Ephesians

Spiritual Handbook for Gentiles

Chapter 1
Our Restoration His Purpose
V. 1-2 – God’s vision of you
V. 3-14 – The purpose and response #1 of God’s Gifts
V. 15-23 – response #2 of God’s Gifts

1 ¶ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the
faithful in Christ Jesus:

“an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” – God makes men who they are. Most
times, it is bigger than we think is possible. He was an APOSTLE by the will of God.

If there’s a calling that God is moving you towards, it is His will that you be great at it.
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the
calling you have received.

To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.

He is talking to regular believers like you and I. Yet he calls them “saints” and “faithful”.

God’s opinion of us may not be what our opinion is for ourselves.

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A blessing, a benediction.

3 ¶ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in
the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

“Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

Blessing- eulogia - rom the same as 2127; fine speaking, i.e. elegance of language;
commendation ("eulogy"), i.e. (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by
implication, consecration; by extension, benefit or largess:--blessing (a matter of) bounty
(X -tifully), fair speech.

“spiritual verbal blessing” – He has pronounced blessing over you. He speaks blessing
and life over you.

“In Christ”: through your relationship with Jesus Christ, because of His sacrifice

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in
his sight. In love
“He chose us” – He saw us and made a decision for us individually. He had the
opportunity to decide against you.

“In Him” - Him meaning Christ (most things in this chapter is “in Him”. Why?

Christ enables God the Father to act kindly towards us. Without Jesus, God the Father
has no ability to forgive us, show us grace or pronounce blessings on us without
jeopardizing His own righteousness. Christ is the center of your world.

“Before the creation of the world” – He didn’t do it after the fall. He didn’t do it after He
got to know you, He did it before He started creating things. He is a God of plan and a
God of detail.

“to be holy and blameless in His sight.” To live in line with Himself.

That is what salvation allows us to do. Everything He does after this statement is to
allow us to do this one thing.

“Holy and blameless” – it’s something that the Lord lives everyday. It’s something we
will live when we get to Heaven, it’s something that Adam and Eve did before they fell,
it’s something that the angels do every day.

On earth, looking at the scenario from an earthly view point, it is easy to see the difficulty
in “holy and blameless”. You’d stand out if you were “holy and blameless” on earth. But
in Heaven, you’d stand out if you weren’t.

5 (In love) he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in

accordance with his pleasure and will--

Predestined us: General definition: God had and has a plan. We don’t follow a God who
doesn’t have a plan, regardless of our random decisions.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of
the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

“He predestined us to be adopted as His sons”

- Referring to God always intending to include the Gentiles in His plan of salvation.
“us” meaning Gentiles.
- Predestination vs. Free Will = this is a keynote scripture towards Predestination
theology or “Calvinism”.

John Calvin believed that God was so sovereign and in control that He predetermined
who was going to Hell and who was going to Heaven. People didn’t have a choice in
the matter. He believed that everything that occurred in our life was allowed by the
 Lord because if God was really in control than Satan doesn’t have any power to have
his way on earth.

Free Will is under a theology called “Armenian”. He believed that salvation was
completely man’s choice of free will and God doesn’t push or pull either way.

“through Jesus Christ”

- again, Jesus Christ is our back stage pass, He’s the only reason good things happen to
us.

“in accordance to His pleasure and will”

He does this for His glory, for His agenda, for His decisions.

6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he
loves.

Why does He do all this? (pre destine us to be adopted and bless us, choose us to be holy
and blameless with every spiritual blessing?

To the praise of His glorious grace. It’s all so He will be praised.

He does this to make an example that His life is geared towards praising and glorifying
Himself, so our lives should follow.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in

accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom
and understanding.

Redemption: salvation, to be redeemed. Redeemed from what? You were lost, you owed
a debt, God redeemed you through the shedding of His blood.

It was in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

- Another advertisement of God’s grace. It was His grace that made it possible

“That he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding”

lavished – abundantly poured out. He didn’t just give a little grace, He lavished it on us.

With all wisdom and understanding - God knew what He was doing. He didn’t redeem
us through His blood in accordance with the riches of His grace blindly. He knew we’d
make great successes and great failures.
9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure,
which he purposed in Christ,

He has given us the ability to know why He was doing all of this. It was Good, or rather
the original way of doing things.

He purposed in Christ: Christ’s purpose was at the heart of this will.

10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment--to bring
all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

God’s plan is still unfolding through Christ. It will eventually reach its fulfillment, which
the end result is to bring all things under one head, to have all things be effected by or
leaning upon Christ.

God’s Plan is to restore relationships between Himself and the whole world, not just the
Israeli nation.

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,

Preface sentence leading into an explanation sentence.

In Him we were also chosen, predestined and asked to trust because He works everything
out.

“Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will,”

If He works it out, then why pray? If it will all go to the conformity of His will, then why
evangelize?

Matthew 6: 9 ¶ "This, then, is how you should pray: "`Our Father in heaven, hallowed be
your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Not everything necessarily goes His way, but they will end the way He wants.

Why did God give us the ability to go the way He didn’t want us to go?

Regardless of how the journey goes He works it out in conformity with the purpose of
His will.

Philippians 2: 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of
his glory.

We were chosen and predestined to be for the praise of His glory.

“for the praise of His glory” – we would be causes, objects that inspire, or
encouragements of praise.

He chose us… picked us out, fashioned us, gave us the skills and abilities, the difficulties
and inabilities.

He predestined us… allowed us to grow up in the place where we grew up under the
conditions that we grew up in, in the time period we grew up in, knew we’d face the trials
we’d face.

And did it all so we would worship and inspire worship to the Lord.

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the
promised Holy Spirit,

“You were included in Christ” – You are now in Christ. Included in Christ as in
participants of what He will receive, and it all occurred when we “heard” the word of
truth. Heard as in receive and truly understand.

1 Thessalonians 1: 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,
5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the
Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

Evangelism.

You were marked.. Given something to set you apart.

…in Him.. Only received because of your relationship with Jesus
..with a seal, the Holy Spirit. The mark, is the Holy Spirit living inside you making you
the “righteousness of God” (2Cor 5:21) and being the giver of wisdom as whispers in
your head (John 16:13)

14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who
are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

“Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” if we hear the Holy Spirit within us, then
we know our inheritance is guaranteed.
“to the praise of His glory” All for His praise. Indirectly or secondarily for our comfort
and strength, but primarily for His glory.

15 ¶ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your
love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you
in my prayers.

This chapter is about two things.

Lu 10:27 He answered: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, `Love your neighbour as
yourself.'"

V 4-14 is about loving the Lord through His gifts.

V. 15-23 is about loving the each other through His gifts.

1. After I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.
- Paul is keeping a prayerful eye on people.
- Paul seeing how he can minister.

2. I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
- Paul is rejoicing for this church from afar.
- His association with these people is a three person affair – them, him and God.
- Paul is actively concerned with their needs.

- This is a pastoral trait. To be looking over someone else like a parent, or a guardian
wanting to help.
- It’s also an accountability trait.

Romans 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you
strong -- 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

It’s in the Bible to encourage us to have the same relationships.

Paul’s prayer
The science of prayer

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may
give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,

Who? The Holy Spirit – working in the specific areas of wisdom (hearing from the Lord
and responding) and revelation (concepts, ideas, explanations, etc revealed or grounded
in His word)
Why? To know Him better.
 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may
know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in
the saints,

What? Heart be enlightened

Why? So you may know the hope He has called you.
Which is? Two parts: #1The riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.
What’s that?

Revelation 21: 1 ¶ Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the
first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with
men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be
with them and be their God.
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or
crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said,
"Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it
light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the
working of his mighty strength,

Why? So you may know the hope He has called you.

Which is? #2 his incomparably great power for us who believe.
What’s that?

Break down:
“Incomparably” – not able to be compared to anything else.
“Great power” - 23 "`If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who
believes."

20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at
his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power
and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also
in the one to come.

Continuing in explaining what His incomparably great power is:

It’s the same power that raised Christ from the dead, exalted Him and made Him Savior
over everything.

That’s the hope that we have been called.

What does that mean?

We hope/believe/expect that God’s life saving power will save us – final death
We hope/believe/expect that God’s life saving power will save in us – sanctification
We hope/believe/expect that God’s life saving power will save through us - evangelism

22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over
everything for the church,
23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills everything in every way.

Church -> Christ’s Body -> the Fulness of Him who fills everything in every way.
Fullness -> complete filling, crammed in

As a prayer, He prayed this for the church at Ephesus.

He responded to His gifts by loving and lifting others up by this prayer.

Ephesians 2

V. 1 – 3 The state of Man

V. 3 – 10 God’s salvation spelled out
V. 11 – 22 God’s plan of reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles

1 ¶ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

The state of man.

2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the
ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are
disobedient.

- ways of this world (not just sinning, but rather following the culture)
- the ruler of the kingdom of the air: Satain.
- he is the spirit at work in those who are disobedient.
- they aren’t enlightened. If they are disobedient. Satan is at work in them.

3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful
nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature
objects of wrath.
-we were all like that at one time: satisfying the cravings of our sinful nature, being lead
by it’s desires and thoughts.
-because of that, we were “objects of wrath”, or “focuses of God’s judgment”

4 ¶ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

- “because of His great agape for us”, God who is “abundant” in mercy.
- Not because He was compelled or had to because of His nature or of our own
righteousness. Agape is love unconditionally.

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by

grace you have been saved.

- We are dead in transgressions before Christ.

What is dead in transgressions?

God created us to be spiritually discerning. Our original make up was to have the Holy
Spirit living in us. Adam was perfect because God made him that way and God lived
inside of Him. When Adam sinned, the Holy Spirit could no longer dwell in a sinful
body; therefore making humans dead to the things of God. When Adam had children,
they were created as Adam was, not as Adam was created to be, thus making everyone
dead to the things of God.

1Co 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit
of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually discerned.
(NIV)

- God makes us alive with Christ. Christ, not our own righteousness which shows the
reason for grace, is the reason for our righteousness, giving the Holy Spirit ability to live
within us.

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms
in Christ Jesus,

- In Christ we have been restored to a high position of authority that He created us to be

at.

Hebrews 2:5 ¶ It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we
are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you
are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him (humans) a
little lower than the (elohim; or normally translated as God but stated “angels” here);
you crowned him with glory and honour.

Hebrews 1: 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit
salvation?
 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his
grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

- “in order that” – He did all of this because…

- “in the coming ages” – for all of us…
- “He might show the incomparable riches of His grace” – He’s bragging about or
showing off His grace for the praise of His glory
- “expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” – The grace that God has shown in
forgiving of our sins.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God—

-“For it is by grace you have been saved” – We are saved by “favor unearned”

- “through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” –

“through faith (persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or
the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for
salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of
religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.)”

What is not from ourselves?

According to most commentaries, the Greek implies that the grace and the
process of salvation come from the Lord. The faith comes from us.

The faith (pistis) comes from us: the ability to have faith is from God, but the exercising
of faith is in our will.

Mt 9:2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith,
he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."
Mt 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed
you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
Mt 9:29 Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to
you";
Mt 15:28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."
And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Mr 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
Mr 5:34 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed
from your suffering."
Mr 10:52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his
sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Lu 5:20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
Lu 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
 Lu 8:25 "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked
one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey
him."
Lu 8:48 Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."
Lu 17:19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
Lu 18:42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."
Lu 22:32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you
have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God
or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly

Mt 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive

Mt 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and
doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say
unto this mountain, Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done

9 not by works, so that no-one can boast.

Salvation’s heart is that no one can live without God or no one can boast apart from God.

What are we to boast about?

Galatians 6:14

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world
has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which
God prepared in advance for us to do.

We are God’s workmanship: His poem, His masterpiece, No flaw, pimples aren’t the
result of sin, He created you just the way you are.

Created in Christ to do good works: That’s your purpose; to do good works.

God has already prepared in advance for us to do: There is already a plan ahead of you.
We never really have an excuse to not be doing God’s work on account of not knowing.
He just called us to do good works.

11 ¶ Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called
"uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the
body by the hands of men)—
Referring to people of Jewish descent, known as “the circumcision” calling those of
Gentile descent, “uncircumcised”.

Circumcision was a sign of choice by God. If you were circumcised it was a symbol of
your holiness in the eyes of the Lord.

This procedure turned into an opportunity for pride in which one thought that after the
circumcision was done, one could act as they wished. Paul notes that circumcision is
done by the hands of men.

12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from
citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope
and without God in the world.

Paul is calling the believers at Ephesus to remember their state before Christ.

Excluded from citizenship in Israel: not part of the chosen family

Foreigners to the covenants of the promise: God promised Abraham He would bless his
descendants. (Genesis 26:3)
Without hope and without God in the world: If you’re not chosen, then you are God’s
enemy, therefore no hope of salvation can be yours.

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near
through the blood of Christ.

Jesus has restored any boundaries built by race and nationality through the blood of
Christ.

This is huge because without Jesus, only one race of people would enter Heaven. The
Jewish way of thinking is God’s thinking. Jews are the chosen, that’s where God’s head
was until Jesus opened up God’s ability.

Before it was about chosen or not chosen. Now we are all called, and those who accept
that call are chosen.

Matthew 22:14
"For many are invited, but few are chosen."

14 ¶ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the
barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

For He Himself is our peace: Jewish people had the assurance of their salvation because
of their heritage.

We have the assurance of our salvation because of Jesus Christ. We don’t have the
heritage, we are branches grafted into the Jewish family tree.
Romans 11

God has made the two one: What two? Jews and Gentiles.

Why the barrier in the first place? Why the dividing wall of hostility?

1 Corinthians 1:28-29

He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are
not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

In other words, to show the world that we can’t make it on our own.

15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His
purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,

God destroyed the barrier by abolishing in his flesh the law with it’s commandments and
regulations… Hebrews 7:11-28

The law became obsolete.

God’s purpose was to create in Himself “one new man” out of the two.

There are four different variants of “human”

Adam and Eve

Jew
Gentile
Christians (we are the new type of human)

16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by
which he put to death their hostility.

In His death, He became sin for us, thus abolishing the law and our hostility. The
hostility was rooted in the law.

Galatians 3:6-14

17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who
were near.

Jesus’ life and death brought a message of peace or reconciliation to those who were
Jewish or in church and to those who were Gentile or unchurched.

18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Through Jesus, regardless of our background we have access to God by the same Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with
God's people and members of God's household,

Because of this, regardless of your background, you are among the chosen of God.

Why is this important?

Two reasons.

1. We need to know how we came to be how we are. God’s word gives us power
and knowledge. Knowing what He has to say strengthens us.
2. God’s heart is to unite people under one banner: Himself.
a. UnSpiritual people stick out in a Spiritual environment
i. Pastors, teachers over lay people and members.
b. UnChristianese people stick out in a Christianese environment. God has
us under one banner, one Spirit gives us access to one Father.

Sometimes we like to go back to the law.

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as
the chief cornerstone.

Our household is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,

There is a 2000 year history of leaders and teachers with Christ Himself as the
cornerstone preaching that we are one in Christ

21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in
the Lord.

Jesus joins the whole building together in unity.

22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God
lives by his Spirit.

He builds us up as part of His building

Ephesians 3

V1 - V6 Paul and the Mystery known by revelation.

V7 – V9 Paul’s response to this mystery
V9 – V13 Our response to this mystery

1. For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
For what reason?
Chapter 2:19-22 speaks of how we who are far away are now included, adopted and
blessed with the family.

Paul is presenting himself before the Gentiles in this statement.

For this reason… I or here am I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus

It’s not a statement of pride, but rather servanthood.

In other words, Paul sees the value in these people, the Gentiles, because of God’s grace
and power and will reach out to them with a life saving message as a servant.

Where did it get him?

Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus:
Meaning:
1. He was compelled, unable to refuse Christ for the passion that He gave Paul.
2. Paul was really in prison during this letter or shortly near the timeframe the letter
was written

For the sake of you Gentiles—

Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.
Galatians 2:7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of
preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews.

Paul had a passion that God put there, and he was so compelled, it drove him out of his
comfort zone and eventually in prison.

2. Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to
me for you.

Paul is speaking about his discourse in Chapter 2 about how God has made Jews and
Gentiles one as Christians through faith in Jesus.

“administration of God’s grace”

administration means delegation, His leadership. God delegated His grace to Paul
God’s grace was in the form of a mission or calling.

His callings, His plans for our life aren’t something we’ve earned. It’s a privilege that we
even get to participate in what He is doing on Earth. (sometimes we treat it so cheaply)

In other words, Paul is saying, Surely you’ve heard about the calling God has given me
for your sake by His grace on my life.

3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written
briefly.
We’re talking about the discourse Paul made in Chapter 2 about Jews and Gentiles one as
Christians through faith in Jesus.

This was given to Paul through revelation.

What is revelation?
Revelation is insight, wisdom or direction given from the Lord straight to man. God
gives us revelation to go and do something about it.

Some write, some go some tell.

4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of
Christ,

“understand my insight” – You’ll see why I see this the way I do.

5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been
revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

- The Gentile salvation wasn’t revealed in its fullness in times past.

- The hope for the Gentiles is being revealed right now.
- Therefore, Paul is motivated. He’s given his life to see the course through.

6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel,
members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Self explanatory

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the
working of his power.

Paul’s response to this mystery.

Paul became a servant of this good news.
By God’s gift of Grace by His power at work.

This is a recognition of where the power, where the calling and where the honor goes to.

8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given to me: to
preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

One might think that Paul was kinda off it for referring to himself as the least of all God’s
people.

He probably felt that for two reasons.

1. He was saved after accusing and killing Christians, no other apostle had that under his
belt.
2. The closer you are to the Lord, the further you feel.

Paul doesn’t let his knowledge of need for the Lord get in the way of the powerful calling
given to him which is:

To preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

And …

9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages
past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Paul was now to let the cat out of the bag. He was to declare and change the perspectives
of Christians, Jews and Gentiles everywhere.

God’s plan is now revealed.

Why did God do that?

Romans 11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may
not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the
Gentiles has come in.

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should
be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to
his eternal purpose which his accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God was displaying His wisdom to the angelic host through His dealings with the church
at large.

God had made a promise to Abraham that wasn’t revealed until Jesus Christ.

Ge 22:18 and through your offspring {Or seed} all nations on earth will be blessed,
because you have obeyed me."

It wasn’t until Jesus Christ that all nations could be blessed because of the righteousness
pronounced to Abraham.

Why did God have the need to display it? Because possibly angelic host didn’t know
when His promises were going to be accomplished.

Because of those promises, we have the next scriptures…

12 In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and
confidence.

In Him…

Paul is very clear that none of the privileges that we find through Christ come from
ourselves.

In Him: In relationship to Him. He is our Savior, closer than a brother because his
righteousness as God has come upon us.

Through faith in Him: pistis faith that He is capable to accomplish that which we pray

When we have those two, we may approach God with freedom.

What kind of freedom? The freedom to be able to approach the Lord sinless.

And confidence. What kind of confidence. He has made specific promises to us

concerning prayers and how He answers them.

Can a sinner pray and it be heard by the Lord?

13 I ask you, therefore not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you,

which are your glory.

Paul is referring back to himself who is approaching God with freedom and confidence.

Because of that, we can be sure that what Paul is suffering from is of the Lord.

Don’t be discouraged by people’s service towards you, but rather be honored by them,
because they are in service of the Lord for our benefit.

1Th 5:12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are
over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

14 ¶ For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in
heaven and on earth derives its name.

Paul kneels because what he is doing is for their glory, and that he can approach the Lord
with confidence and freedom.

His whole family and on earth derives its name.

“His children or His creation”

He defines everyone. Everything leans on Him and is bent around Him whether we know
it or not.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through
his Spirit in your inner being,

Eph 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;

Prayer analyzing again.

“That He would grant you” That He would give you… Everything God does is a gift.
Even if He must fulfill a promise to you because He is righteous, the promise itself is a
gift. We deserve nothing.

Let that be an aspect of our prayer, that we’d understand that everything that God does on
our behalf is done soaked in His grace.

“Out of His glorious riches or riches in glory” not earthly riches, not earthly
limitations. What is God capable of accomplishing if not limited by His promises? He
can do all things.

Otherwise put as, “May God grant an undeserving soul, from His supreme power as the
Lord Almighty…”

“Strengthen you with power by His Spirit”

Praying for strength. (what kind of strength comes later)

Praying that the strength comes from power by His Spirit.

Praying strength in people is praying for power.

God’s incomparable power in people. Notice that Paul doesn’t pray for discipline or
endurance or faith.

He prays for power.

1Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

We need to be people who are aware of and have a daily need for His power.

in your inner being.

His power isn’t most effective in us when it’s on the exterior, but when it’s on the interior.

His strengthens us by lifting our mentality, the way we see reality. Perspective is
everything.
Col 3:1 ¶ Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being
rooted and established in love,

Paul prays that we have strength in the way we see reality so that Christ can dwell in our
hearts through faith.

And as there could be no indwelling of God but by Christ, and no indwelling of Christ
but by faith, he prays that they may have such faith in Christ, as shall keep them in
constant possession of his love and presence.

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”

Why does Paul pray for strength through power to change our thinking so that Christ can
dwell in our hearts through faith?

Because faith can only truly exist in a mentality that allows it to flourish. A worldly
mindset is focused on what is seen.

The catch is to develop a lifestyle that is always looking to the unseen, then faith and
focus on Jesus becomes easy.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

In the text, everything builds on each other. So another way to see this segment of
scripture is that:

in that faith and in Christ dwelling in our hearts, it would cause us to be rooted and
established in His love.

(Going back to the way we think)

Rooted and established in love: fixed, unmoving, in constant possession of or

constantly aware of His love. This is the spring board into the next scripture.

18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and
high and deep is the love of Christ,

In being rooted and established in His love, we are able to 1. grasp the extent of Christ’s
love.
Width (love for our whole character),
Length (love for our past, present and future),
Height (high as in His understanding and knowledge being higher and yet still loves us)
Depth (to the extend that He’ll go to show us how much He loves us)
Once we’re in the building, we can understand how big it is because from the inside we
can see it from several angles.

19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the
measure of all the fulness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for
ever and ever! Amen.
(NIV)

Chapter 4

V 1-6 Social Christianity (Unity)

V7-16 God’s Gifts for the Church

Eph 4:1 ¶ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the
calling you have received.

“As a prisoner for the Lord” Paul was actually a prisoner for the sake of the gospel.
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received”

A life worthy of the calling.

Understanding the impact of the position that God has put you in.
Live up to the spiritual level that God has raised you up in.

Paul wasn’t necessarily talking to church leaders. He was speaking to Christians in

general, which means that everyone has a calling that we must live a life worthy of.

Being a Christian is a calling that we must live a life towards.

2 ¶ Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

These are basic traits that keep Christians able to minister together.

Humble: Not lifting yourself above anyone else.

Gentle: Mindful of other’s feelings, weaknesses and insecurities.
Patient: Understanding that everyone makes mistakes and still growing in Christ.
Bearing with one another in love: Letting love be your motivation for working with
people despite their imperfections or conflicts with your personality.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

“Make every effort”

Every available opportunity, not every convenient opportunity.

Ro 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

“to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”

It’s not just any kind of Unity, it’s unity of the Spirit.
That we would have one spirit.

Unity isn’t about being together in one place. Unity is about having one Spirit.

Ro 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of
unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you
may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s an inner unity.

“through the bond of peace”

Strive to have a unity displayed on the outside.

Being able to minister together. Letting differences slide to focus on what’s really
important.

4 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you
were called--
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

God has called us to be one because He is one.

Joh 17:20 ¶ "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me
through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they
also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:

When we see interpersonal relationships from that perspectives, then little disagreements
fade away.

What difference could there be among believers that should separate us when God’s
highest heart for our relationship for us is that we are one as He is one?
Divided Christians close the landing pad for God’s glory.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

We as Christians are called to be ONE in spirit, but we’re different in gifting according to
God’s grace in our lives.

8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and
gave gifts to men."

“When He ascended on high”

Talking about Jesus after He “ascended” from hell.

“He led captives in His train”

The train represents a glory that follows Him (wedding dress train)
He led captives in His train because people now had the opportunity to be born again and
thus enter Heaven.

John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God
unless he is born again."

“and gave gifts to men.”

In the new ability for people to be born again, they were also able to have His Spirit enter
them and be used by Him more readily by whatever gift He graced them with.

Before Christ, the Spirit rested on people, but did not enter them and fill them.

Paul makes this point to illustrate that God has given people different gifts after He rose
from the dead. We are all one in Christ, but He has given us different gifts.

The controversy

Ps 68:18 When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts
from men, even from the rebellious--that you, O LORD God, might dwell there.

Gave gifts vs. received gifts.

Both are true.

He received gifts from men, being glory and honor.
Centurion watching over him on the cross as an example

When He ascended, He was now able to give gifts by the Spirit now being able to dwell
inside the Christian.

Why did Paul quote it like that?

Paul knew scripture, sometimes he would use Old Testament truths and use it to explain
New Testament truths, or reword OT scriptures to catch Jewish unbelievers and get them
to get outside of the “Sunday School mentality”.

9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower,
earthly regions?
10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in
order to fill the whole universe.)

Explanation that Jesus descended into hell and ascended into Heaven in order to see His
power and glory spread all over the world.

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be

evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

Apostles: Minister of ministers, Leads several churches.

Prophets: Encourages God’s people through words of knowledge (revelation knowledge
of the present or past), words of wisdom (revelation knowledge of the future) and the gift
of encouragement.
Evangelists: Gifting of leading several people (beyond the common Christian ability to
be “witnesses”) to the Lord with His Spirit through speech and action.
Pastors: Shepherds of churches or groups of believers.
Teachers: Gifted to understand, break down and teach God’s Word and the truths therein.

12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up

Why these giftings?

“To prepare God’s people for works of service.”

Not to have them sit on their butt.
Rather to spur them onto discovering their gift and moving in it.

Why should the body of Christ be spurred up to discover their gift and move in it?

“so that the body of Christ may be built up”

the body of Christ / the church.

Built up Spiritually
1. Growth mindset
2. Maturity
3. Exponential growth leading to built up physically

13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and
become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.
This is when we’ll be finished working.

1. Until we’re all one in the faith

2. One in the Knowledge of the Son of God
3. All mature
4. Have attained, or understood what it is to have the whole measure of the fullness of
God.

It is a pursuit that we run on our own and encourage others to run as well.
This is why we were put on earth, to see this occur in our world.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and
blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of
men in their deceitful scheming.

“No longer be infants”

When we finished working, our goal is to see that everyone is mature (no one is infants)

Some people aren’t ready when they should be:

1Co 3:2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are
still not ready.
Heb 5:12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to
teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid
food!

Maturity is a process.

1Jo 2:12 ¶ I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account
of his name.
13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I
write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear
children, because you have known the Father.
14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I
write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and
you have overcome the evil one.

Children: Sins are forgiven, known the Father

Young Men: Strong, Word of God lives in You, over come the evil one
Fathers: Know Him

In this scripture, Paul speaks about infants as those who waiver back and forth in their
faith and/or lifestyle.

Waivering is natural in it’s time, but we aren’t meant to stay there.

We learn to have the Word of God in us and we overcome the Evil One.
Then we know God in a deeper way.

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is
the Head, that is, Christ.

We grow up in all things by people speaking the truth in love.

Speaking the truth in love doesn’t mean telling us what we want to hear.
It doesn’t mean always agreeing with what is said, but rather being open to being
changed by the Word rather than changing the Word.

We grow into the Head.

After a part of our body is unusable for a time, it isn’t always instantaneously usable. A
broken leg isn’t 100% after it’s been in a cast for 6 months.

Sometimes we need Physical Therapy to work the muscles and tendons so that it can be
fully used by the head.

Speaking the truth in love is our physical therapy so that we can be fully used by the
Head, that is, Christ.

16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting
ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Grows and builds itself up in love

The body grows together. They grow together, they fall together. One person’s success is
everyone’s success. One person’s weakness is everyone’s weakness.

How does everyone grow together?

Not criticism, not peer motivation. They grow as we love as each part does its work.
We do our work by loving everyone.
We do our work by working in the gifting that God has called us to.
Doing our part of the work means not being discouraged by the situation.

17 ¶ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as
the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

“No longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.”

How were they thinking?

Everyone for himself, Judgmental, Critical, No Love

“Insist on it in the Lord”

Why would Paul insist on it in the Lord?
Because where does living for ourselves take the powerful unity of the church?

It destroys it.

Paul told them and insisted on it in the Lord, that this does not occur.

18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God
because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

Hardening of people’s hearts equal:

Ignorance equals:
Darkened understanding and separation from the life of God.

Darkened understanding and separation from the life of God keep people from fully
understanding that…
Jealousy, Greed, Condemning criticism, selfish ambitions break down relationships and
pull people down as a whole

And love with team building is what really causes success.

Where does hardening of the heart come from?

Sin.

19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to
indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Sin begets sin, begets sin, begets sin.

This is the bondage of sin. Sin lets no one out.

20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.

Our salvation doesn’t come by our selfish ambitions.

Spiritual Principle: All of Christ’s attributes don’t come by being critical, judgmental,
unloving or selfish minded. Christ’s attributes come from Christ’s methods.

21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth
that is in Jesus.
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

“We were taught to put off your old self”

Don’t live under the old perspective.

Don’t live under the law, which says your actions determine your righteousness.
Don’t walk in the old identity as self-centered sinner
Ga 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The
life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me.

The old self, the old way of doing things died with Jesus when we believe He died.

23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

“made new in the attitude of your minds”

Work your brain into thinking what the new perspective is, the law of grace is.

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness.

Walk in your new identity as one who has freedom to walk righteously and understanding
who God made you to be.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his
neighbour, for we are all members of one body.

“Therefore”
Since we are putting on our new self, we must…

“put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one
body”

Start working to build up those around us knowing and understanding that we grow up
together and we fall down together.

26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

Anger is one of the barriers to relationships.

Jas 1:20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

Paul’s advice:
Don’t let the sun go down while you are angry
In other words, take care of it now before you go to bed.
If you don’t, if you let it sit, then you give the devil a foothold or a place to work evil
within a relationship.

28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something
useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
People who don’t pull their share also create barriers to relationships.
Another way to describe stealing is mooching. Not doing your part.

Paul is saying don’t steal, work so you can provide to people.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is
helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who
listen.

The words we say either build up or break down relationships.

“Unwholesome talk” means negative talk, worthless talk.

Instead, be encouraging. Speak life into people. Let everything you say be a benefit to
those who listen.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day
of redemption.

Our sin and slips are a barrier to relationships.

“do not grieve the Holy Spirit”

The Holy Spirit uses us when we are walking with Him, pleasing Him.
When we are no longer pleasing, He leaves and can no longer use us in that moment.

It hurts our fellowship with other believers.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every
form of malice.

Examine yourself and work out, by the HS anything that will break relationships.

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ
God forgave you.

Work, live and act always with grace, knowing that we all had to deal with the same
issues at one time.

Never forget where He has taken you.

Religiocity easily takes over when we forget His heart.
 Ephesians 5

V1 – 7 Imitating Christ and what that looks like

V8 – 17 Being a Light
V18 – 19 How to be a Light
V21 – 33 Right Relationships

Eph 5:1 ¶ Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

“Be imitators of God” – followers, imitators of God, [copy Him and follow His example]
“therefore” – The reason is to follow…
“as dearly loved children” – as children agape’d by God

Why should we be imitators of God because we’re dearly loved children?

A father’s example of holiness is more easily followed when we know his deep love for us.

You are loved, cherished and valued by God, therefore, we follow, imitate, copy, emulate Him.

2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a
fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Now we begin how to imitate Him.

“live a life of love” – examples of living a life of love?

When is a life of love more tested?

When is it more seen?

Why live a life of love?

“just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to
God.”

He loved us when we were most unloveable.

He didn’t do it to please us, but in loving us, He pleased His Father.

Everything that God asks of us, He first showed the example.

3 ¶ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any
kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

“But among you”

Why the but? Pay attention to the but.

It means that despite what has been told you, keep this under consideration.

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality”
Why the but?

Because love can be defined as several ways.

Several people can live a life of love but that love doesn’t please God.

4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of
place, but rather thanksgiving.

Watch our words.

No obscenity
No immoral sinful discussions
No impure joking.

“Which are out of place”

What does that mean out of place? Out of place for what?

Out of place in our imitation of Christ. Why?

It’s negative. It brings imprisons a free soul.

All negative words do that, whether they be of unbelief or doubt. They could be faithless
confessions. They fix our eyes on the earth.

Instead: thanksgiving. Gratefulness. This puts our head back towards Heaven.

5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is
an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Does this apply to saved people who struggle with these things?

No because a saved person who struggles is a free person who dabbles in the sin. It’s not
who he or she is. i.e. a saved person who struggles with promiscuity is a moral person
struggling with immorality. He has the Holy Spirit in him fighting in the struggle.

An immoral person is one who has no struggle.

What about someone who is saved but has no struggle about immorality?

6 Let no-one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath
comes on those who are disobedient.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words” - Paul is addressing an issue where someone
is refuting what he just said.
The truth of the matter is this:

Because of (immorality, impurity and idolatry) God’s wrath comes on those who are
disobedient.

7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

1Co 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

(NIV)

You become like those you associate with.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of
light

“now you are light in the Lord”

“Now you are”, you don’t wait until you go to Heaven, you are light.

Light is His nature or Glory reflecting on us which reveals truth, everything revealed.
That’s what God is.

Our job now as lights is to reveal truth and keep it revealed.

“For you were once darkness,”

You were once without His glory, His righteousness and His reflection.

What about Christians who live in sin, are they still lights?

9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

The expression of our being lights is seen in our actions displaying:

Living like light must have positive fruit. Do you want the fruit of the Light? Live as the
Light.

Goodness: Looking to benefit everyone

Righteousness: Equality of Life (non hypocritical)
Truth: Filled with Life

10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

A continuation of the sentence in verse 8.

“Live as children of the light and find out what pleases the Lord”

1. Children enjoy pleasing their parents.

2. “find out” - actively search scriptures, examine actions to see what pleases the Lord
3. The goal of finding out what pleases the Lord is to remain pleasing the Lord; having an
attitude that wants to live a pleasing lifestyle to the Lord

11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Paul is comparing vs 11 to vs 9
The fruit of the light is goodness, righteousness and truth.
The fruit of the deeds of darkness is fruitless, or rather, rotten fruit.

Expose what?
Expose the deeds of darkness.
How?

By living as the light. There’s almost no need for finger pointing when you’re the
example of living as the light.

12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

Deeds of darkness always want to hide.

They always want to stay away from the light.

Testing in your own life? What would you do in front of those whom you know are the
light?

It’s the product of a fallen life.

Genesis 3:7-8
7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realised that they were naked; so
they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and
his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of
the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,

14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O
sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

The light exposes. Christ exposes.

Not necessarily us. Our example, our efforts easily compare.

The challenge: People who want to remain in the darkness will stay away from the light,
unless the light comes to them.

Many times, our light alienates others from us if we’re showing it bright. The catch is
not to let it destroy our ability to display Christ. He was Light, but he still associated
with sinners.
15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise,

Why should we be careful?

Because we are in the position of being lights, that position isn’t determined by what we
do, but rather what we believe.

Weight of Glory

Our actions push or pull someone toward Heaven everyday.

16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

“days are evil”

These times in society are not dominated by the Lord.
The enemy is working against you today, therefore, we must make the most of every
opportunity we get for God.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Therefore what?
Therefore, since these days are evil, we need to know what the Lord’s will is in order to
make the most of every opportunity.

We need to know what we’re talking about when we’re doing what He’s called us to do.

Prepare yourself for every opportunity.

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the
Spirit.

How to not be foolish.

Comparison: Don’t be filled with alcohol (indulging in pleasure), be filled with the Spirit
(focusing on what God wants)

This isn’t necessarily focusing on drinking specifically.

Be Heavenly Minded, not Earthly minded.

19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make
music in your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
In being a light, this should affect how we speak.
Psalms means either sheet music, odes or the book of psalms.
Hymns means celebratory remarks
Spiritual Songs means God centered music.

Does that mean we should always go around singing to each other?

Paul is talking about the heart of these items being the source of our expression.
It’s explanation is found in the following sentence and verse.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father
for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Simply, our conversation should come from a thankful, grateful heart towards Jesus.

21 ¶ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Submit to one another: Put yourself underneath, honor others above yourself, subdue
yourself under

Out of reverence for Christ.

Definition of reverence: Exceedingly fear or terror (root word for phobia)

Christ: added inflection “Supreme-Ultimate” God.

God’s not playing around with this verse. He’s packing His authority and God-ness into
this verse.

Side note: People might have a problem with the use of “exceedingly fear or terror”
when associated with God. Why is that?

People want to relate to God on their terms. In order for people to interact with the Lord,
they must relate to Him on His terms.

Ps 24 Who may ascend the hill of the Lord, he who has clean hands and a pure heart.
Rom 10:9 If you confess with your mouth, believe in your heart, you will be saved.

22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.

Continuation of vs 21.
Wives, submit (subdue, submit, honor above yourself) to your husbands in the same way
you submit to the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his
body, of which he is the Saviour.
Roles: The husband is the head of the household because Christ is the head of the Church.

The husband is the head of the wife : Christ is the head of the church.
Correlation between the husband and Christ.

24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their
husbands in everything.

Continuation of the correlation between the church submitting to Christ as wives to their
husbands.

The church has no choice but to submit to Christ. It’s the order that God made it. Wives
have no choice but to submit to their husbands.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up
for her

Husbands not only love their wives, but give themselves up for them like Christ did for
the church.

Gave: paradidomi entrust, yield, surrender.

Christ paradidomi Himself to the Church
Husbands paradidomi themselves to their wives.

Why?

When our eyes are on the sacrificial love Christ has for us, it isn’t hard to submit to Him.
In fact, it is in complete rebellion for us to turn away because Christ has never given us a
reason to turn away.

In the same way, it makes it infinitely easier for a woman to submit to her husband when
her husband displays the same sacrificial love and surrender for his wife.

The curse of Adam and Eve was:

Ge 3:16 ¶ To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with
pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule
over you."

Woman’s desire would be for the man’s position of authority and the man will dominate
the woman.

26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

Christ’s intentions in giving Himself for the church.

1. To make her holy
Holy: Set apart, sanctified, sacred. Christ died and rose so He could set us apart.

2. He set us apart by washing us with water through the Word. That’s how Christ makes
us holy.

His sacrifice causes her to be Holy

What methods does Christ use to make us Holy?

1. Spirit –
Eph 2:1 ¶ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
Ro 8:10 ¶ But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive
because of righteousness.
2. Soul –
Ro 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his
good, pleasing and perfect will.
Php 2:12 ¶ Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not only in my
presence, but now much more in my absence-- continue to work out your salvation with
fear and trembling,
3. Body –
Ro 8:10 ¶ But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is
alive because of righteousness.
2Co 5:4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish
to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may
be swallowed up by life.

27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or

any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Christ’s job was to present His bride to the Lord. He was accountable to it.

28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who
loves his wife loves himself.

Ge 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
and they will become one flesh.

The husband’s and wife’s union with each other is so deep and so interconnected,
regardless of what their relationship is with each other that what one does to the other, he
or she does unto themselves.
 29 After all, no-one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as
Christ does the church—
30 for we are members of his body.

Every cares for our own body, but what people don’t realize is that our spouses are part of
our body.

We should imitate Christ who always takes care of His body, which is the Church, and we
all benefit from that.

31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his
wife, and the two will become one flesh."
32 This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.

Christ left His Father’s side above to allow us to become one with Him in righteousness.

33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife
must respect her husband.

In summary, husbands must love their wives as they love themselves. It is implied that
there is a bigger responsibility for the husband’s interactions with the wife.

The wife must respect her husband, just as the church respects Christ.

Chapter 6

V1 – V9 Continuation of relationships with people and serving one another.

Eph 6:1 ¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Children, obey your parents.

Notice age. There comes a certain age when an offspring is no longer a child and is not
under the same subjection as a child is.

“in the Lord”. With respect to the Lord or in consideration of the Lord. Basically, with
this statement, Paul is stating a command and asking us to view it with the perspective of
the Lord and therefore putting His authority behind the command.

“for this is right”. This is how God intended and God’s best and therefore will command
His blessings for us.

2 "Honour your father and mother" --which is the first commandment with a
promise--
3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

After childhood, there is a requirement of honoring your mother and father.

Timao to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere:--honour, value.

Why a promise?
Possibly because submitting to authority begins with the parent offspring relationship.
Love, devotion, discipline and worship all spring from the ability to submit to authority.
Therefore God put a special promise to bless when this command is followed.

4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training
and instruction of the Lord.

Exasperate: parorgizo; to anger alongside, i.e. enrage:--anger, provoke to wrath. In other

words, to purposefully make them angry for the sake of seeing them angry.

Exasperation would not be the result of a wise steward that the father is over his children.

“bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” – Not a responsibility of a
mother. It is the father’s position, authority and anointing to see this done. He is
accountable for this duty.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of
heart, just as you would obey Christ.

Slaves or Servants: This is our position under our employers or ministers.

“Obey masters with respect and fear” – Our devotion to our masters, supervisors or
pastors should represent our devotion to our God.

Mt 25:40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

6 Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of
Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,

Principle of character. Our character is who we are when no one is looking. Paul is
making a statement or command of our actions being the same whether someone is
watching or not because our service is to the Lord, not men.

8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does,
whether he is slave or free.

Serving people on earth will only get you earthly blessings that are temporal and will not
save you in the time of danger.

Serving God in Heaven will get you heavenly blessings that will save you in any
situation.
 9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you
know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no
favouritism with him.

Both servants and masters have a responsibility, a role, a stewardship that must be
upheld.

Mt 25:40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

10 ¶ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

In context, this is the last point of several that Paul is making in His expounding of
Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of Christ, therefore, as dearly loved children.

1. Live as children of the Light

2. Submit to one another
3. Be strong in the Lord.

Be strong in two things.

“Be strong in the Lord.” - Relationship. Be strong in your association and fellowship
with the Lord.

Why? We cannot be an imitator of someone we don’t spend time studying on, discipling
under and mimicking. We are called to imitate. If we aren’t imitating Him, who are we
imitating?

“Be strong in His mighty power.” – The demonstration of faith. His power is something
that is spoken about and is available for us to grasp as we hold onto His promises.

Why? He demonstrated power through faith and has called us to.

Joh 14:12 ¶ I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been
doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

11 Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's
schemes.

“Full armor” – Truths that we hold which protect us from the lies of the enemy.

Truth
Righteousness
Readiness from Peace
Salvation
Truth
Alertness in Prayer

What are the devil’s schemes?

To distort the truth.

Whether it’s truth about God
Truth out our position in God
Truth about himself.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of
evil in the heavenly realms.

“Our struggle”

Struggle is in holding to and proclaiming the truth.

“is not against flesh and blood”

Our adversary in our holding to and proclaiming truth is not against forces we see, but
forces we don’t see.

But against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Meaning, the heart of our battle is in the spirit. It’s against unseen evil. This evil has a
hierarchy. It has a plan of attack.

Because we are against it, we are capable, through the authority of God to combat and
win this struggle.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one
who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you
may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

“Therefore”: In light of the fact that we are in a battle against unseen forces of evil.

“Put on the full armor of God”

Actively hold to these principles of truth

“So that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you
have done everything, to stand.”
These truths protect us and enable us to keep our sight correct in battle and in peacetime.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the
breastplate of righteousness in place,

First: Truth.

Everything must start with truth. If you don’t have the truth first, you don’t have a
foundation for anything.

Buckled like a belt. It is the center of the being. It’s not armor. It holds the rest of the
armor together. Without truth everything falls apart.

The enemy attacks this area about wrong views about the Lord and the plan of
redemption.

When our grasp on ultimate truth (i.e. who the Lord is and His plan of redemption) is
tainted, we cannot truly hold onto any other armor listed here.

Second: Righteousness

Righteousness in the Greek is: dikaiosune: equity (of character or act); specially
(Christian) justification:--righteousness.

Your beliefs and actions are the same. Over all, it has to deal with who you are submitted
to.

Notice it covers your vital organs. Without righteousness or equity between your beliefs
and your actions, your spiritual health is at risk. This is how you stand firm.

The enemy attacks this area by compromise, apathy or pride. This causes the truth of our
need to be righteous (acts and belief unified) be tainted and therefore not believed in.

Our loose grip on the truth about righteousness causes us to be spiritually sick, weak or
injured in major areas of our life.

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Third: Readiness to Testify

1Pe 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do
this with gentleness and respect,

Despite our calling which varies with the skills and abilities that God has blessed us with,
we are all called to be witnesses and therefore must be ready to testify.
That readiness comes from preparation and experience. It guards our ability to be moved
by the Lord. The enemy attacks this by making us lazy to learn and practice, afraid of
confrontation and conviction and secular to think that people do not desperately need to
hear God’s message of hope.

All of these cripple the potency of this truth and therefore cripple our spiritual feet which
motivate us to bring the gospel elsewhere.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Fourth: Faith

What kind of faith? Pistis – (By your faith, you were healed)

Our responsive faith to God’s prompting in us. This is the faith that works miracles in us
and others. It’s not necessarily actions, but simply the pure belief in His truth.

This truth is about our faith in what is possible in God in our reality.

It is a shield as in it is built to shield every part of the body. Feet, body and head.

It protects against deep attacks. Blows and hits attack our surface. Arrows are designed
for deep damage, possibly penetrating other armor. Faith protects against deep damage.

In other words, holding onto this truth of our responsive faith, in other words, letting our
belief being governed by God’s truth will keep deep wounds from having any significant
effect on our spiritual health as a whole.

Flaming darts would be evil thoughts, deep trials or doubt and unbelief. These would
undermine the ability to respond to God’s truth with our belief and actions.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God.

Fifth: Salvation

The truth of your salvation and how salvation is attained. Salvation keeps you humble
under the Lord, it puts others above yourself because you know what price it took for
your salvation. It’s a truth that guards the most vital of your organs, your brain.

True knowledge about salvation will control what you do say and think, which are the
functions of the brain. The knowledge of our salvation must affect the way we live.

Attacks against the truth of our salvation is pride, apathy and unbelief. When we loosen
our grip on this truth, we stop living to be a witness and start living for ourselves.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

This isn’t necessarily a truth to be held to, but rather a discipline to be put into priority.

All of the other pieces of armor are truths that we hold to. This element is an act of
reliance on our God which makes the armor complete. No armor or defense will be
complete against the enemy without reliance on our source of power.

Not only are we relying on God for requests for ourselves, but also for others. We are to
pray on all occasions with prayers and requests.

Prayers: Our own struggles

Requests: Others’ struggles

“With this in mind,” (pray on all occasions with requests)

We must be alert for others’ needs. We’re an army, not a group of heroes. We must look
out for one another in prayer.

The attack against our prayer is getting our eyes of the Father and breaking our
connection and concern for one another.

19 ¶ Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so
that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I
should.
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you
everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.
22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,
and that he may encourage you.
23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
(NIV)