Dr. J. Vernon McGee :: Outline for Ephesians

I. Doctrinal, Chapters 1 — 3

The heavenly calling of the church (vocalization)

A. The church is a BODY, Chapter 1

1. Introduction, vv. 1, 2

2. God the Father planned the church, vv. 3-6

“A body hast thou prepared me” (Hebrews 10:5)

3. God the Son paid the price for the church, vv. 7-12

“Redemption through his blood” (v. 7)

4. God the Holy Spirit protects the church, vv. 13, 14

“By one Spirit were we all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

5. Prayer for knowledge and power, vv. 15-23

B. The church is a TEMPLE, Chapter 2

1. The material for construction, vv. 1-10

Those “dead in trespasses” (v. 1) are made into a living temple

2. The method of construction, vv. 11-18

3. The meaning of the construction (quo animo), vv. 19-22

“Groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord” (v. 21)

C. The church is a MYSTERY, Chapter 3

1. The explanation of the mystery, vv. 1-4

Not revealed in the Old Testament

2. The definition of the mystery, vv. 5-13

Jews and Gentiles are partakers of the same body — the church

3. Prayer for power and knowledge, vv. 14-21

“Strengthened with might” (v. 16) and “to know the love of Christ” (v. 19)

II. Practical, Chapters 4 — 6

The earthly conduct of the church (vocation)

A. The church is a NEW MAN, Chapter 4

1. The exhibition of the new man, vv. 1-6

“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” (v. 3)

2. The inhibition of the new man, vv. 7-16

“No more children”(v. 14); “grow up into him”(v. 15); “perfect man” (v. 13)

3. The prohibition of the new man, vv. 17-32

“Walk not as other Gentiles walk” (v. 17); “be ye kind one to another” (v. 32)

B. The church will be a BRIDE, Chapter 5

1. The engagement of the church, vv. 1-17

“For I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2)

2. The experience of the church, vv. 18-24

“Be filled with the Spirit” (v. 18)

3. The expectation of the church, vv. 25-33

“That he might present it to himself a glorious church” (v. 27)

C. The church is a SOLDIER, Chapter 6

1. The soldier’s relationships, vv. 1-9

“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life” (2 Timothy 2:4)

2. The soldier’s enemy, vv. 10-12

“The wiles of the devil” (v. 11)

3. The soldier’s protection, vv. 13-18

“The whole armor of God” (v. 13)

4. The soldier’s example — Paul, a good soldier of Jesus Christ, vv. 19-22

5. The soldier’s benediction, vv. 23, 24