Does Ephesians have anything to say to unsaved people if it was written to believers?
Ephesians is addressed to believers, not the whole world, yet its truths can still impact unsaved people. Paul writes to those already in Christ, and the letter's teaching about faith, belief, and position in Christ can have an effect on unbelievers as they hear God's Word.
Les explains that Paul is writing to believers, not to the whole world, but as he writes to believers it will also have an effect on the unsaved person. The context stresses that Paul writes to those who are now believers, in their position in Christ, and that their trust, faith, or belief came after they heard the Word of Truth. So while Ephesians is not addressed directly to the unsaved, its message can still reach and influence them.
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,
More Questions
Who was the book of Ephesians written to?
Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians to believers, not to the whole world, and that includes believers today.
Is Ephesians written to us today?
Les explains that Ephesians 1:2 is not limited to the ancient Ephesian believers; he says Paul writes to us today. Those who trusted in Christ did so after hearing the Word of Truth, which Les identifies as the Gospel. He notes many people remain confused about the Gospel, even in the Bible Belt, and have never heard it. So he directs them to I Corinthians 15:1-4, the simplest place in Scripture where the Gospel is presented. There Paul declares the Gospel he preached, which they received, in which they stand, and by which they are saved. Les stresses this is simple enough for a child to understand yet sufficient. He also says we are made righteous, right standing with God, if we keep in memory what was preached, lest we believe in vain. Therefore we must know what we believe.
What do the 'in Christ' phrases in Ephesians mean for believers?
The repeated 'in Christ' / 'in Him' prepositional phrases throughout Ephesians describe the believer's position in Christ, or in the body of Christ.