You could think of Ephesians as the manual of church discipline.  Although it is certainly not devoid of theological reasoning, the bulk of this letter revolves around this idea:  Since God has done what God has done, how should we respond as individuals, as members of a family, as persons within a community, and as members of the body of Christ.

The Bare Facts

Who:  Although the book clearly claims Paul as its author (1:1), many have argued against this, citing certain stylistic and theological differences between this work and the undisputed letters of Paul.  In the end, these supposed differences prove not nearly so convincing as scholars would assert.  In the end, Paul can be safely taken as the letter's author.

Where:  The letter was written while Paul was in prison (3:1), probably either in Caesarea or in Rome.  If we accept the hypothesis that Paul wrote Ephesians at the same time as Colossians, then he wrote Ephesians from Rome.

When:  Paul spent two periods of about two years each in prison.  This four-year window and thus the date of the letter can be placed somewhere between A.D. 54 and 62

What:  Ephesians deals in great detail with the topic of the church.  It carries messages of encouragement and admonition to the church at Ephesus and perhaps beyond.

Memorable Passages
2:8-9	It is by grace you have been saved . . .
6:13-19	The whole armor of God

Overviews and Outlines

An Introduction to the Book of Ephesians

An outlined overview by David Malick.

Ephesians: Introduction, Argument, and Outline

A thorough overview by Daniel Wallace.

An Overview of the Epistle to the Ephesians

A quick introduction by Hugo Bouter

Analytical Outline of Ephesians

A pdf outline by William Ramey

The Book of Ephesians

An introduction and study by Greg Herrick.

The Letter to Ephesians

A much more in-depth introduction to the book.  It gets somewhat technical.  By Barry Smith.

Bible Basics

A very brief list of facts, but it includes a wav file pronouncing the book's title.

Easton Bible Dictionary: Ephesians

The article from M.G. Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary.

Catholic Encyclopedia: Ephesians

The appropriate entry from the public domain edition of this venerable reference work.

Columbia Encyclopedia: Ephesians

A brief article from the 2001 edition of this reference work.

Luther Productions

A very brief overview including key verses.

The Blue Letter Bible

An excellent source for text, cross-references, concordance, language helps, commentaries, and more.

Did Paul Write Ephesians

A brief essay examining the authorship question.  By Stephen Carlson.

John Chrysostom: The Argument

A brief summary from this early church father.

Ephesus: A Panoramic Virtual Tour

An intriguing resource from a Turkish travel organization.

Ephesos

An introduction to 1st-century Ephesus by Philip Harland.

Bible Studies: Whole Book

Love the Lord Bible Studies: Micah

A 12-lesson study with questions from an Arkansas-based ministry.  They seem orthodox enough, although the statement of faith makes me wonder if they're not into prosperity gospel teachings.

Talks for Growing Christians

A nifty study, which includes a brief sermon, question, and answers.  A project from Talks for Growing Christians.

The Grace Institute: Ephesians

A well-rounded overview from a Eugene Oregon church.

John Calvin's Commentary

The commentary of the 16th-century French reformer.

Geneva Notes

In 1599, English Puritans, working in Geneva, published the first study Bible.  These are the notes from that edition.

Coffman's Commentary

A verse-by-verse commentary by Dr. James Burton Coffman, a leading Church of Christ scholar.

Studies in Ephesians

A five-lesson study by J.S. Blackburn.

John Wesley Notes

Over his career, the founder of Methodism maintained notes on the entire Bible.

JFB Commentary

The comments of Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown from Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871).

Clarke's Commentary

The first chapter for this book from Adam Clarke's nineteenth-century commentary.

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

The commentary of the 17th century Baptist theologian and preacher.

Scofield Reference Notes

The notes from the 1917 edition of the great study Bible.  From a dispensationalist viewpoint.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

A combination brief commentary and thorough cross-reference.  Developed by R.A. Torrey.

David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible

David Guzik, a former senior pastor at Clavary Chapel Simi Valley in California, provides a verse-by-verse commentary. Currently Guzik directs the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Siegen, Germany.

Jeanie C. Crain: Ephesians

A considerable commentary by a Missouri English professor.

The Jerome Bible Commentary

A commentary by a Catholic doctor, Jerome Dominguez, M.D.  Is English isn't perfect, but you have to admire his energy.  Although Catholic in orientation, this source has some good material for study.

Barne's Notes on the New Testament

Educated at Princeton seminary, Albert Barnes was a dedicated student of the Bible. Though passed over by the biographical sketches of influential theological writers, his notes on the New Testament continue to be quite popular even today.

John S. C. Abbott and Jacob Abbott Illustrated New Testament

Well known throughout the late 1800's for their prolific writings on various subjects, John and Jacob Abbott decided to put to paper their personal study and translation of the original Greek New Testament. Included are 50 woodcut illustrations from the original printing.

John Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament

These synopses were originally written and published in French and introduced book-by-book. Only the New Testament is available.

Bible Explained

This is a commentary by an energetic fellow named Ted Wade.  He provides brief notes on each chapter and most verses for the entire Bible.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

The chapter-by-chapter 1721 commentary by the great English Puritan writer..

The Calling and Design of the Church: A Study in Ephesians

A lengthy study by Lehman Strauss.

Introductory Lectures on the Epistles of Paul: Ephesians

A series of studies by William Kelly.

Lectures on Ephesians 1-3

This appears to be a completely different set of work by William Kelly.

Comments on the Epistle to the Ephesians

A lengthy study by Leslie M. Grant.

F.B. Hole: Ephesians

A chapter-by-chapter commentary.

Ephesians: The Divine Purpose in Christ

A 13-lesson study by Lorenzo Arroyo.  This is served by the Worldwide Church of God, a church with a checkered past but an inspiring present.  Take some time to read up on their about-face in recent years.

Ephesians: The Glory of God in the Church

A 29-lesson study by Bob Deffinbaugh.

Ephesians: A Study Guide

One of Mark Copeland's executable outlines.

Ephesians: Living as His Body

A lengthy, verse-level commentary and set of notes by David Griffiths, a native of Wales who has ministered for many years in the United States through the Assemblies of God.

Studies in the Letter to the Ephesians

An 11-part study of the book by Dave Humpal.

Bible Studies: Part of Book

Morning and Evening (1:3)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Reconciled in Christ: Ministry in Light of Ephesians (1:3-14)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Wendell W. Frerichs.

Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation (1:3-14)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Ronald Olson.

Morning and Evening (1:6)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

In the Beloved (1:6)

A sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Morning and Evening (1:7)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Morning and Evening (1:11)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Morning and Evening (1:11)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Homily II (1:11-14)

A sermon by St. John Chrysostom.

The Purpose of God's Decrees (1:12)

A brief study by Thomas Boston, a Puritan writer.

Morning and Evening (1:14)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Homily III (1:15-20)

A sermon by St. John Chrysostom.

Morning and Evening (1:19-20)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Grace and Peace: Exploring the Word of God (ch. 2)

A 9-part study from the Worldwide Church of God, a denomination with a checkered past but an exciting present.

Homily IV (2:1-3)

A sermon by St. John Chrysostom.

The Wrath of God (2:3)

A sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

The Spiritual Resurrection of Believers (2:4,5)

A sermon by Geerhardus Vos.

God the Fountain of Salvation for all His Elect (2:4-6)

A sermon by Thomas Goodwin, c. 1650.

The Greatness of God's Love to His Elect (2:4-6)

A sermon by Thomas Goodwin, c. 1650.

The Scripture Way to Salvation (2:8)

A sermon by John Wesley.

Journey Toward Wholeness (2:8)

An article by novelist Frederick Buechner tying the epistle together with Abraham Lincoln and Dostoevsky.

Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation (2:11-22)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Ronald Olson.

On Living Without God (2:12)

A sermon by John Wesley.

Reconciled in Christ: Ministry in Light of Ephesians (2:13-22)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Wendell W. Frerichs.

Morning and Evening (2:19)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

By Revelation Made Known (3:1-5)

A sermon from 1999 by Donald T. Williams.

Morning and Evening (3:8)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Morning and Evening (3:8)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

The Calling and Hope of the Church of God (Ephesians 3:8,9)

One piece of E.W. Bullinger's Ten Sermons on the Second Advent.

The Cosmic Church (3:10)

A sermon by John Piper.

Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation (3:14-21)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Ronald Olson.

Lecture VII: The Father (3:14,15)

A lecture by church father Cyril.

Morning and Evening (3:17)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Breadth, Length, Depth, Height (3:18-19)

A sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Morning and Evening (3:19)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

The Unity of the Spirit (4:1-6)

A brief study by Hampton Keathley III.

Of the Church (4:1-6)

A sermon by John Wesley.

Reconciled in Christ: Ministry in Light of Ephesians (4:1-7)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Wendell W. Frerichs.

Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation (4:1-16)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Ronald Olson.

Heresy, Diversity and Grace (4:1-16)

An article, originally published in Christian Century, by Ronald Goetz.

One Baptism in Ephesians 4:5

A study by Hampton Keathley IV.

Christ's Method for Maturity (4:7-16)

A sermon by David Inks.

Reconciled in Christ: Ministry in Light of Ephesians (4:11-24)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Wendell W. Frerichs.

Morning and Evening (4:15)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Christian and Non-Christian (4:20)

A sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation (4:25-5:2)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Ronald Olson.

On Grieving the Holy Spirit (4:30)

A sermon by John Wesley.

Morning and Evening (4:30)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Reconciled in Christ: Ministry in Light of Ephesians (4:30-5:2)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Wendell W. Frerichs.

Sermons upon Ephesians 5

A series of 32 sermons by Thomas Manton.

Awake, Thou That Sleepest (5:14)

A sermon by John Wesley.

Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation (5:15-20)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Ronald Olson.

Reconciled in Christ: Ministry in Light of Ephesians (5:15-31)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Wendell W. Frerichs.

On Redeeming the Time (5:16)

A sermon by John Wesley.

Holy Spirit or Human Spirit? (5:18)

An article from the Chafer Theological Seminary Journal by Clifford Rapp

Be Filled with the Spirit (5:18)

A sermon by John Piper.

The Heinous Sin of Drunkenness (5:18)

A sermon by George Whitefield.

The Bride of Christ: A Problematic Wedding (5:22-23)

An article, from Biblical Theology Bulletin, by Carolyn Osiek.

Morning and Evening (5:25)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Love Your Wife Sacrificially (5:25-27)

A study by Hampton Keathley IV.

Raising Children Who Hope in the Triumph of God (6:4)

A sermon by John Piper.

The Call to Battle (6:10-11)

A sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Thinking and Practicing Reconciliation (6:10-20)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Ronald Olson.

Ready to Move with the Gospel of Peace (6:10-20)

A sermon by John Piper.

Reconciled in Christ: Ministry in Light of Ephesians (6:10-20)

An article from Word and World at Luther Seminary by Wendell W. Frerichs.

Of Evil Angels (6:12)

A sermon by John Wesley.

The Authority of Scripture (6:14)

An extract from a sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Morning and Evening (6:18)

One of C.H. Spurgeon's devotions.

Thematic

"Old Man" and "New Man" in Paul

A thematic study by Greg Herrick.

Sermons

Ephesians: The Calling of the Saints

The appropriate sermon from Ray C. Stedman's Adventuring through the Bible series.

Lincoln Berean Church

Links to sermons from this church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Riches in Christ

Links to 17 Ray C. Stedman sermons from Eph. 1-3

The Ministry of the Saints

Nine sermons by Ray C. Stedman drawn from Eph. 4:1-16.

The Christian in the World

A 9-sermon series by Ray C. Stedman. From Eph. 4:17-5:20

Christian Relationships

Four sermons from Eph. 5:21-6:9.  By Ray C. Stedman.

Spiritual Warfare

Ten sermons by Ray C. Stedman drawn from Eph. 6:10-20

Ken Gehrels

Links to 7 sermons.  Scroll down a bit to find the appropriate entries.

David Legge: He is Able

A 36-sermon series by a Northern Ireland pastor.

David Legge: Christ in the Home

A 4-sermon series on family matters by a Northern Ireland pastor.

David Legge: The Holy War

An 8-sermon series on spiritual warfare by a Northern Ireland pastor.

C.H. Spurgeon

A listing of sermons, some of which are available online, by the great British Baptist.

Homilies on Ephesians

A set of 24 sermons by St. John Chrysostom.

 

Sermon Outlines

Links to sermon outlines from SermonLinks.

Books and Bibliographies

Honours and Worship: Emperors, Imperial Cults and Associations at Ephesus

An article from Studies in Religion by Philp Harland.  Deals with Ephesus in the 1st to 3rd centuries.

A Combat Manual: Our Ultimate Adventure

An introductory article by Chuck Missler.

Two-Age Bibliography

A list of recommended sources, mostly scholarly in nature, provided by a website devoted to the "Redemptive Historical" school of theology.