Ephesians 1
-Ephesians is a pervasively positive letter of Paul’s in
tone explaining what we might call a spiritual biography of all those who are
in Christ by faith for salvation. There are important paraenesis (series of moral exhortations) sections for the believer
to act upon as instructed for a sanctified life. Paul wrote this letter from
prison, more than likely during his Roman imprisonment of the early to mid 60s
AD.
-After the typical introduction as Paul claims his authority
as an apostle by the will of God and pronounces grace and peace upon the
faithful saints in Ephesus, he blesses the Lord and Father of Christ Jesus for
every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:1-3). He goes into the eternal nature of
God’s knowledge in choosing His people from the foundation of the world, that
those who believe in Him should be holy and blameless before Him. Paul says it
was by His great love that He predestined us for adoption as sons (or daughters
if female) through Jesus Christ. This is done according to His Divine will and
the purposes He has designed from ages past. “In Him we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His
grace (Ephesians 1:4-7).” He has lavished (bountifully, abundantly,
plentifully) upon us this grace in all wisdom and insight making known the
mystery of His will, which revolves around the work of Christ Jesus, the plan
for the fullness of time (pleroma) to
unite all things in Him on earth and in Heaven (Ephesians 1:8-10).
*Application* This is a composite salvation history of what the Lord has done
for His people. Those whom He foreknew, He predestined and called for
justification and eventual glorification (Romans 8:29-30). This is all done by His
grace, we have not earned it nor do we deserve it in any way. When we consider
the great things God has done and the great lengths that He has gone through to
purchase our salvation by His very own blood, we should fall down in worship
and amazement for His glorious gift of eternal salvation. Give extreme praise
to the Lord today! He is great and greatly to be lifted up! Paul had at one
time been involved in combating a riot that broke out in Ephesus where the
pagans were crying out about how great their god Artemis was (Acts 19:23-41).
Now as he writes, he shares who the Great One really is.
-Paul goes on to reveal how those believers in Christ have
an inheritance in the Lord according to His Divine purpose. His Holy Spirit
seals us with a guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,
to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:11-14). *Application* Here is the
security and the perseverance of the believer in Christ Jesus. It is by the
Spirit that we endure and live in the hope of salvation. He will never leave us
or forsake us; He has us by the hand and will never let go (John 10:28, 2
Corinthians 1:22; 5:5, Hebrews 13:5). Thank the Lord today that He is faithful
and will never let His true children by the Spirit fall away completely.
-Paul now offers thanksgiving for these saints in Ephesus
who have been faithful with much love. He prays for their wisdom and revelation
in the knowledge of Christ Jesus by enlightened hearts so that they may have
hope and greatness of power in the Lord. Christ has been given the power and
the glory seated at the right Hand of God the Father in the heavenly places. He
is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every
name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come (Ephesians
1:15-21).” He is the Head of the church, “which is His body, the fullness of
Him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23).” *Application* If the church of
America today wants power, authority, dominion, and rule it must give back
Jesus His rightful place as the Head. Too many organizations, which call
themselves churches, are doing things in their own natural wisdom with a
worldly mindset and structure. There is much striving and chasing after
popularity and money. The church of the Living God has a far different motive
and agenda. It is not of this world and is guided by the Supreme Being. God
does give oversight to His people through His Spirit, but make no mistake; He
should be the Head, not an afterthought. Give the Lord Jesus Christ preeminence!
Verses to Memorize-
Ephesians 1:7, 13, 22-23
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