THE BODY OF CHRIST

Chapter One = Christians are “IN” Christ VV 1-6 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

VV 7-11 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

VV 12-14 …that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

VV 15-23 V15 = your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ VV 16-19 = Our faith results in God giving us… …the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

The great ironies of VV 11, 18, 23 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance (v11)  …the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (v18) …the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (vv 22, 23).

Chapter One = Christians are “IN” Christ In the body of Christ, the church, is the only place to be if you indeed desire all of the things listed as being found only IN CHRIST.

Chapter Two = The Composition of the Body VV 1-10 The body of Christ, the church, is comprised of those who have been made alive by the grace of God offered through Christ. As such, we are the works of God = He made us alive (v5), He raised us to sit together with Christ in the heavens (v6), and God prepared us for good works (v10). That follows since we are the body of Christ!!

VV 11-18 The body of Christ, the church, is comprised of Jew and Gentile (v15 = the new man). It is ONE body comprised of all people who have partaken of the grace of God through the cross of Christ (v16); which when preached provides us access to that grace (vv 17, 18). Compare Rom. 5:1, 2 = Our faith is the means by which we access the grace of God.

VV 19-22 The body of Christ, the church, is the citizenry of the Kingdom of Heaven (v19), the family of God (v19), and the dwelling place for God (v22; Cp. 1 Cor. 3:17; 6:19; John 14:17, 23). All of this is via the doctrine (teaching) of Christ and His apostles/prophets (v20).

Chapter Three = The Body is the Manifestation of the Wisdom and Glory of God VV 1-7 The apostles were given the charge of preaching the truth about the body of Christ, the church!

VV 8-13 This “truth” revealed much about the body of Christ, the church. 1. The church enjoys the unsearchable riches of Christ (v8). 2. The church shows the wisdom of God to the heavenly powers (v10; cp. 1 Pet. 1:12). 3. The church is the eternal purpose of God (v11). 4. The church has bold (free and fearless) access with confidence into heaven (v12; cp. 2 Pet. 1:11).

VV 14-21 The body of Christ, the church, has fellowship (v15), strength (v16), love (v17), and access to power beyond understanding from God (v20) IN Christ! And again, note how all His goodness toward us results in our glorifying Him (v21; cp. Matt. 5:16)!!

Chapter Four = Genesis and Nature of the Body VV 1-16 The body of Christ, the church, is realized by obedience to THE faith (vv 1-6 = the 7-Ones). Christ has full equipped His body, the church, to effectively work His will (vv 11-16). See the excellence of the illustration? We are the body of Christ. Through the Bible we have Him as our Head. Plug Him in and get to work!

VV 17-32 The body of Christ, the church, is a new spiritual body; not a physical one (vv 22-24). V23 =We live according to the spirit (our mind) via the Spirit (Who has given us the Bible)! Thus, do not grieve the Spirit by rejecting/disobeying the Word of God (v30).

Chapter Five = The Command and Control of the Body VV 1-21 The body of Christ, the church, is governed and operated by the Head, Christ (vv 1, 2). The body of Christ, the church, does not obey/follow the will of self or the flesh/world, but is filled/operated by the Spirit it thankfully received (vv -18-21)

VV 22-6:9 The body of Christ, the church, now governed and operated by the Head, relates differently to all mankind. 5:22-33 = our spouses 6:1-4 = our parents and children 6:5-9 = our employers and employees

Chapter Six = The Protection of the Body VV 10-20 The body of Christ, the church, has been fully equipped to defend itself against the enemies of Christ (the whole armor of God!). But the body of Christ, the church has not just been equipped for defense, the church has been equipped to overcome the enemies of Christ (the sword of the Spirit)!

Cp. 2 Cor. 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

VV 21-24 The body of Christ, the church, has… But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.