Paul addresses the letter “To the saints who are in Ephesus…” (1:1) However, there is a serious textual issue in this verse. The majority of manuscripts have “in Ephesus.” However, one of the most important manuscripts (p46) and several others omit it, and it is missing from quotations in Basil, Origen, Tertullian and Ephraim. Marcion, in fact, said it was sent to Laodicea. 

This has led to debate over whether this letter was sent specifically to Ephesus, or was meant as a general letter to be read in many churches around Asia. In support of Ephesus, the arguments are: “in Ephesus” does appear in the majority of texts, so it is probably original, and was accidentally omitted in p46. This error was then passed down to other manuscripts copied from p46. In support of a circular letter the arguments are: the textual problem would be solved by the epistle being a circular letter. Paul may have intentionally had a blank space left in Eph 1:1, to be filled in by the speaker at whichever church the letter was read. This explains the lack of addressee in many manuscripts. Perhaps this blank space was filled in at times, leading to manuscripts with “Ephesians” (being the largest and most important church in Asia) and Marcion’s copy having “Laodiceans.” Also, some internal evidence suggests the church at Ephesus was not the intended audience. Eph 1:15 seems to indicate Paul was not intimately familiar with the audience, despite having spent 3 years there.

Ephesians stresses salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, as opposed to human work or righteousness. It also emphasizes what the Christian life should be characterized by, and Christian unity through the reconciling work of Christ, encouraging believers to work together to bring about this unity.

Paul wrote the letter while in prison in Rome, expecting to travel west when he was released. Scholars think Ephesians was written at the same time as Colossians and Philemon, so whether the letter was written to Ephesus specifically, or meant as a circular letter, he may have wanted to shore up doctrine and put to rest theological conflicts in the existing churches in Asia before his journey.

1:5-6 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

2:14-15 “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace…”

4:1-3 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Paul

Paul reveals his theology in Ephesians, as well as his desire for Christian unity.

Tychius

Paul calls this person a “beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord..” (4:21). It seems Tychius was a teacher.

Eph. 1:4-5 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will…”

Paul says that election is predestined and according to God’s will.

Eph. 2:5 “by grace ye are saved”

Eph. 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved…”

Paul stresses that salvation is given by grace, not works or personal righteousness.

Eph. 2:8-9 “ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Eph. 3:17 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith”

Paul  also stresses that salvation is through faith, not works or righteousness, and that it is not a faith which originates within the person.

Paul’s Opening Greeting (1:1-2)
 

Doctrines for the Church (1:3-3:21)

1. Elected to Redemption (1:3-12)
   A.  Predestination Explained (1:3-6)
   B.  Redemption Explained (1:7-12)
2. The Seal of Salvation (1:13-14)
3. Paul’s Prayer for Wisdom (1:15-22)
4. Salvation By Grace Through Faith (2:1-10)
   A.  Contrasting the Old and the New (2:1-3)
   B.  Made Alive in Christ (2:4-8)
   C.  Salvation By Grace Explained (2:9-10)
5. Redeemed and Atoned Through Christ (2:11-22)
   A.  Gentiles Redeemed Through Christ (2:11-13)
   B.  Jews and Gentiles Reconciled Through Christ (2:14-18)
   C.  The Church Built Like A Temple (2:19:22)
6. The Mystery of Christ’s Body (3:1-21)
   A.  Paul Reveals the Mystery (3:1-7)
   B.  Paul Given the Revelation So He Could Reveal It (3:8-13)
   C. Paul's Prayer for Strength for the Church (3:14-21)

Duties For the Church (4:1-6:24)

1. Walk Worthy of the Call (4:1-6)
2. Use Your Gifts To Build the Body (4:7-16)
   A.  The Measure of Gifts Equal to Christ's Gift (4:7-8)
   B.  Excurses on Christ's Descent and Ascent (4:9-10)
   C.  Different Gifts Given to Different People for One Purpose (4:11-16)
3. Do Not Walk According to the World (4:17-32)
   A.  How the World Walks (4:17-19)
   B.  Off With the Old Man, On With the New (4:20-24)
   C.  Instructions for Christian Living (4:24-32) 
4. Walk According to Love, Light and Wisdom (5:1-21)
   A.  According to Love (5:1-7)
   B.  According to Light (5:8-14)
   C.  According to Wisdom (5:15-21)
5. Domestic Duties (5:22-6:9) 
   A.  Wives and Husbands (5:22-33)
   B.  Children and Parents (6:1-4)
   C.  Slaves and Masters (6:5-9)
6. Put On The Armor of God (6:10-20)

Paul’s Salutation and Blessing (6:21-24)