BBB Bible Series: Ephesians Trivia Quiz

Answer: Turkey

Ephesus was one of the great cities of the Roman Empire. Located in Asia, it was home to the temple of the great goddess Diana. Paul may not have been the first to bring Christianity to Ephesus but his teaching had a great impact on the church there.

His letter to Ephesians contains some of his most complete teachings on how the churches should relate to one another and also influence the world around them.

Answer: Before the creation of the world

"For he chose us in him [Christ] before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (Ephesians 1:4)

Ephesus was a pagan city. The goddess Diana was greatly revered and people from all over the Roman Empire made pilgrimages there to worship her. Paul began his letter by making it clear that their faith in Christ was not some happenstance based on the whims of a pagan deity, but for all eternity God had specifically meant for them to be in Christ.

Answer: The Holy Spirit

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Paul again shows that the relationship Christians have with God is not distant and impersonal but that God himself, in the person of the Holy Spirit, seals the relationship they have with him until the work of redemption is completed in them.

Answer: So they could know the hope of their calling

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints," (Ephesians 1:18)

Paul continued to show that God's plan called believers beyond the here and now to an inheritance that is theirs in one another for all eternity.

Answer: Like the power that raised Christ from the dead

"... That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms..." (Ephesians 1:19-20)

According to Paul's teaching the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to, and is working in and through the lives of, those who believe in Christ.

Answer: By grace

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Central to much of Paul's teaching here was that salvation could not be earned through any human efforts or practices, but it was freely given as a gift to those who would place their faith in Christ's sacrificial death on the cross for the forgiveness of their sins.

Answer: Believers

"And God raised us [the church] up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6-7)

Believers aren't physically seated in the heavenly realms, of course, but according to Paul's teaching, spiritually they enjoy the privilege of sharing in Christ's victorious death and resurrection.

Answer: church

"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms..." (Ephesians 3:10)

In many of Paul's letters he mentions an unseen spiritual world. Paul's letter to the Ephesians contains some of his most complete teachings on the church's purpose and power against this unseen spiritual world and that world's ability to hinder mankind's relationship with God.

Answer: idolaters

"For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person -- such a man is an idolater -- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." (Ephesians 5:5)

Paul's teachings did not only focus on the heavenly realms, but he also taught how spiritual truths should work out in a practical way in the lives of believers.

Answer: The armor of God

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:13-17)

Paul ended his letter to the Ephesians by reminding them that though they may see much evil in the lives of people around them, their battle isn't against people. Their battle is a spiritual one to be fought with the spiritual power they had been given in Christ.