Wednesday Bible Study: People of the epistles part five

 

Unlike the people in the previous letters, the Ephesians are a lot like the Philadelphia Church in Revelation- Paul has very little against them.  At the first, in fact, he thanks God FOR them- and wishing them three things.  First, he wants for them "to know the hope to which He has called them".  This is to say, to remember the reward of heaven if they stand fast.  Hope, in Paul's lexicon, is not a wish that he hopes will come true, but a sure thing awaiting in the future.  Secondly, he wants for them to know "the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, " which is to say how great things will  be there.  Thirdly, he wants them to know "what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ".  All of these things, in addition to being a mouthful, is to remind them that they're focus is to be on things beyond this life, so that they can face whatever this life brings.  That they have a sure promise, of a great reward, and Christ's power will surely bring them there.

At verse 2:11, though, Paul brings in the dreaded word, "Therefore..."  But he has some points he wants to bring up before he gets to that 'therefore'- which takes him until chapter four to get back to the therefore.  Paul is trying to bring these people to the next step- and he wants to do it gently.  So he comes at it from two angles.  First, he wants to give them credit for the path they've already traveled; then, persuade them that there's something yet better ahead.

To get to the "therefore" he first starts with how they, as Gentiles, have now been brought into the family, but not by circumcision...

Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14  For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
Eph 2:15  by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
Eph 2:16  and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.


Then, he ties together the victory of Christ in bringing them salvation to the Power of Christ to keep all these promises, along the way reminding them that his current status as a prisoner doesn't weaken these promises, but strengthens them...

Eph 3:13  So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

This opens our picture of the Ephesian Church a bit.  He doesn't want them to sputter out, like the Galatians, and he is concerned his imprisonment might just do that.  Thus he has drawn out both their faithfulness so far and the Power of Christ to keep them there- and with that, he's finally ready to get to the therefore:

Eph 4:1  I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Eph 4:2  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Eph 4:3  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

And having asked them to concentrate on that walk, he brings up some elements to keep in mind.  Humility, gentleness, patience, love.  And adds in a concept he hasn't explored that much before- unity.  What is he asking here?

Eph 4:4  There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--
Eph 4:5  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Eph 4:7  But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

Eph 4:11  And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
Eph 4:12  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Eph 4:13  until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Eph 4:14  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

This is not, as some would use it,  a 'bashing' of the Protestant faith's many denominations.  We are to believe the ONE God, have the ONE faith in Christ, make the ONE profession in Baptism.  HOWever, the grace given- and expectations thereof- of each individual and Church, are supplied at Christ's will.  There are Evangelistic Churches (think Greg Laurie), teaching churches (like our church), serving churches (like Samaritan's Purse).  And as long as they cling to all those ONEs above, and not get caught up in the schemes of man (say, the former state of the Baaker group) we are all working towards that perfect unity.

Next, he reminds them that it is a constant battle, no matter who you are, to get rid of the old self...

Eph 4:22  to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
Eph 4:23  and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Eph 4:24  and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Eph 4:25  Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Eph 4:26  Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
Eph 4:27  and give no opportunity to the devil.

He then reminds them of some of those "devil's opportunities", including sexual immorality (which even then was the most prominent), hatred, and drunkenness.

And he closes out by reminding them that obedience carries with it a lot of levels:  Wives to husbands, children to parents (and the love that is required on the back channels), servants to bosses.  Even when we don't think we owe it, we should show it, because Christ didn't have to show it, but did...

Eph 5:1  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Finally, he realizes that, for all the good he spoke about them at the start, and all of their faith, it is NOT going to be easy, because the enemy has power as well...

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Eph 6:13  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

And the only way to fight that battle is prayer...

Eph 6:18  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Eph 6:19  and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:20  for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

I mentioned this on a Better Part post some time back- a sign put up around our workplace applies here as well- "If you want it, work for it".  We never get to a point in faith where we are allowed to "just coast."  And we don't keep the ground we gain if we don't do the things that got us there.