Epistles to the Ephesians

June 2, 2007

Cosmic Ecclesiology

58-61 A.D. Chapters 1-3: election and

“cosmic” reconciliation. Florid Greek style, extended

participial phrases and relative clauses, e.g. 1:3-14 is a single Greek sentence.

Cosmic Ecclesiology Church as God’s plan to gather all

things together in Christ. God has “put all things under his

feet”…”head over all things FOR THE CHURCH, which is his body…” (1:22-23).

“through the church”—3:9-10 Access in one Spirit to the Father (2:18).

Cosmic Ecclesiology

Church is not simply the recipient of revelation, but the MEDIUM of the same to the WHOLE OF CREATION (3:10; 6:10-20).

In long meditative intro., Paul asks that “the eyes of [their] hearts” be illuminated to grasp the amazing significance of all this (3:14-19).

Cosmic Ecclesiology Thus, VISIBLE UNITY OF THE CHURCH IS

CRUCIAL “Breaking down the wall of hostility”—

primary effects of the death of Christ is to BRING DIVISION TO AN END (2:14-16).

(cf. Acts 2/Babel)/harmonized differences reflect God’s glory, not pluralism for its own sake.

Second Half (4-6): Exhortation 4:1b-3 4:15-5:20—vision of church; diverse

gifts have common purpose: to “equip saints for the work of ministry…” (4:12-13).

4:17-24—In its growth to maturity, the body must withstand “every wind of doctrine” and take up character learned “in Jesus” (4:17-24).

4:25-5:2—Behavior of those who imitate Christ/God.

Worship—”Gather all things to Him” Worship in Spirit makes the church a

visible, public, and powerful embodiment of God’s will to fill up creation. In contrast to drunkenness (5:18), which

always leads to discord and nasty speech, this envisions husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and slaves using their tongues to sing together to God and each other!

“Filled with the Spirit” This command leads to certain ongoing

actions in the Body: 5:18-21: “speaking,” “singing,” “making

melody,” “giving thanks,” and “being subject to” (five present participles in succession!).

Worship cannot be severed from what follows: counsel about being subject to one another, specifically among husbands/wives (5:22,23), children/fathers (6:1-4), slaves/masters (6:5-9).

5:21-6:9—HOUSEHOLD CODE

Distinctive in several respects (“subordinates are to “choose” their actions”/In authority must be gentle and concerned).

Collapse of ancient distinction between oikos and polis: 2:19 (cf. Acts 4:32)

Spiritual Warfare

6:10-20—confront the schemes of the devil.

Not fought with the weapons forged by human hands, but with renewed character of holiness and prayer (6:18):

Truth, justice, gospel of peace, faith, salvation, “sword of Spirit.”