Ephesians study section
Ephesians word studies
A handful of Greek words carry the theology of Ephesians. Tap the speaker next to any word to hear it pronounced.
Key words
χάρις (charis) — “Grace”
Usage: Ephesians 1:6-7; 2:5, 8; 4:7
Meaning: Grace, unmerited favor, a free gift.
Theological Significance: Salvation is “by grace... through faith... the gift of God, not a result of works.” Grace is the source of every blessing in Christ — chosen, redeemed, made alive — displayed as “the immeasurable riches of his grace” (Ephesians 2:7-9; 1:6).
μυστήριον (mystērion) — “Mystery”
Usage: Ephesians 1:9; 3:3-9; 5:32; 6:19
Meaning: A mystery — a truth once hidden but now revealed by God.
Theological Significance: The mystērion is God’s plan, hidden for ages and now disclosed: to unite all things in Christ and to make Jew and Gentile “fellow heirs” in one body, the church. It is centered on Christ and His union with His people (Ephesians 3:6; 5:32).
ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia) — “Church, Assembly”
Usage: Ephesians 1:22; 3:10, 21; 5:23-32
Meaning: An assembly, a called-out gathering; the community of Christ’s people.
Theological Significance: The ekklēsia is central to Ephesians — the body of which Christ is head, the temple where God dwells by the Spirit, and the bride Christ loved and gave Himself for. Through the church God displays His manifold wisdom (Ephesians 3:10; 5:25-27).
περιπατέω (peripateō) — “To Walk”
Usage: Ephesians 2:2, 10; 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15
Meaning: To walk — a common biblical metaphor for one’s manner of life, conduct, and daily living.
Theological Significance: The second half of Ephesians is structured around how believers “walk” — worthily of their calling, in love, in light, and in wisdom. Grace received in Christ is meant to shape the whole course of life (Ephesians 4:1; 5:2, 8).
πανοπλία (panoplia) — “Full Armor”
Usage: Ephesians 6:11, 13
Meaning: The full armor or complete equipment of a heavily armed soldier.
Theological Significance: Believers face spiritual warfare and must “put on the whole armor (panoplia) of God” — truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the word, and prayer — to stand firm. The battle is won not by human strength but by being clothed in God’s provision (Ephesians 6:11-18).
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