The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 15SEP
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Good morning!
Good morning!
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Lunch at Minda’s
Last week, 5W’s
What: An epistle from an apostle to the early church
Where: Ephesus
When: Paul in Ephesus ~53-56AD / written and sent ~5-10yrs later
Today
Who & Why, 1:1-2
Begin tackling 1:3-14
Setting the stage…
Setting the stage…
Ian Hamilton, intro to his commentary on Ephesians:
Ephesians Introduction
John Owen, the great English Puritan, wrote, “Our greatest hindrance in the Christian life is not our lack of effort but our lack of acquaintedness with our privileges.” In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul elaborates and expands in a most wonderful way on the God-given, Christ-secured, Holy Spirit-applied privileges of the Christian life. Here, perhaps more than anywhere else in the New Testament, we are brought face-to-face with the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (3:8). Step by adoring step, Paul introduces us to the spiritual blessings that are the predestined (1:4–5), blood-bought (1:7) privileges of everyone who has put their self-abandoning trust in Jesus Christ.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a spiritual Mount Everest. It turns us away from ourselves and places the spotlight of God’s great salvation on Christ and His perfect work of redemption.
Ephesians A Pastoral Letter
Paul’s intention throughout Ephesians is to deliver us from “our morbid pre-occupation with ourselves,” which Martyn Lloyd-Jones called “the peculiar error of this present [twentieth] century.” Paul wants to give us a panoramic and exhaustive understanding of the greatness of our Savior, the salvation He has won for us, and the exalted calling we have in Christ. “What we need primarily,” wrote Lloyd-Jones, “is not an experience, but to realise what we are, and who we are, what God has done in Christ and the way He has blessed us.” As Christians, we so often live like spiritual paupers when we are spiritual billionaires, blessed in Christ “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (1:3).
PRAY
PRAY
WHO
WHO
Ephesians 1:1–2 (ESV)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Criticism of: Authorship and Readership
Criticism of: Authorship and Readership
Authorship
Vocab used (hapax legomena, several of them)
Impersonal tone, “circular” letter (connected to Readership, will circle back)
No personal references. Failed arg in light of “circular” letter
Many other more nuanced arguments
Some answers…
“apostle” (apostolos - messenger, one sent) and “by will of God” (thelematos - purpose/decision): messenger empowered and commissioned by God’s sovereign will
tone/greek usage/grammar arg. is very weak: amanuensis
Times he said “with my own hand” (2Thess3:17, 1Cor16:21, Philemon19, Gal6:11)
Prison letters: Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Timothy, Philemon, Philippians
Virtually all scholarship agrees Paul did in fact author this letter.
Readership
“in Ephesus” issue
The oldest (early 2nd CE)+most complete mss omit “in Ephesus”, yet shortly added in in later mss.
Random theories about ______ in those old mss, none of that proven
Ephesians Recipients
There is early and widespread attestation among the MSS and early church fathers (e.g., Irenaeus, Origen, the Muratorian Canon, Clement of Alexandria) that this epistle was sent to the Ephesians, and so it seems best to accept this testimony
Think in Paul’s context…
10yrs had past, population had grown, no record of communication in the interim…
Paul addresses to Ephesus (his heart was there), but may not know anyone there
Act20:18-21, Act20:28-30
Not surprising Paul would want to write back to them clear Christian content!
Phrygia, pisidia, lydia, mysia, lycia, pamphylia, lycaonia, cappadocia—”Paul’s been everywhere, man, Paul’s been everywhere”
==> OF COURSE this letter, sent to the capital of Asia, would get circulated!
SO, safe to conclude: Sent to Ephesus, w/ full knowledge/expectation it would “circulate” in Asia and the Church
-Which doesn’t damage claim of Pauline authorship in any way.
WHY
WHY
He’s writing to the “saints”
believers, who have been tested and have remained faithful
They had two locations, two identities (“2 zipcodes” -I.H.): in Ephesus, and in Christ
Wild, pagan, powerful society around them (think back to riot)
He’s about to launch into a powerful, pastoral definition of Christianity at large
I think: this letter was a snap of the chalk line, clearly defining Christianity, to EQUIP and ENCOURAGE those in Christ, for their own souls, and for the souls of those around them!
Remember, Acts 20:29-30, the savage wolves are coming!
What are the wolf’s weapons?
“speaking perverse things” It’s an attack on the mind!
Benediction
Set’s the tone of the entire letter: “Grace and peace”
Can someone give us a working definition of “grace”?
Grace
not just simply love, but the irresistible love of a SOVEREIGN, transcendent God, who loves whom He wills, whose word never fails.
Reminding those in Christ of this kind God-sized loved with which they are loved
Good a time as any to introduce our (first?) memory verse.
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”
Peace
not just a trouble-free life, but peace with GOD.
God desires for us to rejoice in the assurance of His love!
who’s read Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” ?
This is why Paul is speaking this blessing over them.
“from God our Father”
Ephesians (Application and Devotional Implications) - S. M. Baugh
That God the Father is our Father should be seen as the most extraordinary privilege imaginable
Psalm 103:11–13 “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”
Christians (Ephesians 2000 years ago + us now):
once “children of wrath” (eph2:3)
now have been adopted as children, children of God
bought by the blood of the second person in this benediction
regally addressed v.2 with His full title “the Lord Jesus Christ”
These themes [God’s Sovereignty, redemption, justification, adoption] are going to be laid bare to us in this letter. Starting in the next chunk, v3-14!
Opening Benediction
Opening Benediction
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
theology <—> doxology
step by step detailed analysis <—> spoken out/reading passages // remember it’s a letter!
With that said, PACKED w/ theology, so we’ll step through it with some measure of attention to detail, and zoom back out as we go to keep the big picture in view.
S.M. Baugh’s structure (divisions yes, words no)…
Opening Benediction for…
(1:3-6a) the Father’s gracious purpose.
(1:6b-10) the Son’s redemptive accomplishment.
(1:11-14) the Spirit’s sealing work of the new creation.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,
v3
v3
3a, Blessing goes to GOD, defined as the Father of OUR Lord JC ==> DOXOLOGY
“doxology”, what is that?
3b, BOLD CLAIM!
“has blessed”, active aorist verb, already done!
every spiritual blessing
What are spiritual blessings?
Riches stored up in the heavenly places
“heavenly places” = “in the sky”, “celestial”, think Rev 4 the throne room, the throne where God resides in heaven w/ Jesus at His right hand, the elders and angels decalring “holy holy holy”
Unity with Christ “in Christ”
The indwelling of the HS
Peace with God
Chiefly: SALVATION
In a world ripe with pagan idolatry, with our own hearts so naturally bent towards replacing God with our own “gods” of various types, Paul tells us…
Knowledge of our salvation, initiated by the Father (Father…who has blessed us), secured by the Son, applied by the Spirit, is the MAIN THING that equips us to stand firm.
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
v4-6
v4-6
staggering, humbling, statement: he (God the Father) chose us, before the foundation of the world.
speaking of the final judgement, Jesus says the following words…
Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
Psalm 139:15–16 “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”
INDEPENDENT of anything you did or thought or concluded: God FORMED you and KNEW all the days of your life before any of them were lived out
AND, if you are “in Christ”, if you have saving faith in Christ, it’s because God CHOSE you
The theological concept at play here is the doctrine of Predestination
MUCH consternation, and I want to be sensitive to this fact
BUT: it’s a Biblical term (v5) not some esoteric theology term
SO, we’re compelled to take it seriously and understand it!
Anyone give us a working definition of this doctrine, of Predestination?
Let’s look at the word itself….
predestined = proorizo [= decreed before (1Cor2:7)]
to determine beforehand, pre-ordain, foreordain
literal meaning: defining a location before hand.
always used concerning a final, ultimate destination
Used here Eph 1:5, 11 ; Rom 8:29-30 ; Act 4:28 + 3:13-19
Ephesians 1:5 “he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”
Ephesians 1:11 “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”
Romans 8:29–30“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
Acts 4:28 “to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”
The first scriptures—> for good, Acts —> for evil
Need to zoom in further…
Now, the doctrine itself
Now, the doctrine itself
Berkhof’s Organization of Predestination - “Systematic Theology”
Author of Predestination
the Godhead/Trinity
Father initiated (1:4 “chose us” / 1:5 “purpose of His [v3 for subject] will”)
Son affected (1:5 “through Jesus Christ”)
Spirit applied (** go to 1Pet1:1-2**)
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to the obedience of Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Briefly illustrate unity in the Godhead / specific functions of the Persons
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
>>>>>>>>> START HERE<<<<<<<<_____________________________________________
Objects of Predestination
Exclusive to created “rationale” beings (berkof’s words)
All humanity, good and evil, both groups of folks (ie. Israel) and individuals
Angels, both good and evil.
The Mediator. Christ Himself.
Special love from the Father
Perfect image of God in the flesh (model for our conformity)
Special purpose/ends here on earth: save souls
In finality: judgement, world renewed, consummated Kingdom established, shared with His sheep—> those whom confessed him as Lord
Parts of Predestination
If giving final destinations is the simple definition ”he chose us in him before the foundation of the world” // Election is the “choosing” part of it —> election vs reprobation
Election
Chosen by God unto salvation by faith in Christ
“God’s eternal purpose to save some of the human race in and by Christ.”
Expression of the sovereign will of God, His divine good pleasure.
We’re not owed it! Adam broke the Law, and we break the Law.
God has a 100% perfection standard.
So, the fact that He confers it to anyone is an Amazing Grace!
It is immutable. He chooses, He acts, it happens, and that’s it.
2 Timothy 2:19 “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.””
It’s not dependent on us, our own merit, it’s dependent on GOD alone!
WRT us, it’s given freely, UNCONDITIONALLY
Romans 9:10–16 “And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”
maybe read further?
It’s irresistible
Since it depends on us, and we’re naturally enslaved to sin, we can’t (read, un-able, not capable) inherently choose God unto salvation.
Eph 2 is where this concept is made clear, more when we get there
To what end were souls chosen? Why does God save anyone?
A: For His Glory!
Glorification
v4 “holy and blameless before him” = conformed into the image of Christ
==> fully realized in glorification
v6 “to the praise of his glorious grace” “…of the glory of his grace”
My view —> plain teaching of scripture, reformed orthodox view
Election: In His holy, divine, GOOD will, God sovereignly chooses souls for salvation…
to make them holy and blameless (conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29)
for adoption to Himself (Eph 1:5)
to put the glory of His Grace on display
graciously, freely given (not earned by any human work) through/in Christ the Beloved. (Our “own” righteousness doesn’t compel God to choose us. And, BTW, Scripture says this choice happened before we became flesh and blood!)
Adoption
Spiritually speaking, what does adoption mean?
Greek: to “put/place a son” or “to purpose as a son”
It’s an action to redefine the nature of a human, to give a new identity to a human, a new bloodline, a new family.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Justification (declared righteousness) is the basic/foundational blessing
Adoption is the crowning blessing: permanent intimacy w/ God as heavenly Father
Those who receive Christ, and in Christ
So, God loves you as he loves His only begotten son,
So, God shares with them all the glory that is Christ’s now. Amazing!
Plug Packer’s books, Concise Theology and Knowing God
Need to flesh out Rom 9, explaining the “tension” in our minds when we hear this teaching, that some are “prepared for destruction”, REQ UIRED to have a proper understanding of the Doctrine of Man
Closing
Closing
Lots of rich theology today
Let’s not forget: Paul’s pastoral purpose
Reminder of the context of Ephesus/Asia
The great love Paul had for them (elders in Act 20)
“Grace and peace” is his prayer over them —> context for us
Let us be “pastored” by Paul here!
The Christian is meant to…
BE ENCOURAGED by hearing we were chosen by God before time!
BE REMINDED of the gifts of “every spiritual blessing” of heaven!
BE THANKFUL for our Redeemer.
BE MOTIVATED toward holiness—> conformity to Christ.
BE EQUIPPED to praise God, pronounce Christ, put God’s Glory on display!
PRAY
PRAY
See you next week!
Ephesians 1:3-14
