What is truth?

Paul's Letter to the Ephesians

Ephesians Chapter 1

Introduction to Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians

The Epistle was written from prison in Rome approximately 62 A.D. In some of the older manuscripts the words “at Ephesus” are not found and corresponds to some of the early writings of Church leadership. The explanation has been explained that this writing was likely copied and sent to various Churches and a space was left where the words “at Ephesus” appear so that they could be filled in with the appropriate Church being addressed. Colossians 4:16 mentions a letter that Paul wrote to the Laodiceans, this is thought to be that letter. This letter to the Ephesians is built on the foundations established in the Epistle to the Romans. The city of Ephesus was a great commercial center of Asia Minor near the mouth of the river Cayster and was particularly known for its temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis (Diana) that is considered one of the wonders of the world.

What does Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians have in common with 1 John?

I. Salutation (Ephesians 1:1-2)

a. Ephesians 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

1. Apostle - ἀπόστολος apostolos - a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders

i. Who else was considered to be an “apostle”?

ii. What was special about an apostle?

iii. Who made Paul an apostle?

iv. What is the difference between an apostle and a disciple?

o Disciple - μαθητής mathētēs, a learner, pupil, disciple

o An apostle is someone ordained by God to give a message whereas a disciple is a student

2. Saints - ἅγιος hagios, persons whose services God employs, set apart for God, to be exclusively His

i. Who are considered to be saints?

ii. What is a requirement to become a saint?

iii. What is the difference between a saint and a disciple?

3. Faithful - πιστός pistos, 1) persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties 2) one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust 3) One who can be relied upon

i. Is there a difference between a saint and the faithful?

ii. Why is there a distinction made between the two?

iii. Is it merely geographical in that Paul is writing specifically to the saints in Ephesus, but generally to any of the faithful to Jesus who read it that do not reside in Ephesus?

b. Ephesians 1:2 – Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Grace - χάρις charis, 1) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, lovliness: grace of speech 2) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues (mentioned 12 times in this epistle)

2. Peace - εἰρήνη eirēnē, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot

3. Why would it be necessary to bless the recipients with grace and peace from both God the Father AND from Jesus Christ?

II. God’s Plan for Us (Ephesians 1:3-14)

a. Ephesians 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is also our Father

2. God has blessed us with spiritual blessings, what is a spiritual blessing?

3. How does a spiritual blessing differ from a physical blessing? Which is (should be) more desirable? Why?

4. What are some examples of spiritual gifts? Are there any that you particularly desire? Any that you think you may already have?

i. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

ii. 1 Corinthians 14:12 - Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

o Church - ἐκκλησία ekklēsia, a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly

b. Ephesians 1:4 – According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

1. KEY VERSE

2. What does it mean to have chosen us “in Him before the foundation of the world”? If God is all-knowing (which He is) then He has known about you for eternity

3. Are there some who have not been chosen?

i. Matthew 20:16 - So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

4. Holy – ἅγιος hagios…same as saints in verse 1

5. Without blame – ἄμωμος amōmos, morally: without blemish, faultless, unblameable.

i. Is this possible?

ii. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit woking through us.

c. Ephesians 1:5 – Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1. Predestinated – προορίζω proorizō, to predetermine, decide beforehand, to forordain

i. Acts 4:28 – For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

ii. Romans 8:29 – For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2. Adoption – υἱοθεσία huiothesia, that relationship which God was pleased to establish between himself and the Israelites in preference to all other nations

i. How are the saints adopted by Christ to Himself?

ii. Why is it God’s good pleasure?

d. Ephesians 1:6 – To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1. He has made us accepted and beloved through His grace.

2. What does it mean to be accepted in the beloved?

e. Ephesians 1:7 – In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1. Redemption – ἀπολύτρωσις apolytrōsis, a releasing effected by payment of ransom

2. What is the price of forgiveness of sins? Whatever the price, it can be found in the riches of His grace, his blood which was the payment for our release

f. Ephesians 1:8 – Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

1. abounded - περισσεύω perisseuō, to exceed a fixed number of measure, to be left over and above a certain number or measure

2. God gives wisdom and prudence liberally, exceeding expectations

i. James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

g. Ephesians 1:9 – Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

1. Mystery – μυστήριον mystērion, generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals

i. God’s will is a mystery only to those who do not seek Him, for He willingly reveals it to His children

ii. If God reveals His will to us this demonstrates His love toward us

2. God’s will is not based on anything external to Himself, it is wholly independent, purposed in Himself

h. Ephesians 1:10 – That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

1. Dispensation – οἰκονομία oikonomia, the management of a household or of household affairs

i. The dispensation of the fullness of times is the management or putting in order things that transpire in the course of time both in heaven and on earth

2. The Father chooses to manage His affairs through His Son

i. Ephesians 1:11 – In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

1. Inheritance – κληρόω klēroō, to make a lot, i.e. a heritage, private possession

2. Predestinated - προορίζω proorizō, to predetermine, decide beforehand

3. Christ being in charge of managing His Father affairs, gives a lot to those who are predestined to receive it

i. Does this indicate that there are some who are not predestined to receive an inheritance?

j. Ephesians 1:12 – That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

1. Those who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

k. Ephesians 1:13 – In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

1. Word of truth:

i. Word - λόγος logos, a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea…

ii. Truth - ἀλήθεια alētheia, what is true in any matter under consideration…what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth

2. Sealed – σφραγίζω sphragizō, to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal

l. Ephesians 1:14 – Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

1. Earnest – ἀρραβών arrabōn, money which in purchases is given as a pledge or downpayment that the full amount will subsequently be paid

i. So the down payment, the pledge given for our inheritance is being sealed by the holy Spirit of promise…The Promise!

ii. 2 Corinthians 1:22 - Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

2. What is the purchased possession Paul is referring to here?

i. We are!!!

ii. Have we been redeemed? According to this verse we are awaiting our redemption

3. Who is the “buyer”?

i. The Father, with the blood of His Son (according to 1:5)

III. Paul’s Exhortation (Ephesians 1:15-23)

a. Ephesians 1:15 – Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

1. When you have faith in the Lord and show it through your love, news travels. Paul heard it through the grape vine how these Ephesians demonstrated their faith and love for the Lord

i. Do we demonstrate our faith and love in a way that gets other talking?

ii. Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

b. Ephesians 1:16 – Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

1. When we hear of the faith of other saints and their love for one another, what is the appropriate response?

i. Continually give thanks

ii. Mention the faithful in our prayers

2. Are we to give thanks for our fellow believers occasionally? Not according to this verse it says to Cease not.

i. How do we “cease not”?

c. Ephesians 1:17 – That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

1. In addition to grace and peace, Paul now prays that the saints receive :

i. The spirit of wisdom

o Proverbs 3:19 - The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

ii. Revelation of knowledge of Him

o Proverbs 3:20 - By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

2. Proverbs 3:21-22 - My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

d. Ephesians 1:18 – The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

1. What does the phrase “the eyes of your understanding” mean?

2. What is the hope of His calling?

3. What are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints?

e. Ephesians 1:19 – And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

f. Ephesians 1:20 – Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

1. Who raised Christ from the dead?

i. Here it states that the Father of glory (v.17) did

2. Who will raise us from the dead?

i. 1 Corinthians 6:14 – And God both raised up the Lord, and will also raise us by his own power.

3. Where is Christ now? At the right hand of the Father, in the heavenly places

i. Why is he there? He was “set” there by the Father

ii. Psalm 110:1 – The LORD said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

g. Ephesians 1:21 – Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1. Christ is set above 5 things that encompasses everything:

i. Principality - ἀρχή archē, the first place, principality, rule, magistracy

ii. Power - ἐξουσία exousia, the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed)

iii. Might - δύναμις dynamis, strength power, ability

iv. Dominion - κυριότης kyriotēs, dominion, power, lordship

v. Every name that is named - ὄνομα onoma , (name) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.

2. Ephesians 6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual wickedness in high places.

i. So the things that we “wrestle” against are those things that are placed under the authority of Christ

ii. When we act as an agent of Christ, conforming to His will, we carry His authority and those same things are then placed under us, but when we operate outside of His will we do not carry His authority and are overcome by His enemies.

h. Ephesians 1:22 – And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

1. Paul clarifies to leave no doubt that ALL things have been put under His feet

2. All - πᾶς pas each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything

i. Ephesians 1:23 – Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

1. The church here is said to be His body, the body of Christ

2. The ekklēsia is the fullness of Him that filleth all in all, the ekklēsia does not filleth all in all but is the fullness of Him that does.

i. Fullness - πληρόω plēroō, that which is (has been) filled

ii. The assembly of believers is filled by Him by Him that filleth all in all

iii. James Moffett Translation – Which is His body, filled by Him who fills the universe entirely.

3. Is the entire church also considered the bride of Christ? Or like Adam (Christ is said to be the last Adam, 1 Corinthians 15:45) is there a portion of his body removed and reserved to become the bride?

Ephesians Chapter 2

I. God’s Power Overcomes the Deficiencies of Man (Ephesians 2:1-10)

a. Ephesians 2:1 – And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

1. Those in sin are dead in sin

2. What kind of sin is Paul referring? He does not specify thus we must conclude that he is referring to all sin

b. Ephesians 2:2 - Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

1. To be in sin is to be conformed to this world

i. Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2. Prince - ἄρχων archōn, a ruler, commander, chief, leader

i. 2 Corinthians 4:4 - In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

ii. The prince of the power of the air and the god of this world are the same

3. What does it mean to walk according to the course of this world?

4. Who is the prince of the power of the air? Satan

i. The air is represented as the seat of his kingdom: and it was the opinion of both Jews and heathens that the air is full of spirits, and that there they exercise and exert themselves. The devil seems to have some power (by God's permission) in the lower region of the air; there he is at hand to tempt men, and to do as much mischief to the world as he can…Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Ephesians

5. What defines a child of disobedience? Those whom the spirit of the prince of the power of the air works

i. Ephesians 5:6 – Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

ii. Colossians 3:5-7 - Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

i. God’s wrath is reserved for the children of disobedience

ii. Children of disobedience are children of wrath

c. Ephesians 2:3 - Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

1. Who had these conversations? WE ALL

2. Why is fulfilling the desire of the flesh and of the mind deemed bad here? Flesh and mind are our natural tendencies, our nature and our nature is to be disobedient. To be obedient is to go against our nature.

i. 2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

3. What are we all by nature? Children of wrath

d. Ephesians 2:4 - But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

1. God’s mercy stems from His love for us; He is rich in mercy because He IS love

e. Ephesians 2:5 - Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

1. Why does Paul say we were dead in sin? Were we dead?

2. God has quickened or made us alive in Christ and it is by His grace

i. John 8:12 - Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

f. Ephesians 2:6 - And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

1. How are we raised? Together

2. Christ sits in the heavenly places at the right hand of the Father

g. Ephesians 2:7 - That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

1. Ages – αἰών aiōn, for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity

2. What does it mean the ages to come?

h. Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

1. KEY VERSE

2. How are we saved? By grace…through faith

i. His grace is only accessed through faith

3. Gift - δῶρον dōron, a gift, present

i. Which is the gift, grace or salvation?

ii. Grace is the gift and it is by that grace we are saved it is a gift from God for those who believe and put their faith in Him

i. Ephesians 2:9 - Not of works, lest any man should boast.

4. Why is God’s grace a gift instead of something we can earn? Because God does not want anyone to think they are capable of earning something that is priceless.

i. It’s like a poor person who has a life threatening illness that will take millions of dollars to treat; there is no way he/she could ever earn enough to pay the medical bills, but the doctors treat them anyhow. In this situation, life cannot be earned it can only be obtained as a gift.

ii. Think about what it would look like if it could be earned, people would strive focused on the required tasks to achieve the reward. By making salvation a gift, God removes our tendency to focus on the required tasks.

iii. If grace could be earned that would put a price tag on something priceless, no one would ever be able to purchase such a thing. The only way that we could possibly obtain it would be for God to freely give it to us, and this passage tells us that He does just that!J

5. Just because we can’t earn our salvation by works, does that mean we shouldn’t actively work and demonstrate our faith?

i. James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

ii. As the spirit is to the body so works is to faith

iii. Works - ἔργον ergon, neuter noun, any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind

j. Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

6. Back to chapter 1:4

7. We are his workmanship with respect to this new creation or the creation of the living breathing flesh body?

8. What kind of work has He designed us to accomplish? Good works

9. What kind of works are good works?

10. When did God determine what a “good work” is? Is a good work a new thing?

i. He decreed and appointed these good works “before”

11. What does walking in the before ordained good works accomplish? Glorifies God

II. In Christ We are Reconciled to God in One Body (Ephesians 2:11-22)

a. Ephesians 2:11 - Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

1. Gentiles – ἔθνος ethnos, “out of covenant peoples”

2. If they were gentiles in the past what are they now?

b. Ephesians 2:12 - That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

1. So they were aliens to the commonwealth of Israel when they were gentiles?

c. Ephesians 2:13 - But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

1. Now in Christ Jesus are those who were gentiles remain aliens to the commonwealth of Israel?

2. They…you…are made nigh by the blood of Christ

d. Ephesians 2:14 - For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

1. He is our peace

2. Whom was the partition between?

3. What was the partition?

e. Ephesians 2:15 - Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

1. The law of commandments contained in ordinances

f. Ephesians 2:16 - And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

1. Both…both those in covenant and out of covenant are reconciled in one body, there should be no outward distinction that determines who is a Christian, it has to be determined by their fruit.

g. Ephesians 2:17 - And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

h. Ephesians 2:18 - For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

1. We have access by ONE Spirit to the Father through Jesus Christ

i. Ephesians 2:19 - Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

1. No longer an alien to the commonwealth of

Israel

, but fellow citizens

j. Ephesians 2:20 - And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

1. The foundation of the household of God is built upon who? The apostles and the prophets

2. Who is the corner stone? Jesus Christ

k. Ephesians 2:21 - In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

1. The household of God is built upon a foundation that is fitly framed together forming a living temple which the Lord inhabits

2. Fitly framed, indicated a precise cut with minimal friction…when working according to God’s will and God’s plan there is precision and camaraderie among the saints

3. Do temples grow? When the temple is living it does

l. Ephesians 2:22 - In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

1. This living temple is the habitation of God

2. Is this an inclusive or a divisive statement?

3. What is our purpose?

i. Mathew 10:39 - He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

ii. We find purpose in the building up of the temple of God and how do we do that? Through the Spirit’s guidance

Ephesians Chapter 3

I. Revelation of the Knowledge of the Mysteries of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-13)

a. Ephesians 3:1 - For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

1. Why does Paul say that he is a “prisoner of Christ, how does this differ from what Jesus said in John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”?

i. Is this a contradiction?

ii. What would it mean to be prisoner of someone who makes you free?

iii. 2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2. Is Paul declaring that he is:

i. A PRISONER of Jesus Christ…or

· Meaning that he is a literal prisoner in Roman chains for the sake of Christ

· Giving us the example that when we are taken prisoner as a result of our obedience to Jesus Christ we should be content in knowing that He has a pepose for our bondage

ii. A prisoner OF Jesus Christ

· He is the prisoner, in bondage to Jesus Christ

· Giving us the example that our allegiance and obedience to Christ places us in His debt, we are truly His prisoners

3. Both

b. Ephesians 3:2 - If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

1. The stewardship of the grace of God was given to Paul for our sakes, to teach and reveal to us through his writing of the Word

2. Paul here declares by what authority he presents this letter

3. Galatians 1:1 – Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father…)

i. Appointed by God

ii. Romans 11:29 - For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance

· Irrevocable

c. Ephesians 3:3 - How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

i. It is only by the revelation of His Spirit that anyone can be made to understand the mystery of Christ

ii. God has the right to choose any of His creation to be his chosen vessel to deliver His truth. No matter how gifted, we have no right to choose from whom we will receive God’s instruction

d. Ephesians 3:4 - Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

1. When the reader reads the writings of the faithful steward, Paul, what has been revealed to him so that he can make it known to us.

e. Ephesians 3:5 - Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

1. In times past God did not choose to reveal the mystery of his grace to men

2. Now it is revealed to His apostles and the prophets by the Spirit

iii. Here it is the Holy Spirit, the great revealer

3. Paul says that God’s grace was revealed unto the apostles and the prophets, they were not necessarily chosen as steward to reveal it to us, Paul uses the writings of the prophets to relay this meassage of grace.

f. Ephesians 3:6 - That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

1. There is one body of Christ, but all men must coe to the knowledge of the grace of God by the Spirit

2. God chooses those He wishes to include in His body, man can choose to reject only

g. Ephesians 3:7 - Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

1. Paul was called to become a minister/steward/attendant by the supernatural power of God in accordance with the grace He bestowed upon Paul

h. Ephesians 3:8 - Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

1. Humility in that he considers himself the least, but the grace that was shown him by God’s calling to be a stward of that grace is what qualifies him to preach to those who are outside the covenant the riches of God that cannot be found by searching, only revealed by His Spirit

i. Ephesians 3:9 - And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

1. to make - φωτίζω phōtizō, enlighten, to illuminate, to instruct, teach

2. The mystery of the grace of God which had been previously concealed since the beginning of the world, is now revealed through fellowship with Jesus Christ

j. Ephesians 3:10 - To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

1. This verse makes it sound as if the church is the tool in which God chooses to reveal His infinitely diversified wisdom TO the principalities and powers in heaven

2. James Moffatt translation – Intending to let the full sweep of the divine wisdom be disclosed now by the church to the angelic rulers and authorities in the heavenly spheres

k. Ephesians 3:11 - According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

1. There is a purpose for everything that happens, an eternal purpose and it was to be accomplished in/by/with Christ Jesus our Messiah

l. Ephesians 3:12 - In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

1. The eternal purpose was to give us access

2. We can claim access boldly and confidently by FAITH, faith is the catalyst, faith is what God responds to, believing and trusting Him

m. Ephesians 3:13 - Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

1. Do not be wearied or exhausted when you hear of the persecutions or tribulations endured by the saints, why? It is for our glorious condition of blessedness promised and secured through the accomplishment of Christ Jesus

2. If this was Paul’s desire, should this not also be our desire when enduring hardship? Encourage others through our tribulation?

II. Blessing of the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:13-21)

a. Ephesians 3:14 - For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1. What cause? That we do not weary at the news of the tribulations endured by Paul, but rather be encouraged

2. Paul prays to the Father

b. Ephesians 3:15 - Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

1. The one and the other make but one family, one household; and from him they are named CHRISTIANS, as they really are such, acknowledging their dependence upon, and their relation to, Christ.

c. Ephesians 3:16 - That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

1. The riches of His glory can be a source of strength for our souls

2. What are the riches of His glory?

i. Romans 9:23 - And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

ii. Phillipians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

iii. Colossians 1:27 - To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

d. Ephesians 3:17 - That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

1. How can Christ “dwell in your hearts”?

2. When Christ dwells in our hears we are:

i. Rooted in love

· Rooted - ῥιζόω rhizoō, verb - to cause to strike root, to strengthen with roots, to render firm, to fix, establish, cause a person or a thing to be thoroughly grounded

o Grounded in love

· Grounded - θεμελιόω themelioō, verb, 1) to lay the foundation, to found 2) to make stable, establish

o What is the difference?

· Some understand it of their being settled and established in the sense of God's love to them, which would inspire them with greater ardours of holy love to him, and to one another

e. Ephesians 3:18 - May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

1. Here we have love an non-material object being measured by units normally reserved for material measurement.

2. Can love manifest in the material? Does it fill the whole of the universe, how is it possible to put a limit on the breadth for example? As far as the east is from the west

i. Job 11:8-9 - It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

f. Ephesians 3:19 - And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

1. If the love of Christ passes knowledge, how can we know it?

i. We must:

· Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal His love to us through our Faith

· Seek to know more of it through His Word

· Realize that no one can fully comprehend it

ii. Even though the love of Christ can always be better known it cannot be fully understood

g. Ephesians 3:20 - Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

1. Though we cannot comprehend the love of Christ, it is by His power working through us that we can conduct that love beyond our ability to think it or to speak it

h. Ephesians 3:21 - Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

1. All the glory be given to Him

2. Throughout all ages…past, present and future generations

3. World without end à for all time

Ephesians Chapter 4

I. Walk in Your Calling (Ephesians 4:1-15)

a. Ephesians 4:1 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

1. Paul is not ashamed of his chains so that his audience might recognize that there are things in life (namely the service of Jesus Christ) that are worthy of bondage. He is not suffering as one who has committed a crime, but as one who obedient to the utmost calling.

2. The mere fact that Paul was willing to suffer for his commitment to his calling is evidence to show that Paul truly believed in his mission and Paul has demonstrated clearly through all of his other writings that he is not an ignorant man, but brilliant.

3. If we are to follow the doctrine of Paul to the point of bondage, let it be of comfort that we are in the company of a man who demonstrates unequalled devotion to the calling of God.

4. Paul is not asking for pity or to be sent anything that would ease his discomfort, he is pouring out all that he has to his brothers and sisters in Christ.

b. Ephesians 4:2 - With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

1. The new law is the law of love

i. John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

ii. Jesus gave a higher command than to love others as we love ourselves, He said love other as I have loved you

2. Humility is the first step to unity

3. Going back to the previous verse “walk of the vocation wherewith yea are called” is not possible if we are not meek and lowly, patient and enduring

c. Ephesians 4:3 - Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1. Being unified in the body of Christ is being unified in the Spirit of the living God

2. When we are unified as one body we form a bond of peace…this does not imply that we must agree on everything, but our disagreements are peaceful and accompanied by proper conduct

3. “…A threefold cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

d. Ephesians 4:4 - [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

1. All of those who are in Christ have the same hope…the hope of eternal life

e. Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

1. One Lord – Christ

2. One faith – faith in Christ

3. One baptism – by which we profess our faith in Christ

f. Ephesians 4:6 - One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.

1. One God – the Father, who is the hearer of our prayers through our advocate Jesus Christ

g. Ephesians 4:7 - But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

1. Christ not only gives differing gifts, but differing measures of those gifts

2. This should never be a point of contention since all gifts come from the same giver and all are given with the same purpose…to help others and to further the Kingdom

3. We are all given a measure of grace, thus, in turn we are expected to give a measure of grace to those whom may be indebted to us

h. Ephesians 4:8 - Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

1. Captivity is now the captive and stands in the place of all that has brought His people into captivity, both spiritual and physical.

2. When did this happen? “When He ascended up on high”

i. Ephesians 4:9 - (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

j. Ephesians 4:10 - He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

k. Ephesians 4:11 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

1. 5-fold ministry

i. Apostles - a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders

ii. Evangelists - heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles

iii. Prophets - an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things

iv. Pastors - the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly

v. Teachers - one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man

2. He gave these gifts

l. Ephesians 4:12 - For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

1. Here we are given the purpose for the gifts

i. The perfecting of the saints

· Perfecting - καταρτισμός katartismos, masculine noun, complete furnishing

ii. Derived from the verb katartezo a verb meaning to render sound or complete

· The work of the ministry

i. Edifying of the body of Christ

2. Are these all of the gifts or categories of gifts that all others fall under?

m. Ephesians 4:13 - Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

a. Indicates that at some point in the future we will all come in unity, not there yet obviously

b. Perfect - τέλειος teleios, adjective meaning

i. Brought to its end, finish

ii. Wanting of nothing for completeness

iii. Perfect

iv. That which is perfect of a) consummate human integrity and virtue or b)of men (full grown attaining of maturity)

c. Our gifts are to edify the body into maturity, measured by the fullness of Christ

n. Ephesians 4:14 - That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

1. When we are measured by the fullness of Christ, we are established in His doctrine

2. We are no longer deceived by the “wind of doctrine” or fraudulent teachings of men who are beguiled by the wicked one

i. 1 Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils

ii. Matthew 10:16-17 - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues

3. “They lie in wait to deceive” Why?

i. That they might bring us into bondage

ii. Galatians 2:4 - And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

b. Ephesians 4:15 - But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:

1. Galatians 4:16 - Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

II. The Called Function as One Body (Ephesians 4:16-32)

a. Ephesians 4:16 - From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

1. Colossians 2:2-3- That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

2. Unity is a key component for the body of Christ yet, the body seems so disjointed today.

i. “…the first step toward unity is humility, without which there is no meekness, no patience, or forbearance, and without these no unity…” Matthew Henry’s Commentary

b. Ephesians 4:17 - This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

2. Once you become part of the family of God through Christ Jesus we ought not to walk in the ways of those who are not

3. What are some things that non-believers do that we tend to “go along with”? (next few verses answers the question)

c. Ephesians 4:18 - Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

1. What does it mean to have understanding darkened?

i. John 8:12 - Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

ii. Since Jesus IS the light of the worlds, when we don’t follow Jesus we have no light, thus our understanding is darkened.

4. What does it mean to be alienated from God through ignorance?

d. Ephesians 5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

1. What does it mean to have blindness of heart?

i. Romans 11:25 - For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

ii. Being wise in our own conceits

e. Ephesians 4:19 - Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

1. What does it mean to be past feeling? to become callous, insensible to pain

2. What does it mean to “have given themselves over”? paradedome, verb – to give or commit into the hands or power of another

f. Ephesians 4:20 - But ye have not so learned Christ;

g. Ephesians 4:21 - If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

1. John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

h. Ephesians 4:22 - That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

1. Romans 13:12 - The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

i. Ephesians 4:23 - And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

1. Renewed – ananeo, verb – implies that the whole course of life now flows in a different direction (Bullinger)

2. Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3. 2 Corinthians 4:16 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.

4. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

j. Ephesians 4:24 - And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

1. Galatians 3:27 - For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

2. Baptism is the means by which we put on Christ and therefore our new nature…not what we do in baptism, but what Christ does in us through the water and the word

k. Ephesians 4:25 - Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

1. Romans 1:25 - Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

2. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 - And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

3. Zechariah 8:16 - These [are] the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

l. Ephesians 4:26 - Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

1. Commands:

i. Be angry – we should have a certain “righteous indignation” against the wickedness that we see

ii. Sin not – though we are commanded to be angry at these things, we are not permitted to sin against the perpetrator(s) as a means to fulfill our anger (ie. Assault, murder, lying, gossip) we can communicate our anger in a forthright and perhaps confrontational manner with integrity and be absolved from the sin of resentment and hate toward a brother.

m. Ephesians 4:27 - Neither give place to the devil.

1. Give place – give an opportunity

i. 2 Timothy 2:26 - And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

n. Ephesians 4:28 - Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

1. This seems like basic common sense instruction, but for those who were raised in corruption where there may have been a lifestyle of theft or prostitution or other scandalous activity, putting on the new man is more drastic than others

2. Paul contrast the sin of theft with the virtue of giving

i. Stealing depends on the laboring of the hands of others,

ii. Giving depends on the laboring of our own hands

o. Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

1. James 3:8 – But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.

2. 1 Peter 3:10 - For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile.

3. Acts 2:26 – Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope

p. Ephesians 4:30 - And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1. Grieve – lupeo, verb – to make sorrowful, to offend, affect with sadness

2. Sealed – sfragezo, verb – to set a seal upon, to mark with a seal

i. Revelation 7:3 - Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

q. Ephesians 4:31 - Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

1. When you “put on” the new man, the attributes of the old man should be “put away”

2. Here we see that anger is one of the thigs that is commanded to be “put away from you” yet earlier we told to “be angrey and sin not” we can see that anger is not something we should hold onto else it becomes the sin that so easily besets us.

r. Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

1. There are certain expectations from one who is forgiven by God

2. We are expected to forgive each other as God has forgiven us

Ephesians Chapter 5

I. Followers of God

a. Ephesians 5:1 - Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

1. Followers – Imitators

2. 1 Corinthians 4:16 - Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

b. Ephesians 5:2 - And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

1. Hath given – Gave up

i. Romans 4:25 – Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

ii. John 19:30 - When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

c. Ephesians 5:3 - But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

1. Romans 1:24 - Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

d. Ephesians 5:4 - Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

1. Giving thanks for what? That Christ had given Himself as an offering for our offense, and was raised for our justification

i. 1 Corinthians 6:11 - And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

2. Giving of thanks to Christ for what He did, counters the act of giving ourselves over to the uncleanness of sin.

e. Ephesians 5:5 - For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

1. Who shall not have an inheritance?

i. 1 Corinthians 5:10-11 – Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

ii. 1 Corinthians 6:10 - Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

2. Who shall inherit

i. Ephesians 1:13-14 - In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

f. Ephesians 5:6 - Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

1. Deceive – apatao, verb – to cheat, beguile or deceive

i. James 1:26 – If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

ii. If you can’t bridle your own tongue (vain words), you run the risk of deceiving your own heart

a. Ecclesiastes 3:7b - …a time to keep silence, and a time to speak

b. 1 Peter 2:15 – For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

2. Wrath – orge, feminine noun

i. Anger, the natural disposition, temper, character

ii. Movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger

iii. anger, wrath, indignation

iv. Anger exhibited in punishment, hence used for punishment itself

v. Romans 1:18 – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.

a. “who hold the truth in unrighteousness” – who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth (ESV)

g. Ephesians 5:7 - Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

h. Ephesians 5:8 - For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1. 1 Corinthians 6:11 - And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God

2. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 – Ye are all children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

i. We who are children of light, were once darkness BUT NOW, we are not of darkness

i. Ephesians 5:9 - (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

1. Goodness – agathosyne, feminine noun – uprightness of heart and life, goodness, kindness

i. Romans 15:14 – And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another

2. Righteousness – dikaiosyne, feminine noun – In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, the condition acceptable to God; In a narrower sense: Justice or the virtue which gives each his due

i. Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

ii. Acts 10:35 – But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him.

iii. Romans 3:22 – Even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

iv. Romans 4:5 - …to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness

v. Romans 6:18 – Being made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness

vi. Romans 6:20 – For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness

a. Lutheran doctrine:

i. There is no free will for humanity because any will they might have is overwhelmed by the influence of sin

ii. When God redeems a person, he redeems the entire person, including the will, which then is liberated to serve God…the choice is then only unrighteousness

iii. The unredeemed are dominated by satan and as such are servants of sin, thus any apparent choice of righteousness is born out of selfish ambition

b. You are either:

i. Servant to sin à Free from righteousness

ii. Servant to righteousness à Free from sin

3. Truth – aletheia, feminine noun – Objectively: what is true in any matter under consideration; Subjectively: truth as a personal excellence (candor of mind free from affection, pretence, simulation, falsehood or deceit)

i. John 4:24 – God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

ii. John 5:33 – Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

iii. John 8:32 – And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

iv. John 14:6 - …I am the way, the truth and the life…

v. John 17:17 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

j. Ephesians 5:10 - Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

1. Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

i. What is acceptable unto the Lord? Presenting our bodies as a holy living sacrifice

k. Ephesians 5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].

1. HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP – fellowship – sygkoinoneo, verb – to become a partaker together with others, or to have fellowship with a thing

2. How do we remain in the world and yet not have fellowship with sinners? The passage does not say do not have fellowship with sinners, it says do not have fellowship with the SIN, the UNFRUITFUL WORKS

3. What does it mean to have fellowship with unfruitful works? It means to not engage in activities that do not produce fruit or produces fruit contrary to the fruit that a believer in Christ should produce

4. What are some examples of “unfruitful works”? Anything that would influence your behavior toward darkness

i. Music

ii. Video games

iii. TV shows

iv. Drugs

v. Pretty much anything can lead to darkness if taken to extremes

5. What does it mean to reprove?

i. Reprove – elegcho, verb –

a. to convict, refute, confute

i. generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted

ii. by conviction to bring to the light, expose

b. to find fault with, correct

i. by word – reprehend severely, admonish

ii. by deed – to chasten, to punish

ii. Are we permitted to just sit by and watch?

a. No, we are commanded to correct we are not permitted to be a silent spectator, either we are having fellowship or we are reproving

b. Having no fellowship is a method of reproof

l. Ephesians 5:12 - For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

1. It’s a shame to speak of the evil things that are done in secret

m. Ephesians 5:13 - But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

1. Those things which are done in secret and reproved will be “made manifest” or “made visible or made known” by the light

2. Are the evil things done but not reproved made known?

i. Luke 12:3 – Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

ii. It appears as though all things done in darkness will be brought to light

n. Ephesians 5:14 - Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

1. Reference to the first resurrection?

2. Is this speaking metaphorically that being in sin is being dead and that by shining the light of Christ we are able to awake from our sleep

o. Ephesians 5:15 - See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

1. Circumspectly – akribos, adverb – exactly, accurately, diligently

i. Walking circumspectly is more than just walking, its how we are to conduct our lives in such a way that we are diligent in our “walk” with Christ; our relationship…this is considered wise

ii. Fools do not “walk circumspectly”, but the opposite of diligence or integrity…carefree

p. Ephesians 5:16 - Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

1. How do we redeem time? By “walking circumspectly” by being efficient with our time

2. How are days evil? Our time is wasted, our time is “stolen” from us through idleness and other time wasting activities

q. Ephesians 5:17 - Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].

1. Be not unwise à Understanding the will of the Lord

r. Ephesians 5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

1. Thesis…Drunk à Wine

2. Anti-thesis…Filled à Spirit

s. Ephesians 5:19 - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

1. Being filled with the Spirit is accomplished how?

i. Speaking to yourselves in psalms

ii. Singing to yourself hymns

iii. Singing to yourself spiritual songs

iv. Making melody in your heart

v. Key part…TO THE LORD

2. This is an incredible revelation, we have been given the ability to tap in and drink from the cup. Paul tells us that we can be filled by speaking and singing the Word back into ourselves. How hard is it to do this when we are in a bad mood, having a bad day or enduring some unpleasant experience? Look past the current situation and pour the Spirit back into our lives by sending praise to the Lord

3. On the other hand we can fill ourselves with an imitation such as wine, food, chocolate or any other crutch that we use to get through stress.

t. Ephesians 5:20 - Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1. We are to give thanks to the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

II. Husbands and Wives; Christ and His Church

a. Ephesians 5:21 - Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

1. How do we submit one to another?

i. Submitting…maybe the most appropriate usage is to yield to the admonishing or advice

ii. In fear of the Lord? Out of reverence for the Lord?

a. We ought to yield to the correction and advice of one another IF it is born out of reverence for the Lord.

b. Ephesians 5:22 - Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

1. We are to submit one to another, but wives are to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, what is meant by this? Let’s look at a few more verses

c. Ephesians 5:23 - For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

1. The husband is the head of the wife…This verse places authority in the family with the husband

2. Church

d. Ephesians 5:24 - Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.

1. This is a matter of the flow of authority

2. Authority flows from Christ through the church just as the husbands authority flows through the wife. The wife is a representative of the husband, just as the church is a representative of Christ

e. Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

1. Though authority flows from the husband through the wife, that authority is to be accompanied with love.

2. Husbands are to love their wives, meaning they are to serve the wife, listen to her, comfort her, affirm her and strengthen her…give himself and his own selfish desires up for her.

3. Though husbands are incapable of loving their wives as Christ loves His church it is nevertheless an ideal for which to strive.

f. Ephesians 5:26 - That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

1. Sanctify – hagiazo, verb

i. to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow

ii. to separate from profane things and dedicate to God

a. consecrate things to God

b. dedicate people to God

iii. to purify

a. to cleanse externally

b. to purify by expiation: free from guilt of sin

c. to purify internally by renewing of the soul

2. Cleanse – katharizo, verb

i. to make clean, cleanse

a. from physical stains and dirt

i. utensils, food

ii. a leper, to cleanse by curing

iii. to remove by cleansing

b. in a moral sense

i. to free from defilement of sin and from faults

ii. to purify from wickedness

iii. to free from guilt of sin, to purify

iv. to consecrate by cleansing or purifying

v. to consecrate, dedicate

ii. to pronounce clean in a levitical sense

g. Ephesians 5:27 - That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

1. Does the husband present his wife to himself? If so how is that accomplished?

i. Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

ii. As a married couple who is one flesh, presenting your own body includes presenting your spouse for she is now “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh”

2. 1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

i. Why is fornication a sin against one’s own body? Because when a man and woman are married they become one flesh; therefore, to sin sexually outside of the marriage covenant is to sin against your future spouse…your own body.

h. Ephesians 5:28 - So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

1. He that loves his wife, loves himself à One flesh

2. A husband and a wife are extensions of one another

i. Ephesians 5:29 - For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

1. If a man eats healthy, gets enough sleep and exercise, but doesn’t ensure that his wife is taking care of herself…her deteriorating health is not only harmful to her own body but extends to her husband.

2. A husband must be sure to provide all that he is able to provide to his wife, for the wife is the extension of his own flesh.

j. Ephesians 5:30 - For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

1. Going back to the garden…Adam said “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh…”

2. As the woman was taken out of the man, so is the Church taken out of His body

i. When we take communion we are to remember that we are “communing” members of His body

k. Ephesians 5:31 - For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

1. Quoting Genesis 2:24

l. Ephesians 5:32 - This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

1. Romans 16:25 – 27 - Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise, [be] glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

2. Colossians 1:24 - 28 - Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

3. Mystery – musterion, noun

i. hidden thing, secret, mystery

a. generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals

b. a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to understanding

c. a hidden purpose of counsel

ii. in rabbinic writings, it denotes the mystic or hidden sense

a. of an OT saying

b. of an image or form seen in a vision

c. of a dream

m. Ephesians 5:33 - Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband.

1. Reinforces the aforementioned commands and clarifies that submission equates to reverence

2. Reverence – phobeo, verb

i. to put to flight by terrifying

ii. to fear, to be afraid

iii. to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience

Ephesians Chapter 6

I. Commands to Obey Authority

a. Ephesians 6:1 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

1. Command, why? For this is RIGHT and the foremost duty of children

i. It is the proper order of nature

ii. It is a duty

2. This is a command TO children with respect to their parents, it is independent of whether or not the parents are right or wrong

i. Matthew 15:4 - For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

3. “In the Lord” – this is a limitation upon a child’s duty to obey parents to not override a child’s duty to obey their Heavenly Father. If a parent’s commands to not contradict God’s command a child is expected to obey.

4. A parent has a duty to keep the ways of the lord

i. Genesis 18:19 – “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment…”

b. Ephesians 6:2 - Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

1. What is meant by “the first commandment with promise”?

i. ..The promise in the commandment has reference to the land of Canaan, the apostle hereby shows that this and other promises which we have in the Old Testament relating to the land of Canaan are to be understood more generally. That you may not think that the Jews only, to whom God gave the land of Canaan, were bound by the fifth commandment, he here gives it a further sense, That it may be well with thee, etc. Outward prosperity and long life are blessings promised to those who keep this commandment. This is the way to have it well with us, and obedient children are often rewarded with outward prosperity. Not indeed that it is always so; there are instances of such children who meet with much affliction in this life: but ordinarily obedience is thus rewarded, and, where it is not, it is made up with something better…Matthew Henry’s Commentary of Ephesians

2. Honor your father and mother…how does one honor their parents?

i. refer back to v. 1, through obedience

ii. Inward reverence as well as an outward expression

c. Ephesians 6:3 - That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

1. Not a guarantee that obedient children will have long lives (but it does improve the odds)

2. Sowing and reaping,

i. Obey parents à things will go well for you

ii. Obey parents à live long on the earth

d. Ephesians 6:4 - And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

1. A specific charge to fathers

2. What does it mean to provoke your children to anger?

i. Remember that children are to be discipled with compassion and love

ii. Be patient and do not subject them to unreasonable or unattainable objectives

iii. Deal with them wisely

3. What does it mean to bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

i. Educate them in righteousness

ii. Nurture and admonition to sustain and grow the measure of faith that was given to them

iii. Instruct them on the consequences of sin and to fear those consequences

e. Ephesians 6:5 - Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

1. We transition from children obeying parents to servants obeying their masters

2. With fear and trembling? Deep respect

3. Singleness of heart? Obey them as if obeying Christ, for all authority comes from Him

i. Those who have authority over your flesh, but not over your soul as Christ

f. Ephesians 6:6 - Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

1. Not just for show or pretend

g. Ephesians 6:7 - With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

1. Work as if working for the Lord

2. You can have a crappy, selfish boss, or lousy parents, but if you’re working and obeying for the Lord it removes the personal flaws of the person in authority

3. This places honor upon the obedience

4. A faithful regard for Christ will cause one to be diligent in all their duties

h. Ephesians 6:8 - Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.

1. No matter what we receive here on earth, the Lord will reward

i. Ephesians 6:9 - And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

1. Show concern for the well being of those whom you have been given authority to govern

2. We are all servants in one way shape or form, treat the servants in your charge with the same integrity that you would have your master entreat you.

3. He is not a “respecter of persons” and therefore neither should we

II. Armor of God

a. Ephesians 6:10 - Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

1. Be strong in self? No, be strong IN THE LORD, He is the source of our strength

i. We cannot rely on our own strength; we have to rely on His strength, by the power of His might

2. The Lord is our captain

3. Our natural courage is as perfect cowardice, and our natural strength as perfect weakness; but all our sufficiency is of God. In his strength we must go forth and go on. By the actings of faith, we must fetch in grace and help from heaven to enable us to do that which of ourselves we cannot do…Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Ephesians

b. Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

1. Are we able to stand against the wiles of the devil on our own? No, we need to be equipped with effective armor OF GOD

2. No armaments that are of men will be effective in the least against a superior enemy

3. We are to put on the WHOLE armor for its only by the WHOLE armor that we can stand. Going into battle a warrior would want every vital organ to be protected, in spiritual battle we have different “vital organs”, if we do not incorporate the WHOLE armor our enemy will find a weakness and exploit it!

c. Ephesians 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

1. The combat for which we are to be prepared is not against ordinary human enemies, not barely against men compounded of flesh and blood, nor against our own corrupt natures singly considered, but against the several ranks of devils, who have a government which they exercise in this world. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Ephesians

2. Satan’s seat is atop of this world, and empire of darkness

3. The devil is our enemy and he is a wicked spirit and thus he has an advantage, we have a host of spiritual enemies with which we blindly wrestle. It is only through the lens of the Holy Spirit and His gifts that we are rightly able to discern the enemy.

4. This is a difficult concept to comprehend. People are not the enemy, the spirit behind their actions may be, but they are not. The source of all conflict lies in the unseen spiritual realm controlled by the prince of the power of the air, who exploits the weakness of our flesh. No matter how evil, cruel or inhumane an individual may appear, they are a mere puppet in the hand of our true enemy. There is an orchestra of evil and our chief adversary is the conductor. These “kingdoms” work in unison: media, government, education, healthcare, financial, food/water/air supply, religious, environment/energy and science/technology. When we walk by faith and not mere sight these become more evident.

d. Ephesians 6:13 - Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

1. James 4:7 - …Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

2. 1 Chronicles 21:1 - And Satan stood up against

Israel

, and provoked David to number

Israel

i. He stands against us; therefore, we should stand against him

ii. To stand against Satan is to strive against sin

3. Romans 13:12 - The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

4. 2 Corinthians 6:7 - By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

i. It should be noted that all of the armor about to be listed are for the front of the body, the back lay exposed; therefore, we must not run in fear

5. What is the “evil day”

i. The day of temptation?

ii. The days of tribulation or affliction?

e. Ephesians 6:14 - Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

1. Isaiah 11:5 - And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

i. We are to emulate Christ and Christ is girded with righteousness

ii. The first piece of armor mentioned is truth…all other pieces of armor are dependent upon this girding

iii. Jeremiah 13:11 - For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

2. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 - But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

i. By Faith we are united to Christ

ii. By Love we are united to the brethren

iii. The breastplate protects all of the vital organs, just as the righteousness of Christ protects all of our spiritual vitals

f. Ephesians 6:15 - And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

1. Suggests an deliberate adherence to the Gospel

2. Walking a life of repentance and humility ensures a defense against stumbling when temptations are encountered

g. Ephesians 6:16 - Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

1. Why is faith above all? Because it is adaptable to the situation just like a shield can be moved to the area of your body that is under attack; faith is adaptable and can be maneuvered to strengthen the established armor previously mentioned. We may not have all truth, and we may have areas of unrighteousness in our lives and we may not fully grasp the gospel, but by faith they are strengthened.

h. Ephesians 6:17 - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

1. The assurance of salvation in Christ Jesus protects our mind from the lies of the enemy, just like a helmet protects us from blows to the head. By providing a sword, our advocate Christ Jesus assures us that we don’t need to sit back and allow the enemy to continue pounding against the armor, but we have the power to offensively pursue him and vanquish him from our lives.

2. The helmet secures the head. A good hope of salvation, well founded and well built, will both purify the soul and keep it from being defiled by Satan, and it will comfort the soul and keep it from being troubled and tormented by Satan. He would tempt us to despair; but good hope keeps us trusting in God, and rejoicing in him. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Ephesians

3. Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

i. Ephesians 6:18 - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1. We have the armor for self-preservation and we have prayer, a direct line of communication to our Heavenly Father, to call in air support for our brothers and sisters in need. Don’t give up! Don’t give in! Our salvation draws nigh!

2. All saints, fellow servants, are in need of our prayers

V. Conclusion

a. Ephesians 6:19 - And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

1. Psalms 119:11-12 - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed [art] thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

2. Paul seeking prayer to speak boldly

b. Ephesians 6:20 - For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

c. Ephesians 6:21 - But that ye also may know my affairs, [and] how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

d. Ephesians 6:22 - Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and [that] he might comfort your hearts.

1. How would sending Tychicus comfort their hearts

e. Ephesians 6:23 - Peace [be] to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

f. Ephesians 6:24 - Grace [be] with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Ephesians