Visual Theology – Ephesians ?

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

Ephesians 4:11–6:14
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church

The Corporate New Man: Building and Warfare in Ephesians

The epistle to the Ephesians reveals the church as the corporate New Man—a single Body being built up through the ministry of the Word and the fellowship of the saints. This building is how God protects and expresses the gospel. In Ephesians 4:12-15, Paul explains that gifted ones—apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers—are given to perfect the saints for ministry, edifying the Body of Christ. Through this, the saints are "compacted together," growing up into Christ, the Head.

The goal is "the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). This "perfect man" is the collective Body, whose stature is measured by the fullness of Christ. Edification nourishes the saints with the "unsearchable riches of Christ," bringing them into rest and truth.

The Corporate Warrior: Standing in Victory

In Ephesians 6, the New Man, having reached stature, is manifested as the corporate warrior. The call is not to frantic activity, but to resolute standing: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore..." (Ephesians 6:13-14). This "standing" is a static defense, holding territory already conquered by Christ. We occupy and defend the ground secured by our Head, who has already "spoiled principalities and powers."

The Armor of God is Christ Himself

The armor of God is not individual virtues, but the "Armor of Yahweh" (cf. Isaiah 59:17), made available through union with Christ. To "put on the whole armour of God" is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Each piece—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word—is a facet of His person and work. The armor is fitted to the corporate Body and functions only as the Body stands together in Christ’s victory.

The True Nature of Spiritual Warfare

This corporate standing is true spiritual warfare. It is not an individualized struggle, but the maintenance and defense of the fellowship and testimony of Christ. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, divides truth from error, guarding against "winds of doctrine." The shield of faith is the collective "Amen" of the Body, quenching fiery darts of condemnation.

To stand in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10) is to be clothed with Christ’s resurrection power, the power that set Him "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion" (Ephesians 1:20-21). The church, as the corporate warrior, stands to express and maintain the finished victory of Christ. This is the obedience of faith—refusing to be moved from our position of rest in Him.

The greatest act of warfare is to remain anchored in the gospel. The love that preserves the church’s testimony is the incorruptible love poured out by the Holy Spirit—the very life of Christ in our hearts (Ephesians 6:24). This is the stature of the corporate warrior: a Body built up in the knowledge of the Son of God, standing together in the armor of God, maintaining His unfading victory.