The Epistle to the Ephesians, attributed to the Apostle Paul, is a rich source of Christian doctrine. Let's look at some of these important doctrines and the supporting scripture from the Amplified Bible: 1 The New Birth - Reconciliation. Ephesians 1:4-5, "Just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will." God knew from the foundation of the world that we would need Jesus to die for our sins. This is confirmed in 2 Corinthians 5:19 God through Christ, reconciled the world unto Himself. Also in Ephesians 2:4-5 from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC): "But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation)." 2. Salvation by Grace: The second chapter of Ephesians addresses salvation by grace through faith, not through works. It is important for every believer to receive and understand God’s stance towards human sin. Jesus paid the ultimate price. Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world so that we can believe with our hearts and accept the free gift of Salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]." 3. Ephesians 3. Paul’s prayer. : Click here for a full explanation. 4. Unity in the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:4-6, "There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and [living] in all." 5. Living a New Life in Christ: Paul stresses the importance of turning away from the old self and putting on the new self created to be like God in righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24, "That, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation]." 5. Marriage and Christ-Church Relationship: In Ephesians 5, Paul introduces the analogy of Christ's relationship with the Church and the relationship between husband and wife. Ephesians 5:22-25, • Vs. 22. "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as [a service] to the Lord. • Vs. 23. For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, Himself being the Savior of the body. • Vs.24. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives should be subject to their husbands in everything [respecting both their position as protector and their responsibility to God as head of the house]. • Vs.25. Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her" 6. Armor of God: In the final chapter, Paul shows the believer how we can live free from satanic and demonic influence. The devil has no power over the believer who has put on the WHOLE armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-17, Vs.10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Vs.11 “Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil…"

In summary, Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in strengthening believers, making the love of Christ real in their lives, and enabling them to experience the fullness of God's presence. It underlines the fact that the Holy Spirit is instrumental in our spiritual growth and our understanding and experience of God's love and power.

Ephesians 3:14-15 - Recognizing God as the ultimate source: "For this reason [grasping the greatness of this plan by which Jews and Gentiles are joined together in Christ] I bow my knees [in reverence] before the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ], From Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]."

Here, Paul shows his reverence to God as the ultimate source of all, and the one from whom every family in heaven and earth is named. This is the foundational truth that sets the stage for the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.

Ephesians 3:16 - Praying for inner strength and spiritual power through the Holy Spirit: "May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]."

Paul's prayer here is for believers to be strengthened with might through the Holy Spirit's indwelling in their inner being. This underlines the Holy Spirit's role as the source of divine power and strength in a believer's life.

Ephesians 3:17 - Christ indwells our hearts through faith: "May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,"

Paul prays for Christ to dwell in believers' hearts through faith. Paul through this prayer, is exhorting the believer to allow Christ by their faith, to dwell in them, settle down, abide, make a permanent home in them. This is not just knowledge but experiential through the power of the Holy Spirit, as it's through the Holy Spirit that Christ is revealed to us and makes His love real in our lives.

Ephesians 3:18-19a - Comprehending and knowing the love of Christ: "That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience];"

Paul prays for believers to comprehend and know Christ's love, which surpasses mere knowledge. He expresses the extent of God’s love in the words, “the breadth and length and height and depth”. The Holy Spirit’s role in this revelation to our heats, is crucial. 1 John 2:27 tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us of all things, even how to abide in Christ.

Ephesians 3:19b - Being filled with God's fullness: "that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!"

Paul's prayer here is for believers to be filled with all the fullness of God. This speaks to the Holy Spirit's role in making God's presence real in us. The Spirit fills us, flooding every part of our being with God's presence, the richest measure of the divine Presence.

Ephesians 3:20-21 - Acknowledging God's power and glory: "Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it)."

Paul ends his prayer by recognizing the unlimited power of God that works within us, carried out by the Holy Spirit to fulfil God’s purpose in us and through us. He is trying to get us to realize that God is a lot bigger than the limits our thoughts and understanding have placed upon Him. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit in us that enables us to do far beyond what we can ask, think or imagine. To Him, then, belongs all glory.

Ephesians Three Prayer : The Apostle Paul prayed daily for the Church Ephesians 3:14-21 This daily prayer by Paul for the Ephesians, gives us insight into the depth of the revelation he received from the Holy Spirit regarding the finished work of Christ on the cross and how all the He did through His death, burial and resurrection, can and will change and impact our lives, when we yield to the Holy Spirit’s work within us. This revelation is of vital importance to all of the Body of Christ as he shares profound spiritual truths about the Holy Spirit's role in the lives of believers. He uses this prayer to reveal the revelation he received from the Holy Spirit. Let's break down each part of this prayer using the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC):

The Armor of God (A full explanation of Eph. 6:10-17) 10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Our lives in Christ are victorious, full of light, not darkness. Many believers have taken this scripture to mean that we have to daily do battle with the devil.  But if that is true, then … • Jesus work on the cross a waste of time. • It would make our salvation and victory dependant on us and our daily effort. • It would minimise the power and the action of the Holy Spirit within us and render it of no effect.   • It would bring into question God’s promise in 1 John 4:4 " Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind]."