Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary

Saint Andrews Expositional Commentary #8

by R.C. Sproul

The book of Ephesians is cherished for its doctrinal depths and devotional beauty. Paul’s letter sets before us the blessings of new life in Jesus Christ and a new family in His church. As we read the prayers and doxologies woven through its verses, we see how the grace of God stirs us to lives of worship and gratitude. In this volume, Dr. R.C. Sproul delves into the rich teaching, praises, and exhortations contained in one of his favorite books of the Bible. Take up this verse-by-verse guide to gain greater insights into the grace of the gospel and the glory of the Lord in the redemption of His people.Dr. Sproul’s expositional commentaries help you understand key theological themes and apply them to all areas of your life. Drawn from decades of careful study and delivered from a pastor’s heart, these sermons are readable, practical, and thoroughly Bible-centered. Here is your opportunity to learn from a trusted teacher and theologian as he leads you through God’s Word and shares his perspective on living faithfully for God’s glory. This is a series to serve pastors, small groups, and growing Christians who want to know the Bible better.

Genres: Theology, Christian

99 pages, Hardcover

Published January 18, 2024

About the author

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Sproul writing about Ephesians. What's not to love? He goes a little deeper on theology than application. If you know who RC is, you know what to expect already. No complaints.

[Laura Tasker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful commentary on Ephesians. It’s not exhaustive and quite comprehensible. (Traits which I’ve come to very much appreciate from Sproul’s works.) Given that these are thoughts and commentary collected from Sproul’s sermons, this reads very pastorally, but is condensed so it’s to the point. It’s a good read if you’d like a deeper study into Ephesians and yet I wouldn’t classify in the same way I would as a more thorough commentary such as Matthew Henry’s or a more modern equivalent.

[Tyler Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Classic R.C. The chapters here are a bit longer, but Sproul always is faithful to provide a basic understanding of the text. Short read. Might take a break from these soon though.

[Mike Fendrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent commentary on a profound writing. Doctrinally rich and very pastoral. Typical Sproul. Read it a love your Savior even more.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Sproul’s commentary on Ephesians was very enjoyable, more on the devotional side of things, but very readable, as per usual with any work from the great theologian of the last century. I commend the work.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ninth volume in R.C. Sproul’s excellent expositional commentary series, from his preaching at St. Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida, which began in 1997. Sproul urges his readers to use these books as an overview and introduction.
Sproul writes that the majority viewpoint today is that in all probability, the epistle to the Ephesians was originally written as a circular letter. He tells us that rather than the Apostle’s writing a specific message to a particular congregation concerning a definite problem that had arisen, Paul wrote an epistle that he intended to be circulated to all the churches in Asia Minor.
Ephesians is often lumped together with Philippians, Galatians, and Colossians as the Prison Epistles of the Apostle Paul. Sproul estimates that Paul wrote this letter, which is rich not only in its theological content but in its devotional spirit, sometime between AD 60 and 62 while he was under house arrest in Rome. Sproul tells us that the riches of grace could be said to be the central theme of this entire epistle, and a secondary theme would be Paul’s expression of what the church is supposed to be.
This short book, adapted from Sproul’s sermons on Ephesians, will serve as an excellent introduction to the book. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
• It’s a question not of whether we have a doctrine of predestination but of what our doctrine looks like and whether it is biblical.
• Paul is saying that even though we are still residing on this planet, in this body, in whatever location we find ourselves, there’s a sense that we already are in heaven because we are in Christ.
• From before the foundation of the world, before any of us ever chooses Christ, we are first chosen by the Father, in Christ, to be Christ’s.
• The only reason I can find in Scripture that God in His great mercy would save anybody is for the sake of His Son—to honor Christ. We are the gifts of the Father to the Son.
• When God redeems us, He redeems us not because we are perfect but so that we may become perfect.
• Our sanctification continues through this life and reaches its goal when we enter into heaven and are glorified.
• Someone who truly comes to faith, who truly is regenerate and who is truly sealed by the Holy Spirit, will never lose his salvation.
• In the midst of doubts, confusion, and changing circumstances, there’s an anchor that keeps us secure and stable, and that anchor is hope. Hope is simply our trust in God’s future promises.
• Regeneration logically comes before faith. It comes before anything that we do.
• We haven’t been saved because we deserved it or earned it. We haven’t been saved because we’ve worked to achieve it. We have been saved by grace.
• If Paul had anything in his character that distinguished him, it was his genuine humility. He was aware of his dependence on the grace of God.
• The primary function of worship in the church is the ascription of glory and honor and reverence to God.
• There is a time for peace, and there is a time to be strong in the Lord, and to know the difference is no small or easy matter. It takes great discipline and great wisdom to do these things.
• We must discern what things are essential to the unity of the faith of the Christian. We ought not to divide over nonessential or lesser points of doctrine, as has so often been the case, but that does not mean that division is never called for.
• It is immature to think that we ought to just flee from all doctrine because doctrine divides.
• The ascension was a climactic moment in the New Testament that verified the significance of the resurrection and takes Christ to the next stage of exaltation, which is extremely important for the church to understand. He’s not just the risen Lord; He’s the ascended Lord.
• Every person in the body of Christ has a significant task to perform. No one is insignificant; no one is unimportant.
• As Christ imitated the Father, so we are called to imitate Him. We do that when we live a life of love.
• The moment that we embrace Jesus as Savior, we bow to Him as Lord and seek to show our love for Him by obeying His commandments.
• If you are going to please God, it doesn’t matter whether a supervisor is present, for God is always looking at the heart.
• The basic attitude that the Christian should show is submissiveness and respect to authority wherever it exists.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent expositional err devotional commentary from RC Sproul. Though admittedly there was a problem with the wording of submission in marriage I disagreed with, there are no surprises here. RC opens it if by speaking of our current condition and how God’s grace rescues us. A reminder that we were dead in our trespasses and sins until God rescues us. His tool to do this is largely accomplished by the mission of the Church. As a result, a fair amount of space is given to the charge given to the church. Our roles in life and how we win in spiritual warfare (from the Reformed perspective)

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[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series never fails to encourage and inform my experience of the book being examined.

In this case I read Dr. Sproul's notes while also studying Gospel-Shaped Womanhood: How losing yourself & finding your identity in Christ changes everything with my DIL.

My notes below give a favorite quote from each chapter.

I am thankful for these commentaries from R.C. Sproul and hope we will still see books on Philippians and Colossians.🙏

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but too short. Sproul addresses many of the issues of the letter of the Ephesians with his characteristic teaching style. However, he does not give some of the issues the depth of analysis they deserve or the depth that he normally gives when analyzing a passage. The level of commentary in here is about what you will get in a study Bible, which is not bad, but just not as much as I was hoping for.

[Tristany Corgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, solid commentary from Sproul! I appreciate his deep yet straightforward teaching. This book was beneficial for me, and I think it would be beneficial for many other believers, no matter their age or stage in life.

[Jordan Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful little commentary. Nothing spectacular or surprising. Sproul consistently expounds the traditional Reformed positions with his usual clarity and wit. A solid introductory level commentary. Particularly useful for the young or a new believer.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent exposition from RC Sproul and Ligonier ministries

[Jason Sixsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m enjoying these Bible commentaries as they give fuller insight to the text and the times.

[Marc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too short to be of any use at all, IMO. I suppose if you wanted a very brief introduction, this would fit the bill. That's not what I was hoping to find :).

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely has helped some of the bigger questions laid out by Paul in this to help make and break down some of the bigger themes that are hard to comprehend. Overall good commentary.

[Luke DeGraaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sprouls ability to make complex topics simple will forever be impressive.