DEDICATION

This work is affectionately dedicated to our grandchildren.

     Ephesians has been called "Queen of the Epistles;" "the Holy of Holies of the New Testament;"(1) and "the most sublime and majestic expression of the Gospel."(2)
     It has been said: "There is no higher point of revelation than is reached in this epistle which shows the believer seated with Christ in the heavenlies."(3) Another adds that we hear in this epistle "things that have never been said before."(4) Obviously the author of Ephesians is painting with bold strokes and the epistle has a loftiness and even a cosmic or heavenly feel about it.
     The whole book reminds us of the amazing statement in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10: "As it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’-- but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God."
     Just as in the Book of Revelation, Ephesians lets us peek briefly into the heavenly places. As we peek, we are shocked and amazed to see ourselves there "in Christ." This book assures us that our salvation was no afterthought in the mind of God. Indeed we were chosen in him before the world began. We are now seated with him in the heavenly places.
     Thus Ephesians transports us from the drudgery of life on earth, directly to the glorious realms above. It lets us see both life and the world from God’s heavenly perspective. As we carefully and prayerfully read this book it should transform our lives.

A LETTER TO THE SAINTS

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 1:1


     When we open the book of Ephesians we are immediately introduced to the revelation of several mysteries long kept secret by God. Now in the last days these divine mysteries have been revealed to the apostles and prophets of the Lord. Paul speaks more about this in Ephesians 3:4-5 where he says: "In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets." Now it is also plain that these mysteries are made available and clearly revealed to the church of God, yes, even to the least of God’s saints.
     Unfortunately, we Christians have not always troubled ourselves to understand these revealed mysteries. In addition we sometimes, quibble, argue, doubt and even deny the glorious truths given us. Over the centuries our theologians have also been prone to much disagreement over the New Testament, so it is not at all surprising that they would disagree about Ephesians. There are some who even doubt that Paul wrote the book as here stated. These propose that it was written at a later date by a person writing under Paul’s name. Such speculations do not do much for the faith of God’s dear ones.
     Admittedly, these type things were done in the past. Yet, while we see many pseudonymous works appear before and after the Apostolic Era, there really seems to be no evidence of this type writing in the New Testament.(5) Obviously on two occasions Paul names himself as the author of the book (1:1 and 3:1). In addition, it is clear that Ephesians was indisputably accepted by the early church as a genuine letter of Paul.(6) Obviously, should Paul not be its author, we would have a book on our hands that qualifies only as a deceitful fabrication.
     Here Paul calls himself an apostle. To be an apostle is to be sent forth, and in Paul’s case the sending forth was from the Lord himself (Gal.1:1). Paul was sent forth as an apostle to the Gentiles. We Gentile believers can thank and praise the Lord that he saw fit to include us in his great salvation plan before the earth was ever formed.
     When Paul addresses the saints here (1:1) he is not speaking about pious stained glass figures in some cathedral window or perhaps someone who has been beatified by the church long after his death. He is speaking of real people – folks just like you and me. The believers in Ephesus were called "saints" because they were "set apart" by the sanctifying and saving work of the Redeemer. They were separated from the world unto God for his purposes even while they were still alive on the earth.
     The root word in the Greek language for being a "saint" or being "set apart for God" is the word hagi. There are apparently two meanings to our being set apart or sanctified. First there is what theologians call ‘positional sanctification’ (2 Thess. 2:13). This is something God does for us from the beginning, and it becomes effective when a person places his faith in Jesus. Second, there is the sanctification that continues as a process until the day we depart this life to be with the Lord.(7) This is a work carried on by the Holy Spirit who lives within us and it also includes the washing of the Word of God on a daily basis as we see in Ephesians 5:26 and in 1 Peter 1:2.
     Now we need to take note of a very important expression used in Ephesians and elsewhere in the New Testament. The oft-used phrase "in Christ" seen here (1:1) has been called the "cornerstone and foundation" of Paul’s theology. It is said that this expression or its equivalent appears one hundred seventy-six times in the writings of Paul, appearing thirty-six times in Ephesians alone.(8) One writer claims that without doubt, the phrase "in Christ" is the most important expression in this letter.(9)
     Over the years I have sought to better understand what "in Christ" is all about. Once in a Jerusalem sermon I illustrated it with a beautiful silver vase and with a lump of clay. In order to picture "in Christ" I placed the unsightly lump of clay, representing us with our sin, into the beautiful silver vase, representing Christ. No longer could the lump of clay be seen, but only the beautiful vase. That’s the way it is with us Christians. Neither we nor our sins are visible any longer because we are hidden in Christ (Col. 3:3). God looks upon his Son and is well pleased with what he sees (Matt. 3:17; 17:5).
     We observe that these saints mentioned here are described as "faithful" (1:1). Faithfulness involves obedience, or some sort of fitting response to this great grace of God that is poured out upon us. Perhaps Paul illustrates this well when he speaks of the "obedience of faith" in Romans 1:5 and in 16:26. Obedience is really the "flip side" of faith. But in line with the thinking of Ephesians, we see that our salvation, which includes faith, is not something of ourselves, but is also a gift from God (Eph. 2:8).
     When the church "in Ephesus" is spoken of in this passage it introduces us to a rather perplexing problem. Apparently the identification of Ephesus did not appear in the oldest manuscripts of the book. It has been pointed out that the ancient and best manuscripts, Aleph and B (Vaticanus), do not contain the words "in Ephesus." These words were not present in Origen’s copy, and the heretic Marcion even called the book "the Epistle to the Laodiceans" (cf. Col. 4:16). As late as the fourth century Basil speaks of some manuscripts that had no name in the address portion.(10)
     Many have concluded from this that Ephesians was a circular letter. It was sent by Paul with Tychicus at the same time he sent Colossians, and Philemon (Eph. 6:21, 22; Col 4:7-9; Phm.1:12-24). Paul was in prison at the time that he sent these so-called "prison epistles" (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20). All this information would date the letter of Ephesians to the period of around AD 60-62.
     Churches receiving the "Ephesian" manuscript were expected to insert their names in the blank space left for the addressee. Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire and the capital city of Asia. It was a city of great Christian influence and the logical point of entry that Tychicus would have taken into Asia. Thus the letter soon became attached to the great city.
     An interesting and supporting fact is that Ephesians is lacking the warm personal greetings that we usually see in Paul’s letters. This is especially strange when we consider that Paul visited the Ephesians on several occasions. He paid a visit to the city on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:19-21). On his third missionary journey he actually stayed many months in Ephesus making a total of three years there (Acts 20:31). Paul remained longer at Ephesus than he did at any other one place preaching the gospel. (11) Then, as he returned to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey, he met with the beloved Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20:13-38). We know that Paul had many dear friends and associates in Ephesus so it is almost unthinkable that he would not send greetings to them, unless of course he was treating this manuscript as a circular letter.
     Some commentators see a very close connection between Ephesians and Colossians and that the writer of Ephesians used much of Colossians. For instance, Ephesians consistently uses ‘church’ in the universal sense found in Colossians.(12) It has been said that "75 of the 155 verses of Ephesians are found in Colossians."(13) It seems conclusive that Colossians was written first and Ephesians patterned after it.
     Ancient letters commonly included prayers or thanksgivings in their headings. Biblical letters followed this pattern as we see here: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (1:2). As we consider the words "grace" and "peace," we note that it is always important that they appear in this order. In other words, we must have grace before we can have peace.(14)
     In classical Greek, the word "grace" (charis) had reference to a favor given freely with no expectation of return. Such a favor was always given to a friend and never to an enemy. The Greek scholar, Wuest, comments: "Right here charis (χαρις) leaps forward an infinite distance, for the Lord Jesus died for his enemies (Rom. 5:8–10), a thing unheard of in the human race."(15)


OUR PRESENT BLESSINGS IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS

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. Ephesians 1:3


     This passage must be one of the most incredible scriptures in the whole Bible. It is wonderful news for poor, tattered and torn saints of God. What is being said here seems almost unbelievable. He tells us that "every" spiritual blessing in heaven is now available to us. We simply must take some time and focus on this important passage.
     A few decades ago theologians began to speak of "realized eschatology," or the possessing of last things or eternal things at the present moment.(16) Paul is likely speaking here of this very thing. Even while we live on this earth we are able "in Christ" and through him to possess "every" spiritual blessing in the heavens. After all, heaven has nothing better to offer us than Jesus who is now fully given to us, and who is actually living within us.
     So we see here that this great blessing is already available. It is not something we are waiting for or something we are hoping and praying will be given. In fact, Paul’s Greek usage here "points to this blessing or prospering of believers as having occurred in eternity past."(17) We can conclude that by our position in Christ we are even able to participate and enjoy the benefits of the world’s future redemption gained for us through Christ’s atoning death.
     The expression ‘in the heavenlies’ is a very prominent theme of the Book of Ephesians. We moderns through our technology can now have some faint understanding of what is possible for us in Christ. Today a person in a far off land, via computer, can speak with his own family members and actually see them as he shares in the blessings of his home country.(18) This is obviously only a bit of virtual reality when compared to the heavenly reality that we already experience in Christ.
     We Christians must now stretch ourselves and begin to operate in the spheres of human and divine, visible and invisible. We are citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20); with our names written there (Luke 10:20); and our Father is also located in heaven. Therefore as Colossians 3:1ff.mentions, it is important that our attention and affection always be centered on heaven and upon heavenly things.(19 )
     All this may bring about a great struggle in our lives if we allow it. In one sense, "Christians always have a double life and a double address."(20 ) Some writers have mentioned this underlying tension as being a struggle between the ‘already’ and the ‘not yet.’ It is a tension between what we already enjoy in Christ and what we still have not fully attained. However, we should rejoice in the fact that for real believers the ‘already’ now far outweighs the ‘not yet.’(21)
     Much later, in the Book of Revelation, we are surprised to see that in the last day there will be a large number of overcoming saints who will rise up and fully grasp that which we see here in Ephesians. We learn that they will face the Antichrist. We also learn that they will even have a part in casting Satan down from his heavenly position (Rev. 12:11). The secret of their success is that they will learn to partake of the power and blessings of heaven even while they live out their lives upon earth (cf. Rev. 3:21; Rev.12:5; 14:1-5).


CHOSEN BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world… Ephesians 1:4


     Paul now continues to deal with the great mystery that has been hidden with God for ages. That mystery is now fully revealed and waiting for all of us to understand it. It is the mystery of being "in Christ" or "in him." We have already spoken of this briefly but Paul wants to go deeper. Up to this point I fear that the church has not understood this mystery very well. For instance, even as a pastor I once looked upon the position of being "in Christ" as a sort of goal that mature believers should seek to attain. Obviously I had woefully misunderstood this expression. The glorious truth is that our position of being "in Christ" or "in him" is something we believers had before the world was ever formed. Yes, we were already chosen "in him" before there was a world (cf. Matt. 25:34). This glorious fact should greatly encourage us in our sometimes pitiful efforts at Christian living. So far as God is concerned our salvation is finished in Christ. It is a "done deal." Truly it was finished and even sealed before the world was formed.
     In this passage we also see that "In love he predestined us to be holy and blameless in his sight" (1:4-5). This is likely not just a reflection of sanctification but also a reflection upon the great doctrine of justification. Through justification God has declared us "blameless," "not guilty," and "acquitted" of all our sin. In Romans 5:18 we read: "Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men." In 2 Corinthians 5:19 it is said "that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them." Hebrews 10:14 goes on to make plain that by the one sacrifice of himself, the Lord has made us perfect forever. This "forever" justification is made effective in our lives the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. However it was a fact in God’s mind eons ago.
     The popular theologian, Dr. J.I. Packer, says: "Justification is decisive for eternity, being in effect the judgment of the last day brought forward."(22) Paul sums it up another way in Romans 8:30: "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."
     There is no question concerning when this blamelessness and holiness originated. It originated before the foundation of the world. Although it was obviously God’s intention to change the moral character of his people, yet in this verse he is not speaking of our achieving this moral perfection but of God crediting it to us.(23)
     All this mystery is based upon God’s foreknowledge. In Romans 8:29 we read: "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" (cf. Jn. 6:37).
     Here we cannot escape the mysterious Christian doctrine of election. There are obviously many views on this subject and folks of faith are prone to heated discussions concerning it. The writer and Bible teacher, Warren Wiersbe, reports what he once heard a seminary professor say: "Try to explain election and you may lose your mind. But try to explain it away and you may lose your soul!" This same writer also remarks that this glorious election is not something that we are to publicize among unbelievers. He regards it rather as a "family secret" that belongs to the saints of God.(24)


PREDESTINED!

he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ... Ephesians 1:5


     We see here that we were predestined to be adopted (cf. Rom. 8:29). It is likely that the adoption mentioned has reference to the Roman custom and not to the Jewish one. In such adoption the person received all rights and privileges of the family into which he was adopted. This was without reference to any merit on the part of the child.(25) The popular commentator, Barclay, adds concerning this adoption:

When the adoption was complete it was complete indeed. The person who had
been adopted had all the rights of a legitimate son in his new family and lost
completely all rights in his old family. In the eyes of the law, he was a new person.
So new was he that even all debts and obligations connected with his previous
family were abolished as if they had never existed.(26)

     It is the good pleasure of God’s will that we be adopted as his sons. This adoption has very little to do with our modern idea of adoption since it pictures the person as being placed in the position of adult sonship.(27)
     We must understand that this adoption, election and predestination is not based upon our goodness or even upon our future good works. We are certainly not able to brag about our worthiness to receive this position. The great reformer, Calvin, says of this glorious predestination, "If men should evade every other argument, election shuts their mouth, so that they dare not and cannot claim anything for themselves."(28)
     As we see here, when we truly get a grasp on what God has done for us, there is nothing left for us to do but to praise the Lord who has made it all possible.
     In response to all that God has done we will want to agree with Paul that grace is truly glorious and praiseworthy (1:6). This freely-given grace makes heaven and earth rejoice (Rev. 5:12-14). This abundant grace should make us want to give glory to our Father, as the Westminister Shorter Catechism has it: "What is the chief end of man?" "Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever."(29)


REDEMPTION AND FORGIVENESS

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace… Ephesians 1:7


     When we speak of redemption in the Bible we necessarily speak about blood. Blood was very sacred to the Jewish people of Bible times. In Israel, blood was reserved only for sacrifice, and the sacrifice of animals was a sort of virtual reality picturing a greater sacrifice that was to come in the future. God remarks on the importance of the blood by saying: "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life" (Lev.17:11). Virtually all sacrifices required the blood of slain birds and animals. Hebrews 9:22 develops this by saying: "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
     In Psalm 40:6-8, the Bible speaks of the true reality or the all-sufficient offering of Christ in these words: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, `Here I am, I have come-- it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.'" Here the Lamb of God is saying to his Father that he is ready to make the eternal sacrifice for the sin of humankind. Indeed, he did make that sacrifice on Calvary as he shed his precious blood. That blood was shed forever and is available to this very day as a covering for our sins. Very much in line with the thinking of Ephesians we see in Revelation 13:8 that this Lamb was slain from the creation of the world. By this we realize that God solved the sin problem long before it ever began.
     Thus Jesus has made the necessary blood sacrifice for us and we have redemption through his blood as stated here. We can now enter into fellowship with God by believing and accepting this sacrifice for ourselves.
     Unfortunately, today much religion has become a bloodless thing. We now have a bloodless Judaism, and surprisingly a near bloodless Christianity. In the Christian world the whole idea of blood sacrifice has all but disappeared in the last two or three generations. A recent quote from a feminist theologian, Delores Williams, illustrates this trend. She says: "I don’t think we need folks hanging on crosses and blood dripping and weird stuff."(30) We have almost quit singing and preaching about the blood and the cross. This modern and postmodern trend is troubling since it is only the blood of Jesus that takes away our sins.
     The forgiveness mentioned here is the word aphesis, which means ‘cancellation’ of sins. Other similar words used by Paul are charizomai (pardon) in Colossian 2.13 and paresin (passing over) sin as in Romans 3:25.(31) As Psalm 103:12 says: "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
     What a great and splendid salvation the Lord has given us. Paul even says that he has "lavished" it upon us (1:8). Some may think it unwise for God to do such a thing but here the scripture says that God did it with all wisdom and understanding. In other words, God knew what he was doing.
     Ephesians assures us the secret is now out. Paul says that God has now "made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ…" (1:9). The mystery God has revealed is unlike the many ancient "mystery religions" or even the secret societies we have today where only a chosen few are initiated. This mystery is available for all Christians to fully understand and enjoy.(32) 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 states that although this mystery has been hidden for ages (cf. Rom.16:25) it is now revealed to each of us through the Holy Spirit who lives within us. The mystery is that Christ is to be the head of everything.


THE DIRECTION OF ALL CREATION

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. Ephesians 1:10

     It is a common teaching of many philosophers today that our world is heading nowhere. They tell us that all is vain, empty and meaningless. Our philosophers probably got this idea from their precursors, the Greek philosophers of long ago. It was their concept of history that it was going on in a meaningless cycle.(33) Such is not the biblical idea of things. "It was a common Jewish belief that history was moving through many stages to its climax, when everything would be put under God’s rule."(34) In other words, history is going somewhere. In fact, it is all "coming to a head" and that head is Christ.
     We see this most clearly in Daniel’s vision of the system of Gentile world governments. It is particularly in Daniel where we see the idea of the coming kingdom developed.(35) Daniel pictures the four Gentile world empires, Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece and Rome, as they came into being. This corresponds precisely to the time that the sovereign nation of Israel disappeared from the stage of world history (586 BC). We have now spent the better part of three millennia under the control of godless Gentile world governments. We can know from Daniel that all these governments will fall in the last days, and that they will all fall at the same time (Dan. 2:35). Thus all the godless principles of these governments are still around and are affecting us. They will continue to do so until the end of the age.
     Daniel makes clear that these governments are all experiencing a continual devaluation as time goes on. They devalue from gold to silver to bronze and finally to a mixture of iron and clay. At last they will be headed up by the grossly evil Beast or Antichrist. At this low point, a rock from the mountain (Zion) will crash into this evil system and totally destroy it. The rock (Jesus) and his government will then grow into a great mountain filling the whole earth (the Kingdom of God). At this time of heavenly victory the government will be gained by Christ. He will become the head of everything. Surprisingly, when this happens he then shares this great authority with his dear saints (Dan. 7:18). The Bible says that they shall reign forever and ever. We see that all this glorious kingdom development will be put into effect when "the times will have reached their fulfillment" (1:10).
     Thus we learn that all things in heaven and in earth, will ultimately be gathered together in Christ. Some have referred to all this as "cosmic reconciliation." As this plan progresses, all divisions will be done away with in Christ. This includes the deep divisions that have separated Jew and Gentile in the past. It even includes the division and alienation of humanity from God. It includes the alienation of earth from heaven.(36) Paul in Romans 8:18-22 remarks concerning this:

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will
be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be
revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by
the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated
from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of
God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth
right up to the present time.

     Thus there is a divine plan and there is only one plan. All things in heaven and earth will be brought into alignment with that vast plan. This is why we were chosen and predestined (1:11), that we might be laborers together with God in his great plan. All this information should certainly change our perspective on life. We Christians have a part in God’s eternal plan. We can help bring other lives into conformity with that plan. Is there anything more important than our laboring together with God in his plan?
     Here in verse 11 we see the words "In him we were also chosen." This brings into focus for the first time something we will see a lot in Ephesians. It is likely that the "we" used here and in the next verse refers to the Jewish believers and the "you" in verse 13 refers to Gentile believers.(37) We thus understand that there are two distinct people groups in the divine plan. There are Jews and Gentiles. The rift between these two groups in Bible times was often so great that there was almost no crossing it. However, we will see in this book that the sacrifice of Jesus has bridged this gap, making it possible for these two groups to have unity and peace. This is a big step in God’s plan for cosmic unity and restoration. Indeed it is a step so big that many Christians are still struggling with its implications even to this day. This great plan of God has all been enacted that we all might be "for the praise of his glory" (1:12).


GENTILES INCLUDED

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Ephesians 1:13


     God’s great plan of salvation was first extended to the Jews exclusively. In Deuteronomy 7:6 God says to Israel: "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." We see just how special this choice is in Psalm 147:19-20: "He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws."
     Of course this sovereign divine choice of Israel was not just made so God could play favorites with people. It was made for God’s redemptive purposes so that his salvation could go out to people all over the world. Here we see this salvation now arriving to all Gentile people. We note that salvation comes as people hear the word of the Lord, the gospel of salvation. All this is spoken of in Romans 10:17: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Now through the preaching of the gospel "we" (the Jews) can be expanded to include "you" (the Gentiles).
     We have been speaking so far of the great doctrines of election and predestination. One might think that with such doctrines the church would be able to relax into a sort of determinism regarding salvation. Obviously this is not to be the case. John Stott remarks concerning this: "Let no one say, therefore, that the doctrine of election by the sovereign will and mercy of God, mysterious as it is, makes either evangelism or faith unnecessary."(38) God in his great love and foreknowledge gives humanity the free will to either accept or reject his offer. Of course there are no surprises in the kingdom of God. God has known from the beginning those who would accept and those who would reject his grace. The Bible says: "God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his’" (2 Tim. 2:19).
     Paul assures these new Gentile converts: "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" (1:13). This is a seal that every believer must have. The seal that God gives us believers stands for several things. It stands for security (Matt. 27:66; Eph. 4:30), for our authentication and approval (Jn. 6:27), for our certification of genuineness (Jn.3:33), and for our identification of ownership (2 Cor. 1:22; Rev. 7:2; 9:4).(39)
     We see in scripture and especially in the Book of Revelation that terrible times will come in the last days. To prepare his dear people for such times the Lord seals them in their foreheads (Rev. 7:3). This seal reminds us of how Noah was sealed in the ark. The Bible says that Noah’s ark was sealed both without and within (Gen. 6:14). He was so protected that God destroyed the whole world with Noah and his family still in it. We learn that in a similar sense the Hebrew children were sealed and protected in Egypt. We see in Exodus 9:4 and 11:7, that they and their animals were protected and delivered from the great plagues that fell upon the land. God made a difference between his people and the people of Egypt (Exo. 8:23). They were also later kept safe from the death angel. They were sealed by the lamb’s blood.
     Perhaps it is for such reasons that Paul later warns us in Ephesians: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30).


THE DOWNPAYMENT MADE

who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-- to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:14


     The deposit guaranteeing our inheritance is here called the arrabon. This was originally a Hebrew word that seems to have come into Greek usage through ancient Phoenician traders. In the Modern Greek language it is still used of an engagement ring. Of course in ancient trade arrangements it was seen as a deposit, a pledge, a down payment securing the eventual purchase. (40)
     Apparently this same ancient word is still used in Modern Hebrew. In Israel when an apartment is leased it is necessary to find a couple of guarantors or arravim. These insure that the renter will make good on all his promises. Such a thing is necessary in Israel due to the great demand upon real estate and because of the extremely high prices.
     The basic idea of the arrabon is that it is more than an earnest. It is actually a sample of what is coming in the future.(41) We can understand by this that since the deposit itself is spiritual, the rest of our inheritance will also be spiritual in nature. The Bible says that "God is spirit" (Jn. 4:24). The totality of our heritage is of a spiritual nature and in the spiritual realm because God is spirit. Just as Paul challenges us in Ephesians, we simply must gain a set of spiritual eyes or ‘eyes of the heart’ so that we might see and appreciate this heritage.
     The expression "God’s possession" used here (1:14) reminds us of some of the special language God uses regarding his people Israel. As we saw earlier in Deuteronomy 7:6 God says of Israel: "The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples… to be his people, his treasured possession." The word’s "treasured possession" is the Hebrew expression "am segulah." It is a phrase often heard in Israel even until this day. We see the word "segulah" used again of Israel in Malachi 3:17: "‘They will be mine,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.’"
     In 1 Peter 2:9 we see that this special favor accorded Israel has now been showered upon the saints of the New Testament, including Gentiles: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
     With these things in mind Paul has not ceased giving thanks and praying for the church, thanking God for the faith and love of his new people the Gentiles (1:15-16). Apparently it was Paul’s practice to pray diligently on a daily basis for all the churches, even for those Gentile churches he had never visited (2 Cor.11:28; Col. 2:1).


TURNING THE LIGHT ON

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. Ephesians 1:17


     The Book of Ephesians is a book of prayer in that "more than any other New Testament epistle, it has the character and form of prayer."(42) It is therefore not surprising that Paul inserts a lengthy prayer at this point. He also prays later.
     When we observe how Paul prayed for people we realize how shallow our own prayers have become. Often when we pray, we quickly go down our prayer list saying something like this: "God bless Joe and Suzy Doaks; God bless John and Mary Smith, and on we go. Paul didn’t pray that way. He prayed for people that the eyes of their spiritual understanding would be opened. When Paul prayed spiritual things happened. Christians grew to the measure, stature and fullness of Christ and triumphant Christian churches sprang up everywhere.
     We Christians must remember that we are grafted into the old olive tree of Israel (Rom 11:17-18). We remember that the olive tree is the tree of oil, of light and thus of revelation. This ancient tree visually represents the spiritual heritage into which we are grafted (cf. Zech. 4:1-3; 11-14).
     Thus, through Jesus we have been placed into the revelation tree. The True Light is now shining. It is a shame that sometimes we seem to have so little of this revelation. Unfortunately, the Bible says in Proverbs 29:18: "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint." This is surely a picture of our society and world today.
     When I was a small child I used to wonder why some church buildings were abandoned and the roofs were falling in. Now I understand that these churches simply ran out of revelation. If there had been revelation people would have driven for many miles to attend those small country churches. Let us think for a moment about what revelation did for the early church. In order to do this, let us use our imaginations a bit.
     Perhaps one day in a certain early church a young man stood up and said, "Brothers, the Lord has given me a revelation." The brothers may have said, "That’s wonderful Paul, please share it with us!" Paul may have proceeded with that excited group: "Brothers, you may not believe this, but the Gentiles are going to become fellow heirs with us Jews in the gospel" (Eph. 3:2-6). We can imagine that Paul may have been greeted with a frosty and embarrassed silence. One of the Jewish elders may have finally cleared his throat, then stood up and chided Paul with words something like these: "Brother Paul, now you have just gone too far." But had he really gone too far?
     Can we even imagine what the last two thousand years would have been like had Paul not received and acted upon this glorious revelation? Because of it the early Jewish church exploded into the Gentile world and the gospel has now gone out to all nations, even coming to each of us.
     In our churches today we do not need new programs. We need a new revelation from God. We need to pray for each other just as Paul prayed here that our spiritual eyes might be opened and that we might receive that life-giving revelation.
     Here Paul also stresses the importance of our understanding the hope that is given us. He says: "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…" (1:18). We are living in a hopeless world. Our pagan philosophers have drained almost every drop of hope out of our society. Everywhere around us we see cynicism, pessimism, depression, and increasing suicide. We are surrounded by a sea of hopelessness. We must remember that the Christian message is one of hope. We Christians enjoy the hope of eternal life, the hope of a bodily resurrection, the hope of Jesus’ appearing or the "blessed hope," and even the hope of a glorified church. There is also the hope of his calling as we see here. There are many more elements of hope in our lives because of Jesus. We see in Romans 15:13 that we are to "overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
     In 1954 the young aspiring American evangelist, Billy Graham, was able to visit Sir Winston Churchill. Of course, Churchill was Prime Minister of Great Britain, a hero of World War II, and a leading world figure. But Churchill was very despondent concerning his future hope and hope for the world in general. He asked the young evangelist, "Do you have any hope?" In answer to that question Graham pulled his New Testament out of his pocket and responded: "Mr. Prime Minister, I am filled with hope." Graham then began to recount the gospel of hope to the famous Prime Minister.(43)
     Then Paul goes on here to use a very strange and interesting expression when he prays for us to have spiritual eyes to see "the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints" (1:18). How amazing that part of the riches of his inheritance is in people! If we really understood this statement we should never again be able to look at our fellow saints the same way as before. They are part of our heavenly treasure. They are precious! After all, the scripture does say: "O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name" (Psa. 61:5). Psalm 16:6 also says, "surely I have a delightful inheritance."
     In order to see some of the treasures God has given us we have only to look around us. The following story is related concerning the wealthy publisher, William Randolph Hearst, who collected art treasures from all over the world:

One day Mr. Hearst found a description of some valuable items that he felt he
must own, so he sent his agent abroad to find them. After months of
searching, the agent reported that he had finally found the treasures. They were in
Mr. Hearst’s warehouse. Hearst had been searching frantically for treasures he
already owned! Had he read the catalog of his treasures, he would have saved
himself a great deal of money and trouble.(44)

     Today we search for all kinds of blessings and treasures but some of the greatest treasures may be sitting in the church pew near us. Unfortunately today many of these bountiful spiritual blessings remain hidden from us. We must refocus our lives to see and appreciate spiritual things. Indeed it is spiritual truth and sensitivity to that truth that really blesses people.


POWER APLENTY

and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength… Ephesians 1:19


     Wow! Do we really believe this? Do we have our spiritual eyes open enough to see this great mystery? This mighty power of God is part and parcel of our heritage in Christ. It too is already given to us in him. Because of this it has been said that "there never needs to be a ‘power shortage’ in the Christian life."(45)
     What a collection of "power" words we have in this verse. First we have the Greek word dynamis from which we get ‘dynamite’ and ‘dynamo.’ Then we have energeian, from which we get ‘energy.’ Next, we have the word kratous, or power that overcomes all resistance. This is a power that leads to dominion. Finally, in this same power-packed verse Paul uses the word ischyos, which has more to do with the idea of strength and might.(46)
     We see that this great power is the same power "which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…" (1:20). In our wildest imagination can we picture a thing like this? The same awesome and glorious power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at God’s right hand in heaven is available for us to help us live our daily lives here on earth (cf. Rom. 8:11). It was this great power that enabled us to believe and gave us new birth in Christ. It is also this great power that shields us until the day of redemption (1 Pet. 1:5). The same power will someday raise us believers from the dead and give us new and glorified bodies.
     The coming of the kingdom of God in Jesus brought the most dazzling and incredible power display this world has ever seen. When John the Baptist was once wrestling with doubt he sent some of his followers to question Jesus and verify whether or not he was the coming one. Jesus didn’t give a direct answer to John. Instead, he replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor" (Matt. 11:4-5). This power display was to be proof enough to John that Jesus was really the expected one and that the kingdom had come. In fact, much of Jesus’ ministry, possibly a third or more, was spent in doing these power works. Jesus particularly cast out numerous demons and he presented this as proof that the kingdom of God had indeed come to earth (Matt. 12:28).
     The really astounding thing is that Jesus expects his followers to participate on a regular basis in these same power displays. He once said to his followers, "As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:7-8). Alas, today we try to preach the gospel message but the evidence of God’s glorious power confirming it is often missing from our presentations.
     We see that through this great power God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his own right hand in the heavenly realms (1:20). What a display of power before angels and principalities. Not only was Christ raised from the dead and lifted up to a heavenly position but he was seated at the right hand of the majesty on high. The position at the right hand of God is a position of favor and authority. Ephesians goes on to state that he was seated "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" (1:21).
     In Philippians 2:9-11, Paul also expounds upon this position of power and authority that belongs to Jesus: "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Jesus is above all powers, all angels, all principalities, all demonic forces, and above everything else in the universe. All belongs to him and indeed by his powerful word he holds all things together (Col.1:17). Abraham Kuyper, the great Dutch statesman, theologian and reformer, once remarked: "there is not a thumb-breath of the universe about which Christ does not say, ‘it is mine.’"(47)
     Absolutely everything is placed under his feet. God is in the process of seeing to it that all enemies in the heavenlies and in the earth come bowing to him. In Psalm 110:1 it is written: "The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’" Not only is he the Lord of everything but he is also "to be head over everything for the church" (1:22).
     Indeed we see here that the church "is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way" (1:23). From Jesus the church receives light, life and intelligence. We believers are complete in him and filled full with his grace and gifts. The church makes up his visible fullness on earth. The church is the first evidence, the living proof that God is actually bringing all things together under the headship of Christ (cf. Eph. 1:10).
     The church shares everything with her Lord (Eph. 5:30 ).  The life of the church is his life.  She shares his crucifixion, his glory, his fellowship with the Father, his fullness of the Spirit, his glorified manhood.  She has membership in his body and his flesh.(48)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins… Ephesians 2:1


     This verse makes a rapid transition to our condition before we knew Christ, or to the condition we all were "BC." We were dead and there is not so much to be said about a dead person. "A corpse does not hear the conversation going on in the funeral parlor. He has no appetite for food or drink; he feels no pain; he is dead. Just so with the inner man of the unsaved person."(49) This condition indeed applies to the whole human race. The reformer, Calvin, in commenting upon this state says: "we are all born as dead men."(50) There is no part of our fleshly being that has survived the fall spoken of in Genesis. We are defiled and dead in our mind, emotions, conscience, will, etc. This is known by theologians as the doctrine of ‘total depravity.’
     We are actually surrounded in our world by millions of ‘living dead’ (cf.1Tim.5:6). Outwardly these folks often seem to defy this truth, in that they are full of energy, plans, hopes, and dreams. Yet in the place where it matters most, in that inner spiritual person, they are dead and lifeless.(51) They cannot breathe spiritual air; they cannot feast on spiritual food; they cannot comprehend or respond to spiritual truth or spiritual blessing. Someone has described them as being like dead fish being carried down the river.


UNDER THE SPELL

in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. Ephesians 2:2

     In our natural condition we were completely under the spell of the ‘wicked prince’ who is called here "the ruler of the kingdom of the air." From other places in scripture we know him as the Devil or Satan. With his host of evil spirits he keeps the world in line. He keeps its people chained and following after his diabolical plan.
     The people in the ancient world almost universally believed that the heavenly realms were above the earth, that they were turned over the earth in an almost bowl-like fashion. They felt there were several different levels of heaven (usually from three to seven) and that while God and angels occupied the upper levels, Satan and his angels occupied the lower level.(52) The lowest level was called aer in the Greek. This locale is described as a realm that is misty, obscure, cloudy and dark. This particular realm is thickly populated with the evil spirits which exercise a great control over this evil age in which we live.(53)
     In Mark 4:4 Jesus refers to these spirits as the "fowls of the air;" evil spirits that are ever-ready to snatch the Gospel from unsuspecting hearts and minds. It is clear that this whole world remains under the control of this evil one who is called in 2 Corinthians 4:4 "The god of this age." So we can see that just as the children of God have one head in Christ, the children of the wicked also have one head in Satan.(54)
     We see that this spirit "is now at work in those who are disobedient" (2:2). With this statement we must ask if it is possible for Satan to work at the same time in the lives of all disobedient people throughout the world. We must remember that Satan is a created being. He certainly cannot be compared to God who is omniscient and omnipresent. This fact accounts for the necessary hosts of evil spirits who must do Satan’s bidding for him as they work in the lives of the unfaithful.(55) Later in Ephesians Paul says: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12). It is by this host of spirits that Satan both controls the world and even seeks to harass the saints of God.
     Paul then says: "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath" (2:3). The Bible is replete with evidence that we were all under God’s wrath and that we were all dead in our trespasses and sins (2:1 & Col. 2:13). It is precisely at this point that the Gospel comes to us with the hope-giving word, "but."


COMING ALIVE!

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

     This whole section of Ephesians (2:1-10) has been viewed by many as the most expressive and beloved passage describing our salvation to be found in the whole New Testament.(56)
     We see here that our God is rich, and one of the things he is richest in is mercy. He is called a God of mercy. We might understand mercy simply as God’s great love in action. When he appeared to Moses, he declared his name before himself in these words: "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth" (Exo. 34:6 NKJ). We see that in mercy he led his people forth out of Egypt to their habitation (Ex. 15:13). Perhaps one of the most repeated themes of praise in the whole Bible are the words, "His mercy endures forever." In Psalm 136 alone, this refrain is repeated 26 times.
     Of course, the greatest act of mercy that God has ever demonstrated was to send his Son to die for our sins. In Titus 3:5 we read that "he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." Mercy was such an important thing to the early Christians that they often included it in their greetings. We see this in 1 Timothy 1:2 and in a lot of other places: "To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
     Ephesians points out that we Gentiles were not a people. We were beyond hope and strangers to his covenant yet God had mercy upon us and saved us. He transferred us from the realm of death to the realm of life. Paul continues with this: "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…" (2:6).
     If we could but understand Ephesians, as we have said before, it should permanently change our lives. We would cease groping around in the earthly realm and be exalted to the heavenly realm where Christ dwells. In Colossians 3:1-2 Paul says: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
     We saw in Ephesians 1:20 that Christ is seated at the right hand of God. But here we once more see clearly that we are seated there with him. Yes, just as Christ is seated with the Father on his throne, we who are "in Christ" are also seated with him! This is mind-boggling information. We saw in 1:21 how Christ is seated "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." We remember how Jesus says in Matthew 28:18 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Now we must ask, doesn’t this also apply to us? Aren’t we also seated far above Satan’s authority?
     With all this in mind we Christians should begin to deal with life here on this earth from a "throne position." God wants us to begin ruling for Christ at this present moment. We see this in Romans 5:17: "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."
     The concept of ruling and reigning for Christ is difficult especially for those of us who live in western democracies. Nevertheless, we see this kingdom concept throughout the teachings of Jesus and we finally see it become reality in the last days.
     In the Book of Revelation we are given some glimpses of a large overcoming group of saints, both Jewish and Gentile believers, who are ruling for Christ regardless of the horribly difficult situation around them. In Revelation 1:6 we begin reading the promises that make such overcoming possible. We read that Jesus Christ "has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father. In Revelation 3:21 Jesus says "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne." In Revelation 5:10 we read again: "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." Indeed the Book of Revelation virtually ends in 22:5 with these words about God’s saints: "And they will reign for ever and ever."
     Yes, we Christians are destined to rule with Christ. We are "in him" and with him always. "Everywhere in the New Testament, the close connection of the believer with Christ is affirmed. We are crucified with him. We die with him. We rise with him. We live with him. We reign with him. We are joint heirs with him. We share his sufferings on earth, (1 Pet. 4:13), and we share his glory with him on his throne (Rev. 3:21)."(57) We must stop looking at ourselves as earthlings, as defeated and half-dead. Christ has removed our "grave clothes" and given us our "grace clothes."(58)


TROPHIES OF GOD’S GRACE

in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7


     Someone might ask us why God would create humankind when he was fully aware that his glorious creation would result in the awful fall of Genesis. One answer is that God had determined to give humanity a greater dignity than even creation could bestow upon it.(59)
     Barnes, the popular commentator of the past two centuries sums it up this way: "There will be a countless host who were once polluted and lost; who were dead in sins; who were under the power of Satan, and who have been saved by the riches of Divine grace--a host now happy and pure, and free from sin, sorrow, and death--the living and eternal monuments of the grace of God."(60) Yes, God has determined that we the redeemed become living trophies of his great grace. These trophies will be displayed in the heavenly realms as a witness before angels, authorities and powers forever and ever.
     Can we even imagine such a picture? God fully intends to ‘show us off’ in the heavenly places because of his great grace to us! Just think, little Raggedy Ann and Andy, poor little Cinderella, will at last be exalted to the heavens, arrayed in garments of God’s righteousness, showered with heavenly splendor and blessings, graced with eternal life. It is just too much for our mortal minds to comprehend!
     Paul mentions here the expression "the ages to come." We ran into this expression in 1:21 and now we see it again. In the Greek language the word is aion from which we get our eon and it can mean "age, world order or eternity." As we look back in Ephesians 1:21 we realize that the New Testament sees the times as being divided clearly into two different ages. This is important for our understanding of Ephesians, Revelation and the rest of the Bible. There is the present evil age, largely under the control of Satan, and the age to come where Jesus will rule supremely. There are a number of scriptures that speak of this division (cf. Matt. 12:32; Mk. 10:30; Gal. 1:4; 2 Cor. 4:4).
     Interestingly a very similar distinction is made among the Jewish people to this day. They speak in Hebrew of "ha olam ha zeh" (the present age) and "ha olam ha ba" (the age to come). The latter is to be a period of heavenly and earthly bliss similar in many ways to the Christian concepts.


SOLA GRATIA

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9


     Here we are told that our salvation is solely by the grace of God. The Latin words "sola gratia" (grace alone) made up some of the watchwords of the great Reformation. It is still true today that grace alone is the way of salvation. We can add nothing to it. We cannot add our works as a means of salvation, for our works are like filthy rags in God’s sight (Isa. 64:6). We cannot even lean upon our own faith or take any credit for it.
     It has been customary to interpret this verse as saying that our faith is not of ourselves but is a gift of God. While this interpretation of the Greek is incorrect as often used, there is a way in which the statement is correct in a larger sense. Our whole salvation, including our faith, is a gift of God. It in no way comes as a result of our works. (61)
     Paul then adds: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (2:10). From the Greek word poiema (workmanship) used here we get our word "poem." God seems to be saying by this that we are his masterpiece, his work of art, his beautiful poem.(62)
     We note that God has prepared in advance the works we are to do on this earth. So it’s true in a very real sense that all our works were arranged before we existed and perhaps before the world began. In light of this there is certainly no way that we can take credit for them. The good works are predestined and we ourselves are predestined. We notice that God is working in our works. In Philippians 2:13 we are told: "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." We see here that even our will to accomplish good works is not of ourselves but is from God.


GOD’S NEW CREATION IN CHRIST

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- Ephesians 2:11

     Now Ephesians returns to the theme that has been repeatedly introduced to us. We saw it earlier in the "we" (Jews) and the "you" (Gentile) statements made by Paul. As we mentioned before there are but two people groups and only two groups in God’s great plan of the ages. We all must fall into one group or the other. First, we have God’s ancient covenant people, the Jews, and second, we have the Gentiles.
     Here Paul gives a description of the "uncircumcised" Gentile condition, and that condition is shocking. In describing it he says: "remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world" (2:12). One writer describes this condition as "Christless, stateless, friendless, hopeless and Godless."(63)
     In Bible times there was such a wall between God’s holy people, Israel, and the Gentiles that it could scarcely be breached. God had actually commanded that his people not mingle with the Gentiles or intermarry with them lest they become defiled by the very prevalent Gentile idolatry. We know from the Bible that it was impossible for a Gentile to approach the temple sanctuary. In fact, there was a wall affixed with appropriate warnings to Gentiles. Two notices from the temple have actually been discovered, one in 1871 and another in 1935. These notices read in Greek: "No foreigner may enter within the barrier and enclosure round the temple. Anyone who is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his death."(64)
      Jews and Gentiles were separated in many other ways. Jews could not eat common Gentile foods like pork and shellfish. In some ways this was merciful since Greek islanders often ate such foods as octopus, snails, eels, and lizards (65) Jews could not travel or trade on the Sabbath. In time, many rigid ideas developed among the Jews concerning the Gentiles. Some Jews began to feel that Gentiles were merely created to fuel the fires of hell. For some, the feelings were so strong that they were not allowed to aid a Gentile woman in labor, since such an act would help bring another Gentile into the world. Should a Jewish boy marry a Gentile girl a mock funeral was usually held for the boy by his family.(66 ) Some of these feelings persist to the present. For instance, some orthodox Jewish families today still hold mock funerals for their children who convert to Christianity.
     It is interesting that the language used in 2:12-19 is the normal Greek and Roman political language. The Greek (politeia) used here and translated as "commonwealth" or "citizenship" is the normal term for describing political realities. In other words: "Fellowship with God is termed citizenship in the political entity of Israel." (67)


BUT NOW…

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13

    
     Fortunately for us Gentiles we see the glorious words - "But now…" It is only the blood of Jesus that permanently changes our lost and hopeless Gentile situation. It is only the blood of Jesus that covers our sin and places in the safe and glorious position of being "in Christ." This position seems to be the key for our new covenant relationship and citizenship in God’s kingdom.
     It has been suggested that we can make sense of this passage only as we recall Paul’s theology relating to covenant and promise found in Galatians 3:15-18. These verses make clear that it is the "seed" (singular) and not "seeds" (plural) of Abraham who will inherit the promises. Of course, Paul sees that the seed is Jesus Christ. Since it is only Jesus who now holds the promises, it is only as we are "in him" that we can inherit these promises. This is just "another reminder here for us that Jews and Christians are eternally connected. Christians cannot tell their story apart from the story of Israel…we cannot configure our story in such a way that elevates Christians above Jews." (68)
     Paul goes on to exclaim, "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility," (2:14). We must realize that peace used here is not just the cessation of hostility. It is a comprehensive term for salvation and life with God. Also, not only is the old physical barrier gone that used to stand at the temple, but the spiritual barrier is now gone in Christ. This is great news for both Jews and Christians. There is no longer a dividing wall between us. We are now one covenant people. It is a sad, sad story that almost two thousand years have now passed and neither the Jews nor the Christians seem to realize this glorious fact.
     I remember as a child on the farm that we used to make a quick pasture for our cattle by stringing up an electric fence. Initially the fence didn’t look too imposing to the cattle. However, when Old Bossy stuck her nose to the fence we knew she wouldn’t do it twice. The cattle became so respectful of the fence that even after it was taken down they would scarcely cross the place where the fence once stood. We are still like that today in our relationships with Gentiles and Jews. We don’t seem to realize that Jesus took the fence down almost two thousand years ago.
     So Jesus has become our peace. What a great peace God has given us! We see this great peace reflected in Paul himself. Paul had been falsely charged with taking a Gentile into the temple area at Jerusalem. He was arrested and viciously accused by the Jews. At last he was sent as a prisoner to Rome. Now as Paul sits under house arrest in Rome he can still speak of "peace." Still from his pen can flow the glorious book of Ephesians, which reflects no bitterness as he speaks of the final unity of Jew and Gentile.
     Now Paul gives us the mechanics of how God is bringing forth his new creation or his new man. He is doing it "by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace," (2:15). In regard to the law it is not unusual to hear Christians say that Christ is the end of it. However, we know from the whole counsel of scripture that this is not the case. The Bible tells us in Psalm 19:7 that "The law of the LORD is perfect." In Psalm 119 alone we have three separate verses (144, 152 & 160) telling us that the law of God is eternal and will not pass away. So what has Christ abolished in his flesh?
     We know for a fact that Jesus did not abolish the moral law. One would be a fool today to rob a bank or commit murder because those Old Testament moral laws are still powerfully in force. Yet, while Jesus did not abolish the moral law as a standard of behavior he did abolish it as a way of salvation. He abolished its condemnation. It might be rightly said that Jesus did abolish the ceremonial law with all its rules and regulations. He abolished it by fulfilling all the types, patterns and shadows in himself. There is no longer a need to offer sacrifices, participate in ritual washings, etc. In the cross he fulfilled all types and shadows of the Old Testament ceremonial system.
     "This then, was the achievement of Christ’s cross. First, he abolished the law…as a divisive instrument separating men from God and Jews from Gentiles. Secondly he created a single new humanity…Thirdly, he reconciled this new united humanity to God."(69)
     Paul summarizes it: "and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility" (2:16). In reality this hostility or enmity was twofold. It was an enmity between Jews and Gentiles but it was also an enmity between man and God. Now in Christ it is all put aside.
     We see that "He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near" (2:17). After Jesus was resurrected the first words he spoke to his apostles were "Peace be with you."(70) In one of our assemblies in Jerusalem it was customary for the members at times to "share the peace." At such times the members embraced or extended the hand of peace and blessing to those around. Interestingly that particular assembly was made up of both Jews and Gentiles and had focused on bringing the two together since the mid1800s. What a marvelous thing Christ has done!
     "Early Christians called themselves a ‘third race’ or a ‘new race.’ Early Christians recognized that they were not Jews, not Gentiles, but one new man embracing all who are in Jesus."(71) It is almost beyond the scope of our human understanding to picture this new man that Christ has created. As we mentioned earlier we see our best pictures of this new creation in the Book of Revelation. We see that he is made up of Jews and Gentiles (Rev. 7:1-9). We read that this new man is partly responsible for the fall of Satan out of his heavenly abode. In Revelation 12:11 it is said: "They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." This new creation is then pictured as standing victoriously with the Lamb on Mount Zion. We observe that these are undefiled, that they follow the Lamb wherever he goes (Rev. 14:1-5).
     What victory! What glory! What unity with each other and with God! This great unity is a spiritual thing. Paul says "For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit" (2:18). While the word "access" (prosagwghn) used here sometimes had reference to an audience with the king, it is more closely related to the temple ideas of access to God as we see in Hebrews 6:18-20; 10:19-22.(72) We observe that the same Greek word used again in Ephesians 3:12.
     Today "access" has gotten to be a very important thing in our computerized world. If we have proper passwords we can gain access to all sorts of places and programs on the web. If we do not have proper passwords we are soon discouraged to see "access denied" flash upon our screen. So it is in God’s kingdom. Those who know Christ the Son have immediate and eternal access to God the Father. It is just that simple. As the old saying goes, "It is not what you know but who you know that counts."


GOD’S NEW HOUSE AND TEMPLE

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household… Ephesians 2:19.


     Now Paul is progressing to an even deeper idea, the household of God which indeed grows to become the glorious spiritual temple of God. Still, all this is based upon the position of being "in Christ" or "in God." Moses once spoke of this in prophecy as he said in Psalm 90:1 "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations." How interesting that God is in search of a dwelling with man and man is in search of a dwelling with God.
     Paul goes on into the construction of this dwelling place. He says that it is: "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone" (2:20). It is clear in scripture that the Old Testament prophets were deeply involved in this building.(73) In 1 Peter 1:10-11 we read that the prophets of old searched intently and with great care as they examined the grace that was to be given us. Also, this new building and its cornerstone were spoken of so clearly by Isaiah who said: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed" (Isa. 28:16). We might mention that these cornerstones were often massive load-bearing stones. Some of the gigantic ashlars in the Western Wall at Jerusalem are around 200 tons in weight. Actually some found in the Holy Land have weighed upwards to 570 tons.(74)
     A number of interpreters see Paul’s words here as a reference to New Testament rather than Old Testament prophets. While we do not have many New Testament prophets mentioned by name it is undeniable that the apostles moved in a great prophetic anointing. Some of the clearest and most astounding prophetic visions in the whole Bible are those shared by Paul here in this book of Ephesians.
     We see that Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of this new spiritual building. Some have seen Christ as the ‘keystone’ or the topmost piece that holds the rest together. Still it is noted that this does not really fit the image, and would imply that Christ has no place in the building’s beginning.(75) It would also not fit the image of Isaiah 28:16 that we have mentioned above, where Christ, the cornerstone, is laid in Zion as a sure foundation.


BEING BUILT TOGETHER

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2:21


     We should note that the participle "joined together" (synarmologoumenē) used here and in 4:16 denotes that the parts of the building are skillfully fitted together and not just thrown together.(76) It is also of note that the Gentiles who were once forbidden even to enter the temple area are now made vital parts of the temple itself.
     The ideas of "we" and "you" have now become blended together since the "you" has been included in the holy temple too. Paul says: "And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit" (2:22).
     We must take some time to reflect upon this glorious new temple that Christ is building. Many people ask today if the new temple (third temple) is being constructed yet in Jerusalem. Obviously it is not, and to begin construction on it in the natural sense would probably result in a Third World War with the Moslems. Yet, in another sense, we can say with all boldness and confidence that the temple of God is being built. It has actually been under construction for a long time. The only problem is that the new temple is not so visible in that it is a spiritual complex.
     In 1 Corinthians 3:16, the Apostle asks: "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?" In this passage and in many others like it, the Bible uses "you" in the plural and not in the singular because it is only together that we make up God’s temple. Simply put, God’s truth "is not apprehended by an individual in isolation but with all the saints."(77)  We remember too that Jew and Gentile are now made one together.
     Thus, the new temple is being built of people, believing people. In 1 Peter 2:4-5, we read: "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus. At long last, the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman are being completely fulfilled. He said to her "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:23-24).
     Thus as living stones we are all being built into a spiritual temple. The problem with living stones, however, is that they wiggle around a lot and get all out of place. Sadly, a temple stone out of place becomes little more than a stumbling block. As the great spiritual temple of God is formed, certainly our brothers and sisters would appreciate it if we would find our place in that temple and lay our lives down so the building can proceed. There is another problem, and that is the matter of our fitting together. We sometimes have rough edges that keep us from joining well with one another. These need to be knocked off somehow. Fortunately, God has people in the body who are skilled at knocking off these rough edges. Thus, we really need each other, even if we do not feel this to be the case.
     This assumes relationship. In Matthew 5:23-24 we read: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." The matters of being in one accord and having unity are absolutely essential for the temple’s functioning, because the new temple is made up of people. They are the stones and the walls. They make up the altar, and even the new Holy Place. They are the ministers, the Levites and the Priests (1 Pet. 2:5). We read in Romans 12:1 that they even become a holy sacrifice to the Lord.
     Many years ago it was my privilege to be associated with a dear old pastor, Bro. Jim Nochta. He was a special man with a loving heart and a keen gift of prophecy. I learned much from him, but in time, a breach developed between us. Finally, in my pride and self-righteousness, I broke fellowship with this dear man of God. Several years later, the Lord demanded that I go back and try to heal this breach. I did so, and what a wonderful blessing ensued. After my deep and sincere apology, God established a bond between us far greater than any bond we had before. We regularly corresponded about spiritual matters until God took this dear pastor home. I am so thankful that the Lord led me to heal this breach in the body. Surely, there are many other breaches that need healing with all of us. It is a necessity for the functioning of God’s holy temple.
     The new temple that God is building is holy. In 1 Corinthians 3:17, Paul says: "If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple." The idea behind holiness is that of being set apart for God. Of course, un-holiness includes all spiritual and fleshly defilements. God wants a people pure in heart, pure in mind and body to make up his holy temple. Later in Ephesians 5:3-4, we will be given some very practical advice concerning this: "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."
     In Hebrews 10:19-25, we have one of the greatest challenges in the world. It is the challenge not only to enter and become fully part of God’s temple but to actually enter the Holy of Holies where God dwells. This was unthinkable in biblical times. Only the High Priest entered this place, and he did it only on the Day of Atonement each year. For a common person to enter would have almost certainly meant death. Now we must understand that this Holy of Holies has become an intensely spiritual meeting place. It is a place that we can only enter in fellowship with others, in Spirit and in truth.
     Now the perfect Lamb has been slain for our sin, that is, Jesus (Yeshua), our Messiah. Now the veil has been rent, and the way is fully opened for our entering. The author of Hebrews tells us that we can now have confidence to enter through the veil by his blood (Heb. 10:19-20). We see in scripture that access to God is made possible only by the blood of the Lamb. Our guilty consciences have now been sprinkled with the blood of Jesus (2:22), just as the holy priesthood was sprinkled long ago (Lev. 8:30; cf. 1 Pet. 1:2).
     We are then challenged to draw near, but it is stipulated that we must have a sincere heart (Heb. 10: 22). There are some other things necessary. We must come in full assurance of faith (v. 22). Like the priests of old, we must wash ourselves in pure water. In Temple times, the laver for washing was made of the looking-glasses of the ministering women (Exo. 38:8). This is undoubtedly a picture of the word of God. James possibly alludes to this when he says, "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like" (Jas. 1:23-24).
     Again we are reminded of our proper relationship with the body of Christ, which makes up this temple. We must spur other people to good works (Heb. 10:24). Also, we must not give up meeting regularly with God’s people (v. 25). We should take seriously the matter of encouraging each other, especially as we see the day drawing near (v. 25). Encouragement is a wonderful thing. We can all remember times when someone "made our day" by giving us a little word of encouragement. Let’s find the good points in each other and compliment each other on these. Let us learn to encourage one another by using the Word of God (Rom.15:4).
     Truly, the temple of God is rising and is nearing completion. True sacrifices are even now being offered to God. There is already the sound of pure worship going up to his ears. Perhaps some have not yet fully become a part of this magnificent structure, but for sure, many others have. Now, we must each decide if we are going in all the way, even into the Most Holy Place. Our success in entering will depend not only on our relationship with the Lord, but on our daily relationship with the other members of his glorious body.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you… Ephesians 3:1-2


     Through the Book of Ephesians so far Paul has spoken in an almost breathless excitement. He even strings his remarks with commas and not periods, giving us some of the longest sentences in all of literature. He has already shared several mysteries but he longs to share more. He begins to pray here, but is detracted by the glory of one great revelation. He simply must stop his prayer and share that glory more fully with us.
     We should note that Paul is now a prisoner because of God’s great revelation to him (3:1). He could have lived as a Jew among the Jews with little problem. He could have lived comfortably among the Gentile Christians. But he could not live very well among either by openly proclaiming the great divine secret in his heart. It was this great truth that made up the essential gospel that he preached. It was this great truth that brought his imprisonment and finally resulted in his death.
     Truth is like that. When we really get hold of it, we will find that truth is difficult to handle. When we really find truth, the real truth, it will cost us plenty. If we take a stand for the truth in this truth-denying age it will probably cost us some friends, even some church friends. It may cost us some business associates, or it could ultimately cost us our lives. Yes, truth is such a rare commodity that, in its refined form, it is powerful enough to kill us. Marie Curie helped discover the secrets of radium, but that discovery cost her life. She died from her long exposure to the mysterious substance.
     In previous chapters Paul has been leading up to the full revelation of this great mystery that God entrusted to him. Now when we speak of mystery in our western culture we generally think of something that is dark, obscure or even puzzling. The Greek word mysterion has nothing to do with these ideas.(78) Mysterion (3:3) has to do rather with something that has been hidden by God for ages but is now revealed for all to understand. We must realize that in Christianity there are no esoteric, hidden, mysteries that are reserved for the spiritual elite.(79) All of God’s revealed truth is available to all of us. As Deuteronomy 29:29 puts it, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever."
     Here Paul wants to make a clarification. He wants us to know that he has already introduced this mystery. He speaks of it as "the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly" (3:3). No doubt he is probably making reference back to Ephesians 2:11-22, where he has already spoken about it and developed the mystery to some degree.


PAUL’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE MYSTERY

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. Ephesians 3:3-5


     It is important that we understand the critical role of the original apostles and prophets in the matter of revelation. Most had been with Jesus in the flesh. They had heard him speak of wonderful things. Others like Paul had received powerful revelations of Christian truth. On one occasion Paul was caught up to the heavens and heard unspeakable things. In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, he tells of this great spiritual experience: "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know-- God knows. And I know that this man…was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell" (cf. Acts 26:12-18)
     It seems that Paul is almost teasing us by dangling this great revelation before us. By this time he almost has us breathless. We are almost standing on our tiptoes asking, "For heaven’s sake, what is this great mystery?" At last he gives it to us in capsule form so that no one can miss it: "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus" (3:6). The first thing we note about this mystery is that there are a lot of "togethers" in it.(80) God’s hidden plan was always to make a new creation out of Jews and Gentiles. His great forever plan was to make of the two one new human race, one new household, one new and glorious temple where he could dwell and reveal his presence forever. This is his plan in a nutshell.
     In some ways this is not a new plan at all, but an old, old plan. The Bible had taught for ages that God would seek the Gentiles and that non-Jews could join with his people Israel. We see in passages like Genesis 12:3; 22:18; and 28:14 that the blessing of Israel was to go out to Gentile nations. Actually the prophets talked a great deal about Gentiles joining with Israel and about Israel being a light to the nations (Isa. 56:6-7; 49:6). We immediately think of Rahab the Harlot at Jericho who united with Israel (Josh. 6:17-25), and Ruth of Moab who actually became a mother in the messianic line (Ruth 4:13-22). These women were surely types and shadows of what was coming. Also many non-Jews fought valiantly in David’s army. Some were in very high positions of authority (2 Sam 15:18-22;18:2).(81)
     Yes, Israel was quite used to the idea that God would bless the Gentiles and that certain Gentiles could even unite with the nation and become a part of it. What is new here is that Jews and Gentiles will now be joined together to form a new humanity, to form one new body. We should note here that Jew and Gentile together will form this new humanity. Some have spoken of this miracle in a generic sense where God will just draw all nations together into a new unity. Such an idea has some truth in it but almost totally omits the Jews and their vital part in this unity.
     Now, how are we handling this new and mysterious plan of God? Certainly the Jews have not handled it very well. They relentlessly persecuted Paul and even to this day many Jews mistrust Paul more than they mistrust Jesus. Today, a lot of Jews wish to keep a safe distance from Christians altogether and that with some good reasons. Actually for many Jews, they are probably no longer even aware of Paul’s great mystery.
     The church has not handled it well either. In the early centuries of Christianity a subtle anti-Semitism began to slip into church theology and into preaching. As early as the second century famous church fathers like Ignatius, Justin, Irenaeus and Cyprian began to make inflammatory statements about the Jewish people. Irenaeus, the renowned Bishop of Lyon (AD 130-202), actually declared the Jews "disinherited from the grace of God."(82) The gangrene spread and was reflected in the great Council of Nicea in AD 325, where the Jews were referred to as "polluted wretches…blinded in their minds…most odious fellowship…parricides and murderers."(83)
     The infectious plague continued through the centuries. Probably the greatest preacher early Christianity produced was John Chrysostom (347?-407). Yet, he viciously attacked the Jews. For his great oratory he was called the "Golden Tongue" but he used his golden tongue to call the Jews "most miserable of all men" "lustful rapacious, greedy perfidious bandits." This great preacher ended by saying "I hate the Jews."(84)
     The dark, dark pages of Christian history bear witness that we have not understood Paul’s mystery and neither do we understand it today. Christian history is full of Christian crusades against the Jews, blood libels, repressions, expulsions, inquisitions and murders. Finally the great Martin Luther with his raving against the Jews set the stage of the Nazi "final solution." Luther said that their synagogues and schools should be burned, their houses destroyed, prayer books taken away and that their money be confiscated.(85) Adolph Hitler was happy to oblige and fulfill all of Luther’s wishes.
     Today after a guilty church has stained its hands with the blood of millions of Jews, we are farther than ever from learning Paul’s mystery. In much of the church today there remains a persistent and unexplainable coolness and hardness toward the Jewish people, often even toward messianic Jews. Strangely there is a similar hardness expressed toward the new nation of Israel. We have just not understood. How vastly different the history of Christianity would have been had we understood.
     It is time to make this our prayer:

Heavenly Father, open our eyes to see this great mystery that the church has
somehow lost. Let us see that Jews and Gentiles must now come together and
become one new creation in the Messiah. Show us how to become good stewards
in understanding and sharing this mystery, regardless of the personal cost to us.
And please forgive us Heavenly Father for all our hateful attitudes toward the
Jewish people and toward Israel. In the name of Jesus our Messiah we pray.
Amen.

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Ephesians 3:7


     Paul has just dealt with some of the most astounding mysteries in all of creation. He has reeled them off to us as if he were reciting the "A-B-Cs." Such a spiritual genius should want to bask for a while in the glory of all his revelations. Instead, Paul’s desire is just to be a servant. The servant (diakonos) in New Testament times was merely a table waiter who was totally at the bidding of his customers.
     The Lord had long before taken care of Paul’s pride by giving him a loathsome "thorn in the flesh," lest he become lifted up over all these very revelations (2 Cor. 12:7). So Paul is now just a servant, and becoming a servant is such a necessary thing in the building of God’s great body and temple. We remember that Jesus became a servant to Israel and to us. He was even willing to become a suffering servant, to take up the shameful cross and to die upon it so that he could raise up this new temple (Mk. 14:58).
      We see here that the apostle has been so thoroughly dealt with by God that he almost loathes himself. He says: "Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ…" (3:8). Here he does something impossible linguistically. He takes the Greek word elachistos meaning "least" or "smallest," and turns it into elachistoteros, meaning "leaster." It has been suggested that he might have been playing on the meaning of his Roman name "Paulus," which does mean ‘little’ or ‘small’ in Latin. Tradition has always held that he was a person small of stature.(86)
     Paul has been given the task of proclaiming the "unsearchable riches of Christ." This great assignment and great grace were given to Paul by God. It was not something he attained by his own efforts or discovered by his own wisdom. In his letters Paul makes it plain that the revelation he received was given by the Lord and did not originate through the agency of man (Gal. 1:11-12). He even says in Galatians 1:15-17 that he was set apart from birth for this task as we see spelled out further in Acts 9:15-16.
     The "unsearchable riches" conveys the ideas of "unfathomable" or "trackless." Someone has described it as if we were exploring what we thought was a lake and suddenly realized it was but an outlet opening into a vast sea.(87) These unsearchable riches cannot be explored by humans unless God chooses to reveal them to us.
     Paul’s task is "to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things" (3:9). The word "administration" (oikonomia) is taken from two Greek words, oikos (house) and nomos (law). It is from this that we get our word "economy." The word in Greek means "the law of the house" and it refers to the matters of stewardship and management.(88)
     Paul was charged with the stewardship of dispensing the Gospel to the Gentiles. We see him use the same word in 1 Corinthians 9:17: "I am simply discharging the trust (oikonomian) committed to me."
     The Apostle has the task of making this mystery plain for all to see. The normal word for preaching or evangelizing is not used here but instead we have the word photizo. The idea behind this word is to "turn the light on," or to have the eyes of the heart enlightened as we saw in 1:18.(89) "It was given to Paul to bring to light the arrangement, the way this mystery was administered, namely, the admission of the Gentiles on equal terms with the Jews."(90)
     Obviously we could all sit in a completely dark room and guess about what items of furniture were there. We could also guess about the color of the drapes and carpets, or even how large or small the room actually was. However, when someone comes to the door and switches on the light all the guesswork is over. Everyone can see plainly. So it is with the great mysteries of the Gospel. The light is now switched on. All we have to do is open our eyes and take it all in.


GOD’S MANIFOLD WISDOM THROUGH THE CHURCH

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms… Ephesians 3:10

     The first three chapters of Ephesians illustrate for us the biblical centrality of the church. It has been said that "Ephesians gives more attention to and makes loftier statements about the church than any other letter."(91) We begin to realize that one of the purposes of God all along was to show forth his great wisdom through the church. When we look at the confusion, bewilderment and defeat we often see in the church today we may wonder how God could show anything through us. Still God chooses to work in spite of our weaknesses and even in spite of our many failures.
     This wisdom of God is described as "many-colored," or "variegated" (polupoikilos). God’s wisdom, as shown throughout the creation and the church, quietly weaves a beautiful and glorious pattern. No doubt, parts of this pattern are the many nationalities and skin colors that are brought together through the sacrifice of Christ.
     We realize by Paul’s statement that God is in a sense ‘showing off’ his beautiful church to a host of spiritual beings. We see in 1 Peter 1:12 that even angels long to look into the things of our salvation. Indeed they are created to be ministering spirits in regard to this salvation (Heb. 1:14). Paul speaks of the angels watching the activities of the assemblies (1 Cor. 11:10). In 1 Corinthians 4:9, he even speaks of himself and the other apostles as being made spectacles before the angels.
     As one commentator put it, "the history of the Christian church becomes a graduate school for angels."(92) The cosmic intelligences, principalities and powers in heavenly places are surely watching and learning from the church. "Thus it is through the old creation (the universe) that God reveals his glory to humans; but it is through the new creation (the church) that he reveals his wisdom to angels."(93)
     We might wonder what kinds of things the angels are learning from the church. Wuest suggests that they are pondering all the mysteries of redemption. He suggests that it is only in the church that angels are able to come to an adequate comprehension of God’s great grace.(94) In regard to evil angels who may be looking on, we may wonder what wisdom they can gain. For one thing, they may be learning that Satan, their leader, has no wisdom.(95)
     What a paradox it is that "unsaved men, including wise philosophers, look at God’s plan of salvation and consider it ‘foolishness’ (1 Cor. 1:18–31). But the angels watch the outworking of God’s salvation, and they praise his wisdom."(96)
     With these things in mind we must always be careful to praise our glorious God just as the angels do and to rejoice in the works of his hands, including perhaps his most mysterious and important work, the church itself. We must remember to lift our voices in witness to our great God. There is a very real sense in which "without our voices the truth remains hidden and even unreal."(97)
     God is instructing both men and angels "according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence" (3:11-12).
     Paul has all the marks of a great soul. Although he is in prison he dared not think about himself. His concerns centered in the believers scattered in the province of Asia. We can imagine that if we were in Paul’s place we would have had to share some small complaints about the cold cell, the chafing chains, or the poor food. Instead, Paul has this request: "I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory" (3:13). It is amazing that Paul is concerned only about their possible suffering and not about his own.

ANOTHER GREAT PRAYER

     Paul now resumes the prayer which he left off in 1:23 and possibly started again in 3:1. The Greeks rarely knelt to pray, and it was actually not so common for Jews to kneel.(98) We know that in the Old Testament, Jews often stood in their prayers but particularly in the New Testament, Jewish believers knelt. The Hebrew root barak, which has the meaning of blessing, praising or thanking God, also has "kneeling" within the scope of its meaning. In fact it is from this same Hebrew root of "blessing" or "praising" that we get berek, the work for knee. One writer remarks here that when Paul bowed his knees it must have been quite an experience for the Roman soldier who was chained to him.(99)
     It has been noted that this prayer of Paul greatly resembles Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the temple (2 Chron. 6:1 ff.). We see that Solomon also knelt down before God and before the congregation of Israel. Just as Solomon dedicated the old temple Paul now dedicates the new one.(100)
     We cannot help but notice Paul’s preoccupation with spiritual requests rather than natural ones. While Paul’s first prayer had centered on enlightenment, the focal point of this new prayer is on love. Unfortunately, today much of our praying seems to focus on the natural things rather than on the spiritual ones that Paul dealt with.
     Paul mentions that the "whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name" from the Father (3:15). This family surely includes the saints on earth and the saints in the heavens. Some see this family as also including angels who are termed as our "brethren" (Rev.19:10) and the "sons of God" as we see in Job 38:7.
     As his prayer continues Paul gets on with his requests regarding inner spiritual things. He says: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…" (3:16). In our materialistic age we would naturally think that God would give us some quick cash or some other material benefit from all his glorious riches Here we see that strength and power deposited by God in our inner beings is much better for us and even more profitable in the long run. This is indeed the true riches. Since this transaction is made through the agency of the Holy Spirit we realize what a very rich deposit the Lord has already given us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
     Next Paul prays "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (3:17). The word for "dwell" used here is katoikēsai. This word is made up of oikeō, which means "to live in as a home," and kata, the word for "down." Thus what we have here is the idea of settling down and being at home.(101) This should be the desire of our hearts that Christ would feel so at ease with us that he wouldn’t just visit us on occasions as some wayfarer might do, but that he would feel comfortable enough to move in with us and stay permanently.
     Paul goes on: "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…" (3:17-18). The apostle has been praying that God would give us this inner spiritual power. Now we see that one purpose of this spiritual power is that we might grasp the deep love of our Master. Actually real love requires a lot of inner strength. When we love with God’s love, it causes us to reach out to other people who are many times unlike ourselves and sometimes even repulsive to us. Jesus wants us to be "rooted" and "established" in his love. One writer has described the great dimensions of God’s love in this way.

     God’s love is wide enough to include every person.
     God’s love is long enough to last through all eternity.
     God’s love is deep enough to reach the worst sinner.
     God’s love is high enough to take us to heaven. (102)

     The great apostle desires us to "know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (3:19). The following third stanza of Frederick Lehman’s beautiful and modern hymn, The Love of God, was actually composed in 1096 by a Jewish songwriter, Rabbi Mayer, of Germany. The stanza so well expresses the cosmic dimensions of God’s love with these words:

Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made,
Were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill and ev’ry man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole tho stretched from sky to sky. (103)

    How can we know the love that surpasses knowledge? This has been called a ‘glorious contradiction.’ Yet by knowing Jesus, who is the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2:9), and by being in him, we are filled with fullness of God. What a thought! It is likely for this reason that this prayer of Paul is sometimes called "the boldest prayer ever prayed."(104)
    Paul closes his great prayer saying: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (3:20-21). In our requests to God we see that we are not bound just by what we can ask. God is able to do more than we can even think or imagine.


NOTES ON PART ONE

     1. Peter Pett, Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians: A Commentary, Internet Resources, introductory remarks.
      2. David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible, (www. StudyLight.Org 1997-2003), introduction.
      3. C. F. Pfeiffer & E. F. Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: New Testament (Chicago, Moody Press, 1962), introductory remarks.
      4. Lewis R. Donelson, Colossians, Ephesians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus, (Louisville, Westminster John Knox Press, 1996), p. 61.
      5. Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, IL, Victor Books, 1983-85). Introductory comments on Ephesians.
      6. Hoehner, Introductory comments.
     7. K. S. Wuest, Ephesians in the Greek New Testament: Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament, (Grand Rapids, Eerdmans,1997, 1984). Remarks on 1:1-2.
     8. James Burton Coffman, Commentary on Ephesians: Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, (Abilene, TX, Christian University Press, 1983-1999). Comments on verse 1.
      9. Allan Turner, Commentary on Ephesians, Internet resources. Comments on 1:1.
     10. Wuest, comments on 1:1.
     11. Albert Barnes, Commentary on Ephesians: Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. www.studylight.org. Introductory comments.
     12. Pheme Perkins, Ephesians, Abingdon New Testament Commentaries, (Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1997), pp.18 & 52.
     13. Francis Foulkes, The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, (Grand Rapids, MI, Eerdmans 1956, 1981), p. 20.
     14. Pfeiffer, comment on 1:2.
     15. Wuest, comments on 1:2.
     16. Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible and the Future, (Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1979), pp.17-18.
     While the position of Realized Eschatology has long been associated with C.H. Dodd, Hoekema prefers to call it "inaugurated eschatology."