If an award were to be given for the book of the Bible containing the highest concentration of theology within the least amount of space, Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians would surely take the prize. In this wonderful letter, which has been compared by some to a condensed version of his epistle to the Romans, Paul offers a praise inspiring overview of the work of the triune God within the lives of His chosen people.

As is typical of Paul’s writings, the content may be neatly divided into the theological (chapters 1-3) and the practical (chapters 4-6). In chapter 1, after a brief greeting, Paul launches into a 12 verse long (one sentence in the Greek!) outpouring of theology inspired doxology. One cannot help but sense Paul’s infectious exuberance as he neatly yet animatedly summarizes the work of the triune God in accomplishing man’s salvation.

In this passage, which is one of the clearest explanations we have in scripture of the trinitarian nature of the deity, we see that: the Father from all eternity chooses out of fallen humanity a people for Himself (vs. 4,5,11,12); the Son accomplishes our redemption through His life of perfect obedience to the Father’s will, His death upon the cross and His resurrection (vs. 7,19,20); and the Spirit applies the work of the Father and the Son to our lives and acts as a seal of ownership and assurance of our salvation (vs. 13-14). All of this work, as Paul reiterates numerous times, is done "in Christ" and "to the praise of His (the Father’s) glory."

In chapter 2, Paul brings these transcendental concepts to home by showing what all of this means for us, which is truly good news. We learn that each of us who believes was once in a state of spiritual death (vs. 1); that in such a state we were objects of God’s wrath (vs. 3); but that God in His mercy made us alive through the riches of His grace and (vs. 4 and 5). The very essence of Biblical teaching is found in verses 8-10 where Paul asserts that our salvation, every aspect of it, is the work of God from beginning to end and not due to anything inherent within us.

No one has cause to boast or glory in his own salvation and we are all compelled instead to fall on our knees in humble thanksgiving to the holy and merciful God of creation. Paul concludes the theological section in the latter part of chapter 2 and continuing into chapter 3 by expounding upon the mystery of the extension of God’s grace to both Jews and Gentiles and an explanation of Paul’s own calling to ministry among the Gentiles.

The theology of the first 3 chapters serves as the basis for Paul’s practical instruction in chapters 4-6. How, Paul reasons, in view of God’s unfathomably bountiful and undeserved love and mercy can we treat those around us with anything less than genuine love and compassion? Having understood that even among the equally divine members of the Godhead there exists a relationship of submission ? the Son to the Father and the Spirit to both the Father and the Son, how can we fail to submit to one another? How, when we come to grips with the extent of God’s love and the lengths to which He has gone to save us, can we be content to remain in the darkness of sin from which we were set free? When we take these things to heart through the aid of the Spirit, as Paul urges us to do, the results are a sanctified church (4:1-16), sanctified lifestyles (4:17-5:20), and sanctified relationships (5:21-6:9), all "to the praise of His glory!"

Finally, Paul uses his memorable allegory of the armor of God to show us how knowledge of God’s saving grace equips us for holy living in a hostile world.