Ephesians Bible Study

[Radagast]

..

 

[Radagast]

Actually, I might as well post Ephesians 3:1-13 now. Comments on Ephesians 1 and 2 are still welcome.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. (ESV)

Questions for discussion:

1) In his letters, Paul often uses the word "mystery" (Strong's G3466), with a very specific meaning. What does he mean by this word?

2) What is the mystery he is talking about here?

3) What was Paul's mission?

4) From where did this mission come?

5) What is the "working of his power" in verse 7?

6) Why does Paul call himself "the very least of all the saints"?

7) Any other insights?

It's probably best to answer those questions one-by-one, rather than all at once.

 

[ebedmelech]

I'll take the first two questions:

1) In his letters, Paul often uses the word "mystery" (Strong's G3466), with a very specific meaning. What does he mean by this word?

"Mystery" means a secret or hidden thing of God. Something that only comes as God reveals it. However, it does not imply (as some say, and have said), that the entirety of scripture is a mystery. It means there are secret things in the scriptures, that God enlightens by the Holy Spirit.

2) What is the mystery he is talking about here?

I hold first of all, that as Paul said, the mystery is the unfolding of Christ and the salvation we have through Him, and how it makes ALL CHRISTIANS one in Christ, as Paul has just finished writing in chapter 2. The Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ, we are told here that the mystery is "is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

He tells us that this mystery was not known "through generations" to people (sons of men). God revealed the mystery to "His apostles and prophets" by the Holy Spirit, and they are revealing it to us in scripture. This is why we must read the Old Testament IN LIGHT of the New Testament. God, through New Testament apostles and prophets (by the Holy Spirit), is revealing how all he did through the Old Testament is revealed as the "mystery of Christ" to us.

There's more, but that's the gist of it.

 

[Radagast]

I'll take the first two questions:

1) In his letters, Paul often uses the word "mystery" (Strong's G3466), with a very specific meaning. What does he mean by this word?

"Mystery" means a secret or hidden thing of God. Something that only comes as God reveals it. However, it does not imply (as some say, and have said), that the entirety of scripture is a mystery. It means there are secret things in the scriptures, that God enlightens by the Holy Spirit.

Yes. To be more exact, Paul uses the word to refer to a formerly secret part of God's plan, which has now been revealed. According to verses 4 and 5, which you cited: "the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit."

See also Romans 16:25-26: "...the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith..."

Also Colossians 1:26: "the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints" and other passages.

2) What is the mystery he is talking about here?

I hold first of all, that as Paul said, the mystery is the unfolding of Christ and the salvation we have through Him, and how it makes ALL CHRISTIANS one in Christ, as Paul has just finished writing in chapter 2. The Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ, we are told here that the mystery is "is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

Exactly! Verse 6 summarises the "mystery" quite well.

This is why we must read the Old Testament IN LIGHT of the New Testament. God, through New Testament apostles and prophets (by the Holy Spirit), is revealing how all he did through the Old Testament is revealed as the "mystery of Christ" to us.

That's an application I hadn't thought of, but you're absolutely right. It's only in the light of these revealed mysteries that the Old Testament fully makes sense.

 

[achristian2]

Will answer them tomorrow. God bless.

 

[FreeinChrist]

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[achristian2]

1) In his letters, Paul often uses the word "mystery" (Strong's G3466), with a very specific meaning. What does he mean by this word?

'Mystery' means secrets or secret will or hidden purpose of God that God will reveal to those that He has chosen to share with. Those that He has chosen to share with are those saved by Him and are righteous. Those that are not saved and wicked will not understand them.



2) What is the mystery he is talking about here?
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. That Gentiles would also be saved through Christ.



3) What was Paul's mission?

To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. To let everyone know that God had intended right from the beginning to save the Gentiles (previously this knowledge was hidden) and that through the church, God's wisdom is made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus.



4) From where did this mission come?
From God. (Stewardship of God's grace given to him through revelation)



5) What is the "working of his power" in verse 7?

Guessing here. The working of his power is the gift of God's grace in Paul's life which enabled him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.


6) Why does Paul call himself "the very least of all the saints"?

Because before he was saved, he was an enemy of Christ and went around persecuting Christians.

 

[Radagast]

1) In his letters, Paul often uses the word "mystery" (Strong's G3466), with a very specific meaning. What does he mean by this word?

'Mystery' means secrets or secret will or hidden purpose of God that God will reveal to those that He has chosen to share with. Those that He has chosen to share with are those saved by Him and are righteous. Those that are not saved and wicked will not understand them.

As I said above, Paul uses the word to refer specifically to a formerly secret part of God's plan, which has now been revealed. According to verses 4 and 5: "the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit."

See also Romans 16:25-26: "...the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith..."

Also Colossians 1:26: "the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints" and other passages.

2) What is the mystery he is talking about here?
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. That Gentiles would also be saved through Christ.

Indeed.

3) What was Paul's mission?

To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. To let everyone know that God had intended right from the beginning to save the Gentiles (previously this knowledge was hidden) and that through the church, God's wisdom is made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus.

Spot on!

4) From where did this mission come?
From God. (Stewardship of God's grace given to him through revelation)

Yes. We see this in Acts 9:15: "But the Lord said to him [Ananias], 'Go, for he [Paul] is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.'"

5) What is the "working of his power" in verse 7?

Guessing here. The working of his power is the gift of God's grace in Paul's life which enabled him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.

I think so too. In Colossians 1:29, Paul says: "For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." Probably also God's powerful act in Paul's conversion to Christianity.

6) Why does Paul call himself "the very least of all the saints"?

Because before he was saved, he was an enemy of Christ and went around persecuting Christians.

Exactly!

In 1 Corinthians 15:9, Paul says: "For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."

 

[Radagast]

Any other comments, questions, or insights on Ephesians 1:1 to Ephesians 3:13?

 

[Radagast]

Well, I might as well post the second part of Ephesians 3.

Note that verses 2-13 were a side-comment. We begin again with the words "For this reason I..." from verse 1:

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family {or: all fatherhood / or: his whole family} in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

The (1984) NIV may give a little clearer translation of this passage:

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family {or: all fatherhood / or: every family} in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

There is a wordplay here on the words πατήρ (pater = father, Strongs G3962) and πατριά (patria = fatherhood or family, Strongs G3965), which is difficult to capture in English.

Questions for discussion:

1) What is "this reason" in verse 14 (and verse 1)? How does the prayer relate to this reason?

2) What things does Paul ask for here?

3) How does the structure of this prayer compare to the Lord's Prayer?

4) How do we see the Trinity in this prayer?

5) How is this prayer a model for us?

6) Any other insights on this prayer?

7) Any other comments/questions/insights regarding Chapters 1, 2, or 3?

It's probably best to answer those questions one-by-one, rather than all at once.

 

[motherprayer]

This is so hard for me to participate in, but I'm an active listener. I just want you to know I'm here. I am going to try to answer the questions tomorrow, or at least some of them

 

[Radagast]

This is so hard for me to participate in, but I'm an active listener. I just want you to know I'm here. I am going to try to answer the questions tomorrow, or at least some of them

Great to have you with us!

Meanwhile, enjoy this "wordle" of Ephesians:

 

[Radagast]

Reposting the second part of Ephesians 3 to get it on this page.

Note that verses 2-13 were a side-comment. We begin again with the words "For this reason I..." from verse 1:

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family {or: all fatherhood / or: his whole family} in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

The (1984) NIV may give a little clearer translation of this passage:

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family {or: all fatherhood / or: every family} in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

There is a wordplay here on the words πατήρ (pater = father, Strongs G3962) and πατριά (patria = fatherhood or family, Strongs G3965), which is difficult to capture in English.

Questions for discussion:

1) What is "this reason" in verse 14 (and verse 1)? How does the prayer relate to this reason?

2) What things does Paul ask for here?

3) How does the structure of this prayer compare to the Lord's Prayer?

4) How do we see the Trinity in this prayer?

5) How is this prayer a model for us?

6) Any other insights on this prayer?

7) Any other comments/questions/insights regarding Chapters 1, 2, or 3?

It's probably best to answer those questions one-by-one, rather than all at once.

 

[ebedmelech]

I'll take the first two questions:

1) What is "this reason" in verse 14 (and verse 1)? How does the prayer relate to this reason?

The reason is Paul's calling and his ministry as "apostle to the Gentiles" to preach the gospel and make it's mysteries known to all. He wants us to understand this is also the reason he is persecuted...because "those who live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (1 Tim 3:12), and Paul certainly fit that bill.

Paul is thankful to God for his calling and wishes the saints to "drink up" all that he reveals to them.

2) What things does Paul ask for here?

Paul is in prayer to God asking Him to make known to us:

*The riches of God's glory.

*To be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in us.

*For us to be rooted and grounded in Christ by faith.

*That we love for one another, which will lead us to understand even more that which God has for us, which is unsearchable .

This is a life long challenge to us as Christians, and we are to pursue it constantly. It leads to our growth in sanctification, and righteousness.

 

[Radagast]

I'll take the first two questions:

Thanks!

1) What is "this reason" in verse 14 (and verse 1)? How does the prayer relate to this reason?

The reason is Paul's calling and his ministry as "apostle to the Gentiles" to preach the gospel and make it's mysteries known to all. He wants us to understand this is also the reason he is persecuted...because "those who live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (1 Tim 3:12), and Paul certainly fit that bill.

That's partly it, but (given that verses 2-13 are a side comment, and verse 14 picks up the sentence begun in verse 1) I think that "this reason" mainly refers back to what Chapter 2 told us about what Jesus has done -- especially 2:18: "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father."

It's because of that access that Paul is praying -- and encouraging both the Ephesians and us to pray too.

 

[Radagast]

2) What things does Paul ask for here?

Paul is in prayer to God asking Him to make known to us:

*The riches of God's glory.

*To be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in us.

*For us to be rooted and grounded in Christ by faith.

*That we love for one another, which will lead us to understand even more that which God has for us, which is unsearchable .

This is a life long challenge to us as Christians, and we are to pursue it constantly. It leads to our growth in sanctification, and righteousness.

Paul's petitions are a little clearer in the NIV (look for the words "I pray that").

The first petition is that God will strengthen us with power through his Spirit so that Christ will live in us through faith. A prayer for spiritual growth. Don Carson, in the book I mentioned earlier, writes:

"When Christ by his Spirit takes up residence within us, he finds the moral equivalent of mounds of trash ... and a leaking roof. He sets about turning this residence into a place appropriate for him, a home in which he is comfortable. There will be a lot of cleaning to do, quite a few repairs, and some much-needed expansion. But his aim is clear: he wants to take up residence in our hearts, as we exercise faith in him."

The second petition is that we fully come to know the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love for us (displayed in what Christ did for us, as Paul told us in Chapter 2).

The more we know Christ's love for us, the more we will love each other, of course, and the less we will have conflicts between Jew and Gentile (or, as Paul will get to later in this epistle, between husband and wife, or between parent and child, or between employer and employee).

I take it that reflecting Christ's love out to others like that is what being filled to the measure of all the fullness of God means. If we are like a cup full to overflowing with God's love, then the love will pour out from us to others.

 

[achristian2]

I'm sorry that I haven't been able to answer them earlier. Will answer some of them this week.

 

[ebedmelech]

Paul's petitions are a little clearer in the NIV (look for the words "I pray that").

The first petition is that God will strengthen us with power through his Spirit so that Christ will live in us through faith. A prayer for spiritual growth. Don Carson, in the book I mentioned earlier, writes:

"When Christ by his Spirit takes up residence within us, he finds the moral equivalent of mounds of trash ... and a leaking roof. He sets about turning this residence into a place appropriate for him, a home in which he is comfortable. There will be a lot of cleaning to do, quite a few repairs, and some much-needed expansion. But his aim is clear: he wants to take up residence in our hearts, as we exercise faith in him."

D. A. Carson is a great expositor! I've listened to him often.

 

[achristian2]

1) What is "this reason" in verse 14 (and verse 1)? How does the prayer relate to this reason?

"this reason" means because the gentiles are also saved through faith in Jesus Christ. The prayer is for the Gentiles to be firmly rooted in their faith and love in Jesus Christ and to have power.


2) What things does Paul ask for here?

Paul asked for God's family to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in their inner beings, that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith established in love, they have power to grasp how deep, wide, high and long is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge so that they may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God.


3) How does the structure of this prayer compare to the Lord's Prayer?

This prayer is asking for God's power and to know the deep extent of Christ's love for us. And this power is gotten through his spirit in our inner being when we let Christ dwell in our hearts through faith established in love and when we know the great extent of Christ's love for us--Ephesians 3.

The Lord's prayer is praying for God's will to be accomplished, that we are dependent on him (give us this day our daily bread) and that we have the power/ability to be obedient to him.

Basically both prayers mean the same thing because for the Lord's prayer to be accomplished, we need to get God's power and understand Christ's love for us. And when we understand Christ's love for us, we would want to walk in obedience to God and knowing His power, we will have confidence that we can accomplish in His strength/power what we pray for in the Lord's prayer


4) How do we see the Trinity in this prayer?

he, God refers to God
his spirit is the Holy Spirit
Christ is Jesus Christ


5) How is this prayer a model for us?

We are to ask for God's power and to know the full extent of God's love for us, a love that surpasses our knowledge. We are to let Christ dwell in our hearts through faith, being rooted and established in love. Only when we pray like this and mean it, then will we see God working in our lives and our ability to walk in obedience in Him and to abide in Him. Without really understanding God's power and love for us through faith in Christ, its hard/impossible for us to walk the Christian life as God intended for us.

 

[Radagast]

1) What is "this reason" in verse 14 (and verse 1)? How does the prayer relate to this reason?

"this reason" means because the gentiles are also saved through faith in Jesus Christ. The prayer is for the Gentiles to be firmly rooted in their faith and love in Jesus Christ and to have power.

I think that's right, but see also my response above.

2) What things does Paul ask for here?

Paul asked for God's family to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in their inner beings, that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith established in love, they have power to grasp how deep, wide, high and long is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge so that they may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God.

See my response above.