If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with Intro [1] and then continue in order.
I think I have said this before, but as with all of my observation posts, these are not necessarily the only right answers. These are my observations of the text and my answers to the questions. I have provided these for people who like to know that they are on the right track. But please don't think, just because you came up with something else, that it is wrong. On the other hand, if you come up with something that is different than you have ever heard before, it would probably be good to discuss it with a mature believer, to make sure you are on the right track.
DAY 2
1) we do not wrestle against
-flesh and
-blood v12
BUT
against
2) -against the rulers
-against the authorities
-against the cosmic powers over this present darkness
-against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places v12
3) v11 Put on the whole armor of God
-that you may be able to stand
-against the schemes of the devil
compare...
v13 take up the whole armor of God
-that you may be able to withstand
-in the evil day
having done all, to stand firm v13
stand therefore v14
4) Well, I hate to admit it, but there was a time when I considered my kids my enemies, in the sense that I was trying to accomplish something or wanted to do something, and they were standing in my way. It would have been better if I had thought about who the real enemy is, Satan, and how he wants to disrupt unity. Even now, in my house, he will pit us against each other and we can forget that God loves us so we are to love each other. And that we are both under God's authority, He is our best and greatest ally, and we are all fighting a common enemy.
5) I think we are to stand firm in the truth of God's word and in the finished work of Christ and how that enables us to have victory over the enemy.
DAY 3
whole armor of God:
1. belt of truth v14
2. breastplate of righteousness v14
3. readiness of gospel of peace for shoes v15
4. shield of faith v16
-with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one
5. helmet of salvation v17
6. sword of the Spirit = the word of God
DAY 4
"18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." ESV
1) (the answers to 2) - 4) cover everything about prayer)
2)When should we pray? at all times
How? in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication
- keeping alert with all perseverance
3) Make supplication for all the saints, and for Paul (or our leaders or mentors)
4) Paul asks for prayer "that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel" and that he would "declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." So basically Paul asks that he would be given the words to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.
5) He begins addressing them as the "saints who are in Ephesus". He ends addressing them as brothers.
He greets them with "2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
He ends with:
23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
They both contain grace and peace. The ending has the word love three times, but the word is absent in the greeting.
In the greeting he says "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" and in the closing he says "from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." I just find it interesting because there are other ways he could refer to the Father and Jesus, but both times he uses that similar and lengthy phrase. Another variation is seen in Ephesians 1:3 "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" and again in 1:17. I stated in my first post that this would not be a comprehensive study and there are many things that I don't even touch on. But I think it would be interesting to look more into what name Paul uses for God at what point. I do not think it is an accident. Either it was intended by Paul or by God as Paul was "carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21) English Standard Version (ESV)
For instance, I already pointed out in a previous post, that in the whole section on submission, Jesus is referred to once as Savior, some as Lord, but mostly as Christ and never as Jesus. And in the section on the armor of God, we see 'Lord', 'God', and 'Spirit', but no 'Jesus', 'Christ', or 'Father'.
Anyway, maybe you are at a point in your study of the scriptures where you would benefit from noticing the names of God in your other readings. (The names of God in the Old Testament is a fascinating study as well!)
6) Ephesians 6:21-22 English Standard Version (ESV)
21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
I was honestly surprised that Paul would send Tychicus so that the Ephesians would know how he was and what he was doing. I think this shows that I don't really see Paul as a relational human being. I think I often think of him more as a Super-Apostle and/or a gospel preaching machine. It's not right to think of him that way, and there are other places in the scriptures that affirm the close relationships that he had with the people among whom he ministered. I was reflecting on how dangerous that thinking could be, looking at people ministering today. Do I expect some people to be Super - Christians who do not need other people or care that much about certain relationships and can just minister on automatic pilot with no need for a close connection with others?
EPHESIANS IN REVIEW
I may share some of my personal responses to these questions in a future post...
I think I have said this before, but as with all of my observation posts, these are not necessarily the only right answers. These are my observations of the text and my answers to the questions. I have provided these for people who like to know that they are on the right track. But please don't think, just because you came up with something else, that it is wrong. On the other hand, if you come up with something that is different than you have ever heard before, it would probably be good to discuss it with a mature believer, to make sure you are on the right track.
DAY 2
1) we do not wrestle against
-flesh and
-blood v12
BUT
against
2) -against the rulers
-against the authorities
-against the cosmic powers over this present darkness
-against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places v12
3) v11 Put on the whole armor of God
-that you may be able to stand
-against the schemes of the devil
compare...
v13 take up the whole armor of God
-that you may be able to withstand
-in the evil day
having done all, to stand firm v13
stand therefore v14
4) Well, I hate to admit it, but there was a time when I considered my kids my enemies, in the sense that I was trying to accomplish something or wanted to do something, and they were standing in my way. It would have been better if I had thought about who the real enemy is, Satan, and how he wants to disrupt unity. Even now, in my house, he will pit us against each other and we can forget that God loves us so we are to love each other. And that we are both under God's authority, He is our best and greatest ally, and we are all fighting a common enemy.
5) I think we are to stand firm in the truth of God's word and in the finished work of Christ and how that enables us to have victory over the enemy.
DAY 3
whole armor of God:
1. belt of truth v14
2. breastplate of righteousness v14
3. readiness of gospel of peace for shoes v15
4. shield of faith v16
-with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one
5. helmet of salvation v17
6. sword of the Spirit = the word of God
DAY 4
"18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." ESV
1) (the answers to 2) - 4) cover everything about prayer)
2)When should we pray? at all times
How? in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication
- keeping alert with all perseverance
3) Make supplication for all the saints, and for Paul (or our leaders or mentors)
4) Paul asks for prayer "that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel" and that he would "declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." So basically Paul asks that he would be given the words to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.
5) He begins addressing them as the "saints who are in Ephesus". He ends addressing them as brothers.
He greets them with "2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
He ends with:
23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
They both contain grace and peace. The ending has the word love three times, but the word is absent in the greeting.
In the greeting he says "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" and in the closing he says "from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." I just find it interesting because there are other ways he could refer to the Father and Jesus, but both times he uses that similar and lengthy phrase. Another variation is seen in Ephesians 1:3 "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" and again in 1:17. I stated in my first post that this would not be a comprehensive study and there are many things that I don't even touch on. But I think it would be interesting to look more into what name Paul uses for God at what point. I do not think it is an accident. Either it was intended by Paul or by God as Paul was "carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21) English Standard Version (ESV)
For instance, I already pointed out in a previous post, that in the whole section on submission, Jesus is referred to once as Savior, some as Lord, but mostly as Christ and never as Jesus. And in the section on the armor of God, we see 'Lord', 'God', and 'Spirit', but no 'Jesus', 'Christ', or 'Father'.
Anyway, maybe you are at a point in your study of the scriptures where you would benefit from noticing the names of God in your other readings. (The names of God in the Old Testament is a fascinating study as well!)
6) Ephesians 6:21-22 English Standard Version (ESV)
21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
I was honestly surprised that Paul would send Tychicus so that the Ephesians would know how he was and what he was doing. I think this shows that I don't really see Paul as a relational human being. I think I often think of him more as a Super-Apostle and/or a gospel preaching machine. It's not right to think of him that way, and there are other places in the scriptures that affirm the close relationships that he had with the people among whom he ministered. I was reflecting on how dangerous that thinking could be, looking at people ministering today. Do I expect some people to be Super - Christians who do not need other people or care that much about certain relationships and can just minister on automatic pilot with no need for a close connection with others?
EPHESIANS IN REVIEW
I may share some of my personal responses to these questions in a future post...
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