Ephesians - A Study of

The book of Ephesians is the most one of the most important books of doctrinal revelation to the church. It is one of the few New Testament books that was written as instruction in doctrine and not sent for correction. This letter by Paul was specifically addressed to the Gentile believers in the church. He addresses Ephesians to the saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus (which, being all inclusive, applies as addressed to us as well in our day and time). Paul was inspired by God to wrtie this letter to fully describe the blessings that the Gospel reveals, the source of these blessings, the way in which they are to be obtained, the reason why God gave them to us, the result on our lives that they produce in our lives, and how we are to apply them to our relationship and unity in the church. Paul founded the Church after having been in Corinth. It was in Corinth that he met Aquila and Pricilla and stayed with them since they were of the same occupation as himself, tent-makers (Paul lived with them there for a year and a half). When he left Corinth, after the Jews truned much of the city against the believers there, he traveled to Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla accompanying him on the Journey (recorded in Acts 18).

Ephesians starts off with creation of God's family. Paul first gives us the comforting declaration that God already has (hath - past tense) blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. God having blessed us to the fullest extent of His ability, leaves it up to us to merely believe to receive this "open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing thath there is not enough room to receive..Malachi 3:10" styled blessing. From this scripture Paul begins to explain exactly who we are to God, who we are and what we are to think of ourselves, and what we have been made partakers of through Christ Jesus.
_Ephesians 1:1-3; "1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"_

God chose us for salvation before the creation of the world, to be transformed from the state of sin that Adam's rebellion placed us in, to be holy (sanctified) and without blame before Him (Psalms 32:2 & Romans 4:6). God not only chose us but He also foreordained by His divine will to become His adopted sons and daughters. We who are born again have been made accepted in the body of Christ (in the beloved of God) and have obtained redemption and forgiveness through God's grace. Our priase is to go to God our Father who has elected us to become His children through His grace to us. That we can stand before Him holy (belonging to Him) and without any sense of guilt.
_Ephesians 1:4-7; "4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."_

God, through His Word has abundantly supplied us with His wisdom (knowledge applied) and prudence (discretion in practical affairs). He has revealed to us that which had been hid before the coming of Jesus Christ and revealed to us, that which He intended for His children. We can rejoice because God chooses us for a relationship with Him. God wants all believers to understand that the mystery is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
_Ephesians 1:7-9; "7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:"_

At this time of the revealing of God's mystery, the administration (dispensation) of the fulness of times, the point reached where our salvation was made available, does not refer simply to the future. We have already received redemption and adoption by way of Christ's death and resurrection and Christ has already assumed leadership over the church. In the future sense, here we see Christ will eventual rule over all things. We have obtained an inheritance (being joint heirs with Christ) and the believing Jews of the first century were the first fruits who first trusted in Christ, who had become heirs by the will of God. And, "in whom ye also trusted," the Gentiles who had received the promise made to Israel - the gift of Holy Spirit , have become heirs of God as well and have been adopted into God's family. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is just a token (earnest), a small part of what our full inheritance will be.
_Ephesians 1:10; "10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."_

Paul in his prayer for the church at Ephesus, prayed for God's work of revelation to the members of the church there in his letter. In general this prayer is inclusive in regard to revelation being made available to God's family overall. That God would give us wisdom and revelation of knowledge concering Him. The eyes of our understanding is our "spiritual sight," it is only by spiritual enlightenment that we can perceive, understand, and profoundly know what the hope is that God has given to us. This hope indeed is riches in glory beyond anything the world can offer to us.
_Ephesians 1:15-18; "15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,"_

That we may know what is the "exceeding greatness of His power" given to us who believe. This is the same power Jesus Christ referred to when he taught the apostles and disciples that "we would be able to the works he did and greater works" (John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.) This power is available to us because our Lodr and Savior Christ Jesus is presently seated at the right hand of God making intercession for each of us.
_Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,"_

Paul then states the position God had exaulted Christ Jesus to. He is "far" above in rank: all principality, powers on earth, all physical strength (might) of men, and dominance or power through legal authority of any country (dominion), and above every name that is named not only in the present but in the future as well. God has put Christ in the total authoritative position over all things, and placed him incharge of the operation of the church. The church is the body of Christ, every believer is a part of the body of Christ. This is the reason we are told that we are joint-heirs with Christ (joint-heirs share equally the entire inheritance).
_Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."_

Following this is the explaination of God's work of resurrection, our transition into the inheritance from God, from death to life. Before we believed we were under the power and rule of Satan. We were not only dead due to sin, but we walked by the direction of the world and according to the will of "the prince of the power of the air" (the devil) along with his devil spirit possed children (seed of Satan). This former behavior (conversation) we were trapped in was materialistic, catered to desire of the flesh (do what feels good and sexual immorality) and were children of wrath (intense anger). Even while we were in such a depraved condition, God by way of His mercy and love for us, when we believed - removed our sin which was our death sentence, from us, and has made us alive with eternal life "together with" along with Christ. We were already raised up "together" with Christ and made to sit together with Christ in heavenly places.We are already citizens of heaven, when God raised Christ Jesus from the dead we were already raised with him, we were predestined when we believed that Jesus was the Christ who died for us and God raised from the dead. We are saved by God's grace (His gift to us) and "We Are God's Workmanship!" We were created in Christ Jesus and "hath before ordained" (already has consecrated) that we should walk according to His will, His Word.
_Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."_

We have received God's work of reconciliation and have been transformed from strangers to God to citizens of heaven. We gentiles were, prior to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not included in the covenants of promise from God given to Israel and had no hope of redemption. We were, before we were born again, without God and without His promises. By the blood of Jesus Christ shed for us, we have become equal in God's sight with Israel (the Circumcision) and reconciled to Him by Christ on the cross. God has "slain" (killed as in battle) the enmity (a state of deep-seated ill-will) that was between us and God. It is a chilling feeling to realize what opposition God saw in us and, existing against us before we believed and received the new birth. Christ Jesus preached to us (you which were far off) and the first century believers through the written Word of God and the Word of God spoken through the apostles and prophets who have been manifested in the world after the resurrection. Both Jew and Gentile have access to God our Father by one Spirit, the new birth. We are citizens of the household of God and our birth in the Spirit was made available through God's Word taught to us. Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone of our faith. The sum total of all of us who believe comprise temple and are built together for a habitation of God through the Holy Spirit. It is God in Christ in You.
_Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."_

Paul makes proclamation of God's work that had been hidden from the beginning of the world. The mystery revealed of God's family. God by way of Paul informed us us the new "dispensation" (administration) of grace and the revealed mystery that the gentiles are fellow heirs and partakers of God's promise through Christ. This mystery had been hid from men in God, "who created all things by Jesus Christ." Because of having received this promise from God we can boldly come before God through the faith of Christ Jesus and we have the confidence that He will hear us.
_Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory."_

Paul again prays for all believers to receive God's work of sanctification, praying for the maturing of the body of Christ, God's family. That we all will be strenghtened with power (might) by His Spirit in the inner man (the new birth - holy spirit). That we will grow in the knowledge of God to a fuller mature comprehension of all of the dynamics of who and what we are in Christ Jesus, and that we will begin to understand the love of Christ which goes beyond all knowledge. That this understanding enables us to be filled with the fulness of God. And through the knowledge of God, the promise of God to us expressed to us is - "God Is Able To Do Exceedingly Abundantly Above All That We Ask OR THINK." God to us as his children, does not even wait for us to ask him for things, God acts on things we think and provides those things (things that are according to His will) before we even think to ask Him for them. All activated in agreement with or accordant with the power that works in us which is Christ in you the hope of glory.
_Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."_

The first three chapters of the book of Ephesians gives us a thorough description of who we are in Christ and what we have received from God in Christ. Our status in the eyes of God is clearly defined and we are assured of our election by God and our adoption by God. We are informed in the clearest manner that we gentiles have obtained through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (the new birth) equality of position, as was once only available to Israel, that no longer is there any difference to God between Jew and Gentile. We have been granted citizenship in heaven in the household of God. God has blessed us with all spiritual belssings and beyond this we have received the ability to have God's power not only work for us but through us as well. That God will reveal to us through the revelation of His Word in the scriptures, through apostles, and through prophets His direction and will for us in our lives. That God will perform the fulfilling of our prayers and even our thoughts to an exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask of think. In reading these three chapters we know who we are to God and how we should see our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. These chapters also explain the nature of our hope of the return of Christ Jesus to claim his body, the church. That we are already raised to newness of life with Christ Jesus when God raised him from the dead. Even though we have not yet obtained our resurrected body like Christ's, it is nevertheless already ours. You are not what the world says you are. The world tells us we are nobodies, we are nothing, that we are fools for believing what the world wants you to believe are fables and myths. The world wants you to believe that you can not make a difference that you can not be effective in producing positive life giving change in the lives of your fellow man. The world want to put out your light because your light exposes it's darkness...well you have available to you from God in your little finger more power than all the henchmen of the Devil combined through the power of God in Christ in You. You are ambassadors for Christ, that makes you someone of note for certain. We challenge you to take just 10 minutes each morning when you awake to read the first three chapters of Ephesians and do so for 2 weeks and see what you think of yourself after that.