Ephesians (Written)

Saturday, 3 September 2016

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; Ephesians 4:4

This verse enters with an abruptness not realized in most English translations. The words “There is” are inserted by the translators. If left off, it would read –

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ … one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;”

Here Paul is demonstrating why we are to “walk worthy of the calling with which” we were called, something which included all of the points which he then followed up with. It is because the church is one united body. From an earthly standpoint, nothing could seem further from the truth. There are fingers pointed in every direction at every minor disagreement in even the finest points of doctrine. Further, there are those “churches” which are not even a part of the true church. The problem with this is that many cannot discern which denominations are heretical and which are not.

Added on top of that is the fact that there are many individuals in the church who are unsaved wolves who are simply there to further destroy harmony within the church. And possibly worse than those, there are some who are truly saved and yet they have the spiritual maturity of a baby, having never developed in their theology. And yet, they strut about dividing the people over issues they have no understanding in.

It would seem that “one body” is the most laughable statement possible, but Paul is correct. All true believers were brought into the body by faith in the work of Christ, and in that alone. When they believed, they were sealed with the Spirit which brought them into this mystical body. And to ensure that we understand this, he next says, “and one Spirit.” As there is one Spirit, (meaning the Holy Spirit), and as the work of the Spirit includes the sealing of those who have truly believed, then there logically can be only “one body.” He is the One to determine who is in and who is out.

In man, there is error in thinking, there is error in judgment, and there is error in doctrine. But in the Spirit, there is no such thing. The church has been selected in a perfect manner by God who cannot err. Though we may not know who is saved and who is not, the Spirit does because we each “were called in one hope” of our calling. In this statement, hope is not the object which is being described. Rather it is the principle.

We have a hope in us because we have believed in Christ, trusted in His work, and been sealed with His Spirit. It is the surety we possess, either in great measure or in an un-grounded and weak measure, or in whatever measure we possess that hope. The presence of the Spirit, which unites the true church, is to this body just as the spirit is to our natural bodies. It is the life of the church for growth and continuance. This is why Paul says elsewhere that we should be “filled with the Spirit.”

We have the Spirit, in full measure, the moment we receive Christ. We will never get “more” of the Spirit. But the Spirit can get more of us as we yield ourselves to God.

Life application: How do we yield ourselves to the Spirit? Through prayer, praise, petition, study of the word, and fellowship with other believers. The filling of the Spirit is not an active action, it is a passive one. As we yield to God, we will be filled more and more. Let us take these actions and become vibrant, useful members of this marvelous body to which we belong.

Almighty and most gracious Heavenly Father – it is an honor and a blessing to be included in Your marvelous church, the body which You have established through the work of Christ. We are a group from every race, creed, culture, color, and economic status. Each of us has the potential to do marvelous things if we simply are willing to learn Your word and yield ourselves to You. Grant us the wisdom to use this short span of time that we have been allotted towards building up this body and being productive members of it. This we pray for Your glory. Amen.

Friday, 2 September 2016

…endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:3

These words complete the list of things by which one will be able “to walk worthy of the calling with which” he was called. In order to do this, he notes that we should be “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit.” The word “endeavoring” doesn’t really share the sense of the original which indicates “to make speed.” Thus something like “haste to keep the unity of the Spirit” is more in line with Paul’s intent. We should strive with all willingness and speed to ensure such unity.

This “unity of the Spirit” isn’t referring to a possible division of the Holy Spirit, but rather any division of those sealed with the Holy Spirit. Paul has been speaking of the church as one body, and that we are all members of one household. Therefore, we should be united in our conduct and our walk because of this.

However, this brings in an obvious difficulty. When doctrine is lacking, or the word of God is mishandled (either unintentionally or intentionally) there can be no true unity of the Spirit. This is seen throughout the epistles and even in the seven letters to the seven churches. In Romans 16:17, Paul says –

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

Therefore, it is understood that such divisions will exist; a lack of unity is inevitable. Paul doesn’t say that this cannot occur. Rather, he instructs that at times it must occur. What he is asking of us in this verse is that we work with all speed to not let this happen when circumstances so dictate. It is our job to strive for felicity among the brethren and to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

This “bond of peace” that he speaks of probably refers back to Chapter 2 –

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace…” Ephesians 2:14, 15

Where there once was the great division of Jew and Gentile, Christ had made peace. If such an immense source of enmity could be ended through His work, then all others are also possible as well. However, it is incumbent on the offender as much as the offended to be willing to strive for this peace; something which is less likely to occur. Someone who holds to a particular incorrect doctrine will often double down on their stand rather than seeing reason. Pride steps in and is unwilling to admit wrong. Thus the bad doctrine is then passed on to others and it becomes a larger and larger separation.

This is why there are so many denominations with so many unfavorable doctrines to contend with. Some are heretical; some are doctrinally unsound; some are simply nutty pet peeves. It is only through a pure and wholehearted pursuit of Christ that these things will ever be set aside. As God is love, Colossians 3 shows us how this will be effected –

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Colossians 3:14

Putting on love is what will unite the Spirit. It must be the highest love, that of love for Christ and His word, which brings this about. If we are willing to put Him first, then the incorrect doctrines will be set aside for purity of doctrine which stems from Him.

Life application: Paul admonishes us to strive for unity, but he never asks us to do this at the expense of proper doctrine. The world of ecumenicalism errs because it puts unity above purity of doctrine. This is a bad place to be. The words of Scripture ask us to have our allegiances aligned properly. Doctrine matters more than false unity.

Lord God, Your word asks us to strive for unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. However, Your word also tells us that false doctrines and heresies are not to be condoned. In the world today, we have placed a spirit of ecumenicalism above the mandate to pursue sound doctrine. This can only lead to a sad end where our hearts are directed away from You. Help us never to make this mistake, but to put our allegiance to You above all else. This we pray as Your word is our guide for our walk in this fallen world. Amen.

Thursday, 1 September 2016

…with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, Ephesians 4:2

What Paul will now state is an explanation of what it means to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.” What he will say is very similar to what he also wrote to those in Colossae –

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;” Colossians 3:12

His words are also tied in very closely to Jesus’ words which run through the Beatitudes. They are what we are expected to live out in this walk of life in Christ. In this verse, he begins with what might be termed “passive graces.” In other words, they are things that we less actively do, but rather they reflect a passive attitude. They are to be modeled on those things which Christ, who went before us, also displayed in their perfect sense.

He begins with “lowliness.” This is an attitude of the mind where we don’t put ourselves on a pedestal, but rather we exalt those around us above ourselves. He writes of this attitude of diminishing one’s own importance in Romans 12 –

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3

His next thought is that of “gentleness.” It is a meekness of the person which is willing to suffer injury without retaliation and without seeking revenge. Our gentleness should exude out of us when dealing with those around us just as Christ also did. He didn’t retaliate against those who came against Him, but He suffered their degradation and punishment.

“Longsuffering” is the same thought as that which he gave in 1 Corinthians 13:4. It is a passive action, and it is something that requires perseverance. We should be willing to put up with a constant stream of trials and yet be willing to praise God through them. Job suffered as much as almost anyone, and yet he made this resolute proclamation –

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

Finally in this verse, he notes that our walk should include the attitude of “bearing one another in love.” The word indicates a purposeful endeavoring in our attitude. We should have  an earnest desire to exert ourselves in love in order to “secure a thing not lightly obtained” (Albert Barnes). People can wear us out with their own pet peeves, insecurities, jealousies, and the like. In our walk, we should be willing to bear such things in love rather than breaking down and shooting forth darts of anger.

Life application: Paul’s words are a tough thing to live out, but they are written under the inspiration of the Spirit and are thus things that we are being asked to do because they are what God approves of, and therefore expects of us. Let us endeavor to the utmost to act in accord with these precepts.

Lord God, sometimes we just may not feel very loving or willing to suffer the shortcomings of others, but this is what You would ask us to do. In Your word, we are admonished to act in lowliness and gentleness towards others. To be longsuffering in our attitudes toward them, and to bear with others in love. Help us in this Lord. It is a tough thing to pursue, but with reliance on Your Spirit, it can be done. And so be with us as we endeavor to be pleasing to You in this way. Amen.

Wednesday, 31 August 2016

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, Ephesians 4:1

The word “therefore” is given based on all that he has thus far said in the epistle. He is asking them to consider all that he has written and to take it into consideration. This is made especially poignant by the words “I… the prisoner of the Lord.” The Greek reads “in the Lord.” Though he was a prisoner under Nero, it was because of his status “in the Lord” that he was imprisoned. It is what the Lord had willed for his life at that time, and his service would be best used from prison.

This may seem contradictory, but Joseph was once imprisoned and it was that time of incarceration that eventually led him to becoming the second highest in the land of Egypt. God was using his time in prison for a greater purpose, and the same was true with Paul who was also being used in this manner. Based on that status, meaning a prisoner in the Lord, he desired them to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.”

If Paul’s incarceration was part of God’s plan, then they could look at his position which would otherwise seem ignoble; and they could then consider that whatever position they were in, they too could find it a place of honor because of the Lord’s positioning them where they were. In their own position, be it high or lowly, they could then walk in a similarly worthy manner. If high, they would conduct themselves with humility. If low, they would conduct themselves with dignity.

Paul has shown them that position in this world is irrelevant in regards to position in Christ. This is what he is relaying to them with his “therefore.” They should consider themselves as Christians first and foremost, and conduct their walk in that regard.

Life application: It is a common thing for people to get swept up in an almost “idol worship” concerning pastors, preachers, and teachers of the Bible. But it should not be this way. Rather, some of the seemingly lowliest of the church may be the ones who are walking in the most worthy manner in regards to their calling. Let us consider all according to how they honor the Lord, regardless of their position or title.

Lord God, it is wonderful to know that we are all accepted by You because of the Lord Jesus. It doesn’t matter how wealthy we are, how big of a house we have, what color we are, or what our job is. These are worldly things. You look at us based on how we walk according to our calling, and not by these temporary divisions of life. Be pleased to be glorified through how we present our lives as Christians, and help us always to desire Your glory and honor above all else. Amen.

Tuesday, 30 August 2016

…to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:21

The words “to Him” are speaking, as in the previous verse, about God the Father who has orchestrated all things according to His wisdom for the redemption of mankind. It is He who has done, exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (verse 20), and to whom belongs “the glory in the church.”

All credit is given to God in the church concerning our redemption and eternal status where we will live in His presence. No credit can be taken for our entry into this exalted and glorious edifice, and no credit can be taken for our position within it. God has appointed all things according to His wisdom, and we are merely the recipients of this marvelous grace which has come “by Christ Jesus.” The word “by” is arguably better rendered as “in.” The work has been done by Him, and we are in Him now as members of the church.

And because we are members of this body who are in Him, we shall exalt and give glory to God for “all generations, forever and ever.” Here Paul has invented a phrase which attempts, failingly, to explain the eternal state that we have been brought into. Albert Barnes says that, “There is a richness and amplification of language here which shows that his heart was full of the subject, and that it was difficult to find words to express his conceptions. It means, in the strongest sense, forever.”

A literal translation would be “…unto all the generations of the age of the ages” (Vincent’s Word Studies). God’s plan had a beginning in the stream of time, but there shall be no end to it. The redeemed of the Lord shall walk in His presence for time without end, ever searching out the manifold wisdom and glory of God. It is the wondrous hope and expectation that we now possess because of the work of God in Christ.

Life application: If you are of the redeemed of the Lord, then praise Him! You will be doing it for all eternity, and so you might as well get started with that now. Be pleased to give God all the credit He is due for the marvelous gift of eternal life. Be pleased to hail the name of Jesus!

Heavenly Father, you have promised that Your redeemed will walk in Your presence unto all generations, and even unto the age of the ages. Though our lives had a moment when we came into existence, there will never be a time when this life will end. Because of Jesus, You have ordained that we will walk in Your glory and seek out Your splendor forever. As this is so, help us to start the praises now. Let us hail You because of the wonderful work You have wrought in order to bring us back to Yourself. Glory to you in the highest! Amen.