Ephesians: What We Learned
Book of Ephesians Devotionals Recap
My devotional series on the epistle of Ephesians is complete! This is one of the beloved Paulian epistles in the New Testament (credited to the Apostle Paul) and it is directed at the believers in Ephesus, Asia Minor (now Türkiye).
This was the tenth full book of the Bible that I have examined (not counting three Psalms); the other books I’ve explored in Heaven on Wheels include:
Daniel
Jonah
Acts
Galatians
Philippians
James
1 John
1 Peter
Hebrews
Three Psalms:
Psalm 22
Psalm 23
Psalm 34
Before I started doing full books, I did devotionals on various topics (not all are included):
The armor of God from Ephesians 6 (repeated in this full exploration of Ephesians)
Miracles of Jesus (all Gospels)
Parables of Jesus (all Gospels)
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew)
Romans 8
Christmas and Holy Week scripture
1 Corinthians 13
The “I AM” statements of Jesus from the Gospel of John
As I noted in my last devotional, I started this deep dive into Ephesians on March 14, 2026, with a devotional every other day until the last regular devotional on July 12, 2026, a total of 61 devotionals if I counted correctly (excluding this summary). According to this chart from Reasonable Theology, you can supposedly read Ephesians in 20 minutes if you want to devote a little more time to what you read (rather than skimming it):
This summary includes a good overview table of Ephesians from Precept Austin that shows the differentiation of the message in Ephesians 1-3 versus Ephesians 4-6. The overviews have a key verse and each devotional title, the scripture references in that devotional and the salient idea or ideas that I use at the top of each devotional to summarize the text. A few of the ChatGPT images that were created for the series are included.
Here’s the table that was included for almost every verse of Ephesians in Precept Austin:
Here are the key verse(s) for each chapter, my heading for each devotional, the relevant scripture, and the key takeaway.
Ephesians 1
KEY VERSES: “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”
Ephesians 1:5-6 NASB1995
Greetings from Paul, an Apostle
Ephesians 1:1-2 - Every verse in the Bible, even simple greetings, has a lesson for believers.
Blessings to God
Ephesians 1:3-4; Acts 1:7-8 - We are chosen, but we also need faith.
Adopted as Children of God
Ephesians 1:5-6 - What a glorious intention of His will, that we are more beloved than Adam!
Redemption and Forgiveness
Ephesians 1:7-9 - He has lavished the riches of grace upon us.
All Things in Christ
Ephesians 1:10-12 - A plan that sums all things up and an inheritance after the counsel of His will.
Seal of the Holy Spirit of Promise
Ephesians 1:13-14 - The Gospel of Salvation is a pledge of our inheritance.
The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation
Ephesians 1:15-17 - We have an abundance of blessings if only we knew where to look and how to ask. We also have a template for how we pray for other saints.
The Hope of His Calling
Ephesians 1:18-19 - May the eyes of your heart be enlightened!
He Rose and is at God’s Right Hand
Ephesians 1:20-23 - We are joined to Him as the Church Body, while He rules over the Angels.
Ephesians 2
KEY VERSES: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB1995
Dead in Our Sins & Trespasses
Ephesians 2:1-2 - Most humans are unaware of the spiritual battles going on around them.
Alive Together in Christ
Ephesians 2:3-7 - Children of wrath become raised up with Him. It is a fact!
Grace, not Works, Saves Us
Ephesians 2:8-10 - What saves my soul will also change my life.
Brought Near by the Blood of Christ
Ephesians 2:11-13 - As we draw near to Christ, we draw near to each other.
He is our Peace
Ephesians 2:14-16 - The walls of enmity are torn down.
Peace to Those Near and Far
Ephesians 2:17-18 - God’s peace comes through access to the Trinity.
You Are of God’s Household
Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Holy Temple is being built with Christ as the cornerstone.
Ephesians 3
KEY VERSES: ““This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.”
Ephesians 3:11-12 NASB1995
Paul’s Stewardship of Grace
Ephesians 3:1-3 - Paul starts a prayer, then decides to deviate to explain the mystery of the revelation to him.
Gentiles are Fellow Heirs
Ephesians 3:4-7, Acts 10:9-23; Acts 1:7-8; Matthew 28:18-20 - All humans have the gift of Grace and eternal life with God if they repent and believe on Jesus.
To the Least of Saints, Grace was Given
Ephesians 3:8-10 - The riches of Christ are the Glory of God, the Truth of God, the Wisdom of God, the Life of God and the Love of God.
Eternal Boldness and Confident Access
Ephesians 3:11-13 - We should not lose heart at tribulations that may occur.
A Prayer for Christ to Dwell in Hearts
Ephesians 3:14-19 - God’s love is wide enough to include every person, long enough to last through eternity, deep enough to reach the worst sinner, high enough to take us to heaven!
A Doxology to End Ephesians 3
Ephesians 3:20-21- Abundance for generations to come to glorify God!
Ephesians 4
Key Verses: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 NASB1995
Preserve the Unity of the Spirit
Ephesians 4:1-3 - Walking in a manner worthy of our calling means humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance for one another in love, and being diligent to preserve unity of the Spirit.
One Body and One Spirit
Ephesians 4:4-6 -God is over all, through all and in all.
Grace was Given
Ephesians 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Psalm 68:18 - He gave gifts to men.
Equipping of the Saints
Ephesians 4:9-13; 1 Peter 3 - Scripture is challenging and also enlightening for how to set up a foundation of faith.
We Are No Longer Children
Ephesians 4:14-16 - ““Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16 NASB1995
The Christian’s Walk
Ephesians 4:17-19 - Do not fill your mind with things that lead to nothingness.
Put on the Likeness of God
Ephesians 4:20-24 - Knowing Jesus should transform our lives, not be an addition to a “life as usual”.
Tell the Truth
Ephesians 4:25, Deuteronomy 5:20 - Be forewarned, reader. You will see yourself in the examples in this devotional.
Managing Anger
Ephesians 4:26-27; Psalm 4:4; Matthew 5:20-24 - “Don’t fly into a rage unless you are prepared for a rough landing.”
Do Not Steal!
Ephesians 4:28; Deuteronomy 5:19 - Our modern society is teeming with theft and fraud and the sin of envy.
Let No Unwholesome Word Proceed From Your Mouth
Ephesians 4:29 - THINK about how you can edify and extend grace to others.
Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 4:30 - Believers: Do not grieve, deceive, quench, resist or insult the Spirit of God.
Things to Put Away (Far Away)
Ephesians 4:31 - Remove these evil things from your life and replace them with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven
Ephesians 4:32 - Think of the ways God has forgiven you through Christ and be tender-hearted and kind, while forgiving others.
Ephesians 5
Key Verses: ““Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB1995
Be Imitators of God
Ephesians 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 - Be a fragrance to God of life to life, because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
More Sins the Saints Must Purge
Ephesians 5:3-4; Deuteronomy 5:21 - Be kingdom-minded and give thanks and keep these sins from your mind.
What We Know with Certainty
Ephesians 5:5 - The Kingdom has been here, is here, and will be here!
Walk as Children of Light
Ephesians 5:6-10; Genesis 3:1-5; 1 Peter 2:9-10 - Are you living to please the Lord?
Be Filled with the Spirit
Ephesians 5:17-21; Acts 16:22-34 - Look in every direction for things to be thankful for!
Wives, Be Subject to Your Husbands
Ephesians 5:22-24; Galatians 3:26-29 - We have a mission to submit to the Lord and to obey what He has ordained.
Husbands, Love Your Wives
Ephesians 5:25-30 - The love of husbands is a sacrificial and serving love.
Two Shall Become One
Ephesians 5:31-33; Genesis 2:24 - Let’s bring God back into the joining of men and women together in marriage.
Ephesians 6
Key Verses: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
Ephesians 6:12-13 NASB1995
Children, Honor Your Father and Mother
Ephesians 6:1-3, Deuteronomy 5:16 - The family is the starting point for a lifetime of honor and obedience and respect.
Fathers, Do Not Provoke Your Children to Anger
Ephesians 6:4 - No parent is perfect, but with God’s guidance children can be raised to be good Christians.
Slaves, Be Obedient to Your Masters
Ephesians 6:5-6 - Work hard, because the Lord is watching, even if no one else is paying attention.
With Good Will Render Service
Ephesians 6:7-9, Matthew 25:14-30 - We have responsibilities and a God-established hierarchy in our lives.
Be Strong in the Lord and Put on the Full Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-11 - We must go through basic training in God’s precepts to be strong in His might, but keep in mind the war is raging RIGHT NOW.
Our Struggle Against the Forces of Darkness
Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 22:10-13 - Although the battle will end someday, we are fully engaged with deceptive and devious spiritual enemies right now.
Take Up the Full Armor of God
Ephesians 6:13 - The full armor must be in all directions to be victorious against the evil of this world
Truth and Righteousness
Ephesians 6:14 - We chart our course to His Truth and rely on His protection through His righteousness.
The Gospel of Peace
Ephesians 6:15; Isaiah 52:7 - We can stand firm through the peace that He brings us in our salvation.
The Shield of Faith
Ephesians 6:16 - We are in a war zone with a battle for our minds.
The Helmet of Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit
Ephesians 6:17 - We shall know His word exactly when we need it!
Pray at All Times in the Spirit
Ephesians 6:18-20; Multiple other verses - I love the Lord because He has heard my supplication!
Paul Sends Tychicus
Paul recognizes that he can’t do it all by himself, but he needs beloved friends and other believers to help him.
A Final Benediction
Ephesians 6:23-24 - Peace, faith, grace and incorruptible love!
My next devotional will be an introduction to the Old Testament Book of Isaiah (one of the major prophets). I expect this devotional series to be lengthy, so I hope that readers will stick with me to learn as much as possible about Isaiah and what he wrote.
Blessings!
Citations and Credits:
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org.
Precept Austin was accessed throughout this devotional series to review commentary for Ephesians.
Commentary from Enduring Word is used with written permission and without any alteration. ©1996-present The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – enduringword.com.