The book of Ephesians is a letter. Letters were an established and popular method of communication in the Greek and Roman world of the New Testament.¹

Most letters included an address, a greeting, a body (containing the main argument), and a conclusion. New Testament letters changed a greeting into a grace wish, and also substituted a customary heath wish with thanksgiving and prayer.

Ephesians, though having the appearance of a sermon, does include several standard features of a letter. There is an opening salutation (Ephesians 1:1–2) and a conclusion and benediction (Ephesians 6:21–24). The body of the letter includes two broad sections: an opening theological section (Ephesians 1:3 – 3:21) and a second section that builds on that theology (Ephesians 4:1 – 6:20).

The letter to Ephesians can be further divided as follows:²

• Greeting (Ephesians 1:1–2)

• Doxology: Praise to God for his predestining and redeeming activity in Christ (Ephesians 1:3–14)

• Thanksgiving and prayer for the letter recipients (Ephesians 1:15–23)

• A reminder of sinfulness and salvation by grace through faith to do good works (Ephesians 2:1–10)

• The peace and unity which Christ brings between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:11–21)

• An affirmation that Gentiles have become part of God’s people (Ephesians 3:1–6)

• God’s eternal purpose worked out in Christ (Ephesians 3:7–13)

• A prayer for believers to grasp the limitless dimensions of God’s love (Ephesians 3:14–21)

• The importance of keeping the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:1–6)

• God’s gifts to his church (Ephesians 4:7–16)

• Living as children of the light (Ephesians 4:17 – 5:21)

• Directions for family life (Ephesians 5:22 – 6:9)

• The armour of God (Ephesians 6:10–18)

• A request for prayer (Ephesians 6:19–20)

• Final greetings (Ephesians 6:21–24)