Visual Theology – Ephesians

The Visual Theology charts are designed to help you see the structure and movement of Scripture. They highlight patterns, contrasts, and developments that are often difficult to hold together when reading line by line.

These charts show the structure of the argument. The accompanying articles develop each part in full.

This approach follows a long tradition of visual teaching in the Church. The well-known charts of Clarence Larkin helped many grasp the broad outline of Scripture. In the same spirit, these charts aim to make visible what the Word of God is revealing.

Charts and teaching notes for the book of Ephesians. Select a chart below to view the image and article.

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From the teaching in: EPHESIANS: THE VISION OF BETHEL FOR THE ISRAEL OF GOD (Vol 1: The Foundation of the House)

Ephesians 1:17-22

From Heirship to Bethel Vision

Ephesians 1:17-22 -- The Vision of Bethel for the Heirs

This chart shows the structure. What follows explains each part.

Ephesians 1:17-22
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.

The chart "From Heirship to Bethel Vision" depicts the Christian journey from qualification as heirs in Galatians to the unveiling of God's purpose in Ephesians. This is the path for the "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16), founded on the experiences of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Abraham represents justification by faith, not works (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3). Isaac embodies heirship—the inheritance received as a gift, freeing believers from the law (Galatians 4:28-31). Jacob (Israel) signifies transformation through broken self-reliance (Genesis 32; Hebrews 11:21). Together, they establish the believer's position: "no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir" (Galatians 4:7 KJV). The chart's "Heirship in Christ" platform represents this freedom and sonship through the Spirit (Galatians 3:14; 4:6). Yet Galatians reveals the qualification, not the purpose.

Ephesians unveils the heavenly vision, typified by Bethel—"the house of God" where heaven and earth join (Genesis 28:10-22; John 1:51). Paul prays for "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know... the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:17-18 KJV). This vision is not personal blessing alone, but participation in building God’s habitation, the Church (Ephesians 2:22). The chart's upward movement, "Ephesians: Revelation & Building," marks the transition from heirship to engagement in God's eternal plan. The "Vision of Bethel" sustains and gives context to the heirs' lives.

The concentric circles represent "God’s Habitation" (Ephesians 2:22) and the eternal "New Jerusalem" (Revelation 21:2-3). God's purpose is not merely justified sons, but bringing them into the vision of His building, culminating in the New Jerusalem. Thus, the journey from Galatians to Ephesians moves from freedom from law to receiving the revelation of God's purpose, transforming heirs into participants in His eternal plan.

Orientation

The believer often assumes that justification is the final destination, rather than the legal foundation for a much larger corporate purpose.

Justification by faith establishes our status as heirs, not our effort.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob provide the pattern for moving from personal gift to God's house.
The Spirit is given to sons to move them from the identity of a servant to the liberty of an heir.

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
— Galatians 4:7

Clarification

Individual blessing is not the end of the journey, as God's ultimate goal is a collective habitation where heaven and earth meet.

Heirship is a gift of grace through Isaac, freeing us from the performance demands of the law.
Transformation occurs through the breaking of self-reliance, typified by Jacob becoming Israel.
The 'Israel of God' is a corporate identity founded on the promise, not on fleshly lineage or works.

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
— Galatians 6:16

Structure

The transition from Galatians to Ephesians represents a shift from understanding our legal qualification to seeing God's building project.

Galatians establishes the 'Heirship in Christ' platform through justification and sonship.
Ephesians provides the 'Bethel Vision,' revealing the Church as God's eternal habitation.
The goal is the enlightenment of our understanding to see Christ's inheritance in the saints.

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
— Ephesians 2:22

Weight-Bearing Prose

The Christian journey is anchored in the legal reality of heirship. Through Abraham, we see justification by faith apart from works; through Isaac, we receive the inheritance as a gift that terminates our servitude to the law. However, God moves the heir toward a ‘Bethel Vision,’ where the eyes of the understanding are enlightened to see a purpose beyond personal security. This transition requires the breaking of human self-reliance, as seen in Jacob’s transformation to Israel, qualifying the believer to participate in God’s building project.

In Pauline categories, this is the movement from the elementary state of being ‘under tutors’ to the full realization of the ‘hope of His calling.’ The Church is not merely a collection of saved individuals but is the very habitation of God. This corporate reality, once a mystery, is now unveiled as the New Jerusalem—the culmination of God’s administration to head up all things in Christ. The believer does not work to become an heir; rather, the established heir receives revelation to become a participant in the eternal construction of God’s house.

Integration

Your standing as a son and an heir is fixed in Christ, independent of your progress or performance. This structural reality provides the safety necessary to look upward and see the larger vision of God’s house. You are not under pressure to build yourself; you are being builded together with all the saints into a dwelling place for God. Rest in the finished work that made you an heir, and allow the Spirit of wisdom to simply unveil the riches of the inheritance you already possess in Him. The vision of Bethel is your sustained context, reminding you that you are part of an eternal plan that joins heaven and earth.

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These charts are based on the following books:

EPHESIANS: THE VISION OF BETHEL FOR THE ISRAEL OF GOD (Vol 1: The Foundation of the House)

Are you ready to move beyond a surface-level reading of Ephesians into the very heart of God's eternal plan. In The Foundation of the House, author David Benjamin unveils the book of Ephesians not as a mere list of bl...

View Related Book

Ephesians: The Bethel of the Israel of God - Vol 2: Building with Sword in Hand

Volume 2 of the Ephesians commentary: from Ephesians 4:1 onward—the worthy walk as attentiveness, not performance. For the beaten sheep outside the institutional church.