There is not another book that speaks in grander terms about the purpose, vision and goal of God for his church as the book of Ephesians. In this book the church is portrayed as God’s marvellous work of creation-His master piece, and the agent through which He will accomplish marvellous and extraordinary things.

 

The book of Ephesians is addressed to believers in Christ. Verse one of chapter one refers to them as “saints,” and “those who are faithful in Christ.” I believe that Paul’s purpose in writing is stated in 4:1, “therefore, ‍a prisoner for the Lord, I urge you to ‍walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” In a moment we shall look at what this means. I think it is worth noting that this verse begins with the word therefore, in other words what has gone before it leads up to this point. Paul has spent three chapters before he gets to his point. The question is why? What is Paul doing in the previous three chapters? I think he is helping the believers understand God’s grand vision, passion and purpose for the church. He starts by reminding the believers who they are in Christ — they are those who have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (1:3) (a genuine understanding of this would lead to blessing God). I believe verses 4-14 are an explanation of what it means to be blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

 

Secondly, Paul goes on to inform his recipients about his prayer for them. Now in his prayer, Paul mentions that he wants the recipients of this letter to know what the hope to which God has called them to is (1:18). Through this prayer, Paul is giving away part of his motivation for writing his letter — that is, why has God brought the church about? What was His purpose in doing this? The church is the fullness of him who fills all in all (1:23). In other words, the church is the fullness of God. In 2:10, the members of the church are reminded that God has prepared good works in advance for them to do. In Christ, the church is being built together to become a dwelling place for God by His Spirit (2:21). Ephesians 3:10 says that through the church, the manifold wisdom of God is made known to all principalities and powers. Chapter 4:21 tells us that God glories not only in Christ but also in the church.

 

I believe in doing this Paul is trying to demonstrate to the church the high calling they have received. Hence 4:1 — “I therefore, ‍a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of ‍the calling to which you have been called.” In a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called/received literally means to bring the scale of your life in balance or equilibrium to the high calling you have received. Understanding God’s grand design and masterpiece — the church — and you being part of that masterpiece should propel you to live in a manner worthy of that calling.

 

Now that we know and understand the motivation for living this life, the question that should be asked then is how do we live this life? Ephesians 4:1 to the end of the book (excluding the greeting) unpacks this for us. The point emphasized in chapter 4:2-16 is that the church has got to be united; while the emphasise of chapter 4:17-6:9 is that believers have to live a holy (Spirit-filled) life. Paul’s final point is that (Finally, 6:1) in doing this believers will face opposition, and the way to withstand this opposition is by standing in the Lord and putting on his armour, for he is the only one strong enough to defeat the supernatural enemy we are fighting.

 

In my opinion, this is what Paul has been aiming to say: God has called you to a glorious purpose, and understanding this should propel you into living as one and living godly lives.

 

 

 

Application: According to the book of Ephesians, the things that are meant to motivate the believer into godliness are: firstly, understanding of the tremendous love God has for him; secondly, what God has done for him; and thirdly, understanding the purpose to which God has called him.