Ephesians and 1 Peter: compare and contrast

EPHESIANS 1 PETER
1. God’s purpose is to “gather “Have your conduct honourable
together in one all things in Christ”. among the Gentiles, that they may
(1:10) glorify God in the day of visitation.”
(2:12)
2. Christ “Himself is our peace, who Christ “Himself bore our sins in His
has made both [Jews and Gentiles] own body on the tree, that we,
one, and has broken down the having died to sins, might live for
middle wall of division between us. righteousness.” (2:24)
He has reconciled both to God in
one body through the cross.” (2:13)
3. God “gave Him to be head over Christ has “gone into heaven and is
all things to the Church, which is at the right hand of God, angels
His body.” (1:22) and authorities and powers having
been made subject to him”. (3:22)
4. “We were sealed with the Holy God has “begotten us again to an
Spirit of promise, who is the incorruptible inheritance”. (1:4 and
guarantee of our inheritance.” 5)
(1:13) [compare BAPTISM,
CHRISMATION]
5. Jesus Christ Himself is “the chief “The stone which the builders
cornerstone, in whom the whole rejected has become the chief
building is joined together.” (2:18) cornerstone.” (2:4)
[compare Psalm 118:22]
6. “Husbands, love your wives, as You once were “Not-a-People but
Christ also loved the Church.” are now the People of God.” (2:10)
(5:25) [compare Hosea 1:9 and 2:23]
7. “Put on the whole armour of God “Since Christ suffered for us in the
that you may be able to stand flesh, arm yourselves with the
against the wiles of the Devil." same mind.” (4:1). “Your adversary
(6:11) the Devil walks about like a roaring
lion.” (5:8)

An important theme in Ephesians is the Church (from Ernest Best

“Ephesians, a Shorter Commentary” 2003).
1. The Church as the People of God
2. The Church of the Spirit
3. The Church as Building
4. The Church as Body of Christ
5. The Church as Wife (or Bride) of Christ