COMMENTARY ON EPHESIANS Chapter ONE

Ephesians 1:1 – 2:10

The Believer’s Position in Christ

Chosen, Redeemed, Sealed Our Past, Present, Future

 

Salutation. 1:1, 2.

 

“1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

Paul presents his dual authority as an apostle. Paul had the authority of an apostle (sent one).

 

Apostolic duties included: Preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17), Teach and Pray (Acts 6:4), Work Miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12), Build up other Leaders of the Church (Acts 14:23), and Write the Word of God (Ephesians 1:1). Paul met all the requirements of all the other 12 apostles including Matthias (Acts 1:26) who was added after Judas died. Paul saw the Lord miraculously (1 Corinthians 9:1). Paul was an apostle by the will of God.

 

  The Dual Designation of Believers

 

 “Saints” holy ones AND “faithful” – All Christians are holy by the perfect righteousness of Christ. (Romans 3:21-22; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 3:9).

 

  The Dual Blessings of Believers

 

“Grace and Peace” was a common greeting among Christians. Grace is the fountain and peace is the stream. Note: Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

 The Dual Source of Blessings

 

  “from God our Father” AND “the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

This establishes the twofold source of blessing but also establishes the deity of Christ as well.

 

All spiritual blessings. 1:3-14. THE LONGEST SENTENCE IN THE BIBLE!

 

 “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he  made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.”

 

Verses 3 through 14 in the Greek for one LONG sentence and encompass the past, present and future of God’s eternal purpose for the church, His master plan for salvation.

 

Verse 3-6a The Past Aspect, Election – Chosen by the Father. 1:3-6

 

Verses 6b-11 The Present Aspect, Redemption – Redeemed by the Son. 1:7-12

 

Verses 12-14 The Future Aspect, Inheritance – Sealed by the Holy Spirit. 1:13, 14

 

The only way a person can achieve a true sense of self-worth, meaning, and significance is to have a right relationship to his Creator. It was not because we were more worthy than anyone else or more deserving or meritorious – but simply because God willed to choose us.

 

THE ASPECTS OF BLESSING

 

Verse 3-6a The Past Aspect, Election – Chosen by the Father. 1:3-6

 

“3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”

 

 6 Aspects of Divine Blessing:

1. The Blessed One (God)
2. The Blesser (God)
3. The Blessed Ones (Believers)
4. The Blessings (All Things Spiritual)
5. The Blessing Location (The Heavenly Places)
6. The Blessing Agent (Jesus Christ)

 

1. The Blessed One (God)

 

“eulogeo” blessed is a message of praise and commendation, the declaration of a person’s goodness. (God is the only one that is good – Matthew 19:17) Goodness is God’s Nature. He is always good! (Genesis 14:20, Revelation 5:13)

 

2. The Blesser (God)

 

God is blessed because He is good is the supreme Blesser. There is no source of goodness outside of God.

       

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

   

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

 

3. The Blessed Ones (Believers)

 

The ones who are blessed by God are the saints.

   

Galatians 3:9 – “So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”

 

4. The Blessings (All Things Spiritual)   “blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

 

“pneumatikos” spiritual, is always used in relation to the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.

 

Here it relates to the divine origin of the blessings, whether they are material or immaterial. Often we continually ask God for what He has already given.

 

LOVE: Romans 5:5 – “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

 

PEACE: John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

 

HAPPINESS/JOY: John 15:11 – “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

 

STRENGTH: Philippians 4:13 – “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

 

EVERYTHING PERTAINING TO LIFE: 2 Peter 1:3 – “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

 

5. The Blessing Location (The Heavenly Places)

 

The Heavenly Places (1:20, 2:6, 3:10) encompass the entire supernatural realm of God, God’s complete domain, the full extent of His divine operation. We as Christians have a dual citizenship. We are citizens of earth, but in Christ our primary and infinitely more important citizenship is in Heaven. Philippians 3:20 – “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

 

While we live on earth we are to walk in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” When we do this we express the fruit of the Spirit. – Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

 

6. The Blessing Agent (Jesus Christ)

 

The Blessing Agent is Jesus Christ and we as Christians are one with Him. – 1 Corinthians 6:17 “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.”- Romans 8:16-17 – “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

 

These verses reveal the past part of God’s eternal plan in forming the church, the Body of Jesus Christ. His plan is shown in seven elements:

 

1. The Method (Election).

 

The Bible speaks of three kinds of election:

 

1. God’s Theocratic Election of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6, Romans 9:6, 7)
2. Vocational (Tribe of Levi for the Priesthood, The Apostles (Acts 9:15, Romans 1:5)
3. Salvational (John 6:44)

   

John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

 

“Draws” “helkuo” carries with it the idea of an irresistible force, like a hungry man being drawn to food.)

 

“God’s elective will irresistibly draws to Himself those whom He has predetermined to love and forgive, while having no effect on those who He has not…Those who are saved were placed in eternal union with Christ before creation even took place.” John MacArthur

 

Apart from God, man’s will is captive to sin. Man does have a choice though. There are many scripture references regarding God giving commands for men to respond:

                       

John 3:16- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Matthew 4:17 – “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

   

Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

   

John 5:39-40 – “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

   

John 6:37 – “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

   

John 7:37-39 – “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”  39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”

 

But Scripture also says that no one comes to Jesus without being chosen by God:

           

Romans 8:29-30 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

   

Romans 9:11-15 – “Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad — in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls — she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”  13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

   

1 Peter 1:1-2 – “To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:”

 

Both Election and Free Will doctrines are contained in one verse:

   

John 6:37 – “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

 

“Chose” is “eklego” in the Greek and indicates God’s totally independent choice. It signifies that God not only chose by Himself, but for Himself. He did this for the main purpose of bringing Himself glory.   

   

Ephesians 1:5, 6, 12, 14

“5 For he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves…11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.”

 

The Sovereignty of God and the Free Will of man is a “paradox,” “mystery,” or “antinomy.” We cannot fully explain, understand or comprehend it. Only the mind of God can fully understand how these intertwine in the process of salvation.

 

2. The Object (The Elect).

 

The object of election are those God chooses to be Christians not everyone. Those whom God elects are those whom He has declared holy before the foundation of the world and who have identified with His Son Jesus Christ by faith.

 

 The Time (Eternity Past).

 

God elected us before the foundation of the world. Before the creation, the Fall, the covenants, or the law, we were sovereignty predestined by God to be His. God’s plan for Christ to be crucified was established before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20). Our inheritance in God’s kingdom was determined before as well (Matthew 25:34).

 

4. The Purpose (Holiness).

 

God chose us to be holy and blameless. “Amomos,” blameless literally means without blemish, or spotless. Christ was “a lamb unblemished and spotless.” (1 Peter 1:19). The church is to be spotless and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27) We are made complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)

 

5. The Motive (Love).

 

God elects those who are saved because of His love. “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons.” Biblical “agape” love is not an emotion but a disposition of the heart to seek the welfare and meet the needs of others. (John 15:13, Ephesians 2:4, 5)

 

6. The Result (Sonship).

 

The result of God’s election is our “adoption as sons.” We are His 1. Sons, 2. Servants, 3. Friends, 4. Children.

 

7. The Goal (Glory).

 

God did this for us so He could receive “the praise of the glory of His grace.” He elects and saves us for His own glory and pleasure. (Philippians 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, 1 Corinthians 10:31) God wants and deserves all this glory for Himself.

 

Verses 6b-10 The Present Aspect, Redemption – It’s Meaning

 

“6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he  made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”

 

There are SIX terms for redemption from the field of law:

 

1. “Dikaioo” = A legal acquittal of a charge, a sinner’s being vindicated, justified, and declared righteous before God.

 

2. “Aphiemi” = To send away and was used to indicate the legal repayment or cancellation of a debt or the granting of a pardon. God’s forgiveness of sin.

 

3. “Huiothesia” = The legal process of adopting a child and is used to represent the believer’s adoption into God’s family.

 

4. “Katallasso” is to legally reconcile two disputing parties in court and is used of a believer’s reconciliation with God through Christ.

 

5. “Agorazo” and “Exagorazo” = refer to buying and purchasing. (Related to a marketplace.) These refer to the spiritual purchase or redemption of sinners.

 

6. “Lutroo” = to release from captivity and refers to paying a ransom in order to release a person from bondage, especially slavery.

 

The Elements of Redemption

 

The Redeemer: Jesus Christ 

The Old Testament Concept of a “kinsman-redeemer,”

 

1. He had to be related to the one needing redemption, 2. Able to pay the price, 3. Willing to do so.

 

The Redeemed: – Us – Ephesians 2:1, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,”

 

Titus 2:14 – “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

 

            The Redemption Price – Christ’s Blood – Ephesians 1:7, “we have redemption through his blood”

 

            The Redemptive Results – Forgiveness – Ephesians 1:7, “the forgiveness of sins”

   

Matthew 26:28 – “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

 

“Aphiemi” from which forgiveness comes basically means to send away. Used as a legal term it meant to repay or cancel a debt or to grant a pardon.

 

Psalms 103:12 – “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

   

Isaiah 44:22 – “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

 

To ancient Israel the distance from the east to the west (Psalms 103:12) and the “depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19) represents infinity.

 

Forgiveness in Jesus Christ is undeserved, but it is free and it is complete. In Christ, our sins – past, present and future – are forgiven, “for His name’s sake.”

 

Because we continue to sin, we need the continued forgiveness of cleansing; but we do not need the continued forgiveness of redemption. Even though we continue to sin, Jesus “is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Thus the believer is called on to ask for forgiveness daily so that he may enjoy not just the general forgiveness of redemption, but the specific forgiveness of daily cleansing, which brings fellowship and usefulness to their maximum.

 

“according to the riches of His grace.” God’s grace, like His love, holiness, power, and all His other attributes is boundless. Not only is it boundless according to His riches, but it is also “lavished upon us.”

 

While we are given forgiveness in Christ, we also receive “wisdom and insight.” “Sophia” wisdom, emphasizes understanding of ultimate things, life and death, God and man, righteousness and sin, heaven and hell, eternity and time. “Phronesis” insight, emphasizes practical understanding, comprehension of the needs, problems, and principles of everyday living.

 

The Redemptive Reason

God redeems men in order that He might gather everything to Himself. All things are centered on and summed up in Christ, both the redemption of man and creation. Jesus Christ is the goal of history.

 

 Philippians 2:10-11 – “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

 

OUR DIVINE INHERITANCE GUARANTEED

 

11 “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.”

 

Our inheritance is the aspect of salvation which is primarily future. We were elected, or predestined, before the world or time existed; we have been redeemed in this present age; and we will receive our completed inheritance in the ages to come, when we enter fully into the Father’s eternal heavenly kingdom.

 

God bestows many things on all men (Matthew 5:45) but His spiritual blessings are bestowed only on those who are in Him (Ephesians 1:1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10).

Romans 6:3-5 contains the spiritual biography of every believer.

 

1 John 3:2 tells us we will be just like Christ.

 

Romans 8:29 tells us that we will be conformed to the image of Christ.

 

“Eklerothemen” (We have obtained an inheritance) is a compound Greek word. When something in the future was so certain that it could not possibly fail to happen, the Greeks would often speak of it as if it had already occurred. The best translation of Ephesians 1:3-14 is that we have inherited Christ.

 

We are spoken of in scripture of belonging to Christ (John 6:37, 39; 10:29; 17:2, 24) and Christ is also spoken of as belonging to Believers (1 Peter 1:3-4) at times.

 

1 Corinthians 6:17 – “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.”

 

 THE GROUND OF OUR INHERITANCE – CHRIST

 The Divine Perspective

 

Ephesians 1:11-12B, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we,…might be for the praise of his glory.”

 

God’s perspective is shown in His predestination, power and preeminence.

God’s predestination is predestined according to His purpose.

God’s power works all things out according to His will.

God’s preeminence is to the praise of His glory and His alone.

 

The Human Perspective

 

Ephesians 1:12a, 13a, “who were the first to hope in Christ… And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed,”

 

Man’s perspective is shown in his response to the gospel and the love of God.

 

There is tension in scripture between the sovereignty of God and man’s free-will. We must believe both of these concepts.

 

Faith comes from and hearing from the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Faith is man’s response to God’s elective purpose. God’s choice of men is election, men’s choice of God is faith. In election God gives His promises, and by faith men receive them.

 

THE GUARANTEE OF OUR INHERITANCE – The HOLY SPIRIT

 

Ephesians 1:13b-14a. “you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance”

 

God’s Seal – Signifies Security, Authenticity, Ownership, Authority

 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”

 

God’s Pledge – The Holy Spirit is our down payment

 

We do not directly and immediately receive the fullness of all God’s promises when we first believe since some of these blessings and promises are reserved in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:3-4).

 

You might say the Holy Spirit is the Christ’s church’s engagement ring for she is the Bride of Christ.

   

Romans 8:9 – “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”

 

When a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in his or her life. The Spirit is there to empower us, equip us for ministry, and function through the gifts He has given us. They Spirit is our Helper and Advocate. He protects and encourages us. He also guarantees our inheritance in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:16-17).

 

The seal of the Holy Spirit in the believer signifies four primary things:

 

Security: We do not lose our salvation because the Holy Spirit is our seal of guarantee.

 

Authenticity: We do not carry a false spirit within us because we have the Holy Spirit living in us who authenticates our spiritual experience and condition.

 

Ownership: The Holy Spirit signifies that we belong to God.

 

Authority: We can minister in the name of God and speak His Word to others as well as witness the Gospel because we carry the authority of God in us in the form of the Holy Spirit. We must remember though that the ability with which the Holy Spirit can use us and speak through us depends on our own spiritual maturity that we participate in building as we study God’s Word, use our spiritual gifts and respond to God in all areas of our life with faith and trust in our Heavenly Father.

 

 THE GOAL OF OUR INHERITANCE – PRAISE OF GOD’S GLORY

 

Ephesians 1:14b, “until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory.”

To be God’s Possession and the Praise of His Glory

 

We are not saved and blessed for our own glory but for God’s glory.

 

Ephesians 1:4-6, 11-12 – “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace,…In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” 

 

23. Paul’s first prayer in Ephesians (The other is in Ephesians 3:14-21). 1:15-23.  “15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

 

Paul in verses 3-14 of chapter one spoke about the amazing and unlimited blessings believers have in Christ, blessings that amount to our personal inheritance of all that belongs to Him.

 

Now Paul prays that the Ephesians will come to fully understand and appreciate those blessings.

 

Paul’s Praise for Believers (15-16)

 

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

 

He comments on their: 1. Faith in Christ and 2. Their love for other Christians. These are marks of genuine salvation.

 

Praise for their Faith (1:15b) – True saving faith declares that Jesus is Lord and Master.

   

Romans 10:9-10 – “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

   

1 Corinthians 12:3 – “no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.”

 

Paul prays for the Christians at Ephesus here, but later in the Revelation to John they are chastised because of losing their first love.

 

Revelation 2:2-4 – “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.”

 

Praise for their Love (1:15c) – True saving faith manifests in love for fellow Believers.

 

Philippians 2:2 – “then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”

   

1 John 3:14 – “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.”

   

1 John 3:16 – “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”

   

1 John 4:7 – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

   

1 John 4:12 – “if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

   

1 John 5:1 – “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.”

 

Paul’s Petition for Believers (1:17-23)

 

“16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

 

In verses 16-23 is Paul’s petition directed to God. In verse 17a there is a link between God and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the second time in three verses that Christ is called Lord.

 

Paul is praying to God that Christians will recognize the great blessings of their inheritance in Christ.

 

It is tragic that many believers become entangled in a quest for something more in the Christian life, for something special, something extra that the “ordinary” Christian life does not possess. People try to obtain “more of Christ,” “more of the Holy Spirit,” “more power,” “more blessings,” “a higher life,” “a deeper life,” as if God was withholding such things or that they can only be acquired in steps, stages or by prescription or experience.

   

2 Peter 1:3-4 – “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

 

The church at Colossae had problems in this same area. They had thought they needed human philosophy.  They were tempted by false teachers who taught Jesus Christ plus legalism. They were exposed to the idea of seeking mystical experiences to become a better spiritual person. They were also tempted to deny themselves physically and thus gain a prideful view of their self discipline rather than depending on the Holy Spirit and living according to God’s Word.

 

Christians today often do the same thing. They pray for more strength, when they have plenty:

  

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

 

They pray for more love when God’s love is already in them:

 

Romans 5:5 – “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

 

They pray for more grace even though God says that His grace that He has already given is sufficient:

 

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

 

They pray for more peace but the Lord Jesus Christ has already given them His peace:

 

Philippians 4:7 – “And the peace of God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

The Christian’s prime need is for wisdom and obedience to appropriate the abundance of Blessings the Lord has already given. Our problem as Christians today is lack of insight and wisdom to understand and use what we already have in Christ.

 

No Christian can have more of the Lord or of His blessing and inheritance than he or she already has.

 

Paul prayed that God might give them the faculty of understanding so that they can know their resources which he calls the “spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” “Pneuma” spirit here is not referring to the Holy Spirit since Paul is praying that they receive it, but they already have the Holy Spirit at conversion (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19). The spirit of wisdom is given through the Holy Spirit and here means the “spirit or attitude of humility.” He was praying that the Ephesians receive a special disposition of wisdom, the fullness of godly knowledge and understanding of which the sanctified human mind is capable of receiving. He is asking God to give them a keen, rich, deep, strong understanding of their inheritance in Christ. He wants God to impart to them knowledge, understanding and wisdom so they might learn, grow and live better as followers of Christ.

 

Paul is praying that the Ephesians will understand God’s truth in three areas:

 

1. The Greatness of God’s Plan
2. The Greatness of His Power
3. The Greatness of His Person

 

The Greatness of God’s Plan

 

“18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,”

 

Most ancient cultures in Biblical times (Hebrews, Greeks and many others) considered the heart “kardia” to be the center of knowledge, understanding, thinking and wisdom. The New Testament also uses it in this way. The heart was considered to be the seat of the mind and will, and it could be taught what the brain could never know. Emotions and feelings were associated with the intestines, or bowels “splanchnon.”

 

One cause of immaturity in the church at Corinth and in churches today is reliance on feelings above knowledge. Many believers were then and now, more interested in doing what felt right than in doing what God declared was right. The Corinthians, instead of letting their emotions be controlled by God’s truth, their emotions distorted their understanding of His truth.

 

Colossians 3:16-17 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

 

Only when we know who we really are can we live like who we are. Only when we come to understand how our lives are anchored in eternity ca we have the right perspective and motivation for living in time. Only when we come to understand our heavenly citizenship can we live obedient and productive lives as godly citizens on earth.

 

The “hope of His calling” is “becoming conformed to the image of His Son.” (Romans 8:29)

 

The Greatness of His Power

 

“19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,”

 

Paul uses four different Greek synonyms to emphasize and communicate the greatness of God’s power.

 

1. “Dunamis” power, (from which we get dynamite and dynamo). This power is given to every believer and totally adequate for all things. You can’t have more of it because it is sufficient already.
2. “Energeia” working, the energizing force of the Spirit that empowers believers to live for the Lord.
3. “Kratos” strength, which can also be translated “dominion” (1 Timothy 6:16) or “power” (Hebrews 2:14.
4. “Ischus” might, which carries the idea of endowed power or ability.

 

Paul did not pray that the followers of Christ receive more power, but that they would have a divine awareness of the power they already had.  (Romans 1:16, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 2 Corinthians 4:7, Philippians 2:13, Colossians 1:29, Acts 1:8, Ephesians 3:20).

 

We need to understand the power of God’s keeping, securing and His fulfilling the hope that is ours in Christ.he Greatness of His Person.

 

“21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

 

 We as followers of Christ must understand the greatness of Christ who secures and empowers us.

 

The terms rule “arche” (leader or first one), authority “exousia”, power “dunamis”, and dominion “kuriotes” were traditional Jewish terms to designate angelic beings of great rank and might. Christ’s power in the believer surpasses that of the hosts of Satan. All things are in subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ.