:1-9 A Countercultural Life
Ephesians 5:8-14 Light and Darkness
Ephesians 5:1-20 Love and Worship
Ephesians 5:3-14 The Fruit of Light
Ephesians 5:3-14 Transforming the Darkness
Ephesians 5:6-21 Put Off, Put On
Ephesians 5:15-21 A Liturgical Walk
Ephesians 5:15-21 Paying Attention to Evil
Ephesians 5:15-6:9 The Household and Mutual Submission
Ephesians 5:22-6:9 Study Plan
Ephesians 5:21-6:9 Greek Text, Annotated
Ephesians 5:21-33 Headship and Subordination
Ephesians 5:22-33 Husband and Wife as Christ and the Church
Ephesians 5:21-6:9 Christianity and Home and Work
Ephesians 6:1-9 Household Order
Ephesians 6:10-24 Study Plan
Ephesians 6:10-24 Greek Text, Annotated
Ephesians 6:10-17 Christ as God's Armor
Ephesians 6:10-17 The Strength of God's Word
Ephesians 6:10-17 The Devil and God's Armor
Ephesians 6:10-20 Standing against the Devil
Ephesians 6:10-20 God's Armor
Ephesians 6:18-24 Prayer, Commendation, and Blessing
Ephesians 6:21-24 A Final Prayer
Last Update 8/23/23