v.1-14
1. Introduction to Ephesians:
Purpose of the book:
(BKC) From Revelation one can see that the Ephesian church had succeeded in keeping out the false teachers (Rev. 2:2) but had failed to maintain the vibrancy of their first love for Christ (Rev. 2:4)...the goal of his [Paul's] instruction was “love which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Thus the theme of love needed to be stressed for the saints at Ephesus...Possibly Paul, realizing they were starting to forsake their first love, wrote this epistle to encourage them to love both God and their fellow saints.
Structure of the book:
(BKC) In this epistle the first three chapters deal with doctrine (the calling of the church) and the last three chapters with application (the conduct of the church).
Structure of 1:1-14
(NET) Eph 1:3–14 comprises one long sentence in Greek, with three major sections. Each section ends with a note of praise for God (vv. 6, 12, 14), focusing on a different member of the Trinity. After an opening summary of all the saints’ spiritual blessings (v. 3), the first section (vv. 4–6) offers up praise that the Father has chosen us in eternity past; the second section (vv. 7–12) offers up praise that the Son has redeemed us in the historical past (i.e., at the cross); the third section (vv. 13–14) offers up praise that the Holy Spirit has sealed us in our personal past, at the point of conversion.
2. The 1st blessing v.1-6
Repeated words:
A. blessed is the God...who blessed us v.3, to the praise of the glory of His grace v.6
B. he chose us in Christ...in love v.4, by predestining us...through Jesus Christ...to the praise of the glory of his grace...in his dearly loved son v.5-6
Summary: God the Father chose us through the redemption of dearly loved son, JC, because of His love and the purpose of this is for us to praise His grace given to us. The love relationship of God was evidenced by giving us His loved son and this relationship is secured because it is predestined long ago.
Reflection: We shall not just stop at enjoying a secure love relationship with God, but think about the purpose of this relationship, i.e. to praise God and His glorious grace. How to praise God? With only our mouth? With our hearts? With our action to love Him and others?
3. The 2nd blessings v.7-12
repeated words:
A. redemption through His blood, forgiveness of our offenses
B. He set forth in Christ...to head up all things in Christ (BKC) God’s grace is given to enable believers to understand His will...So believers are able to grasp something of the divine purpose of the ages and to see its relevance in the present time...This mystery (unveiled truth) is God’s good pleasure (cf. Eph. 1:5) to purpose in Christ to bring all things in heaven and on earth under His headship in the consummation of time...In the Millennium everything will be restored and brought together under Christ, the one Head. This does not suggest that everyone will be saved; instead, sin’s disorder will be removed and universal peace will be established (Isa. 2:2–4; 11:1–10).
4. The 3rd blessings v.13-14
repeated words: v.11 In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession...you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit...until the redemption of God’s own possession v.14
Summary: our redemption is secured with another source, the Holy Spirit. We will not be lost.
v.15-23
1. The purposes of what Paul prayed for the church v.17-23
(NET) There is a natural cadence to the three genitive expressions (hope of his calling, wealth of his glorious inheritance, and extraordinary greatness of his power). The essence of the prayer is seen here. Paraphrased it reads as follows: “Since you are enlightened by God’s Spirit, I pray that you may comprehend the hope to which he has called you, the spiritual riches that await the saints in glory, and the spiritual power that is available to the saints now.” Thus, the prayer focuses on all three temporal aspects of our salvation as these are embedded in the genitives—the past (calling), the future (inheritance), and the present (power toward us who believe).
2. Questions
1) see above
2) a. to heal me and b. my friend's sickness
3) ?
4) yes
5) v.20-23 he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms 21 far above...all things under Christ’s feet...as head over all things...
6) a. at His right hand in the heavenly realms b. far above c. under His feet d. head over
7) He is my Savior and my Lord.
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