At every stop during his missionary journeys, Paul starts at the synagogue and teaches there until they kick him out. From there, he preaches to the God-fearers. (These are people who believed in one God, had a sense of morality but were not prepared to become Jews). As a result, the membership of those churches he established was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. This preaching to the Gentiles was not without controversy as Read more…
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them. NET James 2:17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. BSB We have discussed that if you compare Ephesians 2:8-9 with James, it appears to be in conflict until you get to verse 10 where Paul introduces works. (There are people out there Read more…
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them. NET God’s disposition arises from His grace and is unchanging. This is important because if God is Read more…
Paul has spoken in general terms in the first chapter but is now going to apply these teachings to the Ephesians. Mercy and grace are not being used interchangeably but rather as part of a package. The best way to distinguish these is to repeat the old adage: Mercy is when we don’t get what we deserve and grace is when we receive what we don’t deserve. As to love, God didn’t wake up one Read more…
Ephesians 2:1 You were made alive when you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; NHEB We know from the experience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, to disregard what God wants leads to death. Thus our spiritual status Read more…
Ephesians 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of His might NHEB Although quite common throughout the Roman Empire, magic and other dark powers were especially noteworthy in Ephesus as it was the home of the Temple of Artemis. (There is some confusion out there regarding her role but Artemis is a rather multi-faceted goddess who oversees the crossroads or transition. Read more…
Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. 18 I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with Read more…
Ephesians 1:13 And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)–when you believed in Christ–you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. NET 2Corinthians 12:1 Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, 22 placed His seal on us, Read more…
Ephesians 1:11 In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of Him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, would be to the praise of his glory. 13And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation) – when you believed in Read more…
There are dozens of things that God has done for us through Christ. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the Read more…