What was the purpose of the Council of Ephesus?

Historical Background

The Council of Ephesus, convened in 431 AD, is historically recognized as the Third Ecumenical Council. It took place under the reign of Emperor Theodosius II. Prominent church leaders, including Cyril of Alexandria, Nestorius of Constantinople, and representatives of Pope Celestine I, gathered in the city of Ephesus to address key theological controversies of the time.

This council was held in the wake of debates concerning the nature of Christ and the proper title for Mary, the mother of Jesus. The controversy specifically revolved around Nestorius’s teaching, which appeared to diminish the full unity of Christ’s divine and human natures. The fundamental purpose was to safeguard the biblical truth that in Jesus Christ, the divine and human natures are inseparably unified from His conception.

Theological Context

Early believers held to the apostolic teaching that Jesus is fully God and fully man, as illustrated in verses such as John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” This high Christology was mirrored in the Nicene Creed (325 AD) and expanded upon through subsequent discussions. By the fifth century, the church’s primary concern was preserving the Scriptural testimony of Christ’s dual nature without dividing Him into two separate persons.

In the writings of the early church, Mary was sometimes referred to as Theotokos, a Greek term meaning “God-bearer.” Cyril of Alexandria advocated using this term to emphasize that the one born of Mary was, from conception, the eternal Word made flesh (cf. John 1:1–2). By contrast, Nestorius’s teaching leaned toward separating Christ’s humanity and divinity, inadvertently risking the idea that Mary only bore the human aspect of Christ. This nuance threatened the core biblical understanding of the Incarnation (cf. Philippians 2:6–7).

Key Issues Addressed

1. Christological Unity

The council focused on confirming that Christ’s divine and human natures existed in hypostatic union—fully united in one Person. This scriptural foundation is exemplified by passages such as Colossians 2:9: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.” The Council of Ephesus reaffirmed that envisioning Christ as two separate persons compromises the integrity of the gospel message about salvation, since only God incarnate could atone for humanity’s sin.

2. Title Theotokos

Declaring Mary as Theotokos was more about defending Christ’s identity than about elevating Mary. The term guarded the biblical confession that the divine and human natures were united from the moment of conception, supporting texts like Luke 1:35, where the angel proclaims, “…the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.”

3. Orthodoxy and Schism

The council’s rulings sought to maintain the scriptural integrity of the faith. It condemned teachings perceived as undermining the unity of Jesus’ nature. Nestorius was subsequently deposed as Bishop of Constantinople, which led to enduring ecclesiastical disputes and further regional divisions.

Major Figures

- Cyril of Alexandria: Ardent defender of Theotokos, who championed the unity of Christ’s nature. He based much of his argument on passages affirming Christ’s preexistence and role in creation (cf. John 1:1–3).

- Nestorius of Constantinople: Resisted calling Mary “Theotokos,” maintaining that this conflated Christ’s deity and humanity in a way he found theologically problematic.

- Pope Celestine I: Supported Cyril, opposing Nestorius. His representatives helped confirm the decisions of the council.

- John of Antioch: Initially clashed with Cyril but later reconciled on the essence of Christ’s united natures.

Scriptural Foundation

The central motivation for the Council of Ephesus draws on verses that present Jesus as both fully God and fully man. Texts such as 1 John 4:2–3 warn believers to test doctrines about Christ’s incarnation. The apostles consistently emphasize the divine-human unity of Jesus, ensuring that believers see His person as undivided (e.g., Hebrews 1:3).

Similarly, the council’s decisions align with the biblical message of salvation outlined in passages like Romans 5:15–17. Since redemption came through the one God-Man Jesus Christ, preserving a proper understanding of His nature was—and remains—critical for Christian teaching and living.

Outcome and Significance

The Council of Ephesus formally recognized Mary as Theotokos to protect the biblical doctrine that Jesus is one person with two natures, inseparably united. This verdict became a milestone in Christian theology, influencing later ecumenical councils. It also strengthened the Nicene faith, uniting believers around core truths and providing a clear stance against any teachings perceived as dividing or confusing the nature of Christ.

Over time, the decisions of the Council of Ephesus shaped theological definitions and illuminated the significance of the Incarnation for the life of the church. While fierce disagreements persisted in various regions, the majority of the empire accepted the council’s resolutions, ensuring that the confession of Christ’s single Personhood, united in both Godhead and humanity, would stand as a foundation of orthodox Christian doctrine.

Relevance for Believers Today

By affirming that the Savior is fully God and fully man, the council underscored the comfort and hope found in Hebrews 4:15: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.” The Council of Ephesus helps believers recognize the magnitude of Christ’s gift of salvation. His perfect humanity identifies with our shortcomings; His full deity guarantees that His sacrifice has infinite worth.

Moreover, the council’s clarifications safeguard the scriptural narrative about life in Christ, ensuring that when we worship Him, we worship the eternal God who took on flesh for our sake. This theological foundation unifies Christians across time and invites believers everywhere to understand that our trust in Christ for salvation is grounded on the firm biblical basis of His person and work.

Concluding Summary

The purpose of the Council of Ephesus was to preserve the biblical understanding of Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word of God—one Person with two distinct natures—and to affirm that Mary, being the mother of the God-Man, rightly bears the title Theotokos. By doing so, the council safeguarded the scriptural truths about the Incarnation, ensuring that Christ’s full deity and humanity remained intact and upheld according to “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).