Ephesians Ephesians Ephesians Ephesians Ephesians

1 Dickson Teacher’s Bible Ephesians
Dickson
Teacher ’s Bible
eacher’s
EPHESIANS
Roger E. Dickson
2016
Dickson Teacher’s Bible, www.africainternational.org
EPHESIANS - Roger E. Dickson, ©1982, 2006: Africa International Missions, Hutchinson, Kansas U.S.A., Cape Town, South Africa
EPHESIANS
WRITER
According to the statements of the writer in 1:1 and 3:1, it is affirmed that the
apostle Paul was the Spirit-directed writer of this epistle (See “Writer” in intro. to
Rm). The letter has the same literary style as other letters that were written by Paul,
and thus, there are few who would dispute the authenticity of the Pauline authorship
of the letter.
DATE
Ephesians is considered one of the prison epistles. It was written by Paul during
his first Roman imprisonment around A.D. 61-63 (See At 28:30). With the writing
of the letter to the Colossians (3:1; 4:1; 6:20), Paul wrote this letter with a letter
directed to Philemon and another letter to the church in Philippi. Therefore, Eph-
esians, Philippians, Philemon and Colossians are all called prison epistles because
they were written by Paul from Roman imprisonment. It is possible that Tychicus,
with other brethren, carried this letter, as well as the other three epistles, to the
Asian churches (See 6:21; Cl 4:7-9).
THEME
The emphasis of this letter is on the global church (1:22,23). In this letter Paul
speaks of the church of the Christ, while in the letter to the Colossians he empha-
sizes the Christ of the church. These two letters are related in their themes and
purposes by connecting the sovereign head of the body to the disciples as a global
organism of believers. Many of the verses in both letters convey similar thoughts.
The doctrinal similarity of the two letters can be seen by a comparison of key thoughts
in both letters (Compare 2:12; with Cl 1:21, compare Ep 2:14 with Cl 1:20, compare
Ep 3:2 with Cl 1:25, compare Ep 3:5,6 with Cl 1:26,27, compare Ep 4:16 with Cl
2:19, compare Ep 5:20 with Cl 3:17, and compare Ep 6:9 with Cl 4:1). It is neces-
sary for the biblical student, therefore, to study these two letters together when
considering Jesus and His one universal body. Each letter compliments the other in
defining the nature of the body.
PURPOSE
It was Paul’s primary purpose in this letter to emphasize the oneness of the
organic function of the body as a result of the blessing of Jesus’ redemptive work
and present headship over all things. Jesus redeemed the body and is the head of the
body of which all obedient believers are members. Paul writes to those who are
older in the faith. He has two purposes in mind. First, he reminds the Ephesian
disciples of God’s eternal redemptive purpose through the church (ekklesia)

(1:4,5,9,11,13,20; 2:4,6,10; 3:11). Second, he reminds the predominantly Gentile
disciples in Ephesus of their blessings that they have in Christ as a result of God’s
grace (1:3; 2:1-10). God’s redemptive plan of salvation, therefore, is summed up in
the church which He will bring into eternal dwelling when Jesus comes again.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Ephesus was the chief city of a Roman province in western Asia. It was a center
of trade and Roman government during Paul’s day. It was located at the mouth of
the Cayster River, and thus, became a center of trade for western Asia. It was also a
center of religion, for it was the location of the temple of Diana (Greek, “Artemis”).
Because of the grandeur of this temple, it was referred to as one of the seven won-
ders of the world. The temple was 130 meters long (425 feet) and about 68 meters
wide (220 feet). Its roof was supported by 127 marble columns that were about
twenty meters high (60 feet). Today, this temple lies in ruins, as well as the entire city
of ancient Ephesus. It was also in Ephesus that a great stone theater for the entertain-
ment of the people was constructed. The theater seated almost 25,000 people.
Paul first visited the city of Ephesus on his second mission journey. It was on
this visit that he left the husband-wife evangelistic team of Aquila and Priscilla, and
then, journeyed on to Jerusalem (At 18:18-20). It was on this first visit to Ephesus,
in Acts 18, that Paul preached in the synagogue of the Jews (At 18:19-21). How-
ever, after a brief visit, he had to go on to Jerusalem in order to be present during the
Passover/Pentecost feast in Jerusalem. Aquila and Priscilla stayed in Ephesus in
order to preach the gospel and establish the disciples in the faith. Apollos later
arrived in Ephesus sometime after Paul’s departure (At 18:24-28). He nurtured the
existing disciples, as well as preached in the synagogue of the Jews.
On his third mission journey, Paul returned to Ephesus (At 19:1ff). It was during
this visit that he remained in the city and area for a period of two years. During these
two years he taught in the school of Tyrannus (At 19:8-10). As a result of his teaching
in this school, all Asia heard the word as men went out from Ephesus, throughout the
two years, to preach the gospel (At 19:10). Disciples in Laodicea, Colosse and Hierapolis
may have resulted from this two-year stay of Paul in Ephesus.
The total amount of time Paul spent in Ephesus was about three years (At 20:31).
Paul later left Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tm 1:3). Timothy was left in order to correct
some false teachings that had arisen by the time Paul wrote the letter of 1 Timothy
(1 Tm 1:3). However, after a brief stay of two to three years, Timothy went on to
other places. It was several years later when Jesus directed a specific message to
the disciples of Ephesus through the apostle John in the Revelation, at which time
they had lost their first love and were in danger of having the candlestick of their
influence removed from the area (See comments Rv 2:1-7).
C HAPTER 1
The Purpose Of God Through The Church 22:16), are saints of God. At Ephesus:
(1:1-14) Some of the early manuscripts of this
Outline: (1) Greetings (1:1,2), (2) Blessings in epistle do not have this phrase. It is be-
Christ (1:3-14) cause of this that many Bible students
believe that Paul did not originally di-
GREETINGS rect this letter exclusively to the disciples
1:1,2 Apostle of Jesus Christ: Paul in Ephesus. It is believed that he may
was a Christ-sent apostle because he was have directed the letter to all Christians
personally called into apostleship by in the region around Ephesus. This re-
Jesus (See comments At 9:1-16; 2 Cor gion would include the disciples in the
12:12; Gl 1:1,2). No man today can ful- city of Laodicea, as well as, other dis-
fill the qualifications of a Christ-sent ciples in cities throughout the western
apostle simply because Christ no longer area of Asia Minor (See Cl 4:16). At least
personally appears to men to call them by the time this letter was written, the
into apostleship. The purpose of the early number of disciples in Ephesus had
Christ-sent apostles has been fulfilled. grown far beyond the limits of the city
There is no need today for special men of Ephesus. There were fellowship
as the apostles through whom God must groups of saints meeting in homes
reveal truth (See Jn 14:26; 16:13). We throughout the region. When Paul called
no longer need those who were special the elders of the church in Ephesus to-
witnesses to the life and resurrection of gether on the island of Miletus three to
Jesus because the testimony of these wit- five years before the writing of this let-
nesses has been recorded in the New Tes- ter (At 20:17ff), there was more than one
tament for all men of all history (See Lk house assembly of disciples in the region
24:48; At 1:8). Our faith in the cross and of Ephesus (See At 19:1-6). We would
resurrection of Jesus must be built upon assume, therefore, that the elders he
the inspired record of the New Testament called to Miletus were the elders of all
(Jn 20:30,31; see Rm 10:17). Will of the disciples through the region of Ephe-
God: It was in the plan of God to call sus that were meeting in different homes
Paul into apostleship (2 Co 1:1). His (See comments At 14:23 and Ti 1:5,6).
calling was not an arbitrary calling with- Faithful in Christ Jesus: Not only is
out purpose. God had a special work for the letter to be read by all the saints who
Paul, a work that would lead him to the were in Ephesus, but also by those who
Gentiles (At 9:15,16). Saints: This is a were in the region of western Asia Mi-
typical reference to living Christians who nor. The word “faithful” is a general term
have been sanctified by the blood of Jesus that would refer to all Christians, and thus
(Rm 1:7; 1 Co 1:1,2). All who have been the content of this letter deals with some
washed in the waters of baptism (At problems that all the disciples were hav-
ing concerning the nature of the body of one must act on his faith by obedience to
Christ. Grace ... peace from God: This the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
was Paul’s typical greeting and one evi- (See comments Rm 6:3-6; Gl 3:26,27).
dence that he wrote the letter. In all his 1:4 Chosen us in Him before the
letters he greeted the ones to whom he foundation of the world: Before the cre-
wrote with the theme of the gospel of ation of the world (See 1 Pt 1:2,3,20),
grace. This theme is the grace of God God planned and predestined that the
that was revealed on the cross through church would be chosen out of the world
Jesus Christ (Ti 2:11). for eternal dwelling at the end of time.
Therefore, it would be this group (the
BLESSINGS IN CHRIST church) that would be purified through
In the following three chapters Paul the sacrificial offering of the incarnate
uses the first person plural pronouns “we” Son in order that all within the group be
and “us” to refer to the global commu- cleansed of sin (5:27; Ph 2:15; Cl 1:22).
nity of Jewish disciples who had received In God’s foreplanning of the church, and
the blessings of the fulfillment of God’s thus foreknowledge of the church, He
eternal purpose that was promised viewed Himself in the future in final
through the fathers of Israel. He uses the judgment. He viewed Himself choosing
second person “you” to refer to the Gen- the purified church out of all the inhabit-
tile disciples who were brought into ants of the world. In this way, therefore,
Christ in order to partake also of the those who are of the church are chosen
blessings (2:11-13). He thus speaks uni- because God foreplanned to choose the
versally as the one universal church, not church out of all those of the world at
just locally in reference to the disciples the end of time (Rm 8:28). In order to be
who were in the region of Ephesus. chosen, one must voluntarily and indi-
1:3 Every spiritual blessing ... in vidually choose to become a part of the
Christ: The metaphor “in Christ” refers chosen. Once one becomes a part of the
to a spiritual relationship one has with church through obedience to the gospel,
Christ as a result of what Christ has done he is of those who will be elected out of
for us. In this relationship with Christ, the world for eternal dwelling.
Paul first mentions that all blessings that 1:5 Predestined us to the adoption:
relate to one’s salvation are for those who Before the creation of the world, God
are in Christ. All that God did in order foreordained that the church would be the
to reconcile man unto Himself through collective group of all those of the world
the cross is granted to those who are in who would be His adopted sons (Jn 1:12;
Christ. In Romans 6:3 and Galatians see comments Gl 4:1-7). Therefore, all
3:26,27 Paul wrote that one is baptized those who believe and obey the gospel
into Christ. Therefore, in order to come become a part of this assembly of sons
into contact with all spiritual blessings of God. As sons of God, they are des-
that originate from the heavenly realm, tined to heaven. The fact that God deter-
mined this plan of redemption before the 2:11), and thus, God is praised because
creation of the world, affirms that the of His deliverance of man from sin. Man
plan was predestined. Therefore, one is is delivered from that which he could not
destined to heaven as a member of the have been delivered through his own obe-
church because he has conformed to dience to law, for man cannot keep law
God’s predestined plan that the church perfectly. Therefore, because God has
be cleansed by the blood of Jesus and extended His unmerited favor to unde-
called out of the world for eternal dwell- serving sinners (Rm 3:24; 5:8; 11:5), He
ing when Jesus comes again. God fore- deserves all praise and glory (2 Co 9:15).
knew that the church would exist because By which He has made us accepted in
He knew that men would voluntarily sub- the Beloved: We could not be made ac-
mit to His will. He did not individually ceptable to God through the merit of our
predestine that individuals be obedient own obedience, for we all sin. All of us
to the gospel. He only predestined that sin, and thus, all of us are worthy of con-
the plan of redemption through the cross demnation (Rm 3:9,10,23; 6:23). We are
would be revealed. It would be to the unacceptable to God because of sin.
cross that men would respond, and thus, However, through the grace of God that
by responding to the cross men would was revealed on the cross, those who
become a part of the predestined plan. have chosen to respond through obedi-
The election and predestination of which ence to the gospel, are made acceptable
Paul here speaks has direct reference to to God through the blood of Jesus (Rm
the destiny of the church as a group. In a 3:24,25). All those who are in Christ,
secondary sense, reference is to individu- therefore, are reconciled to God through
als who have free-morally chosen to be a Jesus.
part of the group by immersion into 1:7 Redemption through His blood:
Christ for the remission of sins. We must The metaphor “redemption” refers to
keep in mind, therefore, that it is the being bought out of that from which we
church that is predestined. Individuals could not deliver ourselves. Israel was
fall under the election and predestination redeemed from the slavery of Egyptian
of the church insofar as they voluntarily captivity (Ex 6:6). The slaves of the
make a free-moral choice to become a Roman society could be redeemed out of
member of the church. slavery with a set price that could be paid
1:6 Glory of His grace: When man for the purchase of their freedom. Paul’s
was created, God knew that it would be metaphorical use of the word “redemp-
impossible for him to so live as to save tion” here refers to our purchase out of a
himself from the condemnation in sin. situation from which we could not de-
Therefore, the cross of Jesus was always liver ourselves. We have thus been pur-
in the plan of God to save man from that chased by the blood of Jesus out of the
which he could not save himself. God’s slavery of sin from which we could not
grace was revealed through the cross (Ti deliver ourselves by works of law or
meritorious deeds (Cl 1:14). Jesus paid revelation through Jesus (1 Pt 1:10-12).
the ransom price in order to redeem us It was revealed on the cross and written
from that which we could not deliver our- for all history in the inspired documents
selves. We have been delivered from of the New Testament (3:1-5; 5:32;
condemnation by Him (Rm 6:23; 8:1). 6:19,20; Cl 1:26). The fact that the plan
The price that had to be paid was the of redemption was determined before the
cross, the blood offering of the incarnate creation of man is evidence to the fact
Son of God (Mt 26:28; At 20:28; Rm that grace was not earned by the obedi-
3:24-26; 1 Co 6:20; Cl 1:14,20; Hb 9:12; ence of men. On the contrary, the fact
1 Pt 1:18,19). Only when one comes into that God foreplanned the cross is evi-
Christ by baptism—obedience to the gos- dence that He knew that men would sin,
pel—does he come into contact with the and thus, would be in need of the grace
redemptive blood of Jesus (See com- of the cross. He purposed: The death of
ments Rm 6:3-6). Forgiveness of sins: Jesus on the cross was not an accident.
The forgiveness of sins always comes It was the predetermined work of God to
with redemption by the blood of Jesus. reconcile men to Himself through the
One receives the forgiveness of sins when blood of Jesus (Rv 13:8). Paul wrote that
he is baptized (At 2:38; 22:16). There- God’s grace “was given to us in Christ
fore, the spiritual blessings of God that Jesus before time began” (2 Tm 1:9).
come as a result of His grace, are made 1:10 In the dispensation of the full-
applicable when one responds to the ness of times: We are now living in the
cross through obedience to the death, dispensation that is bringing to a close
burial and resurrection of Jesus. When the history of this world. It is God’s plan
one fulfills this condition in response to to sum up all earthly and spiritual things
faith in the grace of God, he receives the in this dispensation through Christ (3:10;
result of the riches of God’s grace. Gl 4:4; Cl 1:27). Therefore, God has de-
1:8 God poured out the riches of His termined that this dispensation of grace
grace. Grace was sufficient to save us through Jesus, which began with the es-
from sin and deliver us out of the con- tablishment of the church in Acts 2, and
demnation that we brought on ourselves will conclude with Jesus’ final coming,
through sin. In all wisdom and insight: will complete His plan of redemption for
It was in the wisdom and understanding those He desires to dwell with Him in
of God that His plan of grace was re- eternity. All things in Christ: Christ is
vealed to men (Compare 1 Co 1:24,30; the consummation of all things. It was
2:6-16; 12:8; Cl 1:9; 2:3). It was God’s for Him that all things were created (See
initiative, not man’s work, that brought Cl 1:16). Separation from God had come
about the revelation of the plan of God’s into the world as a result of the sin of
grace through the cross. man (Gn 3:22-24; Rm 5:12; 1 Co 15:20-
1:9 The mystery: The plan of re- 22). However, in Christ we have been
demption was hidden from men until its reconciled again to God through the
blood offering of the cross. Jesus has was buried, and then rose again the third
now ascended to reign over all that ex- day (See comments 1 Co 15:1-4). Be-
ists (1:20-23; 1 Pt 3:22). He is now King cause of what Jesus has done, we have
of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tm 6:15; trusted in Him for our salvation. The
Hb 8:1). Therefore, all things have been Ephesians had only heard this “word of
summed up in Him (Compare Ph 2:6-10). truth” concerning the event of the gos-
1:11 Obtained an inheritance: As pel, for they had not personally experi-
opposed to the physical inheritance of the enced the crucifixion and resurrection of
land of promise that national Israel re- Jesus. As a result of the report of the
ceived, both Gentile and Jewish Chris- gospel event, they believed in Jesus. You
tians now have an inheritance in heaven. were sealed with the Holy Spirit: They
Having been predestined: It was the in- were sealed with the Holy Spirit after
heritance that was predestined. All those they had heard, believed and obeyed the
who free-morally come into a covenant gospel. They were sealed in the sense
relationship with God in Christ are thus that as a result of their obedience to the
destined to receive the predestined inher- gospel they were stamped with divine
itance of heaven (vs 3). The counsel of ownership by the Holy Spirit (See 4:30;
His own will: God is working all things 2 Co 1:22). Of promise: Not only were
according to His plan. It is not that things the Ephesians stamped with the approval
in reference to the Christian’s salvation of God through the indwelling of the
are happening by fate. All things are be- Spirit upon their obedience to the gos-
ing unfolded according to the predeter- pel, they also experienced the blessings
mined mystery of God that has now been of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit that
revealed to all men through the cross and were given as a result of the promise of
the church (See Is 46:10; Rm 8:28). Joel 2:28. The Ephesians had received a
1:12 We who first trusted: Those visual manifestation of the sealing of the
who were the Israel by faith were the first Spirit when they were given the miracu-
to accept Jesus as the Messiah. They ac- lous gifts of the Spirit through the laying
cepted the good news of His death for on of Paul’s hands (See comments At
their sins and resurrection for their hope 2:38,39; 8:18; 19:1-7; Rm 1:11).
(See Gl 2:15,16; 2 Th 2:13; see comments 1:14 Guarantee of our inheritance:
1 Co 15:1-4). From the Jews went forth Earnest or guarantee money was given
the message of the gospel to all the world with the promise that the full payment
(Mt 28:19,20; Mk 16:15). was to come later. The Holy Spirit was
1:13 The gospel of your salvation: given as a guarantee, or assurance that
The event of the gospel is here identified there was the possession yet to come of
as the reason to believe in the One who all that God had promised (Rm 8:18,23;
made it possible. Therefore, the gospel 2 Co 5:5). The purchased possession:
event refers to the historical work of Christians have now been purchased.
Jesus who died for our sins on the cross, However, the finality of their purchase
will not be complete until they have come in different groups throughout a city. All
into eternal glory in the presence of God. Christians are members of the one uni-
God’s giving of the Holy Spirit, there- versal church that assembles in different
fore, is the guarantee of something locations throughout the world. They are
greater that is yet to come. The final goal members of the one church to which God
of the Christian is not the present fellow- has added them upon their obedience to
ship of the Holy Spirit. The final goal is the gospel (At 2:47). Christians, there-
the final habitation of heavenly existence fore, are not identified as such by where
in the presence of God the Father, Son they assemble, or ceremonial acts they
and Holy Spirit (See comments 2 Co 5:1- perform during their assemblies. They
8; 2 Pt 3:13). are identified as Christians because they
have obeyed the gospel and established
The Power Of God Through The Church a covenant relationship with Jesus.
(1:15 – 2:10) Where one assembles does not validate
Outline: (1) Prayer for the church (!:15-23), (2) whether or not he is a disciple of Jesus.
Alive in Christ (2:1-10) 1:17 A spirit of wisdom and revela-
tion: Paul made a similar statement as
PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH this verse to the Colossians. “For this
1:15,16 I heard of your faith: The cause we also ... desire that you be filled
discussion Paul had with the shepherds with the knowledge of His will in all wis-
of Ephesus in Acts 20:17-38 had taken dom and spiritual understanding” (Cl
place three to five years before the writ- 1:9). It may be that Paul here prays that
ing of this letter. He had not heard any- both the Ephesian and Colossian dis-
thing concerning their spiritual growth ciples develop an attitude of learning in
since that meeting. Since word had now order that they have greater insight and
come to him of their steadfastness, he knowledge of the revelation of God (See
here expressed his encouragement by comments Hb 5:11,12). Because the
hearing of their faith in action (Compare Corinthians were thinking carnally, Paul
Rm 1:9; Ph 1:3-6). Disciples should so could not write to them with “solid food”
live that others speak of their faithfulness. (1 Co 3:1,2). Carnal thinking certainly
Love for all the saints: The loving fel- affects the ability of the child of God to
lowship of these disciples extended be- understand God’s word. And when we
yond the city of Ephesus. The Ephesian ask for greater wisdom from God, that
disciples understood the oneness of the wisdom will help us apply the word of
universal fellowship of believers as a re- God to our lives and teach it to others (Js
sult of individuals throughout the world 1:5-8). However, in the historical con-
submitting to the one head and Lord Jesus text of these words we must not forget
Christ (See 1 Co 12:12; Cl 3:14; 1 Jn 4:9- the miraculous gift of prophecy that was
11). Disciples are not denominated from possessed by those among these disciples
one another when they assemble together on whom Paul or other Christ-sent
apostles had laid hands (At 8:18; 19:1-6; tians to listen to their inspired teachers
Rm 1:11). When Timothy was left by in order that they not be tossed to and fro
Paul to correct certain errors that pre- by every wind of doctrine that he knew
vailed among the disciples in Ephesus, was coming (4:11-15).
he was discouraged in his work of teach- 1:18,19 Be enlightened: The
ing because there were those who Gnostics affirmed that one’s enlighten-
“quenched the Spirit” (1 Th 5:19). Even ment came through knowledge of one’s
while Paul writes to the Ephesians, there inner self. This special awareness of
were the beginnings of those among the one’s inner self supposedly gave one a
disciples who “grieved the Holy Spirit” superior advantage in spiritual growth
by rejecting what the Spirit had to reveal and enlightenment. But here, Paul takes
through the Spirit-inspired teaching by the focus off oneself and places it on un-
their prophets (4:30). In the religious en- derstanding the hope of God’s calling and
vironment of western Asia Minor where the riches of His glory in the saints (See
these disciples were located, there was At 26:18). Paul prays that their under-
present those who were religiously arro- standing in spiritual matters increase in
gant and haughty. During the 2nd cen- order that they might fully comprehend
tury, formalized Gnosticism would per- three things: (1) They must comprehend
meate this region and would lead astray the hope of heaven that God has revealed
many of the disciples. The beginnings (2:12; Cl 1:5; Hb 6:18,19; 2 Pt 1:11). (2)
of this movement of religious arrogance They must comprehend the riches of the
through a supposed inner awakening of inheritance that God has made possible
special knowledge, would begin in the through His grace (vs 14; Rm 8:18; Cl
areas of Paul’s mission journeys. It 1:12). (3) They must comprehend the
would be among the disciples in western greatness of God’s power toward the
Asia Minor that such would begin. It Christian (vs 21; 3:7,16,18,20; 2 Co
could be in this historical setting, there- 13:4). Working of His mighty power:
fore, that Paul mentions several times in Emphasis is on the work of God, not the
the Ephesian and Colossian letters warn- accomplishments of the individual. The
ings concerning this imminent apostasy Gnostic focused on the spiritual aware-
that the Holy Spirit knew was coming ness of the individual in the form of a
(See comments At 20:29-31). The be- spiritual humanism. In this sense the
ginnings of these “grievous wolves” had Gnostic focused on himself as the source
motivated the writing of both the Eph- of spiritual enlightenment. In contrast
esian and Colossian letters, for in both to such self-centered religiosity, the Holy
letters Paul deals with misconceptions Spirit here reveals that men must focus
concerning Christ and the church. We on the power of God through the cross.
would thus be naive interpreters if we did 1:20 That He worked in Christ: The
not assume that Paul in these letters is same power of God that worked in rais-
urging the Ephesian and Colossian Chris- ing Jesus from the dead (At 2:24; Cl 2:12)
also works in the lives of Christians. The creator of all that exists. Since all things
Christian is “strengthened with all power, in both the physical and spiritual realm
according to His glorious power” (Cl were created by and for Jesus, Paul now
1:11). At His own right hand: The “right says that He is above all that which He
hand” of the king on earth was a place of created. Since Jesus is God, then cer-
authority and power. The Holy Spirit tainly this is not difficult to understand.
metaphorically uses the phrase “right From His state of incarnation, Jesus has
hand” to explain the present position and now ascended to that position of author-
power of Jesus. Jesus now reigns at the ity that only the Creator would naturally
right hand of the Father as King of kings have over what He created. Principality
and Lord of lords (Ps 110:1; 1 Tm 6:15). and power and might and dominion and
He has all authority over all things (Mt every name: This would certainly in-
26:64; 28:18; Rm 10:9; Cl 3:1; Hb 1:3,13; clude all who would presume to possess
8:1; 10:12; 1 Pt 3:22; see comments 1 authority. We must keep in mind that
Co 15:24-28). In the heavenly places: Paul is not simply discussing those pow-
The reign of Jesus was never intended to ers and dominions that are of the physi-
be upon this earth. His reign, as well as cal world. He has in the text gone be-
His kingdom, were never meant to be as yond this world. All the powers that God
carnal reigns and kingdoms that are con- has allowed angelic beings and Satan to
fined to this physical world (See com- possess are now under the kingdom reign
ments Mt 16:18,19; Lk 17:20,21; Jn of Jesus. In His preeminence, Jesus has
18:36-38). In the statements of these pas- absolute authority over every power (See
sages to the Ephesians, the Holy Spirit comments Ph 2:9,10; see Rm 8:38,39; Cl
wants us to understand the totality of the 2:8,9,15; 1 Tim 6:15; Hb 2:5; 1 Pt 3:22).
reign of Jesus in the heavenly realm that Therefore, every Christian must firmly
far exceeds the limits of earthly king- believe that Jesus has everything under
doms. He wants us to understand the un- control. He is “upholding all things by
limited realm of Jesus’ reign that extends the word of His power” (Hb 1:3). The
far beyond this world and the church. control of all things by Jesus gives con-
Jesus’ kingship and kingdom are not lim- fidence and boldness to the Christian who
ited to either this world or the church of knows such (See comments Rm 8:37-39).
those who are obedient subjects of His Age ... which is to come: The word “age”
kingdom reign. All the church is under is from aion and not cosmos (world).
the kingdom reign of Jesus, but not all Paul seems to look forward to the con-
the kingdom reign of Jesus is confined tinuation of the reign of Jesus beyond the
to the church (See comments Mt time in which we now dwell. Some stu-
16:18,19). dents believe that the age about which
1:21 Far above all: We must not he talks is the time beyond the destruc-
miss the point that is emphasized here. tion of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. However,
Colossians 1:16 states that Jesus was the it seems that he is revealing something
that is far beyond the time of this world. King and the authority their King has
We might consider the fact that the ex- over all things. Therefore, we must not
tent of Jesus’ reign is now over Satan and allow our observations of the insubmis-
his limited realm of power that has been sive masses who are not in subjection to
designated by God. However, when Jesus to lead us to believe that the masses
Jesus comes again, Satan and his angels have not been put in subjection to Jesus
will be destroyed in a fiery hell (Mt (See Hb 2:7,8). Head over all: There is
25:41). Jesus will then return kingdom nothing that has not been subjected to the
reign to God the Father, Son and Holy authority of Jesus in His present position
Spirit (1 Co 15:28). He will thus con- of authority at the right hand of God.
tinue to reign after His coming, but in “Head” refers to center of reference, and
the capacity as a part of the Godhead who thus, control. Jesus is the source of power
will continue throughout eternity as head from which all things now maintain ex-
over all things. In this way, Jesus’ present istence (Hb 1:3; see Hb 2:7; Cl 1:18;
reign would continue beyond this present 2:19). To the church: Jesus is the cen-
age (time) and into that realm of exist- ter of reference and controller of all
ence that will be beyond this world. things for the sake of the church. His
1:22 He put all things under His headship extends unto all that is created.
feet: In this present time, all that exists He is controlling all things for the pur-
has been subjugated to Jesus. This does pose of sustaining the church in this
not mean that all free-moral beings have world environment. It is a comforting
voluntarily subjected themselves to thought for Christians to know that their
Jesus. Satan, his angels, and the masses Savior is holding all things together, not
of the unbelieving world have refused the only in the physical realm, but also in the
kingship of Jesus. From our perspective spiritual. He is doing such for the pur-
on this earth, we do not see that all things pose of preserving the church for eternal
have been subjected to the reign of Jesus dwelling. Jesus’ authority of kingdom
(Hb 2:8). However, from His heavenly reign, therefore, extends far above all
perspective, all things are subject to Him, things in order to preserve those who
for He upholds all things by the word of have voluntarily submitted to His king-
His power (Hb 1:3; see comments 1 Pt ship.
3:22). The church is composed of those 1:23 Which is His body: The body,
who have voluntarily submitted to Jesus. the universal church, is inseparably
The members of the church are those who joined to Jesus as her King because of
have allowed the will of the Father to be the submission of the members to His
done on earth in their hearts as it is done kingdom reign. The metaphor “body”
in heaven (See comments Mt 6:9,10; Lk clearly portrays the necessity of the obe-
17:20,21). However, Satan and his hosts dient subjects of the kingdom to main-
have deceived the masses of the world. tain their connection with the head of all
The deceived go about not knowing their things (See 5:23; Cl 1:18; 1 Co 12:27).
The body remains alive because the head against the principalities and powers of
is alive. The members of the body are Satan. When the power of the gospel is
alive because they are connected to Jesus. unleashed on the kingdom of darkness,
They live because He lives. If Jesus had Satan is crushed under the feet of those
not been raised from the dead, then there who obey the gospel (Rm 1:16; see com-
would be no reason for the church to ex- ments Rv 20:1-6). The church is the
ist. The fullness of Him: The church called out assembly of those in the world
composes the completeness of Jesus’ re- who have submitted to the kingdom reign
lationship with the world He created for of Jesus on earth. They are redeemed by
His eternal purposes (Cl 1:16-18; 2:9). the blood of the Lamb, and thus, they are
The church completes the plan of salva- looking forward to the final home of the
tion on earth to bring obedient subjects saints in heaven with God (2 Pt 3:13).
into eternal dwelling in a heavenly realm. The purpose of the church, therefore, is
The church thus completes the lordship to be a witness of the kingdom reign of
of Jesus on earth in that it is through the its Head before the world in order to call
church that Jesus’ lordship is proclaimed people out of the world for eternal dwell-
throughout the world. The proclamation ing (See comments 1 Pt 2:9).
of the lordship of Jesus is God’s attack
C HAPTER 2
ALIVE IN CHRIST one can make a rational free-moral deci-
In this chapter Paul explains the re- sion concerning right or wrong in refer-
sult of the grace of God in the lives of ence to the law of God. “Trespasses” and
the Ephesians. He begins by explaining “sins” refer to one making decisions that
the nature of the unregenerate life of the are not according to God’s law. Because
Ephesians before their obedience to the we transgress law we fall short of justifi-
gospel in response to God’s grace (vss 1- cation because sin spiritually separates
3). He concludes by explaining the grace us from God. Therefore, one becomes
of God that leads to our oneness in Christ dead in trespasses and sins as a result of
as the temple of God (vss 4-22). choices that conflict with God’s law.
2:1 Dead in trespasses and sins: It 2:2 Walked according to the ways
is not possible for one to live without sin. of this world: In this context Paul is
All have sinned (Rm 3:9,10,23). The speaking of the general conduct of the
wages of sin is spiritual death (4:18; Rm Gentiles. The Gentile disciples lived in
6:23), for sin separates one from God (Is rebellion against God’s will before they
59:1,2). One is not born a sinner (Ez obeyed the gospel (Cl 1:21; 2:13). They
18:3,20). He free-morally chooses to sin lived in this state of rebellion by follow-
against God when he reaches the age of ing after the desires of the flesh in order
accountability, that is, the age at which to live according to the behavior of this

world (See 6:12; Rm 12:2; 1 Co 1:21; our flesh: They allowed the desires of
3:19). They were living as though this the flesh to be satisfied without feeling
present world was all there was. They consciously guilty of sin against God.
had no feeling of accountability before Their conscience was not controlled by
God in reference to their behavior. belief in God before whom they would
Prince of the power: Satan is the ruler have to give account for their behavior
of those who have given themselves over (Gl 5:16; 1 Jn 2:15). Lusts ... of the
to follow after the lusts of the world mind: What sin they conceived in their
(6:12; Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Co 4:4). minds they carried out in their lives.
Those who make decisions, and live with- Their mentality was set in opposition to
out considering the will of God, are of- the will of God. They were morally out
ten living and making decisions accord- of control for they had no standard by
ing to the will of Satan. They are thus which to conduct their lives. By nature
being directed by Satan. Sons of disobe- the children of wrath: The word “na-
dience: They behaved as the Jewish re- ture” (phusis) here refers to their behav-
ligious leaders, about whom Jesus said, ior of life, not to a spirit they received at
“You are of your father the devil, and the birth that was inclined to sin. Paul em-
desires of your father you want to do” phasizes the demeanor of their lives be-
(Jn 8:44; see Mt 13:38; 1 Jn 3:8). They fore they became Christians. The word
had set themselves against the will of God phusis is also used in 1 Corinthians 11:14
and given themselves over to serve the where it refers to a custom or common
will of Satan. We must keep in mind that practice of society. Before their conver-
the Jewish religious leaders, and the Gen- sion, the Ephesians were dead through
tiles about whom Paul refers, were not their own sins (vs 1). They walked ac-
people who were without religion. They cording to the way of the world (vs 2).
were religious. However, they had con- They lived after the lust of the flesh, do-
structed religious beliefs and behavior ing the desires of the flesh. Therefore,
that were after their own desires and tra- what Paul states here in verse 3 is that it
ditions. Satan’s greatest power is to de- was their habit or life-style to live in sin,
ceive religious people into believing that and thus, contrary to the will of God. By
they are religiously right. However, the such living, they were headed for destruc-
religion that they practice is not accord- tion that would result from the wrath of
ing to the revealed truth of God (2 Th God being poured out on them because
2:10-12; see comments Mk 7:1-9; At of sin (Rm 6:23).
17:22-31). 2:4 Rich in mercy ... great love: The
2:3 We all: Paul now brings the Jews justice of God stands on the fact that He
into the picture of disobedience. Both has extended mercy to those who have
Jews and Gentiles were under condem- sought Him by faith (Rm 9:23; 11:31,32;
nation because all had sinned (See com- 15:9ff; Ti 3:3-7; 1 Pt 1:3). God’s mercy
ments Rm 1,2; see Rm 3:9). Lusts of has been extended toward man because
of His great love for all men (Jn 3:16; God’s grace, therefore, was undeserved
Rm 5:8; 8:39; 2 Pt 3:9; 1 Jn 4:9,10). and unmerited because no man lived
Those who sin against God will reap the flawlessly in reference to God’s law in
consequences of their sin if they do not order to demand grace and mercy (See
respond to the love of God (Rm 6:23). Rm 5:6-10). Therefore, when one thinks
The problem with being human is the fact of the plan of salvation that has been ex-
that we cannot live in a manner that is tended to man, he must understand that
sinless before God. Therefore, we can- such was made possible by God without
not live in a manner that would merit the any obligation on the part of God to do
mercy of God. Mercy is not given out of such. No matter how righteously any in-
debt, but out of love and grace. God’s dividual might have lived on earth, he
mercy is not something that we merit ac- could never have put God in debt to ex-
cording to law. It is given out of love tend to him grace and mercy simply be-
and not on the basis that it is legally cause there is no man on earth who can
earned. Man can be saved from condem- live without sin (Rm 3:9,10,23; see Js
nation in sin only by the grace of God 2:10). Made us alive together with
wherein God reaches forth with mercy Christ: By obedience to the gospel in
to redeem those who cannot legally jus- response to God’s loving act of grace, one
tify themselves through perfect keeping is raised with Christ to walk in newness
of law or meritorious deeds. When we of life (See comments Rm 6:3-6; Gl
realize how far God had to reach to bring 3:26,27; Cl 2:12). It is God who makes
us out of sin, we realize how far we were alive. We are not made alive by legal
in sin and how hopeless our situation was acts in response to grace. In other words,
in sin. However, regardless of our sin- our obedience never puts God in debt to
fulness, God loved us to the extent that save us. This is true because we can never
He sent His Son to die for our sins (Jn obey God without breaking His law in
3:16). some way. Therefore, when one comes
2:5 Even when we were dead: “But forth from the grave of baptism, he is not
God manifests His love toward us, in that saved by the legal act of baptism, but by
while we were still sinners, Christ died God who makes one alive at the time we
for us” (Rm 5:8). No man can righ- are raised from the waters of baptism to
teously live in a manner to earn the mercy walk in newness of life (Rm 6:5). Bap-
of God (Rm 3:9,10,20,23). We have been tism, therefore, is not a legal act or meri-
made alive with Christ because of God’s torious work that puts God in debt to save
grace, not because we have legally earned those who submit to obedience to the
or deserved God’s love, grace, and thus, gospel (Mk 16:16; At 2:38; 22:16). It is
His mercy. Paul here emphasizes the fact a response to the grace of God. And since
that the provision that was necessary to it is a response to the grace of God, God
revive man from his death in sin was to- has promised that we are made alive to-
tally based on the initiative of God. gether with Christ. Baptism, therefore,
is necessary for salvation in the sense that defined in the Bible without the obedi-
one must respond to the grace of God by ent response of man to grace.
loving obedience to His commandments 2:6 Raised us up: Christians were
(Mk 16:16; At 2:38). When one so re- raised from the grave of baptism to reign
sponds to the grace of God, God washes with Christ (Rm 5:17; see comments Rm
away all sin at the time of baptism (At 6:3-6; Cl 2:12,13). In baptism one is
22:16). It is for this reason that one is buried with Christ in order to be raised
washed of sin in the waters of baptism. with Him (See comments Rm 6:4).
By grace you have been saved: There is Therefore, in order for one to reign with
no other way to be saved (vs 8; Rm 5:1,2). Christ in the heavenly places, it is neces-
Salvation comes to man as an unearned sary that he be crucified and buried with
gift of God who has loved man. This Him. Without a burial, there can be no
favor of God did not come because we resurrection and reign.
lived in a manner to earn or deserve the 2:7 The ages to come: From the
cross of Jesus. By our obedience to the time of Jesus’ coming, and throughout
gospel in response to God’s grace we earth’s history and into eternity, God’s
have been saved. The Greek verb here is expression of love to mankind through
perfect tense. A past action of grace on Jesus (Ti 3:4) will be a continual testi-
the cross is thus stated with emphasis on mony of His mercy and grace. The jus-
the continued results of that action. tice of God stands on the basis that He
Therefore, our baptism in response to the offers man a way of escape from sin.
grace of God has continued results Since God created us free-moral indi-
throughout our lives as we walk in the viduals, and placed us in an environment
grace of God. Our baptism is a point of that demands choice, He can stand just
reference in time concerning the begin- in the condemnation of any man because
ning of God’s saving grace in our lives. He has offered man a way out of his di-
Since men could never flawlessly keep lemma of sin. The cross is the answer to
law, then he could only be saved by grace. man’s sin problem and the proclamation
Since men could never do enough good of God’s justice. No one who is con-
works to merit the reward of eternal life, demned in final judgment can blame God
then it is only by the grace of God that for not providing a means by which to
salvation and eternal life are offered. be saved. God has provided the means.
This does not mean, however, that there The cross proclaims the justice of God,
are no conditions. Without the condition for by the cross redemption has been of-
of obedience, grace would profit no one fered to all those who would walk by faith
in reference to eternal life. Conditions (See comments Rm 1:17).
for salvation are given in order that one 2:8 By grace you are saved through
step into the realm of God’s continued faith: The plan of salvation was initi-
grace through the cross. It is for this rea- ated by God without any meritoriously
son, that grace and salvation are never devised good works of man or perfect
keeping of law (2 Tm 1:9; see Rm 3:24; works. Works are the response to grace.
Ti 2:11). Because men could not live in Christians work, not in order to be saved,
a manner to save themselves, salvation but because they are saved (See com-
had to be by grace in conjunction with ments 2 Co 4:15).
man’s faith response. God extended 2:9 Not of works, lest anyone should
grace to man regardless of the sin of man boast: If men could be saved on the merit
(Rm 5:8). In this way, therefore, grace is of works, then there would be the occa-
a gift (See Jn 1:12,13). It is a gift be- sion for one brother to boast against an-
cause it was not given as a payment of other (Rm 3:27). One would even have
debt by God to those who demanded such occasion to boast before God if he be-
through their meritorious keeping of law lieved that he could put God in debt to
and good works (Rm 11:6). The condi- save him simply on the performance of
tion upon which the grace of God is made law and good works. If salvation were
effective for the salvation of man is that based on the merit of works, then those
one must receive or accept the free gift. who were more gifted in works would
For this reason, the effect of God’s grace gain more grace, and thus, be favored in
in reference to the salvation of man must the sight of God over those who could
be conditioned on the response of man. not so perform. Such would make God a
If grace was without condition toward all respecter of persons (See At 10:34,35).
men, then all men would be saved with- Therefore, if salvation were regulated by
out having to respond. All humanity the works of man, then grace would not
would thus be saved while living after be sufficient. Paul’s point is that grace
the course of this world. Therefore, the does not need to be subsidized by the
application of grace in one’s life must be works of men. No man can accomplish
based on some condition. The condition enough good works that would earn
is obedient faith, and thus, we are saved God’s grace.
by grace through obedience of faith (Rm 2:10 His workmanship: The Chris-
1:5; 4:16; 5:1,2). Our obedient faith is tian owes all that he is to God who gave
our response to the grace of God (See him a reason for transforming his think-
comments Js 2:14-26). Paul here states ing and life (Rm 12:1,2). Through the
that the Ephesians “are saved” by God’s manifestation of God’s grace, Christians
grace. The Greek verb is perfect tense, have been driven by faith to conform their
thus emphasizing the continued result of lives to the will of God (See comments
God’s grace that was activated in their Rm 3:31). They do good works in thanks-
lives at the time of their obedience to the giving of the grace of God (2 Co 4:15).
gospel. God’s grace was sufficient at the Credit for the transformed life, therefore,
time of their baptism into Christ. It was must go to God for His gift of grace that
sufficient at the time he wrote. Grace, gives reason for hope by focusing our
therefore, is not subsidized by our works. lives on God. Created in Christ Jesus
It is not perfected or completed by our for good works: Christians have been
created anew in Christ by obedience to ferred to the Gentiles as the “uncircum-

the gospel (Rm 6:4,5). They have been cised.” The designation was given to the
so created, not by good works, but for Gentiles by the Jews for the purpose of
good works. The Christian is not saved maintaining the Jews’ separation from the
by works of merit that he has devised Gentiles who were not in a national cov-
according to his own desires. He is saved enant relationship with God as were the
for the purpose that God might work Jews. However, this culture of being
through him. Christians thus work in re- separate from the Gentiles was dissolved
sponse to what God has done for them (1 in Christ.
Co 15:10). It is their works that mani- 2:12 In this verse Paul explains the
fest their response to the grace of God. deplorable situation one is in when he is
Their works are not meritorious condi- outside the grace of God. He explains
tions upon which they will be judged. the situation of the Gentiles who were
They are indications of their thankful outside the covenant that God had estab-
response to God for His gift of grace (2 lished with Israel. You were without
Co 4:15). Final judgment will be based Christ: When one is outside Christ, he
on our deeds because our deeds proclaim is without hope. Being without Christ
what sort of heart is within us (See Mt means that one is outside the mediato-
7:20-23; compare Jn 9:4; 2 Co 5:10; Ph rial work of Jesus before God (See com-
1:12,13; Cl 1:10; 1 Th 1:2; Ti 2:14). ments At 4:12). Aliens from the com-
monwealth of Israel: The Gentiles as a
The Church As The Household Of God whole had no citizenship with the people
(2:11-22) with whom God had established a cov-
Outline: (1) Unity of mankind in Christ, (2:11- enant relationship. They were thus sepa-
18), (2) The holy temple of God (2:19-22) rated from Israel because they were not
included in the covenant that God estab-
UNITY OF MANKIND IN CHRIST lished with national Israel. They were
Since we are saved by the grace of separated from God because of sin (Is
God, then all who have responded to the 59:1,2). Strangers from the covenants:
grace of God are created one man in The Gentiles had no part in the covenants
Christ. The church is the one universal of God that He had established with the
body of Christ that organically functions fathers of Israel and the Israelite nation
throughout the world. She is the one itself (Rm 9:4,8; see Gn 12:1-3; 26:1ff;
body into which all ethnic groups of 28:13ff). No hope: Because the Gen-
people have come in order to manifest tiles were without a covenant relation-
the glory of God to the world. ship with God, they had nothing upon
2:11 Paul now calls on the Gentiles which to base their hope. Therefore, they
to remember where they were spiritually had no hope for a Deliverer that would
before they responded to the grace of deliver them from sin (1 Th 4:13). With-
God. The Jews (“the circumcision”) re- out God: The Gentiles were in a world
wherein they created gods after their own ing down the wall that separated the Jews
imaginations. Such gods could never be and Gentiles, the symbolism is that all
a substitute for the one true God. There- men are spiritually brought together in
fore, if one conceives of a god in his mind Christ. There is now no barrier between
that is not according to God’s definition Jew and Gentile. It is the nature of the
of Himself in His revealed word, then church, therefore, to bring all men to-
such a one is “without God.” He is with- gether in Christ. Abolished ... the law of
out the one true and living God (4:17- commandments: In the context of his
19; Rm 1:30; Gl 4:8; see comments Jn discussion concerning Jews and Gentiles,
4:24,25). Paul’s reference to the commandments
2:13 Afar off ... brought near: Be- here would refer to the Sinai law of com-
cause of sin, the Gentiles were spiritu- mandments. The law was Israel’s condi-
ally separated from God and without tion for maintaining their covenant with
hope in a world of sin (See Jn 10:15,16; God. Because a new covenant has now
At 2:39). However, through the grace of been established (Jr 31:31-34; Hb 8:7-
God that was manifested by the sacrifi- 13), there was also the necessity of es-
cial blood of Jesus on the cross, they have tablishing a new law, the law of Christ.
the opportunity to come near through The Sinai law was thus nailed to the
obedience to the gospel. Through obe- cross. It no longer presents itself as an
dience to the gospel they are brought near obstacle to the reconciliation of Jew and
to God and His people. Paul thus reminds Gentile into one body (See comments Rm
the Ephesian Gentiles that they are now 7:4; Cl 2:14; Hb 9:16,17). Jesus removed
in a covenant relationship with God that which religiously separated Jew and
through the blood of Jesus. Gentile. He has brought all men together
2:14,15 Our peace: Jesus is the under the law of Christ, and by doing
medium through which cultural peace is such, created a brotherhood of all those
established between Jew and Gentile. who come into Christ (Gl 3:26-29). New
Since both Jews and Gentiles are recon- man: The new man is the one commu-
ciled unto God through the blood of nity of global believers who have all sub-
Jesus, then they are also reconciled to one mitted to the kingdom reign of Jesus (See
another through the cross (See Gl 3:26- Gl 6:15). The body of Christ is the new
29; Cl 1:22; 3:11). Broken down the man because it is washed in the blood of
middle wall: A wall of partition was built the Lamb (At 22:16; Rv 1:5; 12:11).
in the temple area in Jerusalem in order 2:16 In one body: All who would
to establish a point beyond which the be reconciled to God must be in the one
Gentiles could not go in the temple court- body. “For by one Spirit we were all
yard (See At 21:28ff). Paul’s metaphori- baptized into one body, whether Jews or
cal use of this wall illustrates the divi- Greeks ...” (1 Co 12:13). Therefore, all
sion that once religiously and culturally who would be reconciled to God must
separated Jews and Gentiles. By break- obey the gospel by immersion (See com-
ments At 2:38; Rm 6:3-6). brought forth into one body (Js 1:18; 1
2:17 He came and preached peace Pt 1:23; compare 1 Co 12:13).
to you: Jesus did not personally preach
to the Gentiles in Ephesus. It was through THE HOLY TEMPLE OF GOD
the person of Paul that Jesus came and Verses 19-22 emphasize an important
preached reconciliation to the Ephesians. fact of the global community of God’s
When the messenger of Jesus preaches people. It is not a family that is broken
the word of Jesus, then it is as if Jesus is into individual autonomous groups that
preaching. Evangelists are the mediums are independent of one another. It is a
through whom Jesus preaches the gos- global household of individual members
pel to the world (Mt 28:19,20; Mk who are free in Christ and whose citi-
16:15,16). It is through the preaching of zenship is registered in heaven.
evangelists that the nations have an op- 2:19 Members of the household of
portunity to hear the gospel (Is 57:19-21; God: The Gentiles were no longer afar
At 15:7-9; see comments Rm 15:14-20). off (vss 12,13). They too were now fel-
2:18 Our salvation is dependent on low citizens and saints in the body. They
the work of the three manifestations of were members of the church of Christ,
the eternal Godhead. In this one verse the household of God (Gl 6:10; 1 Tm
Paul mentions that through Jesus we have 3:15; Hb 3:6; 1 Pt 4:17). The Gentiles
access to the Father by the Holy Spirit. have not come into the household of God
It was the work of the Spirit to reveal that as second class citizens. They are fel-
truth which was necessary for men to low citizens. They are joint members of
obey in order to be reconciled to God (Jn the one body of Christ.
14:26; 16:13; 2 Pt 1:20,21). God has re- 2:20 The foundation of the apostles
vealed all truth in order that men know and prophets: The church is built on the
what He requires of men (2 Tm 3:16,17; foundation of the apostles and prophets
2 Pt 1:3). We would know nothing con- because of the work of inspiration by the
cerning these matters if it were not for Holy Spirit. Through inspiration of the
the very words of this letter of Paul that apostles, all truth was revealed (3:1-5; Jn
were inspired by the Spirit to be written. 14:25,26; 16:13; 1 Co 3:10,11; Rv 21:14).
In the Ephesians’ case, they would not Through the inspired teaching of the
have known anything about the cross if prophets, the truth was taught to all the
it were not for the evangelists who churches. The chief cornerstone: In the
preached the gospel to them. In our case construction of ancient buildings, the cor-
today, we would know nothing concern- nerstone was first laid from which all
ing the cross if we did not have the in- measurements of the building were then
spired word of God (See comments Lk aligned. And so it is with the church.
1:1-4). Therefore, it is through the in- All measurements are aligned in refer-
strumentality of the inspired seed of the ence to Jesus (Ps 118:22; Mt 21:42; Mk
kingdom, the word of God, that men are 12:10; Lk 20:17; Rm 9:33; 1 Pt 2:6). The
lives of the members of the church are tinual process of growth and building.
focused on Jesus, and thus their behav- The building takes place within the spiri-
ior is aligned by His word. tual relationship the members have with
2:21 The whole church of Christ is Christ (See 1 Pt 2:5). It is a building pro-
continually fitted together according to cess that continues on throughout one’s
the spiritual measurements that proceed life. In this spiritual temple in Christ,
from Jesus. The apostles and prophets God dwells through the Spirit through-
revealed and preached the truth. How- out the world. The Ephesian disciples
ever, the foundation upon which the were not autonomous or independent
household of God stands is the person from the body of disciples throughout the
and power of Jesus. It is in Him that the world. The church is a global body to
members grow into the holy temple (1 which every member is connected
Co 3:16,17; 2 Pt 3:18). through their common obedience to the
2:22 Being built together: The gospel (See comments Jn 15:1-9; Jd 3).
Greek verb tense here indicates a con-
C HAPTER 3
Revelation Of The Church the life of Paul was accomplished in or-
(3:1-13) der that Christianity be defended before
Outline: (1) Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles (3:1- the world. The stewardship of the grace
7), (2) The eternal purpose (3:8-13) of God: We are living in what Paul here
identifies as a “dispensation of grace.”
PAUL’S MINISTRY “The law was given through Moses, but
TO THE GENTILES grace and truth came through Jesus
3:1,2 Paul was called to be a Christ- Christ” (Jn 1:17). God has worked
sent apostle for the specific purpose of through grace from the beginning of time
opening the door of preaching the gos- unto the cross. He continues to work
pel of reconciliation to the Gentiles (At through grace unto this day. He has al-
9:15; 22:21; Rm 11:13; Gl 3:9). Pris- ways worked through grace, for without
oner of Christ Jesus: At the time Paul the grace of God no man could be saved.
wrote this letter he was in a Roman prison We live in a dispensation of grace, for it
(6:20; At 21:33; 28:20; Cl 4:18; Pl 13). is in this time that we have knowledge of
He was there, however, not as the result the grace of God that was revealed on
of crimes he had committed against the the cross (Ti 2:11). This grace had been
State, but for the purpose of making a preached throughout the Roman world by
case for Christianity (See comments in the time Paul wrote this letter (At
intro. to At). God was using the false 20:20,31). This dispensation is a time
accusations against him as an occasion when God’s favor that is extended to all
to put him on trial before the court of men of every nation has been manifested
Rome. This historical work of God in through the cross (At 9:15; Rm 1:5; Ti
2:11). The disciples of Jesus, therefore, 3:5 In Galatians 3:8 Paul affirmed
have been entrusted with the message of that the gospel was preached to Abraham.
grace in order that it be proclaimed He does not contradict himself here in
throughout the world. As the stewards affirming that it was not made known in
of God’s grace, it is the responsibility of times past. What was revealed to Abra-
every disciple to preach the grace of God ham was that in his seed all nations of
to the world (See 2 Co 4:15). the earth would be blessed (Gn 12:3).
3:3 By revelation: Paul received the The specific blessing of the death of Jesus
mystery of God directly from God (Gl for our sins, and His resurrection for our
1:11,12,16; see At 26:16-18). He did not hope, was not revealed to Abraham.
receive it through men. “For I neither Though the prophets were given hints of
received it from man, nor was I taught it, the “blessing” that was to come (See Ps
but I received it through the revelation 22; Is 53), they did not fully understand
of Jesus Christ” (Gl 1:12). In this state- the nature of the gospel that God had in
ment Paul reassured his readers that the store for all mankind (See comments 1
concept of the grace of God did not origi- Pt 1:10-12). Revealed by the Spirit: By
nate from men. I wrote before in few the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the New
words: It may be that Paul here refers to Testament apostles and prophets received
what he has already written in this letter the truth of the gospel (Jn 14:26; 16:13;
in chapters 1 and 2. Some believe this 1 Co 2:10-13; 2 Tm 3:16).
refers to a previous letter Paul had writ- 3:6 Fellow heirs ... partakers of His
ten which could possibly have been the promise in Christ: Paul wants his Jew-
Colossian letter or one of his other in- ish readers to know that the Gentiles are
spired letters. The point was that the not to be considered as proselytes in the
Ephesians had no excuse for being igno- church as they were considered in the past
rant of the grace of God. They had pre- when Gentiles converted to living under
viously been informed through his per- the Sinai law. Both Jew and Gentile are
sonal preaching, as well as a previous now equal in every way in Christ (At
written document. 10:34,35; Gl 3:28,29). The Gentiles, as
3:4 The mystery of Christ: The mys- the Jews, received the promise of justifi-
tery was the eternal plan of redemption cation by grace through faith. They are
that God has now revealed through the fellow heirs of the Holy Spirit (See com-
sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross ments At 2:38,39), as well as the eternal
(6:19; Rm 11:25; 16:25; Ti 2:11). It was heaven that is to come. Therefore, in the
not revealed in times before the coming one body, the church, the Gentiles have
of Jesus (See 1 Pt 1:10-12). It has been all the blessings that were promised to
revealed in these times in order that men the Israelite fathers that would come
might understand God’s plan that all men through Israel.
be reconciled to Him through Jesus (See 3:7 It was by the grace of God that
comments 1 Co 2:10-13). Paul was given his ministry to preach the
gospel to the Gentiles (1:19; 3:20; Rm 13; Cl 1:27; 2:2,3; 2 Pt 1:20,21).

1:5; Cl 1:29). Working of His power: 3:9 Stewardship of the mystery:
Paul worked miraculous signs among the This would be the administration of the
Gentiles in order to confirm that he was gospel to all men. Anyone who would
a messenger of God (Rm 15:18; see Mk obey the gospel is reconciled to God, and
16:17-20; Hb 2:3,4). He not only pro- thus, brought into fellowship with all oth-
claimed the gospel, he also had his proc- ers who have obeyed the gospel through-
lamation confirmed by the working of out the world (1 Jn 1:3). God establishes
God through miraculous signs. When he fellowship among all who have obeyed
preached the gospel in Ephesus, special the gospel. He does this by adding them
signs were given to him by God in order to the global family of believers (At
to counter the trickery of deceptive men 2:47). One’s membership of the global
who led the city astray (See At 19:11ff). body is in heaven with God, not with any
As a result, a great many people in the one local assembly of members. When
city believed. one becomes a member of the family of
God, he is entrusted with the responsi-
THE ETERNAL PURPOSE bility of preaching the gospel to the
3:8 Least of all saints: It seems that world. The disciple is a steward of that
Paul never forgot his former persecution which he has received in order to deliver
of Christians. He was forgiven by God, it to others. Hidden in God: The fact
but the memory of what he did evidently that Paul emphasizes that the plan of re-
lingered with him throughout his life. demption through the death and resurrec-
“For I am ... not worthy to be called an tion of Jesus was concealed from man
apostle because I persecuted the church until its revelation, is evidence that the
of God” (1 Co 15:9; see 1 Tm 1:13). Re- gospel was not a plan that was invented
gardless of his background, however, he by religious thinkers. God’s eternal plan
fulfilled his ministry to preach the gos- to save all men by the sacrificial offering
pel of grace to the Gentiles because he of incarnate Deity was beyond the abil-
had been granted so much grace (Com- ity of religious men to conceive. In fact,
pare 2 Tm 1:8-12). The one who was the death of Jesus on the cross would
stern in his legalistic persecution of have simply been the crucifixion of an-
Christians was chosen by God to be the other Jew if God had not revealed that
messenger of grace to the Gentiles. the crucifixion was for the redemption
Unsearchable riches of Christ: Those of man’s sins. The disciples witnessed
things that Paul and the evangelists the event of the crucifixion. However,
preached were not conceived in the minds they were unable to understand the sig-
of religious men who sought to devise a nificance of the event until God revealed
system by which to be acceptable to God. it to them (Compare Lk 24:21). Created
The riches of the grace of God were re- all things: The mystery was hidden in
vealed to man by God (1:3; 1 Co 2:10- God, that is, in the Godhead of the Fa-
ther, Son and Holy Spirit. Through the ing (Gn 3:15), he did not know the full
work of the Son, all that exists was cre- story until Jesus was resurrected from the
ated by the Son (Jn 1:1,2; Cl 1:16). The dead. If he had known, then surely he
Son was the representative of the one would not have deceived the religious
God—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit— leaders of Jerusalem to take Jesus to the
whose work it was to create. He was not cross.
the agent of creation. He was that mani- 3:11 The eternal purpose: The plan
festation of God whose work it was to of God to redeem man was accomplished
create on behalf of the Godhead. It is in Christ (1:4,11). The church was God’s
human thinking to conceive of God as foreordained plan to accomplish His eter-
three personalities or three parts. The nal goal of reconciling all men together
terms “personalities” or “parts” assume and unto Himself through the incarnate
that there is division in the Godhead. Son (1:5; Rm 8:28,29). However, there
Such terms manifest our efforts to make is one last thing to be accomplished in
God exist in a manner by which we can reference to the purpose of our existence.
understand Him. But the Bible student It is for us to transition into the new heav-
must be careful about using humanly de- ens and earth for which God planned our
fined words to define that which is be- creation (2 Pt 3:13). It is the church that
yond the comprehension of our finite will be called out of this world into that
minds. God is one, though He has mani- realm of existence that is yet to come.
fested Himself in history to man through The cross of Jesus now adds meaning to
the work of the Father, Son and Holy the creation of all things (vs 9). All that
Spirit. He could have manifested Him- exists was created for the purpose of
self as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in bringing the redeemed into the presence
order to accomplish His destiny for man. of God in heavenly dwelling (See com-
God’s manifestation of Himself as the Fa- ments 2 Co 5:1-8). The purpose for the
ther, Son and Holy Spirit was all that was creation of the world was to populate
necessary in order to bring about His eter- heaven. We would assume, therefore,
nal plan of redemption. But His mani- that once this world has completed its
festation as the three would define the purpose, it will be pass away.
One to be three in existence. 3:12 We have boldness and access
3:10 Satan and all angelic beings did with confidence through the faith of
not know of the mystery that God had in Him: The phrase “faith in Him” of some
store for the coming of the Son of God. translations would better be translated
Though prophets spoke of these things, “the faith of Him” since the article is
they did not understand what they wrote present with the word “faith.” Therefore,
(See comments 1 Pt 1:10-12). Though our confidence of salvation is not in our-
Satan knew that something was up con- selves or our faith. We have not merited
cerning the fulfillment of the prophecy the grace of God with obedient faith in
that God had made concerning his crush- order to partake of the eternal purpose of
God. It was because of the faithfulness The Fullness Of God

of Jesus in going to the cross on our be- (3:14-21)
half that we have confidence and bold- Outline: (1) Prayer for the church (3:14-19), (2)
ness (Gl 2:16). Because of Jesus’ faith, Doxology of God’s power (3:20,21)
mediatorship was provided for all men
who would submit to obedience of the PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH
gospel (1 Tm 2:5). It is because of Jesus’ 3:14,15 In this section Paul contin-
work of mediatorship and advocacy on ues the prayer that he began in verse 1. I
our behalf that we can have confidence bow my knees: Paul worshiped God in
and boldness (Hb 4:16; 1 Jn 2:1,2). It is the truth that he here states (See 1 Kg
our faith that obediently responds to the 8:54; Mt 6:5; Lk 5:12; 18:11-13; 22:41;
faithful work of Christ who worked on At 9:40; 1 Tm 2:8; see comments Jn
our behalf for our salvation. Our obedi- 4:24). The whole family: All obedient
ent faith is necessary for our salvation, beings that exist, whether on earth or in
for without any obedient faith on our part, the heavenly realm, are of the family of
the work of Jesus on the cross was in vain God (Compare 1:10). They are not out-
as far as our individual salvation is con- side God’s headship and protection. Paul
cerned. Christianity involves change in gives worship to the Father after whom
one’s life. Obedience to the gospel all who are in the heavenly realm and on
washes away all past sins. However, if earth are named.
there is no change in one’s life, then one 3:16 Be strengthened with power:
will continue to live a life of sin. Paul realized that his audience will be
3:13 It was Paul’s desire that the persecuted for their faith. He was in
Ephesians not become discouraged be- prison during the reign of Nero. Nero’s
cause of his imprisonment and the per- personal vendetta against Christians
secution that he suffered for the name of would increase until his death in A.D. 68.
Jesus. His hardships were not an indica- After this death there would be a cessa-
tion that God was working against him tion of direct persecution until the reign
and the church. The Ephesians, as well of Domitian in the latter part of the 1st
as all Christians, must understand that century. Therefore, Christians through-
living the Christian life will incur hard- out the Roman Empire would suffer in
ship and persecution (See comments At the coming years, but specifically those
14:22). “Yes, and all who desire to live Christians in the area of Asia Minor
godly in Christ Jesus will suffer perse- where Roman imperial worship would
cution” (2 Tm 3:12). The fact that the later be instigated by Rome. There were
righteous life of Christians intimidates hard times coming for the brethren in
wicked men who refuse to submit to God Asia Minor, and thus, in these words Paul
affirms the fact that there will always be wanted to encourage his readers to be
persecution against Christians (Jn 15:18- strong for the time would come when
25). they will have to endure unto death (Rv
2:10; see comments in intro. to Rv). 3:17 So that Christ may dwell in
Through His Spirit in the inner man: your hearts: Unfaithful Christians do not
Since Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is allow Christ to reign in their hearts.
that God grant them strength, then surely Christ dwells in one when he is obedient
God is able to do such in the hearts of to the commandments of God (Jn 14:23;
His children. We would assume also that compare Rm 8:10; 2 Co 6:16; Cl 1:27;
through these very words would come Rv 3:20). Those who are not obedient
strengthening thoughts that would en- are not allowing the will of the Father to
courage them. However, one work of be done on earth in their hearts as it is
God through the manifestation of the done in heaven (See comments Mt
Spirit is to strengthen the saints. In view 6:9,10; Lk 17:20,21). Therefore, Christ
of the trials they were possibly enduring does not dwell in the heart of the one who
at the time he wrote, or the trials into has given up on Christ. Christians must
which they were headed, Paul prayed that allow Christ to dwell in their hearts
they be able to endure these trials and through their submission to the will of
persecutions (Compare 6:10; 2 Co 1:8- Jesus (Cl 3:16; see comments Cl 1:1-9).
10; Ph 4:3; 1 Tm 1:12; 2 Tm 4:17). We One may believe the right teachings, but
must believe that those things for which unless one’s life is transformed into a liv-
the Holy Spirit instructs us to pray, God ing image of Jesus by godly behavior,
is able also to answer. The inner man: Christ is not dwelling in him. Christ
As opposed to the outward, carnal man, dwells in us when a correct knowledge
the spiritual man that is within the mind of Him is coupled with godly behavior.
and heart is the part of man that needs Being rooted and grounded in love: The
strength (Rm 7:22; 2 Co 4:16; 1 Pt 3:4). only way one can understand the love of
The inner man is the part of man that is God is to love (1 Co 3:1,2; 1 Jn 4:7,8).
nourished by the word of God (Rm 10:17; Every man has the emotional capacity
1 Pt 2:2). Nourishment of the word of and ability to act out of love. However,
God spiritually builds one up in order to such love is limited to the extent of the
stand against the wiles of the devil (6:10- emotional abilities of man. God’s love
18; At 20:32; 1 Th 2:13). Strengthening far exceeds the ability of man to love.
in the Lord is not a onetime event in the But in order to begin understanding the
Christian’s life. It is a continual process. fullness of God’s love, we must mani-
The more one grows in the faith and fest love toward others. Therefore, Paul
knowledge of God’s will, the stronger he exhorts the Ephesians to be established
becomes. Paul had encouraged the Eph- firmly in that by which all men know that
esian elders a few years before he wrote we are the disciples of Jesus, that is, by
these words that they be strong by allow- our love of one another (Jn 13:34,35).
ing God and His word to work in their 3:18,19 Only through a strong fel-
lives (At 20:32). He is here encouraging lowship of love can we begin to under-
them again. stand the magnitude of the love of Jesus.
“He who does not love does not know praise of God’s power. God’s power and
God, for God is love” (1 Jn 4:8). It is essence are far beyond man’s imagina-
impossible to understand the love of God tion (Compare 1:19; 1 Co 2:9; 2 Co 13:4).
without loving one’s neighbor as himself. If men supposed that they could conceive
It is only through love that we can un- in their minds the fullness of God, then
derstand those things that are beyond this the god they conceived would not be the
world (See 1:18; Mt 5:8; 6:22; Jn 7:17). God about whom Paul here speaks. Ex-
The fullness of God: The word “full- ceedingly abundantly above all that we
ness” is translated from the Greek word ask or think: Any god we can figure out
pleroma. This was a significant word that is no god at all. We must not be frus-
was used in Gnostic circles to explain the trated by not understanding all that God
realm of God’s dwelling and His at- does in relation to His work to bring us
tributes. It was believed among some into eternity. We must not be frustrated
Gnostics that God could have nothing to simply because the God of the Bible is
do with the material world because of the beyond the intellectual capacity of finite
holiness of His existence. He was sup- men to fully comprehend. God has re-
posedly separated from the material vealed Himself to man through His work
world, and thus, could not in any way be of creation (Rm 1:20). He has revealed
connected with that which was material Himself through His work with the pa-
and evil. God dwelt in the pleroma and triarchs. He has revealed Himself
was completely separate from that which through Jesus. However, we must not
was material. However, in opposition to assume that all that God is or does has
Gnostic heretics who said that only the been revealed to us (See Dt 29:29). The
select elite could attain unto one’s inner only way we could understand God is that
spiritual knowledge that connected him we be God. But since we are not God,
with God, Paul argues that every faithful then we must not be frustrated with our
Christian can be filled with the fullness lack of understanding the fullness of God.
of God (See 4:13). As Christians are God is not confined to the definition of
transformed into the image of Jesus, they the words of our dictionary, for our words
are being filled with all the fullness of are defined by the experiences and events
God (Rm 12:2; 2 Co 3:18; compare Ph of man. God is beyond and above the
3:20,21; 1 Jn 3:2). It is through the trans- definition of the words of our dictionary.
formation of our minds that we are being To Him be glory in the church: Since
filled with the attributes of God (Rm God is beyond our full comprehension,
12:1,2). Since we are the household of then He is worthy of our worship. It is
God, God indwells us through the Spirit. through the obedience and worship of the
church that God is glorified (Compare Ps
DOXOLOGY OF GOD’S POWER 45:17; 72:17; Rm 11:36; Rv 5:13). It is
3:20,21 Paul concluded the first sec- not the church that is to receive glory. It
tion of the letter to the Ephesians with a is the church that is to give glory to God.
When men seek to bring glory to the When men see the work of God through
church, they are misdirecting the minds those who are living the life of Jesus, their
of men from all glory that is to be di- natural response should be to give glory
rected to God. It is the work of the church to God.
to direct all men to give glory to God.
C HAPTER 1
In the first three chapters of the let- tions for Christian living (5:15-21), (7) Christian
ter of Ephesians, the Holy Spirit concen- families (5:22 – 6:4), (8) Master-slave relation-
trated on fundamental teachings that are ships (6:5-9)
essential to believe. These are fundamen-
tal teachings upon which Christianity is UNITY OF CHRISTIANS
based. If these teachings are not true, 4:1 Prisoner of the Lord: Paul was
then there is no foundation upon which in a Roman prison because he believed
the Christians can stand. The fact that in and preached that which he has just
they are true gives hope to the Christian written to the Ephesians (3:1; Pl 1,9). His
concerning what he is and where he is imprisonment was evidence of the sin-
headed. In these last three chapters of cerity of his beliefs. Such should moti-
the epistle, the Spirit concentrates on the vate the Ephesians to respond in like
moral response of Christians that results manner to God’s grace (1 Co 15:10; 2
from a belief in the fundamental teach- Co 4:15). Walk worthy of the calling:
ings of the first three chapters. Why The conclusion to one’s realization of the
Christians are what they are depends on grace of God must be conduct that is in
what they believe. The Spirit has focused harmony with what God has done to save
on the mystery of God’s grace in the first us (See comments Rm 12:1). Christian
half of the letter. He now discusses the behavior is the natural response to one’s
response to God’s grace in the lives of realization of the saving grace of God
those who have believed in the mystery (2:10; Ph 1:27; 1 Th 2:12; see Cl 1:10;
of God. Chapters 1-3 are the cause of 2:6). The grace of God should bring the
Christianity and chapters 4-6 are the ef- Christian’s conduct into harmony with
fect. The cause is Christ and the effect the honorable nature of God’s redemp-
are disciples of Jesus in their behavioral tive work to bring us into eternity.
existence in the world. 4:2,3 Humility and gentleness: Our
response to the grace of God should af-
Behavior Of The Disciples Of Christ fect our character. We should be changed
(4:1 – 6:9) to a spirit of humility. God’s mercy to-
Outline: (1) Unity of Christians (4:1-6), (2) The ward us should encourage us to be mer-
diversity of gifts (4:7-16), (3) Living in the light ciful to others. God’s forgiveness of our
(4:17-24), (4) Exhortation against sin (4:25 – 5:7), sins, for which we could not possibly jus-
(5) Walking in the light (5:8-14), (6) Exhorta- tify ourselves, should spark humility of
mind and mercy toward others (See com- 4:4-6 The Holy Spirit here sets forth
ments Mt 18:21-35; Js 2:13). We thus seven fundamental truths upon which
love because God so loved us (1 Jn 4:19; unity can be maintained. The motiva-
see comments Cl 3:12-14). Humility, tion for unity is the loving action of God’s
gentleness and love in the life of an indi- grace that the Spirit revealed in chapters
vidual is evidence of the individual’s rec- 1-3. The guiding principles upon which
ognition of the God who showed such unity is founded are revealed in the fun-
toward us when we legally deserved damental teachings that are listed here.
wrath (Jn 3:16; Rm 5:8). Haughty and Therefore, all men must forsake those
unloving Christians are not of the nature teachings that would contradict these fun-
of the One who called them. They will damental principles. They must do so
be rejected in the judgment because of for the sake of maintaining unity among
their lack of response to the loving grace those who believe in God and His Son
of God who gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. The single principle that is
for our salvation. If one maintains an ar- maintained throughout the following list
rogant spirit, while at the same time be- of fundamental principles is the one that
lieving that he knows the truth, then he does not need listing since it is an obvi-
has deceived himself. He does not know ous conclusion to the revelation of the
the truth. The truth of God’s grace does mystery of God. This principle is one-
not produce arrogant spirits. On the con- ness. Christians are universally one body
trary, when one realizes the extent to because of the oneness of what the Spirit
which God went in order to save us from here reveals. Any thinking or theology
our condemnation in sin, he should be that would attack the oneness of the mem-
humbled before God and his fellow man bers of the body of Christ must be re-
(See comments Mt 5:3-9). Eager to keep jected as contrary to the very nature of
the unity of the Spirit: True Christians the fundamental teachings that the Spirit
are identified by their zeal to maintain here reveals. One body: There is only
unity among believers. Jesus prayed that one body. This is the global church of
His disciples be one (Jn 17:20,21). Those our Lord Jesus Christ (5:23; Cl 1:18). It
who are of the nature of the one true God is this church for which Jesus died in or-
and His Son Jesus Christ will seek to der to purchase her with His blood (1:4;
maintain the unity for which Jesus At 20:28). It is this body over which He
prayed. Divisive behavior has no place is now head (Cl 1:16). It is for this church
among the saints of God, for such mani- of believers that Jesus will return in or-
fests an unloving spirit that is haughty der to call them into eternal glory (5:23;
and arrogant (See 1 Co 1:10; Ph 1:27). see Cl 1:23; 2:16; Rm 12:5; 1 Co 12:12-
Christians should be known for their for- 27; Cl 3:15). In a world of religious di-
bearance of one another, not their divi- vision and man-made religions, men must
sion among themselves (Ph 4:6; compare seek to identify this one body. All those
1 Co 13; Ph 3:1-3; Pl 9). who respond to the grace of God must
seek God on the basis of His word. body of those who respond to God’s
Therefore, all those who respond to the grace. The body is thus directed by the
grace of God by obedience to the gospel, word of God to be united as one (2:18; 1
are added to the one universal body of Co 1:10; 12:13; Ph 1:27). Because the
Christ (At 2:47). All baptized believers Holy Spirit is one, it is erroneous to con-
compose the one body because God adds clude that He works today in a manner
them to the body. They are not added to cause confusion among religious
because men have devised a systematic people. He does not work in the lives of
theology around which all must conform individual Christians to cause division.
in order to be considered a part of a spe- To affirm that He does is to accuse the
cific religious group. It is God who has Holy Spirit of a divisive function in ref-
produced the one body. He has produced erence to His work (See comments 1 Co
such because there is only one revealed 12:4-12). Those religions, therefore, that
gospel to which all men must respond. are supposedly led by the work of the
When one responds to the one gospel Spirit, and yet, function in confusion of
anywhere in the world, he becomes a belief and behavior, are not being directed
member of the one universal body be- by the revealed word of the Spirit which
cause God adds him to the body (At is the New Testament. They are being
2:47). The fact that there is only one body directed by the misguided emotions or
means that we do not have a choice con- traditions of religious people who have
cerning the church of which we would long forsaken the direction of the Spirit
be a member. Upon obedience to the through the word of God. The religious
gospel one becomes a member of the heritage of the adherents of these reli-
church of God’s choice. We must con- gions has been made the religious author-
form to His instructions and not create a ity of the religions, and thus, the mem-
religious body after our own desires. One bers have forsaken the medium through
Spirit: There is one Holy Spirit who has which God always intended that His
inspired the written standard of unity, the saints be directed in unity, that is, by the
word of God. The written word is the Spirit-inspired word of God. One hope:
foundation for the unity of the body (2 Believers are called into unity by the one
Tm 3:16,17; 2 Pt 1:20,21). The Spirit hope of heaven that is set before them by
did not work in order to cause division God. This one hope unifies them together
among members in the 1st century. Nei- because they are headed for the same des-
ther does He so work today. The same tiny (See Hb 6:18,19). It is because God
inspired truth that was preached, and sub- has revealed one hope, that all those who
sequently produced one church in the 1st obey the gospel are brought together into
century, will produce the same today. The one body. The brotherhood of humanity,
Spirit has revealed the unified message therefore, can happen only when men
of God to writers He inspired in order to obey the gospel in order to be directed
produce among all men the one united by the one revealed hope. Diverse hopes
send men’s minds wandering in differ- faith is produced by a unified message

ent directions. A single hope gives moti- of God to His saints (Jd 3). It is upon
vation for men to maintain singularity of this message that the believers base their
belief and behavior in order to acquire beliefs, and thus, maintain unity among
the one hope. The fact that Christians themselves (vs 13; Rm 10:8; Cl 2:7).
believe that they will dwell together in There can never be many faiths simply
the one heavenly realm in the future mo- because there is only one Lord from
tivates them to behave in a unified man- whom the Holy Spirit has revealed all
ner in this world. One Lord: There is truth that is necessary for Christians to
one Lord Jesus Christ of all things who maintain unity. One baptism: The word
has all authority over all things (1:20-22; “baptism” is from the Greek word baptizo
Mt 28:18; At 2:36; 10:36,43; Rm 10:12; which means “to dip,” “to plunge,” or “to
1 Pt 3:22). All those who submit to the immerse.” There is therefore, no such
one Lord are thus brought together into thing in the Bible as baptism (immersion)
one global body. It is erroneous to be- by sprinkling. There is only one immer-
lieve that one has a right to maintain his sion by which repentant believers have
own beliefs when he submits to the one been buried with Jesus into His death and
Lord. The fact that we make Jesus the united with Him in His resurrection (See
one Lord of our lives necessitates the fact comments Rm 6:3-6; 1 Co 15:1-4; Cl
that our beliefs and behavior be subjected 2:12). Through this one baptism all re-
to His will. In the Master-slave relation- pentant believers have come into a cov-
ship that is established between Jesus and enant relationship with Jesus wherein
the saint, it is the obligation of the saint they have received all spiritual blessings
to be directed by the wishes of the Lord. (1:3-14; Rm 6:3; Gl 3:26,27). As a re-
The lordship of Jesus in our lives, there- sult of their obedience to the one gospel,
fore, drives us to His word. Those who God has added repentant believers to the
are not driven to the directions of the one body, and thus, He has brought them
Lord (the word of God) cannot claim into a covenant relationship with Him.
Jesus as their Lord, for they are not lis- The one body is the result of all repen-
tening to the Lord. One has no right to tant believers submitting to the one bap-
claim Jesus as his Lord if he refuses to tism. Today, there are not two baptisms,
listen to the word of the Lord (Jn 6:45; one of water and the other of the Holy
12:48). All those who listen, and thus Spirit. At the time the Holy Spirit in-
submit to the one Lord, are drawn to- spired Paul to write this letter from prison
gether into the same fellowship of saints. in A.D. 62, the Spirit taught through these
The church is the community of believ- inspired words that there was only one
ers who have submitted to the word of baptism. This baptism is immersion in
the Lord Jesus. One faith: Believers water for the forgiveness of sins (At 2:38;
are brought together into one body be- 22:16; Rm 6:3-6; 1 Co 12:13). If one
cause of their common faith. The one teaches that there is another baptism to-
day other than the one about which the are here stated in words by the inspired
Spirit here speaks, he is believing and Paul come to us in words that are limited
practicing something that is contrary to by the definitions of our dictionary. The
the unity that is based upon these funda- definitions of our earthly words cannot
mental truths. The Holy Spirit here possibly reveal the exhaustive being of
teaches that there is only one immersion. the One who created all things. God is
This is immersion in water in order to the indigenous source of all supernatural
come into a covenant relationship with power. There is no supernatural power
God in Christ who is the Lord of all that exists separate and apart from His
things. One God and Father of all: being. Satan is only allowed some power.
There is only one God to whom all men All that is and will come originates from
must give worshipful allegiance (Dt 6:4; only one source. That source is the eter-
Ml 2:10; 1 Co 8:6; 12:6). Men have no nal God. Paul’s conclusion emphasizes
right to create a god after their own im- an important point. Since God is above,
age. They have no right to create a god through and in all, no man has a right to
who behaves according to the desires of create either his own god or his own reli-
men. The creation of such gods has led gion. All must conform to the fundamen-
to idolatrous confusion throughout his- tal beliefs Paul has just stated. One can-
tory. Unity among men can be realized not divert from or change these beliefs
only if all men seek the one true God in any manner and still claim to be of
through His revelation. If we seek God Christ (See comments Gl 1:6-9; Rv
through our own imaginations and 22:18,19). Since these words are writ-
worldly desires, humanity will continue ten, then we must conclude that no man
with a diversity of religious beliefs until can come to a knowledge of the one true
Jesus comes again. Since most men seek and living God without coming to His
to please themselves concerning their re- revealed word. No man can understand
ligion and beliefs in a higher power, reli- God who refuses to approach God
gious chaos in the world will continue. through the Bible. Disciples of Jesus,
Christians, however, have been united in therefore, are driven to the word of God
this life because they have believed in in order that their understanding of God
the one true and living God (See 1 Th not be distorted.
1:9,10). They have hope of a new heav-
ens and earth wherein all present will THE DIVERSITY OF GIFTS
believe in only one God in whose pres- 4:7 Each one of us: Emphasis here
ence they will reside. Of all ... above all seems to be on each member of the body
... through all ... in all: “In Him [God] having and exercising his part and func-
we live and move and have our being” tion in the body. Therefore, the context
(At 17:28). The totality of the presence goes beyond the ministry of the miracu-
and being of God is beyond the compre- lous gifts of the 1st century church, and
hension of mortal man. These things that thus, beyond the purpose of the miracu-
st
lous gifts in the 1 century. Herein is re- the end of life (Jn 17:4ff; Cl 2:12; Hb
vealed the perpetual organic function of 2:14,15; compare 1 Co 15:24-28). Spiri-
the body. According to the measure of tual death and physical death were intro-
Christ’s gift: In this context Paul affirms duced into the world through the sin of
that Jesus is the one who gives the gifts. Adam. Spiritual life in this world and
It is not the Holy Spirit who gives the eternal life to come were introduced into
gifts that are mentioned here. Reference, the world through Jesus (See comments
therefore, is to gifts of ministering the Rm 5:12; 1 Co 15:20-22). Jesus thus led
word that are set forth by Jesus in His into captivity all the work of Satan that
body, not the miraculous gifts that the would deprive one of both spiritual life
early Christians received by the laying and eternal life.
on of the apostles’ hands (At 8:18; 19:1- 4:9,10 He also first descended: This
6; Rm 1:11). In the historical context of would certainly refer to the incarnation
the Ephesian church, the miraculous gifts of Jesus (Jn 1:1,14; 3:13). However,
for the building up of the body were in Jesus went beyond the incarnation by par-
the process of vanishing away (1 Co 13:8- ticipating in the journey of our spirit af-
12). These gifts would also be included ter physical death. He descended into
in the function of the ministries of the the hadean realm (At 2:27; see comments
word that are mentioned here among the 1 Pt 3:18-22). He did such in order to
Ephesian disciples. The gifts (ministries) assure us that He has journeyed where
that Jesus here gives refer to organic min- we would go on our journey after physi-
istries that would carry on throughout the cal death. No matter what realm into
history of the church, yet without the which we would go, Jesus would be with
miraculous gifts that came through the us. Ascended far above all the heavens:
laying on of the apostles’ hands (vss The incarnation and sacrificial death of
11,12). Jesus gave Him the right to sit at the right
4:8 He led captivity captive: Paul hand of the Father with authority over
here quotes from Psalm 68:18 where the all things (1:20-22; Mt 28:18; Hb 8:1; 1
prophecy was made concerning Jesus’ Pt 3:22). His victory over sin by the
defeat of His enemies. The prophecy was cross, and over death by the resurrection,
fulfilled when Jesus defeated the pow- made Him worthy to judge the nations
ers of Satan on the cross and led into cap- (See comments Rv 5). His kingdom reign
tivity Satan’s power over man through now extends to all things that are in
sin and death. Through the power of the heaven and on earth (1:20-22; 1 Pt 3:22).
gospel one is delivered from sin and 4:11 The gifts of ministry that Jesus
death, and thus, set free (See comments gave are specific functions in the global
Rm 6). Through His resurrection, Jesus church. They were given for the purpose
delivered, by the power of the gospel, of building up the members throughout
those who suffer from the fear of physi- the world. It is not necessary to limit
cal death in life and the second death at these gifts of ministry to the 1st century.
st
However, in the 1 century it is assumed keep in mind that the Greek word
that many of those who carried out these apostolos is also used in a generic man-
ministries also had the miraculous gifts ner in the New Testament in the sense
of the Holy Spirit if they had had the op- that others were considered apostles af-
portunity to come into contact with a ter the ordinary manner of being sent out
Christ-sent apostle who would have laid by churches (See At 14:14; 2 Co 8:23;
hands on them (See comments At 8:18; Ph 2:25). These were church-sent
19:1-6). It was not that the ministries apostles, or missionaries, who were sent
were inspired ministries in the early by churches to accomplish specific mis-
church. What was inspired was the truth sions for the church, specifically world
that was taught through the ministries. evangelism. In the case of Paul and
Today, therefore, the message of these Barnabas, they were apostles who were
ministries is the written word of God. We sent to accomplish the mission work of
must also keep in mind that these minis- preaching the gospel to the Gentiles (See
tries defined the function of the global Gr. in At 14:4,14; Rm 16:7; 2 Co 8:23;
church. The church in every area did not Ph 2:25; 1 Th 2:6). Church-sent apostles,
have the benefit of all the ministries. therefore, functioned for the purpose of
There were not apostles with every as- going forth from the church to preach to
sembly of the church, though the global the unbelieving world. Prophets: These
church had the benefit of the apostles. were inspired preachers and teachers in
Apostles: In the early church context, the early church who ministered to local
reference here would be to both Christ- disciples in order to instruct them in the
sent and church-sent apostles. Christ- word of God. There were no written
sent apostles would be the original Bibles among the early churches. These
Christ-sent twelve apostles who were per- ministers (prophets), therefore, func-
sonally called by Jesus and commis- tioned in order to continually remind the
sioned to be special witnesses of His res- disciples of the truth that was revealed
urrection (Lk 24:48; At 1:8,21,22; 1 Co through the Christ-sent apostles. Teach-
15:5-8; 1 Pt 5:1). Paul would be added ers function today in a similar manner.
to this group, though he affirmed that he However, their source for edification of
was a child born out of the season when the church comes from the inspired word
Christ-sent apostles were naturally of God, not a direct revelation from the
called, that is, during the ministry of Jesus Holy Spirit (2 Tm 4:2). Evangelists:
(1 Co 9:1; 15:8). It was to these original These were itinerant preachers who trav-
apostles that the Holy Spirit revealed all eled about preaching the gospel to the lost
truth that was to be delivered to the (At 21:8; 2 Tm 4:5). To do the work of
church (Jn 14:26; 16:13). And it was to an evangelist means that one’s work is to
these apostles that special signs were proclaim the gospel to those who have
given in order to defend their apostleship yet to hear the gospel. Shepherds ...
(2 Co 12:12). However, the student must teachers: Depending on one’s transla-
tion, these men are also referred to in the Christian. One is simply not being Chris-
New Testament as elders, bishops, over- tian if he is not moved by thanksgiving
seers and pastors. There was a plurality for the grace of God to serve (See com-
of shepherds designated for the church ments 1 Co 15:10; 2 Co 4:15). For the
in each city (At 14:23; 20:28; see com- edifying of the body: “Edifying” refers
ments 1 Tm 3:1ff; Ti 1:5-9). Their pri- to spiritually building up. The purpose
mary work was spiritual leadership and for equipping the saints is to edify the
teaching the word of God. In the Greek church as a whole in order that each mem-
text these two functions are qualified as ber be trained and encouraged to work
one function because the word “some” (1 Co 14:26). Christians are to be
is not used separately to refer to the teach- equipped in order to be able to minister
ers. These were shepherd-teachers in the to the needs of every member (Gl 6:10;
body of Christ. These were those mem- see Ep 6:21; Cl 4:17). Therefore, the pur-
bers who were gifted with the ability to pose of the gifts of ministry is for the
communicate to others in a teaching situ- benefit of the body of Christ (Compare 1
ation (Rm 12:7). All apostles, evange- Pt 2:5). All the ministries were relational
lists and shepherds were teachers. But in the sense that ministries were to reach
in this specific function, emphasis is on out to others, whether the world or fel-
the ability of certain members to func- low believers.
tion locally as shepherding teachers. 4:13 Until we all come to the unity
Shepherd-teachers thus function in the of the faith: The gifts of educational
church as diligent students of the word ministry and spiritual leadership function
of God in order to communicate the will in order to grow the universal body. The
of God to the local disciples. They func- church is to be grown in unity that is
tioned as shepherds of the flock through based on common beliefs and behavior
teaching. concerning fundamental teaching. Em-
4:12 For the equipping of the phasis in this context is on teaching and
saints: The work of the above ministries maintaining truth. It is the acceptance of
is to be directed toward equipping or pre- and belief in this truth that guards the dis-
paring the members to function organi- ciples from the world of doctrinal error
cally to the glory of God. It is Jesus’ plan in which they live. The truth of God’s
through the preceding ministries to in- word not only guards the body from be-
struct the saints in order that their spiri- ing tossed to and fro with every sort of
tual lives be molded into His image (Rm teaching, but also, the truth is the foun-
12:2; 1 Co 12:7). Through the evange- dation upon which the body maintains its
listic ministries, the organic function of unity.
the church is to fulfill the mission of Jesus 4:14 No longer ... tossed to and fro
to preach the gospel to the world. Work: ... with every wind of teaching: Paul now
Disciples must work (See comments Ti comes to the purpose of the ministries of
3:8). There is no such thing as a lazy teaching through the apostles, prophets,
evangelists, and shepherd-teachers. The pare 2 Co 4:2; Cl 2:10). The head, even
church at any one time in history resides Christ: Christ is the universal center of
in a world of twisted religious beliefs. It reference of the body (5:23; Cl 1:18). He
is the nature of the religiously unstable is such because He is the center from
person to be swayed by every sort of re- which all authority and direction for the
ligious belief that is promoted by reli- church originates (Jn 12:48). Those who
gious people who seek validation for their have submitted to His headship are di-
faith in anything but the word of God. It rected in the abundant life by His word
is the work of those who minister in (Jn 10:10). When individuals submit to
teaching, therefore, to preach and teach the headship of Jesus, they are drawn to-
the revealed truth of God in order that gether as the body of Christ. Jesus is thus
every disciple be firmly established upon the head of the church because each in-
the foundation of God’s word. A prin- dividual member has personally submit-
ciple point Paul is affirming here must ted to His headship. The way to Jesus is
not be missed. The church must be direct, not through the church. Church
founded upon correct beliefs. The only is the serendipity of those who have vol-
way this can be accomplished is if the untarily subjected themselves to the
membership feeds on the word of God headship of Jesus. There can thus be only
(1 Co 14:20; 2 Pt 2:2). A disciple that is one church, for all the members have sub-
not founded upon the word of God is a mitted to the one head of the church.
disciple that will be tossed to and fro with 4:16 When each disciple is person-
every sort of religious heresy that men ally connected to the head through obe-
may conceive. Biblically ignorant lead- dient submission to the word of the Head,
ers always lead religious people into con- then there is growth. A body without a
fusion (See Hs 4:6). Biblically ignorant head is dead. A disciple without the
disciples are always led astray by those headship of Jesus is dead in reference to
who do not love or know the truth (See 2 his relationship with God. Men who will
Th 2:10-12). not allow Jesus to control their beliefs
4:15 Speaking the truth in love: An and lives are out of control, and thus, sub-
arrogant teacher cannot speak the truth ject to every wind of teaching that is in
in love for his life does not conform to the world. What every joint supplies:
that which he speaks. He may make true Every member of the body is needed for
statements. However, if the demeanor the growth of the body (1 Co 12:12-31).
of his life is arrogant in reference to what A member that is not functioning in or-
he preaches or teaches, then he is speak- der to perform his or her work causes the
ing from a hypocritical life. Christians rest of the body to falter. The purpose of
must live by the truth in order to promote the gifts of ministry, therefore, must be
the unity of the church. In an atmosphere directed toward equipping every mem-
of Christian love, the church can spiritu- ber to function as a vibrant part of the
ally grow in the unity of the faith (Com- body. Growth of the body, therefore,
depends on much teaching and equipping rance of God perverts their minds, and
in order to encourage every member to thus, their thinking and behavior (Rm
use his or her skills to glorify God. Ev- 1:21-23; see 1 Th 4:5; compare At 17:30).
ery member of the body must be func- They have left themselves without any
tioning. One cannot neglect his ministry moral standard by which to direct their
by hiring it out to others. Spiritual growth thinking and behavior.
comes through exercising one’s ministry 4:19 Given themselves over to lewd-
in service to others. ness: Those who have given up a knowl-
edge of the will of God give up any moral
LIVING IN THE LIGHT standard above man himself by which to
4:17 Paul contrasts the lives of Chris- conduct their lives. By giving themselves
tian Gentiles with the futile behavior of over to their own lusts, their consciences
the unbelieving Gentiles who persist in are hardened against moral living that is
walking after the lusts of the flesh (Com- directed by the word of God. They thus
pare Rm 1:21-32; Cl 3:1-17). Vanity of give themselves over to lasciviousness
their mind: By walking after the lusts (“licentiousness” or “debauchery”).
of the flesh, one wastes his mental pow- They morally corrupt their lives by fol-
ers and ability on the things of the world lowing after hardened consciences that
(See At 14:15; Rm 1:21). That which he have given up the direction of their Cre-
accomplishes in the world will have no ator (Mt 7:22; Rm 13:13; 2 Co 12:21; Gl
value in reference to eternal life (Com- 5:19; 2 Pt 2:2,7,18; Jd 4). To work all
pare comments of 1 Co 15:10). impurity: The unsatisfied greed of men
4:18 Understanding darkened: who have no moral standard will lead to
When one walks in a manner that is di- the wreck of their own lives. In the pro-
rected by worldly thinking, his thoughts cess, they will not only wreck their own
are not directed toward or controlled by lives but the lives of those they use to
God. Those philosophers and scientists satisfy their lust for money.
that give up a knowledge of God are 4:20,21 In contrast to the worldly
thinking with darkened understanding. life he has just explained, Paul exhorts
They can never come to a knowledge of the Ephesians concerning the nature of
what is real and true without the knowl- the Christian life they accepted when they
edge of God in their thinking (At 26:18; came into Christ. He exhorts them not
Cl 1:21; 2 Pt 3:1). Their great knowl- to behave as unbelieving Gentiles who
edge of facts concerning the physical refused to have God’s moral authority in
world has given them a false sense of their lives. He had not taught them the
security. Their knowledge of the physi- immoral behavior of the Gentiles. Be-
cal world has led them to ignore the spiri- cause he had instructed them in the prin-
tual world. Therefore, those who live ciples of Christian behavior, he now ex-
after the flesh in this manner have their pects them to conduct themselves accord-
minds morally darkened. Their igno- ingly.
4:22,23 Put off ... the old man: the world among whom they live (Zc
When one obeys the gospel, the old man 8:16; Rm 1:25; Cl 3:8ff; Rv 21:8; 22:15;
of sin is put to death (Rm 6:3-6; Cl 3:7). see comments Mt 5:33-37).
“For you died ... your life is hidden with 4:26,27 When one’s anger is allowed
Christ in God” (Cl 3:3). The Ephesians to turn into wrath, then sin follows (See
must now live according to the commit- Ps 4:4; 37:8). One should not allow his
ment they made when they crucified the anger to carry over into another day. If
old man at the time of their conversion he does, his anger can develop into in-
(See comments Rm 6; Ph 1:27; Cl 3:1- ward hate and bitterness. Those who give
11). Since the Ephesians had formerly their personalities over to hate will de-
made the mental decision to live accord- stroy not only themselves, but also the
ing to righteousness, they must now con- lives of many with whom they have con-
tinue to struggle to put to death the de- tact. Thus anger can easily lead to a heart
sires of the flesh. The Christian life is that can be used by the devil for evil
an endless struggle to be morally led by works (1 Pt 5:8,9).
the will of God (Cl 2:11; Js 1:21; 1 Pt 4:28 Steal no more: Stealing can
2:1). It is a continual struggle to renew become a behavioral pattern of life to
one’s mind (Rm 12:2; 8:7; Cl 3:10). those who live in a world where there is
4:24 Put on the new man: Through no love of one’s neighbor. Theft is a psy-
righteous thinking and holy living one chological malfunction that manifests
puts on the new man (See 2 Co 5:17). one’s lack of loving his neighbor as him-
When one is immersed into Christ he be- self (Gl 5:13,14). Paul thus gives two
comes a new man, having been washed solutions for correcting the problem of a
of all sins (At 2:38; 22:16; Rm 6:4). thief’s thinking. (1) Disciples must work
However, though one is washed of sin, in order to correct a thief mentality (See
he still must bring his life into confor- 1 Th 4:10,11; 2 Th 3:10-12). (2) Dis-
mity with conduct that is directed by the ciples must work in order to give to oth-
word of God. As a new man one must ers (At 20:35; Rm 12:18; Ti 3:14). In
maintain his commitment to follow after working to provide for others, one re-
the example of Jesus’ life and teachings verses the thief mentality of thinking only
(1 Co 11:1; 1 Pt 2:21; 1 Jn 2:6). of himself. Instead of taking his
neighbor’s things, he works in order to
EXHORTATION AGAINST SIN give his neighbor things. No Christian
4:25 Paul now instructs all disciples can be a thief because Christians have
concerning specifics of the moral behav- committed themselves to love their
ior that must be characteristic of those neighbors as themselves.
who are putting on the new man. He 4:29 Let no corrupt speech proceed
begins by stating that disciples must live out of your mouth: Paul uses the same
lives of integrity. They must deal hon- solution for evil speech as he did for the
estly with one another and with those of mentality of theft. Evil speech must be
replaced with speech that edifies one’s were maintained by the early disciples,
fellow man. Christians must always be they also have the same guarantee of a
on guard concerning their speech (5:4; future dwelling that is yet to come.
Mt 15:11; Cl 3:8; Js 3:10). Wicked 4:31 Bitterness: Disciples should
speech will always damage the relation- not harbor evil feelings toward others
ship between individuals. It will dam- (See Cl 3:8). If they do, such feelings
age the unity of the body (See 1 Co 1:10; will inevitably lead to bitterness and evil
Js 4:1,2). Therefore, Christians should actions. Wrath: Disciples should not
make a special effort to control their allow their anger to become uncontrolled.
tongue in order to speak those things that Anger: The best way not to allow anger
encourage others (1 Th 5:11; Cl 3:16; Js to turn into wrath is not to become angry
3:1-12). in the first place (vs 26). However, if
4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit: one becomes angry, he should not retain
Paul here refers to Isaiah 63:10 where ref- an angry disposition over any length of
erence was to Israel’s rebellion against time lest it turn into bitterness and wrath.
the instructions of God (See Ps 78:40; Clamor: One who has harbored anger
95:10,11; Is 7:13; At 7:51). The context will give himself over to emotional out-
of Isaiah, therefore, gives us the interpre- bursts of uncontrolled yelling. Slander:
tation of the “grieving of the Spirit” in Slander is the wickedness an individual
this context. The Spirit is grieved when portrays through lies that are meant to
men rebel against God’s word that is re- intentionally harm the character of an-
vealed through the Spirit (2 Tm 3:16,17). other (Js 4:11). One who slanders often
In the case of the Ephesians and other 1st rails with false accusations against an-
century disciples, the Spirit was grieved other. He does so with the intent of in-
when men despised the preaching of the flicting emotional hurt or defamation of
truth (See 1 Th 5:19,20). The Spirit is another’s character (See 3 Jn 10). Those
grieved when disciples disobey God. By who slander in order to defame their
whom you were sealed: The Holy Spirit brothers will not inherit heaven (Rv
was given as a guarantee of the greater 21:8). Malice: All of the preceding sins
reward they will receive when Jesus that Paul mentions fall under the umbrella
comes again (See 1:13,14). In the con- of malice (Ti 3:3). A person who has a
text of the early church, the miraculous spirit of malice often takes delight in in-
presence of the Spirit in the work of the flicting harm on others. He is a person
disciples was evidence that God was with who has violated the second law of God
the church (Mk 16:17-20; Hb 2:3,4). concerning sociological behavior, that is,
Such evidence was God’s guarantee that to love one’s neighbor as himself (See
there were greater things awaiting Chris- comments Mt 22:37-40; Gl 5:13,14). He
tians when this present world is done has violated the new commandment of
away. When Christians today pattern Jesus that we love one another as He
themselves after the same beliefs that loved us (Jn 13:34,35).
4:32 Be kind to one another: This Christians to forget those sins that are
statement depicts all that is contrary to committed against them. However, if
the character of the one who would por- they are to be of the nature of the One
tray any of the sins that have been previ- who spoke from the cross, “Father, for-
ously mentioned (See Mt 6:14; Gl 5:22- give them, for they do not know what they
26). In this one statement, the Holy Spirit do” (Lk 23:34), then they must forgive
explains the demeanor of Christians to- all sin that is committed against them
ward one another. Such a demeanor of (See At 7:60). The nature of those who
spirit is in complete contrast to those who will dwell in the heavenly existence to
have given themselves over to the un- come will be after the nature of God. God
godly living that has been previously de- is forgiving, and thus, unforgiving people
scribed (See 2 Co 2:10; Cl 3:12-14). For- will not inherit heaven. Forgiveness is
giving one another: Christians must for the benefit of the one against whom
kindly forgive one another as God has sin has been committed. Forgiveness
forgiven them through Jesus (See com- releases one from feelings that can di-
ments Mt 6:12-15; 18:21-35; Mk 11:25). gress into bitterness, and subsequently
There is no sin one Christian can com- the destruction of one’s spiritual health.
mit against another that one should not In order for one to remain spiritually vi-
forgive (See Js 2:13). No unforgiving brant and free, he must have a forgiving
spirit will enter into the heavenly realm spirit toward all those who have inflicted
of those who have been forgiven such a harm upon him.
great debt against God. It is difficult for
C HAPTER 5
5:1,2 Be imitators of God: In order another as Christ loves His body, the
to imitate God one must look to Jesus church (Jn 15:9; Gl 1:4; 1 Jn 3:16). A
(See Mt 5:48; Lk 6:36; compare 1 Co fragrant aroma: The Sinai law animal
4:16; 11:1; Gl 4:12; 1 Th 1:6; 2:14; 2 Th sacrifice was metaphorically sweet-smell-
3:7-9). It is the nature of children to fol- ing because God could smell the submis-
low the example of their father. As chil- sion of His people in making the offer-
dren of God, therefore, Christians seek ing. And so in the sacrifice of Jesus, God
to follow the nature of their Father. In could also smell the obedience of an obe-
order to do this, they must walk in love. dient Son (See Ex 29:18,25; 2 Co
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love 2:14,15; Hb 5:8,9).
is from God. And everyone who loves is 5:3 Fornication: This is a generic
born from God and knows God. He who word that refers to all sexual sins such as
does not love does not know God, for God adultery, homosexuality and lesbianism
is love” (1 Jn 4:7,8; see Jn 13:34,35; Cl (Rm 6:13). Uncleanness or covetous-
3:12-14; 1 Th 4:9). We must love one ness: Paul here links uncleanness or im-

purity with covetousness (greed). The church. Church is the opportunity for
soul that is covetous after the things of disciples to prepare their characters for
the world has an unclean nature (See Rm eternal dwelling.
1:27-32; Cl 3:5-7). Any unnatural ful- 5:6,7 Those who lead immoral lives
fillment of the lusts of the flesh would that are contrary to the truth of God seek
be considered uncleanness and greed. like-minded companionship in their sin.
Paul says that the preceding things should Society often accepts that which is mor-
not only be unheard of practices in the ally contrary to the will of God. In this
Christian community, but such should not way, society establishes its own moral
even be the subject of Christian thought code of conduct, and then intimidates all
and conversation (vs 11). in society to conform to its conduct. Paul
5:4 Filthiness: This would be coarse thus exhorts Christians not to allow those
or obscene speech and conduct (See Mt of the world to deceive them into believ-
12:35; Js 1:19-21; 3:5ff). Foolish talk- ing that their immoral conduct is accept-
ing: This would be silly, frivolous or able to God (See Jr 29:8; Rm 7:11; 16:18;
senseless talk. Those who have their 1 Co 3:18; 2 Th 2:3). The moral culture
mouths running without engaging their of Christianity is not to be determined
minds usually bring all sorts of grief upon by the culture of the world. On the con-
themselves by speaking those things that trary, Christians are to be the salt (cul-
they ought not (1 Tm 5:13). Whether ture) of the world. Empty words: These
communicating in the context of as- are the words of deceptive arguments by
sembled disciples, or in personal encoun- which those of the world would seek to
ters with other disciples, disciples should deceive Christians into conforming to
not be involved in foolish and uncon- their manner of life. The wrath of God:
trolled speaking. Coarse joking: This Before a Christian allows himself to be
would include dirty jokes and sacrile- carried away with the deceptive wicked
gious speech that is contrary to the spiri- behavior of the world, he should recon-
tual nature of the Christian. sider the fact that God will pour out wrath
5:5 Paul now states the results of the on those who live a life of disobedience
preceding behavior. No fornicator or (Rm 1:18; Cl 3:6; 2 Th 1:7-9). It is be-
sexually immoral person, or covetous cause of the intimidating power of Satan
person who has idolized things of the through the commonality of sin that
world (Cl 3:5), will inherit that realm of Christians should seek fellowship with
godly existence that is yet in the future one another (1 Co 10:21,30; 2 Co 6:14).
(Gl 5:19-21; Rv 21:8). They cannot in- Those Christians whose best friends are
herit heaven simply because they are not those of the world, have put themselves
of the spiritual character of those who in a situation where they can be influ-
will inherit heaven. Paul’s instructions enced by the thinking of the world (See
concerning the relational behavior of Hb 10:24,25). Christians, therefore, can-
Christians identifies the purpose of the not live isolated from one another. They
need close relationships and to associate have no place in the Christian commu-
with one another in order to encourage nity, as well as viewing such evil that is
mutual moral behavior that conforms to portrayed through the media of modern-
the will of God.. day entertainment.
5:13,14 It is the light of the truth of
WALKING IN THE LIGHT God that brings to light the evil of the
5:8 Light in the Lord: Because world (See Jb 24:13; Jn 3:20,21). Those
Christians have accepted the light that Christians who are slipping into the be-
shines through Jesus in their lives (Jn 1:4; havioral pattern of darkness must awaken
8:12; 9:5; 12:35), they are a light of hope to the seriousness of their apostasy. They
to a world that is lost in darkness (2 Co must awaken to the light that was initially
3:18). Their living after Jesus, who was manifested in them through their obedi-
the light of the world, identifies them to ence to the gospel (See Is 26:19; 60:1;
be of God (Mt 5:13-16; 2 Co 4:4-6; see Rm 13:11; Rv 2:5). Also, those who are
Jn 8:12). in the darkness of sin and have not yet
5:9,10 Fruit of the Spirit: The fruit obeyed the gospel must allow the light
of the Spirit is generated in the life of the of the gospel to shine upon them. They
one who lives after the principle of lov- must awaken out of the sleep of death in
ing God with all his heart, soul, mind and sin in order to allow the gospel light to
strength, and his neighbor as himself (See shine in their lives (See Jn 5:25). They
comments Mt 22:37-40; Gl 5:14,22-26). can do this by allowing the truth of the
Finding out what is pleasing: It is by gospel to change their behavior.
the direction of the Spirit-inspired word
of God that the Christian discovers what EXHORTATION
is acceptable to God (Rm 12:2; see 2 Co FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING
13:5; 2 Tm 3:16,17; 2 Pt 1:3; Jd 3). 5:15,16 Disciples should conduct
5:11 Christians should guard them- their lives in a manner that is character-
selves against being influenced by the istic of the One after whom they call
thinking and ways of the world. It is their themselves (See Mt 7:24ff; Cl 4:5). They
work to expose erroneous thought and be- must guard themselves against being in-
havior by the preaching and teaching of fluenced by the ways of the world that
the word of God (2 Tm 4:2). Those who Paul has previously explained in this
would conform to the world have lost chapter. They must, therefore, take ad-
their influence in exposing the evil of the vantage of every opportunity or make the
world. most of the time that they have in life to
5:12 In order to guard against the serve God through serving one another
infiltration of wickedness into the com- and others (Gl 6:10). They must main-
munity of God, Paul instructs Christians tain a life-style of servanthood in order
to refrain from speaking the filthiness of to guard themselves against the evil that
the world. Evil jokes and conversation is always present in the environment in
which they live (See At 2:40; Gl 1:4; 1 stand what the will of the Lord is, but he
Jn 5:19). At the time of Paul’s writing, must also allow the will of the Lord to
great persecution of the church was about direct his life (At 20:32). When one’s
to be unleashed through the personal ven- life is directed by God, then God receives
detta of Nero against Christians. After all credit for the godly behavior of the
Nero, Domitian would later in the 1st cen- Christian.
tury unleash Roman State persecution 5:19 Speaking to one another in
that would eventually make Christianity psalms and hymns and spiritual songs:
an illegal religion in the Roman Empire. This is the nature of the Christian who
All who would not submit to Caesar as has responded to the grace of God. Sing-
lord would be accused of insurrection. ing and making melody in one’s heart de-
Christians, therefore, when accused of fines the nature of daily Christian living.
being insurrectionists of the Empire, On every occasion and in every situation
would thus be subject to the punishment Christians are to be speaking to one an-
of death. The days in which Paul wrote other in song (At 16:25; see Cl 3:16).
to the Ephesians were thus evil. They God made our spirit to release worship
would become worse by the end of the through the instrument of vocal singing.
1st century (See “Historical Background” When Christians lift their voices to God,
in intro. to Rv). they emotionally pour out praise to the
5:17 In order to guard oneself against glory of God. Psalms: These were songs
the deceptive power of the devil, one that were devoted to the praise of God
must educate himself in the word of God and possibly included Psalms of David
(2 Tm 2:15; 3:16,17). The Christian that were put into melodies of praise to
would be foolish to turn away from the God. Hymns: These were possibly
truth of God (Cl 4:5). In turning away songs written by the early Christians that
from the truth of God, he would be giv- expressed special thanksgiving to God for
ing up a divine standard of moral con- His saving grace. Spiritual songs: Chris-
duct. Therefore, the disciple of Jesus tians should sing those songs that exhort
should make every effort to study God’s and edify the soul of man and bring him
moral and doctrinal guide in order that into a spirit of worship. It is through the
he not be tossed to and fro in a world of medium of such songs that teaching and
religious error and immoral conduct exhortation are to be carried out in the
(4:14; see Cl 1:9; 2:2; 2 Pt 3:18). communication of disciples one to an-
5:18 Be filled with the Spirit: This other. In singing, therefore, Christians
statement is an imperative command. focus on praising God by teaching and
Therefore, reference is to Christians tak- admonishing one another. Singing and
ing the initiative to know the Spirit-in- making melody in your heart: The im-
spired truth of God, and allow that truth perative command here is that every dis-
to guide one’s moral behavior and doc- ciple participate in singing in order to
trinal beliefs. One must not only under- focus on praising God. Vocal singing is
inclusive, for every disciple has been entertainment is worship. Worshipers

given the instrument of his voice in or- must always remember that God desires
der to make melody in his heart to the to listen to our hearts, not our harps.
Lord and his fellow believer. This is what 5:20,21 Giving thanks: The heart
the Holy Spirit instructs that disciples do that responds to the grace of God is a
in order to release the joy and praise that heart that continually gives thanks to God
is in their hearts because of what God with a dedicated life that is presented as
has done in their lives. To the Lord: This a living sacrifice (Ps 34:1; Rm 12:1; Cl
phrase defines the direction to which 3:16,17; 4:2; 1 Th 5:18; see comments
“singing and making melody” should be Rm 12:1,2). Submitting to one another:
directed. In this command, therefore, we The church is a community of slaves who
are indirectly warned not to add to that seek to serve one another’s needs. It is a
which God seeks from the heart of men. community that is governed by the law
God is not seeking to be entertained. He of love, and thus, the members are lov-
is not looking for outward performances, ing slaves who go about doing good. By
but inward praises. Therefore, it is su- such love, the world knows the true
perfluous to assume that God, who is church of Christ (Jn 13:34,35; see Ph 2:3;
spirit (Jn 4:24), seeks to listen to the see comments Mk 10:35-45; 1 Jn 3:10-
clanging of physical inventions of noise 12; 4:7-16).
that men perform for their own entertain-
ment. In the pagan cultures in which the CHRISTIAN FAMILIES
early Christians lived there was an as- In the section of Ephesians 5:22 – 6:4
sortment of mechanical instruments that Paul makes an analogy between the God-
were used in worship of those gods that ordained relationship of the husband and
the adherents had created after their own wife with the God-ordained relationship
image. In doing such, they had convinced between Christ and the church. In view
themselves that such gods enjoyed the of the statement of verse 32, he seems to
mechanical clanging of instruments that be using the understood husband-wife re-
only the worshipers enjoyed. These per- lationship to explain the mystery of the
formances only portrayed an outward ef- Christ-church relationship. Therefore,
fort of worship without concentration on emphasis in the text is on understanding
the inner man with which the one true the Christ-church relationship by mak-
God seeks to be worshiped (See coming reference to the husband-wife rela-
ments Jn 4:24). When one worships God, tionship. He follows the discussion with
he must always search the word of God parent-child (6:1-4) and master-servant
in order to determine how God wants to relationships (6:5-9).
be worshiped and not how worshipers 5:22 Wives, submit to your own hus-
would entertain themselves. Though it bands: The submission of the wife to
is not wrong for Christians to entertain the husband should be understood in the
themselves, they must not assume that context of what he has just said in verse
21, “... submitting to one another in the is the center of reference, and thus, the
fear of God.” All Christians are to func- leadership factor of the relationship. The
tion in submission to one another. There husband is to maintain the center of ref-
are areas, therefore, where the husband erence for the spiritual, emotional and
is to submit to the wife. She is desig- physical needs of the wife and family.
nated as the keeper of the home (Ti 2:5). When husbands fail in this area, the fam-
Husbands are to submit to the wives in ily is crippled with a man who has not
order to guard the wives’ work of being accepted his responsibility that is as-
keepers of the home. “Submit” here does signed to him by God. When the head is
not suggest that the wife is intellectually dysfunctional, so is the family. Headship,
or spiritually inferior to the husband. The therefore, is maintained by servanthood
wife is to maintain her God-appointed leadership in the family, not by the dic-
function in reference to the leadership of tatorial demands of an unloving tyrant.
the husband and father of the family (See Headship leadership of the family is to
1 Co 7:12ff; 11:3; Cl 3:18; 1 Tm 2:11- be after the nature of Jesus’ headship of
15; 1 Pt 3:1). She is to do this in order to the church (1:22; 1 Co 11:3; Cl 1:18;
preserve the God-ordained environment 2:19; compare comments Mk 10:35-45).
in which children can have an example Jesus loved His bride, and gave Himself
of how to submit to spiritual leadership. for her. Savior of the body: Jesus ran-
The wife’s submission is for the purpose somed Himself for the church (Mt 20:28;
of equipping children to grow up with Mk 10:45; Lk 2:11; Jn 4:42; At 20:28;
an attitude of submission. As to the Lord: Ph 3:20). In like manner, husbands
Verse 22 explains the nature of the wife’s should give themselves to their wives.
submission to the husband. She is to sub- Jesus sacrificed Himself for the church,
mit as she does to the headship of the and thus a loving husband sacrifices him-
Lord. Christian husbands and wives self for his wife.
should consider their love of and submis- 5:24 As the church: As the suste-
sion to the Lord greater than their love nance for the preservation of the church
of one another. Such guarantees that hus- rests in the serving headship of Jesus who
bands will love their wives and wives will is in control, so the sustenance and pres-
submit to their husbands in order to pro- ervation of the wife lies in the serving
duce an environment in which children spiritual and physical leadership of the
can be nurtured to be godly citizens of serving husband who has the responsi-
society. bility of spiritually leading the family.
5:23 The husband is the head of The church submits to Jesus because
the wife: The metaphor “head” is here Jesus lovingly gave Himself for the
used in reference to the relationship be- church. The more the husband gives him-
tween the husband and wife as it is used self to his wife, the more the wife will
in reference to the headship of Jesus to respond to his leadership. Subject: It is
the church. Headship refers to that which God’s will that the husband have the fi-
nal authority in the relationships and de- the blood of Jesus, and thus, we stand
cisions of the family. There is discus- perfectly cleansed of sin before God. We
sion in times of differences, however, the stand perfect, not because of flawless liv-
final decision of the husband must be ing in reference to law, but because of
maintained in order to preserve the unity the blood of Jesus (Cl 1:22; Jd 24).
of the family. A family that has no cen- “Cleansing” refers to solving the sin
ter of reference concerning decision- problem of men. Members of the body
making has no final authority upon which of Christ have been cleansed by the blood
to be united. of Jesus at the point of immersion into
5:25 Husbands, love your wives: Christ (At 22:16; Ti 3:5). They have been
Godly headship is controlled by the love washed in the waters of baptism in order
of the husband for the wife. A loveless to be presentable before God (See com-
head turns into a tyrannical dictator who ments Jn 17:17; 1 Pt 1:22-25). The word
feels free to lash out with physical and of God purifies one insofar as one brings
mental abuse. Love, however, protects the behavior of his life into conformity
the wife and the continuity of the family. with the will of God. Sanctification be-
Jesus so loved the church that He gave gins at the time one crucifies the body of
of Himself for the sake of the church (1:5; sin by immersion into Christ for the re-
2:4; Rm 5:8). He ransomed Himself for mission of sins (Rm 6:3-6; see Js 1:21).
the redemption of the church (Mt 20:28; It continues throughout one’s life by
At 20:28). In such a manner, husbands walking in the light (1 Jn 1:7).
should function in reference to their 5:27 A glorious church: The church
wives. The marriage relationship is not is not glorious because of its performance
a relationship wherein husbands think of law or meritorious deeds and pro-
only of themselves. It is a relationship grams. It is the glorious result of the
wherein husbands learn to unselfishly grace of God that was poured out through
consider another person with respect, the redemption that was revealed through
honor and love. It is a relationship Jesus (Ti 2:11). The church exists be-
wherein men learn to focus on others cause of the cross, and thus is glorious
more than themselves. Such a relation- as a result of God’s work through Jesus.
ship provides the opportunity for indi- All glory must be given to God for pro-
viduals to prepare their characters for viding the way by which the church is
eternal dwelling. It is in such an envi- able to be presented before Him a glori-
ronment where children learn to behave ous church (Cl 1:22; Jd 24).
according to the will of God. 5:28,29 As their own bodies: In
5:26 Sanctify and cleanse: Sancti- marriage, the man and woman become
fication refers to making holy before one in the eyes of God (vs 31; Gn 2:21-
God. Through His sacrifice on the cross 24; Mt 19:4-6). The husband, therefore,
Jesus made the church holy before God. is to care unselfishly for the wife as he
God sees the church, therefore, through cares for himself. Jesus gave Himself for
the church, which is His body (Mt 20:28; were disciples in Corinth, Philippi and
At 20:28; Cl 1:18). The husband is to throughout the world. “For as the body
care for the physical, spiritual and emo- is one and has many members, and all
tional needs of the wife as he would care the members of that one body, though
for himself after the principle of loving they are many, are one body, so also is
others as himself (Mt 22:36-40; Gl Christ” (1 Co 12:12). Disciples are in-
5:14,23,24). It is significant to note that terdependent on one another throughout
the responsibilities that the Holy Spirit the world. In the context of the Chris-
here directs Paul to write concerning the tian marriage, therefore, husbands and
relationship between a husband and wife wives must function in their relationship
cannot be carried out in a polygamist re- with one another as members of the body
lationship. It is impossible for a man to of Christ. They must remember that they
carry out these God-ordained responsi- have a bond with Jesus that is to func-
bilities to more than one woman. Nour- tion as a bond to hold them together as a
ishes ... cherishes: The husband is to man and woman. The bond of the Chris-
physically care for the wife. He is also tian marriage is inseparably linked to the
to spiritually care for her emotional and bond that both husband and wife have
spiritual needs. A man who cares little with Christ and His body.
for himself will care little for his wife. 5:31 The two will become one flesh:
Therefore, men should have self-respect The uniqueness of the oneness of the
for themselves in order to nourish and church in its universal relationship to the
cherish their mates. one head, Jesus. This oneness illustrates
5:30 We are members of His body: the spiritual bond between the husband
Christians throughout the world are and wife in marriage (See comments 1
members of the one universal body of Co 6:12-19). In marriage the partners are
Christ. Membership, therefore, is not in to leave parents and cleave to one another
reference to a connection with local as- (See Gn 2:23,24; Mt 19:5). In the eyes
semblies of the church, but with the one of God, the two become as one. There-
universal head of the body who is Jesus fore, in order for the two to become one
(1:22,23; 4:4,11-16; 1 Co 12:27; Cl 1:18). they must cleave to one another as hus-
The emphasis of membership in the New band and wife.
Testament in reference to the church is 5:32 This is a great mystery: The
on one’s covenant relationship with relationship that is established between
Jesus. Emphasis is not on a sectarian al- the man and woman in marriage in turn
liance with separate assemblies of the illustrates the unity of the church with
church, which concept promotes divid- reference to Jesus as the head of the body.
ing the one church into many groups. At The universal body of Christ, the church,
the time Paul wrote, all the members of is in a covenant relationship with Jesus.
the church who were in Ephesus were As a result, all members are connected
members in fellowship with those who to the one head, and thus, all members
have the gift of fellowship with one an- her husband: Wives must reverence and
other (See comments Jn 15:1-9). Their respect the headship of their husbands.
fellowship with one another is not based Those wives who do not live in subjec-
on their agreement to conform to the tra- tion to their husbands are stealing away
ditions of a particular group of men, but the headship of the husband and robbing
because they have been obedient to the their children of an example of submis-
one Head. The best illustration that can sion. Wives that live in order to encour-
be used on earth in order to manifest this age the headship of the husband who
relationship, is the bond that exists be- loves them, are guaranteeing their secu-
tween a man and woman in marriage. rity in a marriage bond that is based on
Therefore, as a member of the church, love and mutual respect. They are set-
one is not to commit spiritual adultery ting an example for their children. In all
by being married to another religious things, those husbands and wives who
group that is created after the desires of give themselves to the headship of Jesus,
men (Rm 7:1-4; Js 4:4). When one is have established a common spiritual
born into Christ, he is born into the body bond upon which marriage is enhanced
of Christ (Rm 6:3-6). He cannot be born and maintained (See Mt 10:34-37; Lk
into a man-made church. He can be 14:26; At 4:19; 5:29). It is into this at-
added only to the church of Christ as a mosphere that children are born and
result of his obedience to the gospel (At reared to be good citizens and future fa-
2:47). Likewise, Christian husbands and thers and mothers. Therefore, the guar-
wives bond together in marriage as they antee for a better society lies in the
have bonded to Christ by obedience to strengthening of the Christian home.
the gospel. As we are one in Christ, so Those homes that establish environments
the husband and wife are one in marriage. that are models for society are the spiri-
5:33 Love his own wife: The hus- tual preservative of society. Christian
band must love his wife as his own body homes should be conducted in such a
(vs 25). Paul’s emphasis is not on the manner that they set the example for all
wife as being property or a sex object. homes in any particular society. The ex-
He is stressing the husband’s responsi- ample of a Christian home is a light to a
bility of caring for the emotional, spiri- world of broken homes. Christian homes
tual and physical needs of the wife. There are also a hope to all in society that the
is action emphasized in the word “love” principles of Christ make it possible for
in this context. The husband, therefore, one to establish a home in which love
must take action to carry out his respon- abounds and children are reared to honor
sibilities to his wife. Wife ... respects God.

C HAPTER 6
6:1 Obey your parents: Obedience dren (See Cl 3:21). The parents in the
of children to parents is instituted by the home should not behave in an unloving
Lord (See Cl 3:20; compare Rm 1:30; 2 manner to one another. If they do they
Tm 3:1,2). Those children who walk in will provoke resentment in the minds of
disobedience of parents do not disobey the children. The discipline and admo-
only their parents, but the Lord who in- nition of the Lord: Training involves set-
stituted the obedient respect children are ting examples of how the word of God is
to render to the parents. Obedient chil- applied in Christian behavior. Christian
dren promote a Christian atmosphere in parents must teach the word of God to
the family whereby they may mature into their children and guide them to practice
assets for social stability. it in their lives. They must give living
6:2 Honor your father and mother: examples of the Christian life in practice
The first commandment for children un- (See Gn 18:19; Dt 6:4-9; 11:18-20; 2 Tm
der the Sinai law was that they respect 3:16,17). Solomon wrote, “Train up a
their parents (See Ex 20:12; Lv 19:3; Dt child in the way he should go, and when
6:1-16; Pv 23:22). When children give he is old he will not depart from it” (Pv
honor to their parents, they help in pre- 22:6). Children who learn righteous liv-
serving God’s plan for the Christian fam- ing in the home will have a standard to
ily. Children thus have a responsibility which they are able to return if they wan-
to work with their parents in developing der in the wilderness of sin.
the family atmosphere that God desires
that Christian families maintain. MASTER-SLAVE
6:3 The foundation for social order RELATIONSHIPS
is established in the home by the obedi- 6:5 Bondservants, be obedient to ...
ent relationship children maintain with your masters: The Greek word for
their parents. When children are allowed “bondservants” here is from doulos
to lead undisciplined lives, they eventu- which is the word for those who were
ally lose respect for their parents. A child born from parents who were slaves (See
that does not give honor to the authority Cl 3:22 - 4:1; 1 Tm 6:1,2; Ti 2:9,10; 1 Pt
of the parent will eventually do the same 2:18). Christian bondservants were to
in reference to authority in society. render obedience to their masters as to
Therefore, honor and respect for author- the Lord. They were not to manifest an
ity in society begins by such being prac- arrogant or defiant attitude in carrying
ticed in the home. out their duties. Sincerity of your heart:
6:4 Do not provoke your children: Their service to their masters was not to
The father should not assume the posi- be from a hypocritical spirit, but from a
tion of a dictatorial tyrant who stirs up sincere attitude of service. Their sincer-
fear and anger in the hearts of his chil- ity in service would reap consideration
from their masters. They are to give their 4:1). They must remember that they have
service to their masters as they would the Lord as their Master, before whom
serve the Lord. they will eventually give account. They
6:6,7 As bondservants of Christ: must deal with their bondservants or em-
Bondservants are to work for their employees as they would have the Lord deal
ployers as they would for Christ. With with them (Compare Mt 7:12; Js 2:13).
such an attitude of servitude, they are do- When these concepts of the master-slave
ing the will of God. When one is giving relationship were put into practice, at
service to others according to his social least in the Christian community, the
obligations, he must render such as he practice of having bondservants eventu-
would serve God. If such were to be the ally came to a close. At the time Paul
attitude of bondservants in reference to wrote these instructions, it was estimated
their masters, then certainly such is to be that from a third to a half of the popula-
true will all Christian employees. Chris- tion of the Roman Empire was composed
tian employees, therefore, do not carry of slaves. There is no partiality: All
out their service as to men, but as their people must realize that all men are
work is in service to God. The purpose viewed as the same in the eyes of God.
of the employee is to make sure that his Therefore, the closer one is in his rela-
employer is successful. In this way, the tionship with God, the more he views all
employee protects his job and provides men as God views him (See Dt 10:17; At
for his family. 10:34,35; Rm 2:11; 1 Pt 1:17). Chris-
6:8 Paul here makes application of tianity is not culturally linked, that is, it
the principles he has just discussed in ref- does not favor any particular culture of
erence to all men who give service in the world. Christianity is the culture of
some way to others. The bondservant or God that should be manifested in the re-
employee’s good attitude and work may lationships that men have with one an-
not be recognized and rewarded by the other.
master. However, God does recognize
such and will eventually reward such in Spiritual Armor For Spiritual Soldiers
eternal glory (See Mt 5:12; 25:21-23; Rm (6:10-20)
2:6; 2 Co 5:10; Cl 3:24,25). The work of
an employee on the job is working for SPIRITUAL ARMOR
the Lord, for the Lord has ordained that FOR SPIRITUAL SOLDIERS
one should provide for his own suste- There is always a spiritual struggle
nance. between good and evil that is within the
6:9 Masters, do the same: Paul life of those who are seeking to do that
turns to the responsibilities of Christian which is right (Rm 13:12; 2 Co 10:3-6; 2
masters. Christian masters must not ex- Tm 2:3; 1 Th 5:8). Jesus has already won
tract performance out of their bondser- the victory over evil for the saints. The
vants or employees through threats (Cl saints have this victory if they will re-
main in the battle. In the following verses directs Paul to write these words in or-
Paul uses the armor of a soldier to meta- der that each member of the body assume
phorically explain what Christians must his responsibility to put on the whole ar-
do in order to uphold their victory against mor of God.
all that Satan would launch against them 6:11 The whole armor of God: The
through his devices of deception. reason for putting on the whole armor of
6:10 Be strong in the Lord: The God is to be able to stand against Satan’s
Christian’s strength is maintained if he deceptions. Satan has deceived the whole
remains in fellowship with the Lord who world. Through the intimidation of the
is the source of power against Satan (Rm evil environment in which Christians
8:31,37; 2 Co 6:7; 10:4; 12:9; Ph 4:13). live, they are often drawn away from truth
This imperative command places the re- in order to conform to the teaching and
sponsibility for being strong on the shoul- behavior of unbelieving friends and
ders of the Christian. If the Christian neighbors (Js 1:13-15). Schemes of the
does not remain strong, it is not the fault devil: Satan schemes in order to deceive
of other brothers or the fault of the Holy the innocent. His deceptive influences
Spirit. In the following statements that are presented to the saints of God through
the Holy Spirit makes, He does not as- every means (4:17; 2 Co 2:11; 1 Pt 2:11;
sume responsibility for keeping the 5:8; see comments 2 Th 2:9-12; 1 Jn
Christian strong. The responsibility for 2:15,16). If one is not conscious of the
faithfulness is with free-moral saints who fact that Satan is continually scheming
must maintain the spiritual armor of the to deceive the righteous, then he will not
Lord by which strength is maintained be vigilant against apostasy (See Mt
against the wiles of Satan. In order for 24:4,5,23-25). The most common decep-
God to remain a just God in judgment, tion of Satan is through the means of mis-
no accusation can be laid against Him by directing the religious inclinations of man
the apostate Christian. The fallen Chris- (See comments Mk 7:1-9). The world is
tian cannot blame God in any way for full of religions that satisfy man’s reli-
this apostasy and subsequent condemna- gious desires. However, all such reli-
tion. Therefore, the Holy Spirit does not gions are false because they are not
work in the life of any individual in a founded upon the word of truth that has
manner that would subject free-moral been revealed by and through the Holy
agents into conforming to the will of God. Spirit. By smooth and fair speech, the
If He did, then the apostate Christian in religious leaders of the world have thus
his condemnation could have reason to led astray the hearts of the innocent who
accuse the Holy Spirit for not guarding are ignorant of the word of God (See Hs
him against sin and death. The final re- 4:6; Rm 16:17; At 20:30).
sponsibility to remain faithful to God, 6:12 This verse explains the medi-
therefore, rests on the shoulders of each ums through which Satan schemes to
disciple. For this reason, the Holy Spirit deceive the world. We do not wrestle
against flesh and blood: The Christian’s apostasy. He is not instructing Christians
struggle is not against the physical things to resort to the construction of a ceremo-
of this world (Jn 18:36-38). His struggle nial religion or particular religious for-
is a spiritual battle against the deceptive mulas or seances to ward off the forces
devices of Satan who seeks to change the of evil. He is simply stating that the in-
moral values of those who are willing to dividual who will be held accountable for
live according to their own desires as op- himself must spiritually clothe himself
posed to the will of God (2 Co 10:3-6; with those things that have already been
see Lk 22:53; Rm 8:38; Cl 1:16; 2:15). revealed. In the evil day: Paul is here
Once moral values and doctrinal beliefs referring to those times when Christians
are changed, then the behavior of the in- will be tested to the extreme. In this case,
dividual follows the misdirected values. he is possibly looking forward to the day
Against the powers: The source of all of tremendous persecution that would
evil that is seen in the world is Satan and eventually be launched against the church
his demonic forces that are at work in by the Roman State (See intro. to Rv).
order to destroy the work of God through However, the evil day could be any day
Jesus. Through deception, Satan has in- in the life of a Christian in which he is
stigated those institutions and govern- greatly tested by trials or tempted by de-
ments that control society to lead people ception to forsake his faith. In such times,
against the truth of God. He works therefore, the Christian is to stand against
through the false religions and mystical or oppose that which is wrong (Ps 36:12;
beliefs of those who do not know God or Gl 2:11; Js 4:7; Rv 6:17). Those who do
desire to know the truth of God. The not stand against Satan will fall to Satan’s
saints must be aware that Satan is alive devices to lead them astray from that
and working in a deceived world of secu- which is right and true. It is not coinci-
lar enticements and religious misdirec- dental that Paul made these statements
tion. Our awareness of such is the first of warning to the Ephesian church and
step in preparing ourselves not to be led other churches in the region. He had pre-
astray (See Mt 24:4,5,23-25; At 20:30; 1 viously warned the Ephesian elders that
Tm 4:1ff; compare Jb 1:7; 2 Co 4:4; Ep men with selfish ambition would arise
2:1,2; 1 Pt 5:8). among their leadership (At 20:29,30).
6:13 Take up the whole armor of Ephesus had always been a seat of reli-
God: It is the responsibility of the Chris- gious error. In the years to come after
tian to take up the armor of God (See Is the writing of this letter, false religion
11:5; 59:17). If he succumbs to the would continue to plague the churches
schemes of the devil it is not the fault of of the area. The churches would eventu-
the Holy Spirit or another brother. The ally become complacent (See comments
Holy Spirit is not here instructing that Rv 2:4,5). In their complacency, Satan
Christians resort to calling on Him in would make havoc of the church. We
order that He directly guard them against would assume, therefore, that the Holy
Spirit sees the days of apostasy coming, our faith” (1 Jn 5:4). As the shield pro-
and thus, in this context forewarns every tects the soldier’s body against the attacks
member to arm himself for spiritual war- of the enemy, so the faith of the Chris-
fare against Satan. tian functions as a shield to ward off the
6:14 Having girded your waist with attacks of doubt, discouragement and de-
truth: In order to stand against the de- spair. By increasing faith through study
ceptive devices of Satan, the Holy Spirit of the word of God (Rm 10:17), the Chris-
explains here what must be done. Chris- tian is able to stand against the decep-
tians should first put the truth of God in tions of Satan. Every temptation that Sa-
their hearts by believing and living the tan may throw against the Christian can
truth (Ph 1:27). They should do such in be stopped by truth that is learned through
order that they be transformed into the a study of God’s word (See comments 1
strong character of Jesus, as well as be Co 10:13; 2 Tm 2:15; 3:16,17). There is
able to identify and stand against all that no power that Satan may have that can
is error and morally wrong (See Is 11:5; break through the armor of God that the
Lk 12:35; Rm 12:2; 2 Tm 2:15; 3:16,17; Christian exercises in his life (See com-
Hb 4:12; 1 Pt 1:13; 2:2; 3:15; compare 1 ments Rm 8:37-39).
Jn 4:1,2; 3 Jn 3,4). Breastplate of righ- 6:17 The helmet of salvation: It is
teousness: In the soldier’s armor, the the helmet that protects the head which
breastplate protects the vital organs just is the center of reference of the body.
as living the will of God protects the vi- Because of the helmet, the soldier can
tal spiritual life of the Christian. Here confidently keep his head high in order
the Holy Spirit speaks of putting on a life to engage the enemy in battle. Christians
of doing that which is right (4:24; 5:9; can do such because of the assurance of
Ps 119:172; Is 49:17; Rm 13:12; Ph 1:11; their salvation that is based, not in their
1 Th 5:8; 1 Jn 2:29; 3:7). works, but in the grace of God through
6:15 The preparation of the gospel: the cross (See 1 Th 5:8; see comments 2
It is upon the foundation of the historical Tm 1:12; 1 Jn 2:1-6; 3:19-24; 5:18-20;
event of the gospel that Christians main- compare 2 Tm 3:15). The sword of the
tain emotional, mental and spiritual sta- Spirit: The purpose of the sword is both
bility (1 Co 15:1). It is the fact of the for attack and defense. The Christian
death of Jesus for our sins and His resur- uses the word of the Spirit to attack the
rection for our hope that we can have enemy of deception and also to defend
peace of mind and confidence that Jesus himself against being deceived (4:14; 2
has all things under control for the sake Th 2:8; Hb 4:12; Rv 1:16; 19:13-15). It
of the Christian (See comments 1:20-23; is the responsibility of every Christian
Hb 1:3; 2:14,15; 1 Pt 3:22; see Rm 10:15; to arm himself with a knowledge of the
Ph 4:7; compare Is 52:7; 2 Tm 1:12). word of God in order not to be tossed to
6:16 The shield of faith: “And this and fro in a world of turbulent religious
is the victory that overcomes the world, deceptions. One must “grow in the grace
and knowledge of our Lord and Savior believers (See intro. to At). Paul here
Jesus Christ” (2 Pt 3:18). Those who asks the Ephesians to pray for him that
are ignorant of the word of God are fer- he be bold in that which he must speak
tile soil for the deceptive beliefs of Sa- concerning the gospel of Jesus (At 8:35).
tan (Is 5:13; Hs 4:6). Christians, there- The truth was revealed to Paul by rev-
fore, must be vigilant in their study of elation. He was inspired by the Holy
the Bible (2 Tm 2:15). Spirit. However, his knowledge of the
6:18 Praying always: Christians truth and possession of the Spirit did not
should maintain a life-style that lends it- subjectively instill within him a spirit of
self to prayer (Lk 18:1; Cl 1:3; 4:2; 1 Th boldness. He was bold insofar as he be-
5:17; Ph 4:6). It is through prayer that lieved the evidence of what God had done
not only the inward man is strengthened, in his life. He, as well as all Christians,
but also the work of God is called upon are free-moral agents with the responsi-
by the disciple to function in his life. In bility to stand fast in the Lord. In order
the Spirit: In the 1st century, inspired to do this, prayer calls on God to work in
prayer would fall under the miraculous the Christian’s life in ways that are past
gift of prophecy (1 Co 14:15; Jd 20). The our understanding. Paul here asked for
early disciples of Jesus asked Him to the prayers of the saints that he be bold
teach them how to pray (Lk 11:1). The (2 Co 3:12). Though we do not under-
early disciples, therefore, would need di- stand how God would make Paul bold in
rection in prayer, for most of the Gentile answer to the Ephesians’ prayers, we can
Christians were converted out of idola- be assured that their prayers were an-
trous religious beliefs. They had no bib- swered. We must by faith be assured that
lical background concerning how to pray at least in this area of request, God is able
or what to pray. It was for this reason to perform that which the Holy Spirit here
that the Holy Spirit directed prayers in guided Paul’s hand to write. Therefore,
order to lead them to pray according to we pray for boldness, and by faith, we
the word of God (See comments Rm are confident that God will deliver.
8:26,27). Today, Christians have the 6:20 I am an ambassador: Paul was
word of God in written form in order to Jesus’ ambassador to Rome at the time
direct their prayers. this letter was written (Pl 9; 2 Co 5:20).
6:19 And pray for me: We must He was there on behalf of the work of
keep in mind that Paul was writing these God. And in this case, he was there to be
words from Nero’s prison in Rome. the defense of Christianity before the
Though a bold and strong man in the highest court in the world (See intro. to
faith, Paul realized he needed prayers in At). Every Christian is an ambassador
order to preach the gospel in all situa- who works on behalf of the One who has
tions. He was on trial for his life, though sent him forth into all the world to preach
God was working through his trial to de- the gospel (Mt 28:19,20; Mk 16:15,16).
fend Christianity before the world of un- Ambassadors represent the one who
sends them. Christians have been sent evangelist Tychicus with this letter to
as ambassadors of Jesus with the mes- comfort the minds of the Ephesians who
sage of salvation and hope. In order to were worried about the condition and
fulfill their duties as an ambassador, they situation of Paul (At 20:4; Cl 4:7,8; 2 Tm
must speak the message of the One who 4:12; Ti 3:12). I have sent: Here is an
sent them forth as ambassadors. While example of the epistolary aorist verb
they speak for the One who sent them, tense. Tychicus was with Paul at the time
they must portray in their lives the One this letter was written. However, by the
from whom they came. Good ambassa- time Tychicus arrived in Ephesus with
dors for Jesus, therefore, deliver the mes- the letter, and it was read before the
sage of their Master, both through the church, the “sending” of Tychicus would
lives they lead and the message they de- have been an event of the past. He might
liver. In this way they are ambassadors comfort your hearts: It is the work of
from the kingdom of light to the king- the messengers of God to comfort the
dom of darkness. They are light to the hearts of Christians with good news about
world. the work of God in other areas (At 14:26-
28; 2 Co 1:6). When God’s work is re-
Final Greetings And Recommendation ported, those whose interest is in the work
(6:21-24) of God will rejoice. Luke recorded that
the church in Jerusalem rejoiced when
FINAL GREETINGS they heard of the conversion of the house-
AND RECOMMENDATION hold of Cornelius (See At 11:18). John
6:21,22 Tychicus: Paul sent the wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear


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1 Dickson Teacher’s Bible Ephesians

disciples of God’s eternal redemptive purpose through the church (ekklesia)

Dickson Teacher’s Bible, www.africainternational.org

created anew in Christ by obedience to ferred to the Gentiles as the “uncircum-

gospel to the Gentiles (1:19; 3:20; Rm 13; Cl 1:27; 2:2,3; 2 Pt 1:20,21).

God. It was because of the faithfulness The Fullness Of God

send men’s minds wandering in differ- faith is produced by a unified message

Dickson Teacher’s Bible, www.africainternational.org

inclusive, for every disciple has been entertainment is worship. Worshipers

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Dickson Teacher’s Bible, www.africainternational.org

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