Ephesians 1:1-23
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Outline - The Church of Christ
Outline - The Church of Christ
Chapter 1 - Chosen by God for an Inheritance
*Week 1:
Eph 1: 1-6 (Summary: How we are saved from God’s perspective)
a. Introduction
b. Faithful in Christ
c. Chosen by God: Election
Week 2:
Eph 1: 7-14 (Summary: The Mystery revealed)
a. According to his Riches
b. God’s Mysterious Will
c. Our inheritance in Christ
Week 3:
Eph 1:15-22 (Summary: Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom)
a. If God is sovereign why do we pray?
b. The scope of our Salvation
c. The church as the body
Look for
— Prayers ( Blue )
— Promises ( Green )
— Warnings ( Red )
— Commands ( Purple )
Introduction
The Gospel came by way of Priscilla and Aquila
They came from Rome, met then in Corinth, tent makers, Paul left them in Ephesus. Acts 18:26
26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Left in Ephesus
Paul left them in Ephesus on this 2nd missionary journey. He returned on his 3rd missionary journey (Acts 19)
— He stayed 3 years
Temple
Best known for the temple of Artemis or Diana. One of the 7 wonders of the world
Circular Letter
“Ephesus” not found in the earliest manuscripts
— Missing from P46 (175-225) - which contains most of Paul’s letter
— Circulated in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea
Left First Love
Thirty Years (30) later John writes and says that they left their first love
Rev 2:1-4. Stars = messengers, lampstands =churches
1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Q: Where was this letter written?
Date 60-62. Prison Epistle, along with Philippians, Colossians, Philemon
Overview Chapter 1-3 Doctrine
— Chapter 4-6 Practical
Twins Ephesians has been called Twins with the shorter book of Colossians.
— But not identical twins
— Colossians: 95 verses - 2/3 paralleled in Ephesians;
— Ephesians 155 verses 1/2 paralleled or partial in Colossians
Col 1:12 - > Eph 1:11
Col 1:13 - > Eph 1:6
Col 2:11 - > Col 2:11 (William Hendricksen, Commentary on Ephesians)
Themes
The glorious church of Christ, the body (cf. Eph 1:22, 23, 4:4, 16, 5:23, 30)
— the building (cf. Eph 2:19-22)
— the bride (cf. Eph 5:25-27, 32), the unity of believers
MacArthur
“In this book the word riches is used five times; grace twelve times; glory eight times; fullness, filled up, or fills six times; and the key phrase Christ (or in Him) fifteen times. Christ is the source, the sphere, and the guarantee of every spiritual blessing and of all spiritual riches, and those who are in Him have access to all that he is and has.”
Our Riches in Christ
— Ephesians has been called the “Believers Checkbook”.
— Hetty Green, America’s greatest Miser, died in 1916 with 100M
— Ate oatmeal cold because did not want to pay for the gas
— Son has a serious leg injury, she wanted to find a free clinic. Leg was amputated
Well Known Verses
Election: Ephesians 1:4
— “ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” ( Eph 1:4 )
Grace Ephesians 2:8
— “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” ( Eph 2:8 )
The Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30
— “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” ( Eph 4:30 )
Wives Ephesians 5:22
— “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” ( Eph 5:22 )
Husbands Ephesians 5:25
— “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,” ( Eph 5:25 )
The Armor of God Ephesians 6:11
— “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” ( Eph 6:11 )
Author: Paul
Original name was Saul. Very well trained, educated in what we would call the humanities
— Extensive training in rabbinical studies with Gamaliel “the beauty of the law” (Acts 22:3)
— Became a rabbi and a member of the ruling Sanhedrin. Hated Christians
— “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.” ( Act 22:4-5 )
Converted
Personally converted by the Lord on the road do Damasus (Acts 9:1-8)
Every reason to boast
Trained by the Lord for 3 years in the desert of Nabatean Arabia (Gal 1:17)
— Co-pastored a church with Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius and Manaen(Acts 13:1)
— Apostles to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15, Rom 11:13)
— Spoke to the Lord in a vision
— “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” (Acts 18:9-11 )
— The Lord warned Paul to leave Jerusalem Acts 22:17-18
— The Lord encouraged Paul and told him he will go to Rome Acts 23:11
— The Lord took Paul to heaven 2 Cor 12:2-5
Ephesians 1:1-2
( 1:1-2 ) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Apostle (1:1)
Apostle αποστολος apostle - a “sent one” in the NT
— A unique position, men chosen by God to lay the foundation of the church
— Duties: Preach the gospel (1 Cor 1:17), Teach and Pray (Acts 6:4), Work Miracles (2 Cor 12:12)
— build up church leaders (Acts 14:23) and write the word of God (Eph 1:1)
Q: Who were the saints?
The Saints (1:1)
— Christians are “saints.”
— Different that what Rome and the Roman Catholic Church teaches
— 1. Person is nominated
— 2. A trial is held
— 3. Advocate pleads the virtues and shows at least 2 miracles
— 4. Another person, “Devil’s advocate” tries to tear down the person
Two Miracles Two miracles must be performed through the intercession to the “blessed” after their death.
Or, the World View
An especially good, moral person. Far from the Biblical view
The Biblical View
Set apart for God’s service
— Done by God apart from human merit
Moses Made “saints” of the alter. Num 7:1
1 Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them.
Q: Did the temple become holier?
No The tabernacle did not become holier. God did not miraculously change the alter or the utensils
— They were “set apart” for a special and sacred use
Jesus In Jesus’s high priestly prayer, He asks to be set apart - John 17:17-19
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
Not Holier
Jesus did not become holier. Already perfectly holy. He was setting himself apart to make atonement for our sins on the cross so that,
we could be set apart for God. We don’t belong to the world anymore - new nature, new loyalties, new agenda, we belong to a different kingdom.
and Faithful in Christ (1:1)
Two ideas. First, They exercised Faith - heard the gospel and believed
Consists of
— 1. Intellectual ascent. Proclaimed and understood
— 2. Emotional - understood rightly. Stirs the heart
— 3. Volitional - a personal commitment Applied to self
Second, to continue in Faith, to keep the Faith
— Persevere ( Matt 10:22 )
22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Q: What does it mean “In Christ” ?
In Christ 1:1
Frequent Term
Paul uses the term “In Christ” 15x in this Epistle. 16x in all of his other Epistles
— Means more than “just” being saved
— Joined with Christ.
— What is true of Christ is now true of us
— Difficult concept
— Our spiritual biography says that in some sense we died with Christ
— Eph 2:6. We were baptized in his death (Rom 6:3), buried with and raised (Rom 6:4-5) with him
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Q: What is Grace? How would you describe it to an unbeliever?
Grace
God’s great kindness to undeserving believers
— The Westminister Catechism: it is the unmerited favor of God. No room for boasting because our justification is undeserved, unmerited
— If we work we are in debt and it is not longer grace (Rom 4:4-8)
R.C. Sproul
“Grace should never cease to amaze us. God has an absolute, pure, holy standard of justice. That’s why we cling with all our might to the merit of Jesus Christ...And the more we understand what God has done for us as sinners, the more willing we are to do whatever He requires.”
— Jesus summarized it is in John 14:15
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Grace to you and peace (1:2a)
Q: Why did Paul uses these two words together in the greeting?
Greeting Grace is more than just a greeting
— Reminder that we are all so different and yet united by the same grace
And the why did Paul link Grace and peace together ?
Peace
The result of our salvation is now peace. God’s grace leads to our peace
— It is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7)
— Not only the Peace of God (Phil 4:7), but also peace with God (Rom 5:1) and Peace from God
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
— Ephesian 1:3 - 14 is one long sentence in the original Greek
Blessed be God (1:3)
— Goodness is one of God’s attributes. Godly men in the OT and NT have blessed God
— It is our appropriate response
— No one is truly good but God (Matt 19:17)
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Blessed us with every spiritual blessing (1:3b)
Q: What do you notice about the kind of blessings we receive ?
Spiritual πνευματικη (pneumatikos) Spiritual
— Always used in relationship with the HS
— Whether our blessings are material or spiritual, the source is the HS
— In that sense, every blessing is spiritual
— God does provide material blessings
— Jesus said he would provide all things needful (Matt 6:25-34) [Lilles of the field]
— Paul told us not to worry Phil 4:19
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Don’t pray for what we already have
More Love Rom 5:5
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
More Peace John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
More Joy John 15:11
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
More Strength Phil 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
All we need The Spirit has provided everything that we need. 2 Peter 1:3. Everything that pertains to life and your walk
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
We are complete Our blessings have made us 100% complete in Christ. Col 2:10
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Our Resources
We have not only the promise but also possess the promise
— God cannot give us more than he has already given us in his Son
— Paul knew through prayer and the “supply of the Holy Spirit” everything would turn out well (Phil 1:19)
Work out
I am to “mine” out of my life what God has so richly planted at salvation
work out κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai), do; bring about; produce
— Strabo (Στράβων Strábōn; 64 or 63 BC – c. AD 24), Roman scholar lived 60 years before Christ
— He described the Romans pulling out copper & gold out of Spanish mines
— He used the word katergazomai to refer to the Romans working out the mines
— The same word that Paul uses when he talks about working out our salvation in Philip 2:12
— You have been given all the resources, now “work it out.”
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Q: How do these blessings come to us?
By Election - Ephesians 1:4-6
( 1:4-6 ) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Election In verse 4 he predestines us. In verse 11 he calls us
Three Methods
1. God’s Theocratic Election
God Chose Isreal to be his chosen people. It wasn’t because they were better than any other people
— “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” ( Deut 7:6 )
— Not because they were more numerous than the other nations (Deut 7:7), not based on merit, but because he loved them
— In other words, in the counsel of His will, he elected them before the foundation of the world
No bearing on Salvation
This theocratic election did not guarantee salvation
— Being descended from Abraham did not mean you were also a spiritual descendant
— Paul makes that clear in Rom 9:6-7.
Being “faithful” does not equate to simply having Abraham as your father
6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.”
Abraham father of all believers
Abraham is father of all Jews but he is the spiritual father of all believing Jews and Gentiles (Rom 4:11)
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,
2. Vocational Election
The second type of election is vocational
— God’s choosing your career or ministry
— God called the Levites to be priests
— Did not guarantee salvation
— Jesus called the 12 to be his apostles
— Only 11 were saved
— Paul was chosen to be an apostle to the Gentiles (c.f. Acts 9:15, Rom 1:5, Eph 1:1 - by the will of God).
— Jesus called the apostles (Mk 3:13)
13 And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.
3. Election unto Salvation
The calling that relates to our salvation
— This is the election in Him (1:4)
— Jesus refers to this in John 6:44
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
(6:44) draws him
Draws ( Helkuo, ελκυση) This is an irresistible force
Used in Greek literature of a desperately hungry man being drawn to food
First Truth:
Commands us to respond
— There are two truths
— The first is that, God commands us to respond when he calls us
— There are many calls for in the bible where God commands the unsaved to respond to His call
— “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Josh 24:15)
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
— “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” (Is 55:1)
1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.
— John the Baptist said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:1-2)
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
— Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17)
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
— Jesus also said, “Come to Me” (Matt 11:28-30)
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Second Truth:
We must first be chosen by God in order respond to the Gospel
Only the Chosen
No one receives Christ who is not first chosen by God
— Paul says those who were first elected (predestined) are to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29)
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
— He also illustrates with Jacob and Esau God’s election (Rom 9:11)
11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),
— Salvation is not part man, part God
— Salvation is all God
— “From Him comes my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation” (Ps 62:1-2)
1 Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
Jesus gives both Truths in One Verse
— Jesus gives both truths in one verse (John 6:37)
37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
My small brain
These are two irreconcilable truths
— God’s sovereign election and mans’s responsibility of choosing Christ
— Paul breaks out in praise for God’s unfathomable wisdom (Rom 11:33)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
The Time
( 1:4 ) Before the foundation of the world
— From all eternity. Always a part of God’s eternal plan
— The Father gave a redeemed humanity to the Son (John 6:39)
39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
— The Father gave Christ all authority over redeemed humanity (John 17:2)
2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.
— Jesus doesn’t pray for the world but for the elect (John 17:9)
9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
— And they are chosen are kept by the Father (John 17:11)
11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
— Given by the Father that they may see the Son’s glory (John 17:24)
24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
Election’s Purpose
(1:4) That we should be holy and without blame before Him
To Present us Holy
Present us without blemish
— We have been given His own unblemished and spotless nature
— The unworthy have been declared worthy
— It has always been part of God’s foreordained plan to present to the Son an unblemished love gift of the church having no spot or wrinkle (cf. Eph 5:27)
God’s Purpose God’s purpose in choosing us was to make us
— Like himself
— Holy
— Pure
— Blameless
— Righteous
— Perfect ( Eph 1:4)
His Motive
(1:4) In love
— He was motivated solely by this love to adopt us as children
— The ultimate purpose is to the praise of his glory of his grace (1:6)
— Praise (recognition), Glory (excellence), Grace (undeserving)
(1:5) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will
Our adoption
The result of our election is our adoption as sons and daughters
— He makes us more than citizens of heaven (Philip 3:20), servants (1 Cor 9:19 Col 1:7), friends (John 15:15). He makes us family. Rom 8:15
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
The Goal - Glory
Q: Why did God do all this?
(1:6) To the praise of the glory of His grace
Ultimate Purpose
His motive was love (1:4) but his ultimate purpose was to His glory
— God delights in putting His glory on display
— Paul said in Philip 2:13 “God is at work in [us]… for his good pleasure”
— Paul prayed for the Thessalonians in 2 Thess 1:11-12
— “That our God would count you worthy of this calling...that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him”
Even the beast
Even the beast of the field will glorify God
— Isa 43:20 The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches
The Heavens
— “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Ps 19:1 )
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
So Will I (Hillsong)
If the stars were made to worship so will I
If the mountains bow in reverence so will I
If the oceans roar Your greatness so will I
For if everything exists to lift You high so will I
Review
God chose and predestined us before the foundation of the world
— No human could boast or take glory for himself
— All the glory belongs to God. Salvation is not part God, part man
— Salvation is all God
— His ultimate reason is for His glory
— Therefore, even mundane things like drinking, do to the Glory of God (1 Cor 10:31)
Not everyone is on board with Election
4 Objections (Probably could throw in free will as well)
— 1. Denial
— 2. Foreknowledge
— 3. Armenian
— 4. Fatalism
Denial of Election
Outright denial of election
— No one is saved because of some hidden purpose of God
— Argument is that God offers salvation and we must chose it our of own free will
We elect our Leaders
The strength of this argument is that it aligns with our natural, human tendencies
— We like to think that we are in Control
— We elect our government leaders
— We should elect our redeemer
God is my co-pilot
Michal Horton, Putting Amazing back into Grace, People think of God as an old man, like George Burns
— Or, God is my co-pilot
— He would never deny me my free will.
— This debate goes back to the 4th and 16th centuries
Pelagius Pelagianism
British monk (354-420) debated with St. Augustine (354-430).
— The debate betwen Pelagius and Augustine stared when Augustine penned the words, “Grant what Thou commandest, and command what Thou dost desire.”
— Pelagius took issue with the first part of the prayer: implies that whatever God commands that we also have the ability to do it
— Man should be capable of being obedient to whatever God commands. (RC Sproul)
Pelagianism Pelagius evolved this thinking into what we call Pelagianism
— When Adam sinned it only affected Adam
— Our human nature did not change
— Original sin did not taint man
— We have the mortal will to chose between good and evil
— We can live a sinless life and earn salvation by our own efforts
— Not opposed to grace
— Just don’t need it for obedience Augustine argued that before the fall man enjoyed both free will and liberty
— (Liberty - embrace what is good)
— After the fall, still had free will but deeply influenced by our bondage to sin
— And we lost our liberty
— Pelagianism historically Rejected by the church 418, Council of Ephesus 431
Rolling Stones “Get off of my cloud”
The problem The problem with Pelagianism is that it is not taught in the bible
— But today this idea has morphed into humanism
Semi-Pelagianism
16th cent. version
— Coming to faith is man’s part (exercise our free will)
— Growing in faith involves God
— Seeks the middle ground between Pelagius and St. Augustine.
— Grace is necessary for righteousness, but we first must do our part, believe
— Grace is not sovereignly, unilaterally given to the believer
— You must make the initial step in faith in order to receive Grace
— Mixing works + Faith
— Semi-Pelagianism historically declared a heresy in 529, Second Council of Orange
The problem
The problem with Semi-Pelagianism is that Salvation is all of God, even our faith is a gift (Eph 2:8)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
2. Based on Foreknowledge
Idea that God looks down the corridors of time and sees who would believe and then elects / predestines them
— God chose us based on something he “foreknew” we would do, i.e., that we would respond in Faith
— View held by the Roman Catholic church, Methodists, Lutherans and Arminians
Michael Horton
“If God elected you based on having foreseen your works, then it would not be election
In this view, God doesn’t pre-ordain you to anything. You actually ordain yourself.”
We believe
The reason this view is popular is because, we believe that we get what we deserve
— We can’t believe in consequences without a cause.
Sound of Music Julie Andrew’s, The Sound of Music, (Fox, 1965)
— “Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could, so somewhere in my childhood, I must have done something good.”
Foreknowledge= Love
The word can also mean to love from all eternity
— Adam “knew” Eve (Gen 4:1)
— You only have I known of all the families of the earth (Am 3:2)
2 “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”
— Jesus said, “I never knew you,” (Mat 7:21-23)
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Rom 8:29-30 Paul lays out predestination in Romans 8:29-30
— He makes the argument that foreknowledge is linked with God’s knowing us intimately
John Macarthur
Working backwards, Can we loose our salvation? No. Who God justifies, he glorifies. Who are the justified? The called.
Who are called? Whom He predestined. The prescient advocate would say all God foreknew he called. But Paul is talking about the “inner efficacious call.”
The prescient has this reversed. Paul is not talking about the general call but the inner call and only the predestined receive the inner call
— “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” ( Ro 8:29-30 )
— We are a love gift from the Father to the Son (firstborn, v29, John 6:37)
— And how should we respond - Paul cannot contain himself in the next verse (8:31) “What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
3. Armenian Objections:
It’s not fair
God is arbitrary in picking one person over another He could have picked one person or no one
When we come to the very purpose Election is not arbitrary - it has a purpose Ephesians 1:6 “to the praise of his glorious grace.”
It is unjust
Everyone must be given an equal chance
— Election is not fair - “sorry folks, you’re not on the list.”
— But, fair is getting what we deserve
— We don’t want justice, we want grace
Fatalism
Election is fatalism
— God provided salvation and then stepped back and let the chips fall
— Doris Day, The Man Who knew too much, (Paramount, 1956)
— "Que sera, sera. Whatever will be will be”
— God determines everything
— “But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9)
The Real Problem
People think that they have a problem with election, but the real problem is that think that they aren’t that bad
— The problem is with our view of depravity that makes election necessary
— Depravity isn’t being totally wicked, but rather far from God’s standard of holiness
Q: So, how far did we fall?
Upward? That’s the view of secular evolutionists
— The Beatles, We’re only getting better, “I’ve got to admit it’s getting better, a little better all the time.”
Q: Did we fall part way?
Part Way Did man fall part way but not the whole way, so that he is damaged by sin but not ruined?
— That’s the Semi Pelagian and Arminian view
— We are affected by sin but we posses the ability to turn from it and believe in the gospel when it is offered to us - by our own power
Q: Or, did we fall the whole way?
The Whole Way? Or, did we fall the whole way ?
— so that we are no longer capable of making any movement towards God, unless he first reaches down and performs a miracle
— The miracle of the new birth. This is the view of scripture
The Bible Says “We are dead … in trespasses and sin” ( Eph 2:1 )
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
— “There is no one … who seeks God” ( Rom 3:11 )
11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
— God must draw us to himself ( John 6:44 )
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
— After the fall our hearts became inclined to be far from God ( Gen 6:5 )
5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
John Gerstner Divided the actions of fallen man into 4 categories
Bad-Good
— Things that were meant for evil but God through his providence turned them out for good
— Book of Esther Haman the Agagite tries to kill all the Jews, Jews kill their enemies instead
— Joseph’s brothers sell him into Slavery; He saves his brothers (Gen 50:20)
20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
Good-Bad
— The moralist who does good, donates money
— Ted Turner (CNN) gave one billion dollars to the United Nations
— But since they are done with the wrong motive - not to honor God - they are bad
Bad-Bad
— The evil in the world that is done with a hostile attitude towards God
Good - Good
— The Good done by Christ and those in heaven
— On earth we can never attain good-good actions because, as Augustine said, “our best works are tainted by human pride. They are at best, splendid vices”
The Big Idea Election leads to holiness (vs 3)
— If we are not growing in holiness, we’re not elect
— We are still in our sins
Ephesians 1:6-10
( 1:6-10 ) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
(1:6a) by which
Refers to God’s Grace
(1:6b) my beloved 1:6b
— Christ is the beloved
— The father declared him “my beloved son” (Matt 3:17)
— We too are the beloved: “beloved of God” (Ro 1:7)
The Father now loves us as He loves His Son
Q: What does “redemption” mean in verse 1:7?
(1:7) Redemption through the blood
Paying the ransom
Paying the required ransom to God for the release of a person from bondage
Redemption ἀπολύτρωσις (apolytrōsis). n. fem. redemption, release, deliverance.)
— Releasing a person from bondage Rome had as many as a million slaves
— Buying and selling was a major business
— If you had a loved one who was a slave, and you wanted to buy their freedom , you would buy them and testify in a written certificate that they were bought for the purpose of being set free - the idea here
All Slaves to Sin We are all slaves to sin
— If you commit a sin you are a slave to sin (John 8:34)
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
— None of us are righteous (Ro 3:10) quoting from Ps 14 and Is 53
10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;
— By nature we are carnal (Ro 7:14)
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
The Price of Redemption is Blood
Q: What was the price that was paid for our ransom (redemption)?
In Him we have redemption through his blood (1:7a)
The cost to buy us back
— His blood
— It cost Christ his blood to buy us back from the slave market of sin
— OT Truth (Lev 17:11)
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’
— Also a NT Truth (Heb 9:22)
22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Bulls and Goats
Symbolic of the ultimate sacrifice that God intended all along
— OT. sacrifices were constant, never took away sin (Heb 10:4)
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
But we have redemption in
— Christ’s blood provides redemption. Heb 9:12-14 (cf. Heb 10:14)
12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Christ’s blood (v.1:7a)
Q: what did the OT sacrifice symbolize?
Symbolic OT. was symbolic of the coming of the lamb of God
— In Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, the high priest had 2 unblemished goats
— One was killed and blood sprinkled on the alter
— Laid his hands on the other goat and sent it into the wilderness never to return
—Scape Goat, took away the people’s sins. (Lev 16:7-10)
Q: Aren’t we totally forgiven? Why do we need to ask for forgiveness?
We continue to sin We need continued cleansing not redemption
— Only our feet need to be cleaned because we walk in the world and sin
— Jesus said, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet”
— Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” (John 13:10)
— Jesus taught us to pray “forgive us our debts”
—”And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.” (Matt 6:12)
Six Words for Salvation in the NT
Taken from the field of law
— Dikaioo Legal acquittal of a charge
— Similar to vindicated, declared righteous before God (cf Rom 3:4, 4:25, 5:18, 1 Tim 3:16)
Aphiemi Send away
— Legal repayment/cancellation of a debt
— Used in terms of God’s forgiveness of sins (cf Matt 9:2, Rom 4:7, Eph 1:7, 4:32)
Huiothesia legal processing of adopting a child
— Believers adopted into God’s family (cf. Rom 8:15, Gal 4:5, Eph 1:5)
Katallasso Legally reconcile two disputing parties in court
— We are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ (cf. Rom 5:10, 2 Cor 5:18-20)
Redemption Terms
Agorazo and exagorazo
— Buying or purchasing, trading in the marketplace.
— Agora means “marketplace” (Like Agora Hills)
— Ex means out
— To buy out of the marketplace never to return again
— Spiritual purchase or redemption (cf. Gal 3:13, Rev 5:9)
Iuo derivates: lutroo, lutron, lutrosis, apolutrosis ( απολυτρωσιν )
— The word apolutrosis ( απολυτρωσιν ) is used here in Eph 1:7 and is even stronger than agorazo
(1:7b) according to the riches of his grace
According to His riches
God’s grace is like his other attributes: love, holiness, mercy, power
— All boundless from his infinite grace He provides us forgiveness
— If you ask a billionaire for money and he gives you $25, he is giving “out of his riches.”
— But if he gives you $250,000 he is giving “according to his riches.”
— We don’t have to worry that our sin will cause God to run out of grace
(1:8) which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence
— wisdom and understanding (NIV)
— wisdom and prudence (NKJV)
— wisdom and insight (ESV, NASB)
Wisdom Sophia (wisdom)
— Not talking about “Head Smart”
— Understanding of ultimate things: life, death, God and man, righteousness, hell, eternity, time
— Rulers lacked “wisdom.”
— If they had had wisdom they would not have crucified the Lord (cf. 1 Cor 2:8)
8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
— Before we were saved, we also lacked wisdom
— Paul says he lacked wisdom, was ignorant before Christ (1 Tim 1:13)
13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Understanding Phronesis (insight, understanding)
— Practical understanding, principles of everyday living. (cf. Col 1:9)
— God not only forgives us, but also provides us with wisdom to understand Him and His work
— Generously gives us wisdom to understand his Word and obey it
( 1:9 ) having made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself
Mystery Formerly unknown but now is clear
(1) Secret things of God (Duet 29:29)
(2) What he reveals to his people, all believers (Ps 25:14, Prov 3:32, Amos 3:7)
— Only Christians can understand some things (1 Cor 2:14)
(3) Secret but revealed in the NT
Q: How was the mystery hidden/shrouded in the OT?
“Shrouded”
God gave his promise to Abraham but he didn’t say that there would be atonement by a saviour and involve incarnation and suffering
Abraham
Through his seed all the nations would be blessed. Details were hidden
Gentiles
Gentiles and the church
MacArthur
The mystery was what happened when they rejected the King. The idea of mystery: only Christians can understand some things (1 Cor 2:14).
The OT knew the king was coming. The rejected the king - God postponed the kingdom. OT never saw the “gap” and God calling the Gentiles into the church age. The church age is the “sacred” secret.
At another time, Paul used mystery to refer to the inclusion of the Gentiles in the church.
Kingdom
Future - will rule externally in Jerusalem Now - rules in our hearts
Future - there will be peace Now -peace in our hearts
Future - will dispense salvation Now - salvation in our lives now
Future - external in the millenium Now - kingdom is internal in the mystery form
( 1:10 ) that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
The summing up of all things
History Complete
When the millennial Kingdom comes, history is completed
— There will be a summing up of all things in Christ (cf. Phil 2:10-11)
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Today Divided
Today the world is not summed up — Divided
— Satan is the ruler of the world
— When every trace of evil is disposed, everything will be summed up, united with God
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
“The key to understanding this verse is the word again which is left out of most translations. The word kephale means head. But here the word anakephalaioo (ανακεφαλαιωσασθαι ) is used. Ana means again. God’s purpose is to bring together, unit or sum up all things again in Jesus Christ.”
Was Once Once everything was together in Jesus Christ, ceased to be united to him through the fall
— Will be reunited in Him again by redemption
Not Universalsim
all things <> universalism
— Not saying that everyone will be saved
— Rejected by Jesus himself (cf. Matt 25:45, 46, Mark 9:47-48, John 3:35, 5:28-29, 12:48)
The Redemptive Reason
John Macarthur asks, “Why has God done so much for us? Why has he blessed us with every spiritual blessing, chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world, made us holy and blameless, predestined us to adoption as his children, redeemed us through his blood, lavishly given us forgiveness and wisdom and insight according to the infinite riches of his grace?”
Eph 1:11-14
( 1:11-14 ) In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
The Ground of our inheritance
(1:11) In Him in Him refers to Christ (v10)
— God blesses everyone in Him in one sense
— We all enjoy rain, sunshine, families and many blessings. Matt 5:45
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Special Blessing
But a special blessing for believers
— His spiritual blessings are bestowed only on those who are in Him cf Eph 1:3-4, 6-7, 10
Q: We are in him. In what way were we (past tense) also in him?
Our spiritual biography
— Rom 6:3 baptized in his death
— Rom 6:4-5 buried with him in baptism and raised
— Eph 2:6 raised us up together and made us sit together in heaven
John Macarthur
“By a marvelous miracle that only God can comprehend, every believer has been to the cross of calvary, been nailed there spiritually with the savior, and been buried
and raised with him.”
( 1:11 ) We have obtained an inheritance
Obtained ekerothemen (εκληρωθημεν)
— would happen, they would speak as if it already had happened. Here aorist passive indicative
Verse 11 has two interpretations
— The aorist passive indicative could be translated two ways:
a. We were made an inheritance
b. We obtained an inheritance
Q: Which translation / interpretation is correct?
a. We are Christ’s inheritance
Believers are Christ’s inheritance
— Jesus often said that we are gifts that the Father gave him John 6:37. cf. John 6:39 10:29, 17:2, 17:24.
37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
— Jesus won at Calvary the spoils
— We now belong to Him
b. We receive and inheritance
— Believers receive an inheritance
— This is the opposite of point #1. Peter speaks of our receiving an inheritance. cf. 1 Peter 1:3-4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
Q: Which is it?
Second Both are Biblically correct
— Second seems to be in view here because Paul has already said in Eph 1:3 our inheritance includes every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
— Our inheritance is another incredible spiritual blessing
The Effectual Call
(1:11) In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
Sounds like repeating
Sounds like a repeat of Eph 1:4.
— Chose us in Him before the creation of the world
— Now taking it one step further
— He now chooses those who were predestined
— The Holy Spirit opens our eyes, grants us faith to believe, moves our will
Effectual Call
The effectual call is necessary because of our own free will we would not chose Christ
— We were like dead men, unable to move to Christ (Eph 2:1)
— Paul received the call on the road to Damascus. Gal 1:15
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace,
The Human Perspective
We have a role to play It’s here in Ephesians 1:12-13
“… that we, who first trusted Christ…in Him, you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…having also believed.”
Tension
There is a tension between God’s sovereignty and man’s will. Our responsibility is to believe both sides. We know that they are in perfect accord with the infinite mind of God.
Macarthur
“When we get to heaven, we will see a sign that says ‘Whosoever will may come’ and when you look back to the same sign - ‘chosen in Him before the foundation of the world’ “
No double Predestination
— The bible does not teach that men are predestined to hell
The work of the spirit
Ephesians 1:12b Should be to the praise of His glory (1:12b)
Glorification of Jesus The function of the HS is to glorify Christ
— The Holy Spirit will testify of Him
— “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. “ (John 15:26)
— and bring Him (Christ) glory
—”However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” ( John 16:13-14 )
Charismatics
I have been asked, “Have you recieved the second blessing?”
— Have you received the gift of tongues?
— The church is divided
Practical Any emphasis upon the HS that detracts from the person of Jesus is not of the spirit
James Boice
“The work of the Holy Spirit is not apart from us. Are you glorifying Jesus in what you say and by the way you live? If not, you have no part in the spirit, since that is what he is sent to do in Christians.”
Eph 1:13-14
( 1:13-14 ) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
(1:13) In Him
— Paul uses this term “In Him” 164 in his epistles
— He doesn’t know where he ends and Christ begins
God’s seal
Inheritance Promised Promissory note
— We don’t have full possession of our inheritance
— We don’t receive the fullness of
— God’s promises the moment we believe
— Reserved in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:3-4)
— We await the redemption of our bodies (Rom 8:23)
— Some may doubt their salvation.
Q: What is the guarantee that we will receive our inheritance?
God’s Seal A seal can mean 1 of 4 things:
Security
Daniel thrown into the lions den
— A seal was placed on the entrance by King Darius (Dan 6:17)
— Pilate sealed the tomb and guarded it with soldiers (Matt 27:62-66)
— The Holy Spirit seals us in an even greater way with his own irrevocable seal
Ownership
Jerusalem under siege by Nebuchadnezzar
— Jeremiah under arrest by Zedekiah.
— Lord told Jeremiah to buy some land for which he had redemption rights (Jer 32:6)
— Jeremiah became the new legal land owner
— The Holy Spirit seals us as belonging to the Lord
— The transaction of salvation is complete and final
Authenticity
King Ahab tried to get Naboth to sell his vineyard
— Wicked Queen Jezebel wrote letters and sealed them with King Ahab’s name and seal
— The letters gave permission to kill Naboth and seize his land (1 Kings 21:6-16)
— The letters were authentic despite the contents
— The Holy Spirit seals us as authentically belonging to the Lord
Authority
Haman was hanged but the earlier edicts that were sent by Xerxes (Greek name) (Ahasuerus, Persian) could not be revoked
— So he sent a second decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves (Esther 8:8-12)
— As Christians we are sealed and given authority to teach, proclaim, defend God’s word with His authority
(1:14a) Who has given us a pledge of our inheritance
Pledge arrabon (αρραβων) [the] earnest, pledge
— The down-payment
— The engagement ring as Christ’s bride (2 Cor 1:22, 2 Cor 5:5)
— Sealed by the Spirit (2 Cor 1:22)
22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
— The Spirit is a guarantee ( 2 Cor 5:5)
5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
The Goal
Repeats a 3rd time
The goal of our inheritance is to the praise of His glory (v14b).
— Already said this twice (1:6,12)
— The ultimate goal in redeeming fallen man is the praise of his glory
Q: Where is the word Trinity in the bible?
The Trinity The Unitarians say that the word “trinity” does not appear in the bible
— They’re right
— But the doctrine of the trinity is here
Father The work of the Father (1:3-6) - Chosen
Son The work of the Son (7-10) - Forgiven
Holy Spirit The work of the Spirit (11-14) - Sealed
One long verse
Ephesians 1:3-14 is all one long sentence in the original
— Paul just gushes out these truth
— Paul praises God as the author and accomplisher of salvation
— Now second half is a prayer
— Gist - that God would complete His plan and His people would grow in knowledge of Him
In Charge of everything
Ephesians 1:15-19
( 1:15-19 ) Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
Q: If God is in charge of everything (sovereign), what is the point of praying? Why witness, why study the bible, if what is going to happen will happen, why do anything?
Two Truths
a. God is sovereign in our salvation
b. The urgency and importance of prayer
To know Him better
Construction Notice the construction of Eph 1:15-19
— Notice What he is praying about and Why
v17
What? God would give the Ephesians “the spirit of wisdom and revelation”
Why? in order that they may know Him better (knowledge of Him)
v18-19
What? the eyes of [their hearts] may be enlightened
Why? in order that they may know the hope to which he has called [them], the riches of his glorious inheritance
in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
The Chief Idea The chief idea is that you may know God
Q: What does it mean to know God?
Little Knowledge
Some are okay with very little knowledge of God
— We sing songs like, “I need no other argument, I need no other plea, I only know that Jesus died and that he died for me.”
Bible Knowing the bible is good but not the fullness that God wants
Know God
(1:18) that you may know what is the hope of His calling i.e. Knowledge of Him
Interesting ?
Interesting phrase from Paul
— He taught the Ephesians doctrine (even though he spent 3 years with them)
— He taught them many truths, some found in this letter
— the trinity, the Father (3-6), The Son (7-10), the Holy Spirit (11-14)
— God created the world and selected his people before creation (1:4)
James Boice
Paul spoke of redemption, adoption, sanctification and glorification - all in this letter. He gave them a seminary course’s worth of theology
Not More Paul is praying that the Ephesians not know more about God, but that they Know God
Knowing God: J.I. Packer
J.I. Packer J.I. Packer suggests three elements to knowing God
1. Knowing God is a personal dealing
— More than knowing about Him
2 Knowing God is a personal involvement
— Mind, will feelings
— Friends share and communicate things of common concern
— When we open our hearts to one another we become emotionally concerned
— The Psalmist says know the Lord ( Ps 34:8)
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
3. Knowing God is a matter of Grace
— A relationship in which God took the initiative
— He chose us, He loved us first, He knew us first.
Q: How are we to “know” God?
Know God Spend time in prayer, bible study, time alone with God.
— You can’t know a person without spending time with them
The Scope of our Salvation
(1:18a) that you may know the hope of His calling
Hope and Call Paul links “hope” and “call.”
— That is important
— Hope always looks forward to the completion of something
— Biblical Hope is not wishful like the world’s definition
— Something that is sure, settled.
— Our hope (settled, assured) is in our calling to us, called us to?
1. To be holy and blameless in his sight (v4)
2. to the adoption as sons (v5)
3. to be to the praise of His glory (v12)
Biblical Hope Something certain, already established.
— That is why the bible speaks of our hope as a “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3),
— a blessed hope (Titus 2:13), and a “sure hope” (Heb 6:11)
(1:18b) the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints
Similar to v11 Are we Christ’s inheritance or speaking of our inheritance through salvation
— Here speaking of the riches of our inheritance
— If we know so little about our earthly blessings (fellowship, prayer, meaningful work)
— which Paul is explaining in this Epistle, how much less do we know about our heavenly blessings?
(1:18) Enlightened
Eyes Opened That our eyes would be opened to the greatness of God’s plan
— That we would know the richness of our calling with respect to election, predestination, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, insight, inheritance and sealing with a pledge of the Holy Sprit
— Example of two men who knew the Lord but who were not enlightened (Luke 24:31-32)
31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
How are we to live How are we to live (as citizens of heaven) in a world that does not believe?
Know God’s power by personal experience
— Paul is not asking for more power
— Rather experience and be aware of the power we already possess in Christ
Don’t Need We don’t need power to witness or evangelize.
— The gospel itself is the power of God for Salvation to everyone who believes (Rom 1:16)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
— We don’t need more power to do his will
— It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure
— “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13)
— We don’t need more power to endure sufferings
— Paul mentioned his many suffering but that we have this treasure in earthly vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us
— “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Cor 4:7)
— Know God’s power through experience!
Ephesians 1:19-23
( 1:19-23 ) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
4 Synonyms Paul uses 4 synonyms for Power (depending on your translation) power, work, strength, might
Power dunamis (power, v19)
— We get the word dynamite
— Only for Christians
— The surpassing greatness of God’s power is given to every believer
Working energeia (working, v19)
— energizing power of the Holy Spirit empowers us to live for the Lord
Power kratos (strength, v19)
— strength, power (Heb 2:14)
— dominion (1 Tim 6:16)
Might iscus (might, v21)
— endowed power or ability
— The Holy Spirit equips us for every good work
Jesus promise When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power
— “ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Resurrection Power
— We have the same power that raised Jesus from the grave, raised Lazarus
— Our disposal to live to His glory cf Eph 1:19-20, 3:20
(1:19) his might power
— Paul’s 3rd request that we understand the greatness of Christ’s power
Timothy When Timothy was discouraged, Paul encouraged him to dwell on the greatness of Christ’s power (2 Tim 2:8-10)
— It was the power that raised Christ and now lives in you (Timothy)
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
(1:21) Far above
Christ is far above everyone and everything
— Above Satan, fallen angels, holy angels, the save and unsaved
The church as His body
Incomplete until He returns He is incomplete until the church is complete.
John Calvin
“This is the highest honor of the church that until He is united to us, the Son of God reckons Himself in some measure incomplete. What consolation it is for us to learn that not until we are in His presence does he possess all his parts nor does He wish to be regarded as complete.”
Additional Resources
Sproul, R. C. (1994). The Purpose of God: Ephesians. Scotland: Christian Focus Publications.
MacArthur, J. (2000). Ephesians: Our Immeasurable Blessings in Christ. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group.
MacArthur, J. (1986). The McArthur New Testament Commentary Ephesians. Moody Press Chicago.
Calvin, J., & Pringle, W. (2010). Commentaries on the Epistles of Paul to the Galatians and Ephesians. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Boice, James Montgomery (1997). An Expositional Commentary on Ephesians. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books
Hendriksen, William (1967). New Testament Commentary Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books
Michal Horton (1994) , Putting Amazing back into Grace, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books
Henry, Matthew (2000), Commentary on the Whole Bible complete and unabridged, Henrickson Publishers