Ephesians is a letter to a church very like yours. Paul is obviously commended that this young church gets its foundations right.

It is intriguing that later, when writing to Timothy, he says that there are some there promoting 'false doctrines'. The leadership was in revolt! Yet in the Revelation given to John, Jesus commends the Ephesian church that they have thrown out the false teachers and are a congregation who have staying power despite their setbacks.

So a church that had been through the mill but back out the other side! What was their secret? You will find out as you explore this letter to the church, ably expounded by Paul Gardner.

Paul Gardner is also the author of 2 Peter and Jude (9781857923384) and Revelation: Compassion and protection of Christ (9781857923292) in the Focus on the Bible commentary series.

Dr Paul Gardner was previously a lecturer in New Testament at Oak Hill Theological College in London and a Rural Dean in the Church of England. After serving as Archdeacon of Exeter for three years, in 2005 Dr. Gardner moved to Atlanta in the United States and now serves as the Senior Minister at Christ Church Presbyterian, Atlanta.