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 1:9-23

God's Eternal Purpose: All in Christ

Ephesians 1:9-23 -- God's Purpose: All in Christ

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

Ephesians 1:9-23
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 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: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

God’s Eternal Purpose: Heading Up All Things in Christ

God’s eternal purpose, revealed in Ephesians 1:9-10, is to head up all things in Christ. This is the ultimate goal of His activity: to gather all things in heaven and on earth under Christ’s headship in the fullness of times. It is not merely about order or morality, but the fulfillment of God’s heart from eternity.

The Centrality of Christ

Christ is central to this purpose. All things were created for Him, by Him, and are held together in Him (Colossians 1:16-17). Apart from Christ, every human pursuit is “vanity of vanities” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). God’s answer is to make Christ preeminent in all things (Colossians 1:18), heading up all creation in Him.

The Church: The Firstfruits

The church is the first group to be headed up in Christ. As the body of Christ, it is the heavenly company through which Christ’s life and glory are expressed. This is not achieved by human effort but is the outworking of God’s eternal purpose through the knowledge of Christ and His power in us.

The Prayer for Revelation

Paul prays for believers to receive “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” (Ephesians 1:17-18), that they may understand three aspects of God’s purpose: the hope of His calling, the riches of His inheritance, and the greatness of His power.

The Hope of His Calling

This hope is the Father’s calling of Christ—encompassing His incarnation, death, resurrection, and glorification—into which we are brought. We are called to share in this glory as the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29), with a hope that is an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19).

The Riches of His Inheritance

This refers to what God inherits: Christ revealed and multiplied in the saints. The church is God’s masterpiece (His poema, Ephesians 2:10), the treasure for which He purchased the whole field (Matthew 13:44). God’s glory is displayed in these vessels of mercy.

The Greatness of His Power

This is the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him above all authority (Ephesians 1:19-23). It is already at work, subduing all things to Christ and bringing everything under His dominion. Christ is head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

The Glorious Conclusion

God’s eternal purpose is not only individual salvation but to head up all things in Christ, making the church the vessel of His glory. All things work together for this purpose (Romans 8:28). Our assurance rests in knowing God is harmonizing all things with Christ, and we are destined to share in His glory as He fills all things with Himself.

Orientation

Apart from the headship of Christ, all human pursuits and creation itself remain in a state of vanity and lack eternal meaning.

Humanity often attempts to find order through independent effort rather than divine purpose.
God's response to the vanity of the world is to gather all things under one Head.
Security is found in being part of the 'purchased possession' God has already secured.

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
— Ephesians 1:10

Clarification

The Church is not a human organization aiming for moral progress, but a heavenly body functioning as the firstfruits of God's cosmic unification.

The Church is the 'fullness of Him,' not a collection of people trying to reach Him.
Spiritual growth is an enlightened understanding of what is already true in Christ.
Our inheritance is a gift of predestination, not a reward for performance.

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
— Ephesians 1:11

Structure

God’s logic follows a specific sequence: the making known of His secret will, the sealing of the believer, and the ultimate heading up of all creation.

The Father initiates according to His good pleasure and counsel.
The Son serves as the sphere and Head in whom all things consist.
The Holy Spirit acts as the seal and earnest of the completed inheritance.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
— Ephesians 1:13-14

Weight-Bearing Prose

God’s eternal purpose is the ‘heading up’ of all things in Christ. This Pauline category describes a total unification of heaven and earth under Christ’s preeminence. The Church occupies a unique position as His Body, the first group to be gathered into this mystery. This is not achieved by human volition but by the exceeding greatness of God’s power—the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him far above all principality and dominion.

Objections centered on human merit or ‘progressive sanctification’ are answered by the fact that believers are already ‘sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.’ The believer’s growth is not an incremental improvement of the flesh, but the eyes of the understanding being enlightened to know the hope of His calling. We are testament heirs of an inheritance already obtained, participating in a purpose that spans from the counsel of God’s will to the dispensation of the fullness of times.

Integration

Your place in God’s purpose is settled by His good pleasure, not your effort. You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of the full inheritance to come. There is no pressure to advance through tiers of knowledge; rather, you are invited to rest in the finished work of Christ who fills all in all. As part of His Body, you are already included in the grand gathering of all things. Peace comes from knowing that the same power that exalted Christ above every name is the power currently at work toward those who believe.

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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.