Ephesians

This is the fifth in a series of twenty-one summaries of the New Testament letters.  The fifth is Ephesians, and the outline comes from John Paul Heil:

a   Grace and Peace, 1:1-2
     b   To the Praise of His Glory in Love, 1:3-14
          c   The Gift of Christ in Love as Head over all to the Church, 1:15-23
               d   Walking by the Great Love with which He Loved Us, 2:1-10
                     e   The Peace that Establishes Unity as a Gift of Love, 2:11-22
                          f   Paul's Gift to Make Known the Mystery of Christ in Love, 3:1-13
                              g   To Know the Love of Christ that Surpasses Knowledge, 3:14-21
                                   h   Walk Toward the Unity of All in Love, 4:1-16
                              g'  Walk as the New Person in the Truth of Christ's Love, 4:17-32
                          f'  Walk in Love as Christ Loved Us, 5:1-6
                     e'  Walk as Children of Light in Love, 5:7-14
                d'  Walk in Love as Those who are Wise, 5:15-6:9
           c'  Be Empowered in Love to Withstand Evil, 6:10-13
      b'  Beloved Tychicus will Encourage your Hearts in Love, 6:14-22
a'   Peace, Love, and Grace (6:23-24)

The 'a' pattern links the introduction to the conclusion.

The 'b' pattern links the 'already' language of the first section (sealed, chosen, predestined) with the 'not yet' language of the second section (Stand with "belt of truth buckled...feet fitted with the readiness...take up the shield...take the helmet.)  Many words are echoed between the two section: salvation, Spirit, truth, 'believed' in the first section is echoed by 'faith' in the second, 'holy and blameless' in the first section is echoed by 'righteous' in the second, and 'unity' in the first section is echoed by 'peace' in the second.  Both sections emphasize 'mystery.' (1:9 and 6:19)

The 'c' pattern speaks of Jesus' power (1:19 and 6:10) and how it is greater than spiritual forces of evil in the age to come. (1:21 and 6:12)

The 'd' pattern links descriptions of the former life of the flesh with the new life in the Spirit.  The first section describes how you "used to live" (2:2) and the second section says "be careful, then, how you live." (5:15).  The first section describes this former life as "following the ways of this world," "gratifying the cravings of our flesh," "following its desires and thoughts."  The end of the first section describes "good works" we were created to do.  The second section emphasizes these good works with a host of verbs and contexts describing life in the Spirit: understand the Lord's will, submit, love, obey, honor, respect, etc.  The first section describes how Christ treats his bride.  The second section describes how Christ treats his bride, with extrapolations for human marriage.

The 'e' pattern links descriptions of the former life of the flesh with the new life in the Spirit.  The first section describes the difference between being foreigners and being citizens.  The second section describes the difference between being children of darkness and children of light.  Both sections exhort Paul's readers to consider their former ways: in the first section, they are to remember that former reality.  In the second section, they are to 'have nothing to do with' it, and to 'expose' what was secret.  Both focus on Christ's work, describing it in different ways: in the first section, the barrier of hostility is destroyed; in the second section, the secret becomes visible.  Both sections use different metaphors to describe the type of unity that characterizes God's newly formed people.

The 'f' pattern emphasizes the freedom Christians have.  The first section emphasizes it, and the second section warns about its misuse.  The first section refers to 'holy apostles' who bring the gospel message.  The second section refers to 'holy people' who live it.  Both sections emphasize our unity with Christ, allowing us to live as he did.  In the first, Christians are described as members, heirs, and sharers in Christ.  In the second section, Christians are to walk in the way of Christ's love.  In the first section, Christians are to approach with freedom and confidence.  In the second, they are warned that there is no inheritance for the disobedient.  In the first, Paul describes himself as a happy prisoner and sufferer.  In the second, Paul warns about wrath against the disobedient.  Both sections emphasize that there is a different between freedom found in Christ, and idolatrous freedom. (5:5)

The 'g' pattern links Paul's prayer to his exhortation: that the Christian would be "sensitive" (4:19) to the dimensions of Christ's gospel.  The first section emphasizes grasping and knowing Christ's love (3:18-19), even mentioning a knowledge that surpasses knowledge (3:19).  The second section emphasizes the perils of "ignorance" of Christ, and darkened understanding (4:18)

The 'h' pattern is a central, gathering of all of Paul's points: unity, old life and new life, Christ-like authority, growing into spiritual adulthood, and becoming what we already are, or as Paul puts it, "living a life worthy of the calling you have received." (4:1)