Day 350 – Reading – Ephesians 1 – 6
Read and believe in Jesus!

Ephesians 1 – 6.

Ephesians was also written by Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome, perhaps at the same time as Colossians and Philemon.

Paul, Aquilla, and Priscilla were instrumental in the founding and growth of the church at Ephesus. It was a seaport and known for its massive Temple of Diana (Artemis). Paul pastored there for three years. When he left for Jerusalem (and eventually Rome), Timothy became the pastor. Like other churches, they were infiltrated by false teachers.

The first three chapters are theological, emphasizing doctrine, and the last three focus on the Christian walk. Paul reminds believers in Ephesus of their “immeasurable blessings in Jesus Christ.”  The blessings are both for saved Jews and Gentiles.  Both are heirs of the promises of Christ Jesus through the Gospel.

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Ephesians 1.

After his greetings, Paul spends paragraphs praising and uplifting Jesus Christ, and telling his readers how absolutely blessed they are IN HIM.  (chosen before the foundation of the world, predestined for adoption as sons, redeemed through His blood, forgiveness of sins, an inheritance, and the promised Holy Spirit)

He also continually gives thanks for the believers in Ephesus, and prays that God would give them wisdom, revelation, and knowledge, and that their eyes would be opened to the riches of His glory in their inheritance in Christ.

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Ephesus 2.

This chapter is a treasure of Gospel truth, emphasizing the grace given to believers through faith. 

Yes, while we were all DEAD IN TRESPASSES IN SIN… FOLLOWING THE DEVIL… SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE… CARRYING OUT THE PASSIONS OF OUR FLESH…. BY NATURE CHILDREN OF WRATH…

GOD LOVED US… GOD WAS RICH IN MERCY TOWARD US… GOD MADE US ALIVE WITH CHRIST… SAVED US… AND SEATED US WITH CHRIST IN HEAVENLY PLACES.

• “By GRACE you have been saved through FAITH. And this is NOT your own doing, it is the GIFT of God, NOT as a result of works, so no one may boast.”

He urges both believing Jews and Gentiles to remember this.  It’s NOT by works that we have done, but according to God’s mercy that He saved us.

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Ephesians 3.

Here, Paul emphasizes again the “mystery” that was not clear in the Old Testament, that both Jews and Gentiles would be saved – both placed into the body of Christ – according to God’s grace.

And it seems as though Paul now falls to his knees in prayer for them….

• “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, that according to the riches of His glory, He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being….
• so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith….
• that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth….
• and KNOW the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…
• and that you may be filled with all the fullness of God!”

(Wow… to think that this prayer is directed to us as well.  Re-read it!)  And then he says that God is able to do this, and “far more abundantly above all we ask or think.”  Praise Him!

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Ephesians 4.

And so – with all that in mind, all the blessings, etc., – Paul urges them to “walk in a manner worthy of their calling, with humility, gentleness, patience with each other, love, and unity f the Spirit in peace.

(That’s not much to ask from ones so blessed!)

Paul then lists the people who are “gifts” of God to the church (workers in different ministries): Apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. These men will help the “body” to grow up into Christ and no longer be immature children, swayed by every wind of doctrine.

They are to “put off their OLD selves” which belong to their former way of living, and “be renewed.  They are to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Tough, but those gifted leaders will counsel and teach them.

And then, some practical notes:

• Be angry, but don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.
• Let the thief steal no more, but do honest work, so he can share with others.
• Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth.
• Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
• Put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander from you.
• Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God, in Christ, forgave you!

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Ephesians  5.

• “Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Paul lists other details of the Christian life and walk, including what to avoid and what to do. And to sum it up,

• “Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. 
• And… try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”
• Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual song, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.

Wow, have you ever tried that last one???  Addressing each other with singing!  Amazing!

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Then, like with the Colossian letter, Paul touches on the Christian way of family life. He speaks to wives and husbands (in more detail in this letter).

Ephesians 6.

Continuing to instruct in Christian family life for children, fathers, and also slaves and masters, including specifics, and even blessings for obedience.

And finally, that familiar passage:

• Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
• Put on the whole ARMOR OF GOD, to be able to stand against the devil.
• Fasten on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness to share the Gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God…. and with all this, PRAYING AT ALL TIMES IN THE SPIRIT. 

He asks the Ephesians, as he did the Colossians, to PRAY FOR HIM, that words may be given him to boldly proclaim the mystery of the Gospel.

(We should all be praying this for each other and ourselves.)

And he closes with brief salutations and blessings.

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