Was the church at Ephesus a Gentile or Jewish congregation?
The church at Ephesus was a Gentile congregation, predominantly Gentile, though a scattering of Jewish believers existed among the churches. Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, addressed them. They were not a Jewish assembly but a Gentile one, consistent with the Ephesian church's composition.
Les teaches that Ephesus was a Gentile congregation. He acknowledges there were a scattering of Jewish believers in all these churches, but they were predominantly Gentile. He then moves to Ephesians 2:1, where Paul says, "and you he hath quickened," or made alive, "who were dead in trespasses and sins." Les emphasizes that this is the lot of every human being, not because they were pagan, not because of their religion, not because of their immorality, but because they were sons and daughters of Adam. He stresses that everyone was dead in sin because they are the offspring of Adam. He then continues to Ephesians 2:2, "wherein while we were dead in trespasses and sins," and notes they were living in the flesh.