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 3:8-12

Threefold Outcome of God's Economy

Ephesians 3:8-12 -- Boldness and Access in Christ

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

Ephesians 3:8-12
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

The Heart of New Testament Ministry

Paul reveals in Ephesians 3:8-12 that the heart of New Testament ministry is a stewardship of the unsearchable riches of Christ, aiming to produce boldness and confident access through faith in Him. This stewardship involves handling and distributing Christ’s riches to God’s household, equipping the church to express the Father and grow into Christ’s fullness.

According to Paul in 1 Timothy 1:5, ministry operating by God's economy produces a threefold progression: faith unfeigned, a good conscience, and love out of a pure heart. Ministry that misses this target swerves into empty talk, producing confusion, shame, and legalism instead of edification.

The Foundation: Faith Unfeigned

The foundation is faith unfeigned—genuine trust in Christ’s accomplished work. This is not religious performance but believing the gospel and drawing near to God based on Christ’s death and resurrection. Through this faith, we lay hold of Christ’s riches and our position as heirs (Ephesians 3:12).

The Result: A Good Conscience

From faith flows a good conscience. Legalism produces shame and uncertainty, but true ministry brings boldness by focusing on what we have in Christ. We have access to the Father through Him (Ephesians 2:18). A cleansed conscience results from believing Christ has removed all separation from God (Hebrews 10:22).

The Culmination: Love Out of a Pure Heart

The culmination is love out of a pure heart. This is not a demand to love more, but the result of knowing God’s love for us. As we are rooted in love and comprehend Christ’s love (Ephesians 3:19), our hearts are purified by the hope of seeing Him as He is (1 John 3:2-3).

The True Work of Ministry

The true work of ministry is to steward Christ’s riches to produce faith unfeigned, a good conscience, and love out of a pure heart. This environment perfects the heirs, edifies the body, and fulfills God’s purpose. Any ministry turning aside from this misses the mark. The Spirit brings us into this reality, and our responsibility is to share what we have seen of Christ so others may enter into bold, confident access to God. This is the practical outcome of God’s economy and the true measure of New Testament ministry.

Orientation

Many believers assume that spiritual growth is a matter of religious performance or keeping rules, rather than receiving a rich inheritance.

True ministry is the stewardship and distribution of the unsearchable riches of Christ.
God's economy is designed to produce boldness and confident access, not fear.
Focusing on human effort instead of Christ's riches leads to empty talk and confusion.

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
— Ephesians 3:8

Clarification

We often mistake the pressure of legalism for spiritual conviction, but true biblical ministry removes shame through the finished work of Christ.

A good conscience is not earned by behavior but is the result of believing Christ removed all separation.
Legalism produces uncertainty, while the Gospel produces a heart purified by hope.
Ministry that misses the target of God's economy results in legalistic swerving.

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
— 1 Timothy 1:5

Structure

The New Testament reveals a specific threefold progression of faith, conscience, and love that fulfills God’s eternal purpose.

Faith unfeigned is the foundation—genuine trust in Christ’s accomplished resurrection.
A good conscience flows from faith, providing bold access to the Father.
Love out of a pure heart is the culmination of being rooted in God's love for us.

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
— Ephesians 3:12

Weight-Bearing Prose

The core of New Testament ministry is the stewardship of Christ’s unsearchable riches, a Pauline category that shifts the focus from the believer’s work to Christ’s abundance. When ministry operates according to God’s economy, it targets the production of faith unfeigned, a good conscience, and love out of a pure heart. These are not incremental stages of maturity to be achieved, but the natural environment of the believer who is resting in their position as an heir.

Objections often arise from a legalistic framework that demands love as a requirement rather than a result. However, biblical logic dictates that love is the byproduct of knowing and being rooted in Christ’s love for us. By believing the record of the Son, the conscience is cleansed from the dead works of trying to bridge a gap that Christ has already closed. We do not progress into these realities by willpower; we are brought into them by the Spirit testifying of Christ’s finished work.

Integration

Your standing before God is anchored entirely in the person and riches of Jesus Christ. There is no pressure to advance through these entry points as if they were rungs on a ladder. Instead, they serve as stable descriptors of the life you already possess in Him. As you hear the message of His grace, your faith is simply the agreement that God’s record is true.

This assurance allows you to rest in a good conscience, knowing that every barrier has been removed. You are an heir of all things, invited to enjoy bold and confident access to the Father. The goal is not your effort, but your enjoyment of the unsearchable riches of Christ, which naturally produces a heart of love and a life of peace.

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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.