Ephesians: The Mystery of the Body of Christ

Preaching the Word

by R. Kent Hughes

The Apostle Paul's Letter to the Ephesians is one of the most dynamic portions of all of Scripture. Called by one commentator "the crown and climax of Pauline theology," it issues a clarion call to all who follow the Master. With its dual focus on Christ and the Church, with it's careful presentation of doctrine, then duty, it points the way to true Christian living and victory in a sin-embattled world. In this helpful volume, Pastor Hughes provides an interesting treatment of the major themes of This practical commentary on a strategic Bible book will challenge and equip preachers/teachers and their hearers for a walk of spiritual power. Part of the Preaching the Word series.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Biblical Studies, New Testament, Nonfiction, Reference

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 20, 1990

About the author

R. Kent Hughes (DMin, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is senior pastor emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, and a visiting professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hughes is also a founder of the Charles Simeon Trust, which conducts expository preaching conferences throughout North America and worldwide. He and his wife, Barbara, have four children and an ever-increasing number of grandchildren.

Reviews

[Tori Samar · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the first six months of 2019, I read and used this commentary while slowly working my way through the book of Ephesians in daily devotions. Overall, I found it to be a very readable, helpful, and trustworthy resource. Although I found myself wishing at times that Hughes had gone into more detail on certain verses and phrases whose meaning somewhat eluded me, I appreciate how layperson-friendly his approach was. His discussions certainly helped me understand Ephesians much more than I would have otherwise.

[Mwansa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from a conference in Kitwe about 18 months ago and was saving it for a rainy day. The rainy day came and I picked it up but I wasn't ready for R Kent Hughes. Phillip Hunt, one of the greatest men I know, highly recommended this book and so I should have seen it coming but it hit me in ways I could not see coming. I always thought of myself as a Philippians man, not to pit bible books against one another but I loved Philippians. After reading this book, Ephesians has taken on a whole new light. Three of the many lessons I have walked away with.

The value of the believers to Christ is beyond belief. Even without getting into the reasons he loves the church and how he makes that manifest to them it is mind boggling that Jesus Christ, very God of very God loves and desires the church as his bride. Not on account of anything in them that makes them beautiful but because he does. Such selfless love is not displayed anywhere else in all of creation. What wondrous love!

The armor of God takes a whole new light after reading this book. The peace of the gospel, the shield of faith and oh my, the helmet of Salvation! The tools that God has graciously given believers to fend of the trials and blessings of life on earth and to keep us grounded in him and faithful to him. Where to begin, oh where to begin. More time must be spent in the word to see the wondrous love!

Tychicus was the last blow landed on me that just knocked me off my feet. The loving support and aid of this man to the work and ministry of the apostle Paul. The applications that can be drawn from the life of a man from who we know so little concerning his personal life and yet so much can be taken from his life and service to the cause of God from the little information given to us in Ephesians and Acts. It made me think of more ways to minister to our missionaries when the opportunity avails itself.

This book was nothing short of amazing and makes me want to dig my own heels into the book of Ephesians in private study!

[Jonathan Sussex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was extremely helpful in reading and studying Ephesians. The book is packed with biblical truth, helpful illustrations, quotes and anecdotes as well as very relevant applications. The book has Thirty short chapters and was a joy to read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy, witty and enjoyable read that digs into the context and meaning of Ephesians, verse by verse and section by section, connecting all the smaller thoughts to the bigger context of the book after digging into the particulars.

[Steve Croft · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my fifth book in the 'preaching the word' series, and another one by Mr Hughes. I read it alongside the M'cheyne bible reading plan which does Ephesians in 6 days.

I am getting alot out of this series, I wouldnt call it an in depth exegesis of the text, but it is very balanced interpretation of the message. You could read these books as a devotion, they are full of quotes and stories from other books and Kens long life. I had this rating at 4 stars, but after reading through the chapters about Ephesians 6, and particularly the section on prayer, I had to throw in another star.

I wrote down pages of notes, but here are 2 quotes that resonated:

"If your life is characterized by a pattern of conscious sin, you very likely are not a Christian. If some of your most cherished thoughts are hatreds, if you are determined not to forgive, you may not be a true believer. If you are a committed materialist who finds that your greatest joys are self-indulgence—clothing your body with lavish outfits, having all your waking thoughts devoted to house, cars, clothing, and comforts—you may not be a Christian. If you are a sensualist who is addicted to pornography, if your mind is a twenty-four-hour bordello—and you think it’s okay—you may very well not be a Christian, regardless of how many times you have gone forward and mouthed the shibboleths..."

And

"It is amazing that a Christian can imagine that he or she can live a Christian life without regularly reading the Bible, for that is impossible! Our minds are such that we do not retain what we need to know. They need to be refreshed again and again. My experience is that though I have studied whole books of the Bible word for word, I soon forget so much. In fact, reading the same book a year later not only refreshes me to what I have forgotten, but rewards me with new truths!

Some who have been believers for years have never read the Bible through once. There are truths God has for us that we have not inconvenienced ourselves enough to discover. No wonder we are empty. What a difference reading the Word can make in the war."

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know Hughes is beloved by many. I just find his approach to the text, while attempting to frame it in sermon-like fashion, relies too heavy on illustrations and even then they do not always seem on point. Still read for some ideas, but rarely found they were formative.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. I wish Kent Hughes was more in-depth on certain issues, but I still enjoyed the book for its devotional/homiletical content.

[Dan Curnutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any of the "Preaching the Word" series of commentaries by R. Kent Hughes are fantastic. If you are looking for commentaries that are fairly easy to read, but informative and educational then you will like these.

Based on sermon series that R. Kent Hughes has preached the books provide good commentary as well as applications and stories to go along with them.

Whenever I'm preparing a new teaching series I like to go here first and then read more complex commentaries second.

Ephesians is a great place to start, especially since "The Mystery of the Gospel" is explained by Paul so well in this book. That "Mystery", well if you don't know, then read Ephesians and then get this commentary to add to your understanding.

God bless,

[Matt Maples · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Ephesians Commentary

Kent Hughes does a masterful job or really explaining Ephesians, while also helping us understand the practical implications of the book. If you are going to study this important letter from Paul I would strongly recommend this commentary as a companion text.

[Jeff Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ephesians: The Mystery of the Body of Christ (Preaching the Word) by R. Kent Hughes (?)

[Kevin Burrell]

Decent homiletical commentary.