Ephesians - An Intro

When Paul wrote to the Galatians and Corinthians, he wrote in response to a very specific and significant problem that had arisen, usually because the people were having a difficult time living the gospel detached from the law of Moses. But it seems that in the case of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, it’s kind of like a general conference talk, it’s a non-specific message meant to uplift and teach higher principles. It’s a really interesting contrast in messages between Ephesians and Galatians, when Paul doesn’t have to focus on the very basics, and can go into more advanced doctrines. But then again, the basics is really interesting and profitable as well, so I guess it’s just nice to see the different messages. It reminds me of when Alma gives up being the chief judge and travels to the various cities to teach the gospel, seeing the different methods that he used to teach different groups of people in different stages of their spiritual progression. Because the Ephesians appear to have grasped the most basic understanding, Paul is able to teach them new things instead of just expanding on old stuff, which has its place as well. The IM comments, “It contains some of Paul’s best writing, and is a document that deals with fundamentals, with the gospel of God in all its saving glory.’ The Epistle to the Ephesians reflects great depth in its teachings. Paul’s main theme in this epistle can perhaps best be summarized as the setting aside of the things of this world in order to grow in spiritual knowledge and partake of the unity and fellowship of the Church. In the pages of the Ephesians, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will find many familiar teachings and practices that characterize the Lord’s true Church in every age.” The IM mentions some of the themes that are concentrated on in Ephesians more than other places, saying, “Ephesians contains many teachings and ideas that are familiar to Latter-day Saints, including foreordination, the dispensation of the fulness of times, the Holy Spirit of Promise, the importance of prophets and apostles, the idea of one true and unified Church, and the various callings and functions within the organization of the Church. This letter also contains some of the most sublime teachings on the family that are found anywhere in scriptures.” This is interesting because from the little bit that I know, Paul was almost certainly married at some point because you had to be married in order to become a Pharisee, but as far as I know, he traveled on missions and preached the gospel alone with no mention of a wife or children. This leads me to deduce that he was probably married and that his wife died young and either they didn’t have kids or he gave them to someone else to raise them. My point is that it will be interesting to learn about principles on the family from a man who probably spent most of his life alone, without any family. The IM also gives an outline of the book of Ephesians as 1:1-4:16: - “saints foreordination to receive the gospel, sealing by the Holy Spirit of Promise, salvation by grace, the unifying of Gentile and Jewish Saints in the Church, the purpose of the Church, the Church’s organization upon a foundation of prophets and apostles, with Jesus Christ as the chief corner-stone. God will gather all things together in Christ in the dispensation of the fulness of times.” The IM gives and outline for Ephesians 4:17-6:24: - “Paul encourages the Saints to apply true doctrine in their daily lives. He encouraged them to put all the old man (their former sins) and put on Christ. He gave counsel to wives, husbands, children, parents, servants, masters, and congregations. He encouraged Saints to ‘put on the whole armour of God.’” Galatians was short but very profitable and I’m excited to explore Ephesians for the same reason.