Readings for this week
Monday: Ephesians 3
Tuesday: Ephesians 4
Wednesday: Ephesians 5
Thursday: Ephesians 6
Friday: Esther 1
Saturday: Esther 2
Sunday: Esther 3
Introduction to Ephesians 3-6
Chapter 3
Paul then discusses his own relation to the mystery of this new spiritual community. First, he discusses the content of the mystery that was revealed to him. He says, “This is the reason I, Paul, became a servant of the Gospel by God’s grace and through his power. Surely, you’ve heard about the grace God gave to me for you (ie. the mystery revealed). When you read what I write, you can see my insight into the mystery of Christ. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. This mystery was hidden in past generations but revealed by the Spirit to the Apostles and Prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
He then discusses how the wisdom of the mystery was revealed to spiritual beings. First, he says, “Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: To preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery.”
He says that this mystery was hidden in God in the past, but now he has chosen to reveal it to all the rulers of the heavenly realms through his church. He says that it was accomplished through Jesus, and in him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
And he tells the church to not be discouraged by his sufferings which are for their glory.
Paul then offers a prayer for love, with the goal being to maintain the church’s practical unity.
The Content of the Prayer:
“This is why I pray to the Father. Every family in heaven and on earth gets its name from him. I pray that he will strengthen you by the Spirit and that Christ will live in you by faith. I pray that because you are rooted in love that you will also have power with all God’s people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Paul then describes the immensity of God’s resources in a doxology:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Chapter 4
Paul then addresses the unity of the Church practically. He begins by discussing the concept of maintaining unity through diversity. He says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Paul was apparently under house arrest during this time.
He then says to “be completely humble and gentle.” And he adds, “Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ancient Greek culture often viewed humility, meekness, gentleness, and self-sacrifice in negative terms, as weaknesses. But Paul taught that the love experienced in Christ is to be extended to others.
He then goes on to say, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
He says that there is…
One body
One Spirit
One Hope (just as when you were first called)
One Lord
One faith
One baptism
One God and Father of all ...who is over all and through all and in all.
Paul then goes on to talk about the diversity of spiritual gifts in contributing toward unity. He says that Christ apportioned grace to each of us. And he quotes from the Scriptures, Psalm 68, which says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
And Paul points out that if he ascended… then he also descended to the earth. And he proclaims that he who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.
Paul then says that in order to equip his people for works of service, Christ gave…
The apostles
The prophets
The evangelists
The pastors (shepherds)
The teachers
Paul says that they were given so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God and become mature. He says that when we attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow to become the mature body of Christ, who is the head. And he adds that with the head leading, the rest of the body is joined and grows up in love and works together, each part in its place.
Paul then discusses morality and how we are members of each other. First, he talks about morality and the former lifestyle. And he offers a negative example: pagans. He insists that they don’t keep living like the Gentiles who live in darkness and ignorance, separated from God’s life because of their hard hearts. He says that they’ve lost all sensitivity and have become slaves of sensuality and greed.
He then offers a positive basis: death of the “old man.” he says that the pagan life is not the type of life they learned about in Jesus. They were taught to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, and to be made new in the attitude of their minds by putting on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Paul then discusses morality and the present life in Christ. He says that since we’re all in the same body, we must stop being false and speak truthfully to our neighbors. He says not to let anger lead to sin, giving the devil a foothold, and if you’ve been stealing… stop stealing, start working, be useful and learn how to share. He says to replace nasty words with helpful words, and not to grieve the Holy Spirit who sealed you for the day of redemption. He says to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice, and to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Chapter 5
Paul then discusses the believer’s relation to unbelievers. First, he says not to conform to their sinfulness, and to walk in the way of love as children loved by God, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
He says it’s not proper for God’s holy people to have a hint of any kind of impurity or greed – even foolish talk and dirty jokes should be replaced with thanksgiving. He says he’s sure that those who are immoral, impure, and greedy are idolaters and don’t have an inheritance in Christ’s kingdom. He says not to be partners with those whose empty words would trick you into thinking that God’s wrath doesn’t come to the disobedient.
Paul then says to confront unbelievers with the Gospel. He says they they were once darkness, but now they are light in the Lord, so they should live as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord. He says that the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth, so don’t store away and cover up fruitless deeds of darkness – bring everything into the light, even the secret things too shameful to speak of, because everything that is illuminated becomes itself a light.
He says that’s why it’s said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Paul then discusses the believer’s relation to the Spirit. First, he gives an admonition for Spirit-filling. He says that since they live in evil times, they should try hard to live wisely and to make the most of every opportunity. He says that instead of being foolish, they should try to understand what God’s will is. He says not to fill up on wine that will lead them to sin; rather fill up on the Spirit that will lead them to sing and make music to the Lord and be thankful for everything in Jesus’ name.
Paul then offers the test of Spirit-filling… the believer’s relation to the extended family. First, he talks about the relationship between wives and husbands. He tells them to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
He tells wives to submit themselves to their own husbands as they do to the Lord.
Why?
Because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
And he adds that as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
He tells husbands to love their wives, “just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”
He tells them to love their wives as their own bodies.
Why?
He says “because he who loves his wife loves himself. Do you hate your own body!? Do you feed and take care of yourself!? Take care of your wife the way Christ takes care of his church since we are all members of his body!!”
He adds that marriage is a profound mystery… “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” He says he is really talking about Christ and the church, but, husbands need to follow Christ’s model and love their wives as they love themselves, and wives need to respect their husbands.
Chapter 6
Next, Paul talks about the relationship between children and parents. He tells children to obey their parents in the Lord, “for this is right.”
Why?
He says because the first commandment with a promise was to “honor your father and mother, so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
He tells fathers not to exasperate their children, but to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Next, Paul talks about the relationship between slaves and masters. He tells slaves to obey their earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as they would obey Christ. He says to obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on them, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from their hearts. He says to serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not people.
Why?
He says because they know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
He tells masters not to threaten their slaves
Why?
He says because slaves and masters both have one Master in heaven who does not show favoritism.
Paul then discussed the believer’s present relation to the devil… spiritual warfare. He says to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”, and to “put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. Stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Additionally, take up the shield of faith to extinguish all the evil one’s flaming arrows. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
He adds:
“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.”
Paul then offers his final greetings. First, he commends Tychicus, saying that he’s sending him to them so that they will know how they are doing and to encourage them.
He closes the letter with a benediction:
“Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.”
