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EPHESIANS
Background to Ephesians: The epistle to the Ephesians was one of the
prison
epistles written during the first imprisonment in Rome. Paul had been in
Athens (Acts 18:19) then
to Corinth for one and one-half years, then to Ephesus where
he founded
the church. Apollos preached here at Ephesus shortly after. Aquila and
Priscilla were
in this church at Ephesus at this time. It
was later here that (Paul
returned)
he sent out the anointed cloths (Acts 19).
He stayed here for a while and
it was
during this time that the uproar occurred over Diana of the Ephesians. Paul'
s
visit here
was for about two years, before he departed.
Halley shows the epistle was
about the church, Paul teaching oneness and the
grandeur of
Christ. It was one of the prison
epistles written about 59-61 A.D. during
his
imprisonment. (First.)
Paul stated in Ephesians 6:20
that he was a prisoner in bonds. (Equipped
for
Every Good Work says that Paul is the writer.) Written from Rome 59-61 A.D.
Ephesians, Colossians and
Philippians were all written about (Eph. 6:20-22) the same
time. Col. ~47-9. Tychicus being the bearer of both epistles (Phil. 10:12).
CHAPTER 1.
V.1 A Paul an apostle by God's will
demonstrating his apostleship. Saints are
the
Christians.
3 - Heavenly refers to the heavenly
sphere. Christ in heaven pouring out
His
blessings. The blessings are first purposed in heaven,
then come to earth.
4 - Predestination again. God calls those in advance to become
God. Holy by
receiving
the Spirit to be God.
6 - In the beloved -- through
Christ.
9 - Mystery in the New Testament
is spoken of as being known now.
10 - There are no humans in heaven,
this refers to the offices now operating in
heaven. That He might unite both those in heaven
and earth to be made into
the
one government.
12 - Speaking of the spiritual
Jews, who formerly had known and hoped in Christ.
13 - Rom. 8:23, II Cor. 1:22, 5:5. Earnest is
the down payment (I John 3:21+)
of
our inheritance.
14 - Gentiles now also brought into
this hope.
16 - Paul again mentions praying
for the church unceasingly.
17 - Notice the titles Paul gives
to the Father.
20 - An example of God's power and
intervention.
22 - Christ is the head of the
church which is the body.
CHAPTER 2.
V. 3 - By nature (Rom. 8:7), children of wrath, i.e., to bring the wrath of God
upon us for
disobedience.
6 - Raised with Him -- two-fold
fulfillment, to be consummated at the resurrection
(I Pet. 1:4, Rev. 5:10).
10 - Created in Christ Jesus -- in
His will, in union with Christ in good works,
good
deeds, obeying the principle of God's laws.
Some versions render
"have
been saved" which means in a condition of being saved now.
12 - The promises were made only to
Israel, not to the Gentiles.
13 - Made nigh by being circumcised
in the heart.
15 - The ordinances (sacrifices)
Heb. 9:10.
21 - Every building -- each
individual Christian, or all the building as King
James has, is
understandable.
19 - Not only a kingdom but a
family relationship.
CHAPTER 3.
V. 1 - He was a prisoner in chains
(Eph. 6:20; 3:13; Col.
4:7,l0; Philip 2:3) those
mentioned
with him were also fellow prisoners.
He does not speak in this
way
in any other epistle, so he actually was a prisoner.
6 - "promise" -- spiritual
promises only -- grace, not race.
8 - I Cor.
15:9. Paul was really humble.
9 - God's plan now being revealed.
10 - I Pet. 1:12. Implies that even the angels and higher
spiritual servants are
actually
learning God1s plan through the church.
I Tim. 3:16, I Cor. 4:9.
Angels desired to look into
these things before. The church is an
instrument.
Note Moffatt
translation.
14 - Cause -- knowing God's plan,
he prayed.
15 - Fatherhood-- P. God is the picture of all fatherhood, the
original father.
Anyone to live on will have
God's name upon himself. Rev.
19:10. God is the
father
of the created beings.
16 - Strengthened in character.
19 - Filled in order to be born
God.
20 - Beautiful doxology in closing.
21 - That Christ be
glorified in the church. Age of the
ages seems to be signi-
fying eternity.
CHAPTER 4.
V.1 - We must be the Christian
example -- it is a vocation.
3 - Unity according to those
things that God has sanctified.
5 - Faith -- one religion or
attitude -- one baptism into the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit.
6 - God is all in all.
8 - Spiritual principle showing
Christ's conquering Satan.
11 - Administrative offices in the
church (I Cor. 12:38). This follows God's
pattern
of church government.
12 - The purpose is to make the
saints perfect as God is perfect.
16 - Love is the basis for the
increase.
23 - II Tim. 1:7, Rom. 12:2.
26 - We are to hate evil, be angry
at the evil deeds of others, but not hate the
individual.
27 - I Pet. 5:8.
30 - Grieve not -- resist without
first proving; vexing it by going against its
fruits.
CHAPTER 5.
V.1 - Imitators -- P., instead of
followers. Imitate God. Matt. 5:48, I Cor. ll:1,
John 14:8-11. Be sure to be forgiving as beloved children
who take the
nature
of their parents. God is our parent and is forgiving.
3 - Fornication is always
mentioned first among Gentiles, be pure and clean as the
temple of God; collectively and singularly.
4 - Our speech should just be
full of thaxikf~ness.
5 - The Ephesian
religion consisted of temple prostitution; that is why this is
named
first. Covetousness is idolatry. Unclean person -- spiritually and
physically
defiled.
19 - Three different types of
songs are sanctioned here.
20 - Keynote at all times is
thanksgiving.
26 - The word (i.e.) as water,
cleans up spiritually.
31 - A command to leave home.
33 - She should reverence
her husband because he is in the office of a husband --
an
office God has set in place.'
CHAPTER 6.
V.
1 - This means to obey your parents as they are in the Lord, and
remember God
comes
first.
2 - 1f the right respect for parents is
maintained there is respect for all you
come
in contact with. If the whole world
was like this everyone would get
along
well and have long life.
5 - Workmen today (slaves no longer in
vogue).
8 - God will pay you for your good --
don't worry. This is a command in a
sense
against
labor unions.
9 - Masters, bosses be the same way.
11 - Our battle isn't against man, but
against authorities (world rulers) who are
wicked
spirits. They are in offices under
God's authority by His will --
respect
them. Many times demons will put strong evil thoughts in your mind
to turn you from the truth,
or to make you bitter against one of God's
ministers
by envy, jealousy, etc. Satan does
have a kingdom. ~tt.
12:26.
13 - Put on whole armor. "Put on the Lord Jesus" (Rom. l3:12,l4).
17 - Put on the new man (Eph. 4:24). Loins girt with
truth. John 17:17 and
Luke 4:4. Psalm 119:172 and Isa.
ll:5.
Breastplate of righteousness. I
Thes.
5:8, Rom. 4:3, and James
2:21. Feet shod with the preparation
of the gospel
(readiness -- hetoimasia) Matt. 25:1-13, Rom. 10:15 and Isa. 52:7. Shield
faith. Prov. 30:5 and
Rom. 10:17, Heb. 11:1, Psa. 18:35 and Eph. 2:8
Helmet salvation. Isa. 59:17 and I Thes. 5:8. Sword word of God. Heb. 4:12
and
Matt. 4:4.
18 - By praying always in union
with the Holy Spirit, watching always.
19 - Pray for all the Christians
and God's ministers.
20 - Paul was an ambassador in a
chain. Even Paul showed his fear and he wanted
help
to be able to speak boldly.
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