Ephesians 2:11-3:13

Review Eph 2:1-2:10

Chapter 1 spiritual blessing

where we were before and how we got there

Ephesians 2:1 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

follow the narative of the OT in

Genesis 3:3 ESV

but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

Interpretation in the NT

Romans 5:12 ESV

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

where we are today and what we need to do in future

Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Grace comes in two parts

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Future

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Eph 2:11-3:13 - Paul explains the mystery in details regarding God’s plan

He Chose us and expounds on the mystery

Must understand the narrative in the old testament

World is in peril. Humnity is destined for spiritual destitution, spiritual death.

God began His incredible plan for redemption through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, jumping to David where he continued to reveal Himself, His attributes and His characteristics. Basically through the Nation of Israel God continued to reveal Himself and His redemptive plan only to complete it through the birth and sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ. Which was not understood until it was revealed to the apostles who is now to teach and reachou tto the Gentiles. Paul explains it this way:

Ephesians 2:11–3:9 ESV

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

Now the intent was this

Ephesians 3:10–11 ESV

so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

In other words, His intent is to show His redemptive plan, not just the physical but the spiritual world, His redemptive plan through Christ.

In Jesus, we

Ephesians 3:12–13 ESV

in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Remember what Pauld mention i beginning as one of the spirtual blessing

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

He has made us family

the redemptive plan came from the Church. he mentions

Ephesians 1:22 ESV

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 1:23 ESV

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.