Introduction (1:1-2)

The blessings and position received by the church in Christ (1:3—3:21)

1. God’s blessings to the church (1:3-14)
   1. The Father’s selection and predestination, speaking forth God’s eternal purpose (1:3-6)
   2. The Son’s redemption, speaking forth the accomplishment of God’s eternal purpose (1:7-12)
   3. The Spirit’s sealing and pledging, speaking forth the application of God’s accomplished purpose (1:13-14)
2. The apostle’s prayer for the church regarding revelation (1:15-23)
   1. His thanks for the church (1:15-16)
   2. His supplication for the church that the saints may see (1:17-23)
      1. The hope of God’s calling (1:17-18a)
      2. The glory of God’s inheritance in the saints (1:18b)
      3. God’s power toward us (1:19-21)
      4. The church—the Body, the fullness of Christ (1:22-23)
3. The producing and building of the church (2:1-22)
   1. The producing of the church (2:1-10)
   2. The building of the church (2:11-22)
4. The stewardship of the grace and the revelation of the mystery concerning the church (3:1-13)
   1. The stewardship (3:1-2, 7-8, 13)
   2. The revelation of the mystery (3:3-6, 9-12)
5. The apostle’s prayer for the church regarding experience (3:14-19)
   1. That the saints may be strengthened into the inner man (3:14-16)
   2. That Christ may make His home in the saints’ hearts (3:17a)
   3. That the saints may apprehend the dimensions of Christ (3:17b-18)
   4. That the saints may know the love of Christ (3:19a)
   5. That the saints may be filled unto the fullness of God (3:19b)
6. The apostle’s praise to God for His glory in the church and in Christ (3:20-21)

The living and responsibility needed for the church in the Holy Spirit (4:1—6:20)

1. The living and responsibility needed in the Body of Christ (4:1-16)
   1. The keeping of the oneness of the Spirit (4:1-6)
   2. The functioning of the gifts and the growth and building up of the Body of Christ (4:7-16)
2. The living needed in the daily walk (4:17—5:21)
   1. Basic principles (4:17-24)
   2. The details of this living (4:25—5:21)
3. The living needed in ethical relationships (5:22—6:9)
   1. Between wife and husband (5:22-33)
      (A type of the church and Christ—5:23-32)
   2. Between children and parents (6:1-4)
   3. Between slaves and masters (6:5-9)
4. The warfare required for dealing with the spiritual enemy (6:10-20)