Ephesians 4:1-16 (Guide A)

Background to the Letter and Passage

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was probably intended for wider distribution and use among the various churches around Ephesus. As such, there is no particular crisis or issue being dealt with; rather, Ephesians is a general letter to the church about the church. The letter’s two-part structure reflects its double focus. Section 1/chapters 1-3 expound on what God has done in Jesus to create the church; in grammatical terms, this is “the indicative,” where the focus is on Christian doctrine. Section 2/chapters 4-6 then look at what the church by the power of the Holy Spirit is called to be and do in response to the gospel; this is “the imperative,” where the focus is on Christian living.

Ephesians 4:1-16 is the…