When we consider the letter to the Ephesians, we note that it reaches into our hearts with three characteristics: First, it is intercession. Paul wins his readers hearts by bringing them into his prayers. Second, it is affirmation. Ephesians is neither apologetic nor corrective. It instead affirms bold truths about God and salvation by grace. Third, it is evangelism, both the invitation to grace, and the task of reaching the world with the gospel. To better understand the letter, we want to consider its author, its recipients and an overview of its message.

If Paul could write a letter that didn’t involve a spiritual warrior tone, a letter with no heresies to denounce, no problems to solve, no sin to confront and no false teachers to expose, if it could be just be a letter from his heart declaring what he believed to be the most important subject in the world, for Paul, Ephesians is that letter. In it he expounds God’s eternal purpose and grace, and shares God’s exalted goals for the church.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called . . .   

Child born - humanity; Son given - deity, divinely sent;  Government on his shoulder - right to rule; His name shall be called: - the type of character that He will possess. God gives five names in Isaiah’s prophecy that teach us Who the Promised Son Is.