EPHESIANS[Part 1]

Christ & His Church

BACKGROUND

• DATE WRITTEN: A.D. 59-62

• AUTHOR: Apostle PaulThe writer identifies himself as Paul in the letter (Eph. 1:1; 3:1)

• THEME: CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH “Blessings in Christ”

BACKGROUND

• RECIPIENTS: The church in Ephesus (Mother church of Asia) & other believers in Asia. (Eph. 1:1) • PURPOSE: To strengthen the Ephesians in the faith of Christ,

and to give exalted views of the love of God, and of the dignity and excellence of Christ, fortifying their minds against the scandal of the cross.

BACKGROUND

Paul shows the believers that they were saved by grace, and that however wretched they once were, they now had equal privileges with the Jews. He encourages them to persevere in their Christian calling, and urges them to walk in a manner becoming of their profession.

BACKGROUND

• SETTINGS: Ephesus was the chief city of that part of Asia, which was a Roman province. Here St. Paul preached for three years (Acts 20:31) and from then the gospel was spread throughout the whole province. At his departure from the Ephesian church he forewarned them both of great persecutions from without, and of divers heresies and divisions which would arise among themselves.

BACKGROUND

• SETTINGS: Paul founded the church & spent 3 years teaching its members. Then 5-6 years later Paul became a prisoner in Rome awaiting a trial before Caesar. While he waits, Paul writes the letter to Ephesus. And accordingly he writes this epistle, nearly resembling that of Colossians, written about the same time, to establish them in the doctrine he had delivered.

BACKGROUND

• EMPHASIS: Ephesians is a letter of encouragement. In it Paul describes the nature of the Church, which is not an organization but a living organism, the body of Christ. He then challenges the believers to function as the living body of Christ on earth.

QUICK OVERVIEWPaul writes the epistle to the Ephesian Church to make members more aware of their spiritual resources. The first 3 chapters describe where these resources come from: their relationship with Christ and their position in Him. The last 3 chapters encourages the believers to draw upon those resources so they can live their Christian life in a victorious manner.

IN SUMMARY

The first half of the book of Ephesians describes a believer’s wealth in Christ and the last half challenges a believers walk in Christ.

BRIEF OUTLINE OF EPHESIANS

• CHAPTERS 1-3 “The Powerful Blessings in Christ”

• CHAPTERS 4:1-5:20 “The Power to Live”

• CHAPTERS 5:21-6:9 “The Power to Love & Work”

• CHAPTERS 6:10-24 “The Power to fight”

LIFE LESSONS FROM EPHESIANS

• It is only in Christ that you can grow & mature spiritually• God has given you weapons you need to fight against the

enemy• You must use God’s resources to obtain spiritual victory• All your work is to be done as unto the Lord• God has created an order that you are to follow for success

in your family life

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:1-2

Greetings to the church at EphesusIt was a usual custom to place the name of the writer at the beginning rather than at the end

“…by the will of God": Paul was called to the apostleship by God. Emphasis is placed in most of Paul's epistles upon the fact that he was not an apostle by the appointment of man, but by the will of God.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 3): Believers are blessed with every possible blessing for time and eternity, which God bestows upon us. All came from God, and he has withheld none from those in Christ.

A Christian has been given all manner of spiritual blessings, which are heavenly (divine) in nature…this is far different from the external privileges & the earthly blessings that we may expect or receive.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 4): ELECTION – God chose us before the world was even made. (2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:9; John 15:16, 19; John 6:37-40)

This does not affirm that God chose some individuals and rejected others, but that before the world was, before there was Jew or Gentile, God chose to have a people for himself, the whole church of Christ, a covenant people.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 4): “…that we should be holy and without blame before him in love”God chose us that we might be holy. He has not chosen us on the grounds that we, of ourselves, make ourselves holy, but purposed that we should be made holy by the power of his Spirit.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 4): “…that we should be holy and without blame before him in love”Holiness is here declared not to be the cause, but the effect of our election: God chose persons from eternity past to be his people, not because they were holy, but designing that those who were graciously chosen should be holy; initially, progressively in this life, and perfectly holy in the next life to come. (Romans 8:28-30; 2 Timothy 1:9)

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 5): ADOPTION – “The placing of a Son” This is the act of God whereby He places a person into the family of God at the very moment of conversion. It is the “placing of a son,” wherein that child is granted the same rights and privileges as an adult child.“PREDESTINATED” – Determined or ordained before hand. The effective exercise of the will of God by which He determined things before hand that should come to pass.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 6): ACCEPTANCE – translated "graciously accepted"; endow with special honor: to be highly favoured.

"made us subjects of His grace"; "embraced us in the arms of His grace"

God has regarded us as the objects of favour in the Lord Jesus Christ, the well-beloved Son of God

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 7): REDEMPTION – God setting man free from the bondage of sin through the blood of Jesus. He releases the believer from the penalty of sin and brings him to Himself. FORGIVENESS - God pardoning the sins of a repentant person. God releases or frees the person of his debts thereby cleansing him of sin so that he can receive salvation.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 8-9): …grace which He, the possessor of all wisdom and understanding, lavished upon us. God gave us grace in full measure in all wisdom and care….when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose.God has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 10): In the ordering of the times when they are complete, all things in Christ in heaven and on the earth will be united…God has a plan, to be completed over time, to unite all things in heaven and earth, that is; people who are in him (saved persons, believers, Christians).

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 11): INHERITANCE – The heritage that believers are granted when they become apart of the body of Christ. We are heirs with Christ to the blessedness of heaven. “Heaven comes with the package of salvation”

In Christ we have a heritage, being marked out from the first in his purpose, who does all things in agreement with his designs & plans

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 12): We who placed our faith in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory…. So that his glory might have praise through us who first trusted in Christ

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 13-14): SEALING – “To stamp with a signet or private mark for security or preservation.” The act of God the Holy Spirit whereby He places a spiritual mark upon the believer. The Holy Spirit seals Christians, impressing his image upon them as a token that they are his. “Earnest”: A pledge or guarantee; down payment of money or property given in advance as security for the rest to be claimed when full payment is given.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:3-14

Blessings of salvation: The believer’s position in Christ(Vs. 13-14): All those who believe in Christ Jesus are considered as his special people and property, and to them eternal glory is promised. The Spirit of promise, which is given to them, is a pledge that they shall have a resurrection from the dead, and eternal blessedness. The Holy Spirit promises redemption, and is now in their hearts as a pledge of this complete restoration at the great day. (Eph. 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:20-22; 2 Cor. 5:5; 2 Tim. 2:19)

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:15-19

Prayer for knowledge & power(Vs. 17): Paul’s prayer is that God would grant them wisdom, and to reveal his will to them…make them wise to understand the doctrines of salvation; revealing to them more and more of the character of the Redeemer, and of the nature and results of his work…in order that they may fully acknowledge him, or know him more intimately and thoroughly.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:15-19

Prayer for knowledge & power(Vs. 18): That your minds may be so enlightened that you may realize the hope given by God's Call, the wealth of the glory of his heritage among Christ's People.

That ye may have a fuller comprehension of the hope of eternal life to which God has called you, and appreciate the heavenly inheritance given to you, which is rich beyond our imagination.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:15-19

Prayer for knowledge & power(Vs. 19): And how unlimited is his power to us who have faith, as is seen in the working of the strength of his power…

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:20-23

The object of the last four verses is to describe Christ's glories. These are: (1) His resurrection; (2) His Exaltation to God's Right Hand; (3) His Supreme Dominion; (4) His Headship to the Church.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:20-23

Power & authority of Christ(Vs. 20-22): • Christ rose from the dead (vs. 20)• Christ is at the right hand of His Father (vs. 20)• Christ has authority & power over every spiritual force that exists (vs.

21)• Christ is supreme ruler over all things (vs. 22)

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:20-23

Power & authority of Christ(Vs. 22): God the Father has put all things under Christ’s feet, and has appointed Him universal and supreme Head of the Church....With reference to the church… Christ as the head of the Church is a benefit or advantage to the church because we have the all-powerful ruler as our leader. The universe is under Christ’s control and direction for the welfare of his people (the church).

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:20-23

Power & authority of Christ(Vs. 23): The fullness; Christ's body the church is called his fullness, as being throughout filled with his gifts and graces. That filleth all in all; or who fills all things with all things. For Christ is the creator of all things, and he fills them with whatever powers and privileges they possess.Christ as the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the world, (Col 1:16-19), fills all the universe of things with all things. "Fills all creation with whatever it possesses"

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 1:20-23

Power & authority of Christ(Vs. 23): For the Church is Christ's Body, and is filled by him who fills all things everywhere with his presence.As Christ is the head over all things, He is head to the Church; though He fills all the world with his presence, yet he fills all the members of his body with wisdom, goodness, truth, and holiness, etc. in an special manner.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

THE BELIEVERS POSITION IS CHANGED IN CHRIST

• What we were before Christ• Where Christ has brought us from• What Christ has made us into• Where Christ has brought us to

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 1): Quickened: made alive. (Eph. 2:5, Col. 2:13) Dead in trespasses and sins: A living corpse - without the gracious presence of God's Spirit in the soul, and so unable to think, will, or do that which is holy. It is a living death which the apostle describes…absolutely void of all spiritual life. They were dead to God and holiness, and alive to this world and fleshly lust. They lived in trespasses and sins, and this is spiritual death.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 2): According to the course of this world: In conformity with the customs and manners of the world at large. The word here rendered world--means properly age, but is often used to denote the present world, with its cares, temptations, and desires; and here denotes particularly the people of this world. The meaning is, that they had lived formerly as other people lived; and the idea is strongly conveyed that the course of the people of this world is to walk in trespasses and sins.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 2): According to the prince of the power of the air: There can be no doubt that Satan is here intended, and that Paul means to say that they were under his control as their leader and prince. The phrase, "the prince of the power," may mean either "the powerful prince," or it may mean that this prince had power over the air, and lived and reigned there particularly…Satan is termed prince of the power of the air, because the air is supposed to be a region in which malicious spirits dwell, all of whom are under the direction and influence of Satan, their chief.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 2): The spirit that now worketh... The operations of the prince of the aerial powers are not confined to the air; he has another sphere of action, the wicked heart of man, and in this he works with energy. The subjects in whom he works are either opposers of true religion, or they are systematic and energetic transgressors of God's laws.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 3): Eph 2:3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. After he has separately condemned the Gentiles, he confesses that the Jews (among whom he numbers himself) are not the least bit better.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 3): Eph 2:3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. After he has separately condemned the Gentiles, he confesses that the Jews (among whom he numbers himself) are not the least bit better.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 4-5): Yet God, in his abundant compassion, and because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our sins, gave us life together with Christ (by grace you have salvation)

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 6): …And, through our union with Christ Jesus, God raised us with him, and caused us to sit with him on high

That is, we are raised from the death of sin to the life of Christianity…That is, we share his honours. So close is our connection with him, that we shall partake of his glory, and in some measure do now…Christ has gone to the heavenly world as our Head and Representative; His entrance there is a pledge that we shall also enter there.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 7): …that in the time to come he might make clear the full wealth of his grace in his mercy to us in Christ JesusThe sense is, that the riches of Divine grace would be shown in the conversion of Christians and their salvation to all future times…. So that what God has done for the sinners at Ephesus will serve as an encouragement to all ages of the world; and on this evidence every preacher of the Gospel may boldly proclaim that Christ saves unto the uttermost all that come unto God through him. And thus the exceeding riches of his grace will appear in the provision he has made for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 10): For we are God's own handiwork (product), created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has pre-destined us to practice.

God is the author & foreman shaping our lives. It was ever the purpose and will of God, that those to whom he gives spiritual life should be holy and abound in good works

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 11):Gentiles in the flesh. You were Gentiles in the flesh, i.e., under the dominion of the flesh, subject to the control of carnal appetites and pleasures.Who are called uncircumcision. They enjoyed none of the ordinances and privileges of the Jewish religion; and was commonly a term of reproach By that which is called the Circumcision. By those who are circumcised…by the Jews.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 11): In the flesh made by hands. They had externally adopted the rites of the true religion, though it did not follow that they had the circumcision of the heart, or that they were the true children of God.

Remember, therefore, that you were once Gentiles yourselves, as your bodies showed; you were called 'The Uncircumcised' by those who were called 'The Circumcised'--circumcised only by the hand of man!

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 12): Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel: You were by your birth alienated from the commonwealth of Israel-from the civil and religious privileges of the Jewish people…This means more than that they were not Jews. Strangers from the covenants of promise: Having no part in the promise of the covenant made with Abraham, whether considered as relating to his natural or spiritual seed;

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 13):The phrase far off means that they were formerly far off from God and his people.Are made nigh. Are admitted to the favour of God, and permitted to approach him as his worshippers.

Now we are permitted to approach him with the blood of the atonement. The shedding of that blood has prepared the way by which Gentiles as well as Jews may approach God, and it is by that offering that we are led to seek God.

EPHESIANS ANALYSIS

CHAPTER 2:1-22

Jews & Gentiles are one body in Christ (vs. 14-18)

(Vs. 14): Jesus is our Peace. He made the two divisions of mankind one, broke down the barrier that separated them.For He has made Jews and Gentiles one, and in His own human nature has broken down the hostile dividing wall. (John 10:16; Gal. 3:28; Col. 1:20)

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 14): By abolishing the law of Jewish ordinances, Christ has removed that which kept the two parties, not only in a state of separation, but also at variance…This expression, the middle wall, refers to that marked distinction which the Jewish laws and customs made between them and all other nations. As by the ceremonies and worship appointed by the Law, the Jews were divided from the Gentiles, so now Christ, having broken down the partition wall, joins them both together, both in himself, and between themselves, and to God.

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 15): Having in his flesh put an end to that which made the division between us, even the law with its rules and orders, so that he might make in himself, of the two, one new man, so making peace.

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 15): The enmity…Between the Jew and the Gentile… The idea is, that the ceremonial law of the Jews, on which they so much prided themselves, was the cause of the hostility existing between them. That made them different people, and laid the foundation for the alienation which existed between them. They had different laws; different institutions; a different, religion - The law of commandments concerning ordinances…the laws commanding sacrifices, festivals, fasts, etc. which this law was made merely for the purpose of keeping the Jews a distinct people.

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 15): The Jews looked upon themselves as the favourites of Heaven, and as in possession of the knowledge of the only way of salvation; the Gentiles regarded their laws with contempt, and looked upon the peculiar institutions with scorn. When Christ came, and abolished by his death their peculiar ceremonial laws, of course the cause of this alienation ceased.

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 15): Christ’s incarnation and death not only made an atonement for sin, but he reconciled Jews and Gentiles into one new spiritual person; that they might be united. The idea is, that two groups who had been enemies became one in aim and pursuit, this was the effect of the work of Christ on the Jews and Gentiles. When they were converted they would be united and harmonious.

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 16): And that the two might come into agreement with God in one body through the cross, so putting an end to that division…. And when, upon the cross, Christ had destroyed their mutual enmity, he sought by means of his cross to reconcile them both to God, united in one Body.

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 17): So Christ came preaching "Peace" to you [Gentiles] who were afar off, and "Peace" to us [Jews] who were near

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 18): …because it is through Christ that Jews and Gentiles alike have access through one Spirit to the Father.

This text is a plain proof of the holy Trinity. Jews and Gentiles are to be presented unto God the FATHER; the SPIRIT of God works in their hearts, and prepares them for this presentation; and JESUS CHRIST himself introduces them.

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

The Church body is the dwelling place of God (vs. 19-22)

(Vs. 19): You are therefore no longer mere foreigners or persons excluded from civil rights. On the contrary you share citizenship with God's people and are members of His family…So then you are no longer as those who have no part or place in the kingdom of God, but you are numbered among the saints, and of the family of God,

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 19): Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners - The Gentiles, having believed in Christ, are all incorporated with the believing Jews in this holy and are not to be regarded as outcasts and aliens. Fellow citizens with the saints - Called to the enjoyment of equal privileges with the JewsOf the household of God - The house of God is the temple; the temple was a type of the Christian Church; this is now become God's house; all genuine believers are considered as being part of this house

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 20): You have been built up upon the foundation laid by the Apostles and Prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the corner- stone.The Lord committed the doctrine of salvation, first to the prophets, and then to the apostles, the end of which and substance, is Christ.Christ being the chief corner-stone. The corner-stone was a stone of double size at the corner, which became a part of both walls and joined them together. So he had joined the Jews and Gentiles in the building. He is the foundation-stone on which the building rests, and the stone of union.

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 21): United in Christ, every part of the building, closely joined together, will grow into a Temple, consecrated by its union with the Lord.The whole church of Christ becomes united, and forms an harmonious society. They believe the same doctrines; worship the same God; practice the same holiness, and look forward to the same heaven. It is not finished building (growing) yet, but will continue to increase, and be more and more perfect, till the day Jesus comes.

EPHESIANS ANALYSISCHAPTER 2:1-22

(Vs. 22): And, through union in him, you also are being built up together, to be a dwelling-place for God through the Spirit.Ye also: you Gentiles, as well as the Jews. For a habitation of God through the Spirit: God dwells in the hearts of his people who are united to him through faith and love, and thus each believer is his temple. In like manner he dwells in his church, which is made up of believers united to him and to each other, and thus the church is his temple.