Today's lesson comes from Ephesians 1: 1-14. This quarter we will be studying Paul's prison epistles. These are the letters which he wrote during his first imprisonment at Rome (A.D. 61-63). Acts 28: 30, 31 summarizes Paul's activities during those two years. His second imprisonment at Rome occurred around 67 A.D. Paul's prison epistles include the four books: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
The book of Ephesians has been called the "Alps of the New Testament." There are many similarities between this book and the book of Colossians. In Ephesians the emphasis is on the dignity of the church. In Colossians the emphasis is on the deity of Christ. Ephesians considers the church's oneness with Christ. Colossians considers the church's completeness in Christ. Ephesians deals with the Christian being in Christ and Colossians speaks of Christ being in the Christian.
Paul begins with a trilogy of praise to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As you read the first fourteen verses of chapter 1, you will sense Paul's heart of praise for God's amazing grace. Verses 6, 12, and 14 include the phrase, "to the praise of His glory." May our hearts join Paul's in praising the awe-inspiring Three in One.
The first section is: Salutation by Paul. vv. 1, 2 In verse 1, we see Paul identify himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, "by the will of God." Paul was not chosen as an apostle before the resurrection. He was learned of his appointment on the road to Damascus when he was removed from his mount. It was God's will that Paul be an apostle. The phrase, "which are at Ephesus," is not in most of the early manuscripts. This evidences the position that the book of Ephesians was intended to be a circular letter read in a variety of churches and not just for the Ephesian one.
Verse 2 finds the phrase, "grace be to you...." Grace comes from the Greek word "charis" which means gift. "Peace" comes from the word "eirene" which denotes undisturbedness, wholeness, and health. God's gift of grace begets peace in the heart and life. Paul begins the letter referencing God's grace and peace.
The summary points of the this section are:
1. Paul was chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ to be an apostle.
2. Ephesians is a general letter that is applicable today as it was to the early churches in the first century.
3. God's grace will give you peace in your heart.
The second section is: Chosen by the Father." vv. 3-6 Verse 3 begins with a doxology of praise. God is praised because He has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings." God has given us everything we need to be spiritually blessed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Spiritual blessings are far more valuable than temporal blessings, notwithstanding the false teachings of prosperity preachers.
Verse 4 provides the believer with great comfort no matter the circumstances. God has chosen us before the foundation of the world. His plan is not accidental. We were chosen to be holy and without blame in love. In our might, it is impossible. However, due to the grace of God, we can be made holy. It is comforting to know that the Christian was chosen before the first sin in the garden. God had His people in mind before Eden.
Verse 5 tells us that we have been "predestinated" for adoption into His family. It was always God's plan to make sons of men, sons of God. Under Roman law, an adopted child had all the rights of a natural born child. The adopted child was considered a new person and even any old debts were cancelled out by the adoption. You truly became a new person. The grand purpose for God's blessing us, choosing us, and predestinating us is "the praise of the glory of his grace."
The summary points of this section are:
1. We were chosen to be holy before the foundation of the world.
2. We have been predestined to be adopted into the family of God.
3. We are God's children because of His grace.
The third section is: Redeemed by the Son. vv. 7-12 It is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that we are redeemed. In the Old Testament, there was the concept of a "kinsman redeemer." A person sold into slavery could be redeemed, that is bought back, by one who was related to him. The Lord Jesus Christ became our Kinsman Redeemer and bought His sheep from sin. It is through Christ we have "forgiveness of sins." Verses one and ten contain a main key to the book of Ephesians. Paul says that God has unfolded the "mystery of his will." The word "mystery" means that which has been concealed or not clearly revealed before. However, it is now made known. God is in control of His plan of salvation. Salvation is of the LORD! It has been said that salvation is the work of God and damnation the work of man.
It is through the Lord Jesus Christ that we have been bought back from the slavery of sin. Paul says that in Christ, "we have obtained an inheritance." The words could be translated, "we are an inheritance." We have become a peculiar treasure which is Christ's inheritance. This transformation from sin to believer is to be "to the praise of his glory." What a wonderful Redeemer we have!
The summary points of this section are:
1. God's will is Sovereign (and He is always at work).
2. It is through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that we are redeemed.
3. We are an inheritance to Christ.
Then fourth section is: Sealed by the Spirit. vv. 13, 14 In verses ten and eleven, Paul uses the pronoun "we" referencing the Jewish nation. The good news of salvation was first preached to the Jews. Now, Paul uses the pronoun "ye" referencing the Gentile converts . They had heard "the word of truth" and turned from their idol pagan worship and turned to the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse thirteen states, "ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." When someone purchases a home, they make an earnest money deposit. It is a sum of money to indicate to the seller their intentions to actually move forward and purchase the property. In the same way, when we repent and are converted to the Lord Jesus Christ we have the indwelling Holy Spirit which demonstrates God's earnest fulfillment of His promises and the intent to complete His purposes. Through Christ's redemption, He holds title to all that is in heaven and earth. Soon He will take possession of that which He has purchased, that is us! We now have His "earnest of our inheritance," and we should sing forth "the praise of his glory."
The summary points of this section are:
1. Gentiles have now the opportunity for salvation just like the Jews.
2. Those converted have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.
3. We have the Holy Ghost in our hearts.
The Golden Text is : "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings." (Eph. 1:3) We are a blessed people who have repented and made Jesus Christ Lord of our lives. This does not guarantee health, wealth or success, but it does guarantee and place for us throughout all eternity with our Lord. That salvation comes from the Holy Trinity:
1. The Father's work of love in choosing us.
2. The Son's work of love redemption.
3. The Holy Spirit's work in being an earnest of our inheritance.
Yes, we are blessed!
Next week, "Saved by Grace." (Ephesians 2: 1-13, 19, 20)
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