Ephesians Manuscript Study

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. This is in answer to Ephesians in Review at the end of   Ephesians 6:10-24 THE LAST ONE!!! [23] . This study of Ephesians has been so rich for me.  It was one of my favorite books of the Bible before I started, but I love it even more and understand it even better now. It has also amazed me how many opportunities God has given me to share from my time studying it. It seems like Ephesians relates to EVERYTHING! 1) When I started studying Ephesians this time, I was struck by the theme of unity. I found that it was all over the place, even when the word itself was not used (for more on unity, see my post,  Unity Through and Through - Thoughts on Ephesians 4:1-16 [16] ). I was happy to receive confirmation of that when I read one of my pastor's sermons, and he said that unity was the main theme of Ephesians: "to unite all things in [Christ], things in heaven an...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. "11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore..." Ephesians 6  ESV I wondered at the emphasis on stand: stand v 11, withstand and stand firm v 13, stand v 14. Why stand? Then I thought of earthly wars. How often is a commander content that his army just stand their ground? Aren't they usually trying to advance? Gain more ground? I found what my Pastor Timothy had to say to be helpful: We stand, in this case, because the ground has already been won (cf. Thielm...

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 ...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. DAY 1 Read through chapter 6 and mark words that you previously marked. Read 6:10-24 and look for words that are repeated in this last section and mark some of them. Praise God for something you read about. DAY 2 1) What is being contrasted in v12? 2) If you did not already write them out, what are we wrestling against? 3) Compare v11 with v13 (look for similarities and differences). 4) Who are you tempted to think of as your enemies (v12)?  Talk to God about this. 5) What do you think it means to stand firm (v13)? DAY 3 List the different parts of the armor of God and other information given about the pieces of armor. Thank God for something or somethings in this list. DAY 4 1) What does this passage say about prayer? 2) When or how should we pray? 3) What should we pray about? Pray according to something Paul said. 4) What is Paul's prayer requ...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. Before we look at any specific people, I think it would be good to get a big picture of how this section fits in with the previous section. The following is from my pastor's sermon notes (see 5:21-24) , and I think it is a good visual to help us with that - the part that starts "WATCH CAREFULLY THEREFORE HOW YOU WALK". So I think this helps us to see that wives submitting to their husbands, children obeying their parents, and bondservants obeying their earthly masters all fall under the "submitting to one another in the fear of Christ". And that goes along with giving thanks, singing and making melody, and speaking to one another in songs, which all fall under being filled in the Spirit and watching carefully how we walk. Now that we have the all-important context, I have just a few thoughts... As a wife, when I recently looked at this, I think I wa...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. These are my answers to the questions I asked in my previous post [21]: DAY 1 wives husbands children fathers slaves masters DAYS 2 AND 3 1) Wives 1. submit to your own husbands v22   -as to the Lord Why? For the husband is the head of the wife =as Christ is the head of the church 2. as the church submits to Christ = wives should submit in everything to their husbands v24 3. let the wife see that she respects her husband v33 Husbands 1. love your wives v25 -as Christ loved the church 2. in the same way (as Christ loved the church) should love their wives as their own bodies -he who loves his wife loves himself v28 -we don't hate our bodies, but: v29 -nourish -cherish our flesh -because we are members of his body v30 3. leave his father and mother v31 4. hold fast to his wife v31 -and the two shall become one flesh v31 5. let...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. Well, we are almost done with Ephesians - only two sections left! I know it has been a lot of work, but hopefully you have seen some of the benefits of digging into God's word. Don't quit yet, persevere to the end and get that good fruit that comes from studying diligently! DAY 1 Now we move on to specific instructions for specific groups of people. So first of all, read through 5:22-6:9 and note all the different people Paul addresses. Mark them a certain way, if you would like. DAYS 2 AND 3 1) List the commands Paul gives to wives and husbands and any reasons he gives for the commands. 2) How do verses 23 and 24 help to flesh out what it means for a wife to submit to her husband? 3) How does the comparison of Christ loving the church in verses 25-27 help us to understand how husbands are to love their wives? 4) Same question for 28-30 as above... If you are a wi...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with Intro [1]  and then continue in order. Ephesians 5:1-2 English Standard Version (ESV) 5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Paul encouraged us to "be imitators of God as beloved children". Now, just take a minute and let that sink in... if you are in Christ, the God of the universe, the LORD and Creator of all, the rightful Judge and Ruler of the universe loves you as his child! Wow! Paul could have exhorted us to imitate God as his bondslaves, or his royal subjects, or as his creatures. Any of those would have been true and appropriate. But Paul encourages us to imitate God AS BELOVED CHILDREN. And we are to walk in love, as Christ loved us, by giving himself up for us and making himself, a sacrifice to God. This makes me think of John. 1 John 4:19 English Standard Version (ESV) 19 We ...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. These are my answers to the questions I asked in my previous post [19]: DAY 1 General Statements: - be imitators of God, as beloved children. - And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us DAY 2 Verse 6 Cause: I think the cause goes back to verse 5 and refers to sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness. It is because of "those things" that... Effect: the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience But: Verse 4 no filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking, BUT thanksgiving Verse 8 (at one time) you were darkness, BUT now you are light (in the Lord) Verse 11 take no part (in the unfruitful works of darkness) BUT expose them DAY 3 Do: Don't: +be imitatiors of God v1 +walk in love v1 -name sexual immorality -or all impurity -or covetousness +give thanks v4 -talk filthy    -or f...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. DAY 1 Read 4:1 - 5:21 and mark every instance of "walk". 4:1 gives a general statement that is fleshed out more specifically in the rest of the book, that we should "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called". Do you see any general statements like that in the beginning of 5? If so, what is/are it/they? DAY 2 This whole passage, 5:1-21, has a lot of contrasts throughout. It also contains something we haven't talked about yet, a cause and effect. Whenever you see the word "because" you know there is one, just like a "but" alerts you to a contrast. Look at the because in v6 and write down what the cause is and what the effect is. Write down 2 "but"s from vv1-14 and what is being contrasted. Spend some time thanking and praising God for some of the truths you have seen in your study in days 1 and 2. ...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. I am going to start with 4:20-24: 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. I am going to give some thoughts on 25-32, but before we look at putting off and putting on, referred to in verses 22 and 24, I think we need to look at 20-21. Because the only way we are going to be able to put off the old self, or even know what that is, is with God's help. And we need to have heard of Jesus and be taught in him, and recognize that "the truth is in Jesus" (v 21). We can't just be good people and try to follow all th...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. DAY 1 AND 2 I decided to make a list regarding the Gentiles and how they walk. walk as the Gentiles do 1. in the futility of their minds v17 2. darkened in their understanding v18 3. alienated from the life of God 4. with ignorance 5. with hard hearts 6. become callous v19 7. given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity And then look at what we are to do in light of the fact that we have heard about Christ and were taught in him. But assuming you have heard about Christ and were taught in him v21 1. put off old self v22 2. be renewed in the spirit of your minds v23 3. put on the new self v24 -created after the likeness of God -in true righteousness -and holiness DAYS 3- 6 Sets Generally these lists are: -what to put off -what to put on -reasons given 1. having put away falsehood speak the truth with your neighbor ...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with  Intro [1]  and then continue in order. Every day, pray and ask God to help you. DAY 1 AND 2  Read chapter 4. Make a couple of observations on 4:17-24. You could write a list, find some key words, look for a contrast and write what is being compared, or just ask and answer some basic who, what, where, when, and why questions. V 21 says "assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him" so once again this speaks to making sure you are really a believer. If the spirit of God does not dwell in you, you are not going to be able to do 25-32. Do you believe in Jesus and have you repented of your sin? DAYS 3-6 Verse 22 talks about putting off the old self and then 24 speaks of putting on the new self. In 25-32 there are several things we are to put off and put on. Write out each set, including what is to be put off, what is to be put on, and why, if a reason is given. Some other questions to con...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with 1 (Intro) and then continue in order. Ephesians 4:1-6 English Standard Version (ESV) "4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians is all about unity! Back in chapter 1, Paul shares that God's will and purpose "which he set forth in Christ" was "to unite all things in him [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth." (1:9-10). That focus on unity is seen here as Paul exhorts us to be "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond o...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with 1 (Intro) and then continue in order. Once again, these are just my observations to help you to see if you are on the right track, not necessarily the right answers. Walk in a worthy manner v1 1. with all humility v2 2. with all gentleness 3. with patience 4. bearing with one another in love 5. eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace v3 (6. speaking the truth in love v 15) One's (1. one another v2) 2. one body v4 3. one Spirit 4. one hope 5. one Lord v5 6. one faith 7. one baptism 8. one God and Father of all I think there are really only 7 one's, but I include one another because I do not think it is insignificant that it appears before the other one's. I think the point is unity! Jesus gave 1. the apostles v11 2. the prophets 3. the evangelists 4. the shepherds 5. teachers the gifts Jesus gave to the saints 5 gifts DAY 5 The purpose of the gifts was equippin...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with 1 (Intro) and then continue in order. Pray and ask God to open your eyes to his truth through the Holy Spirit. DAY 1 Read chapters 3 and 4. Mark any of your previous key words that appear in chapter 4. DAY 2 In the beginning of chapter four, Paul urges the Ephesians to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. Make a list of how they are supposed to walk.  Ask God to help you walk like this. DAY 3 Write out all the "one"s in vv. 4-6. How many "one"s did you list? What do you think is the point of putting all the "one"s in front of all the words? DAY 4 Write out the items in the list in verse 11. What is it a list of? How many items are on the list? DAY 5 Verses 8-14 talk about Jesus giving gifts. What was the purpose/s of the gifts? What are the desired results of these gifts? Do you think one of the results is the ultimate goal? If so which one? Thank God for his plan or someth...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with 1 (Intro) and then continue in order. "14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named," Paul draws attention to this with a play on words. The Greek word for "father" is "pater" and the word for "family" is "patria". So it's from our Father (pater) that every family (patria) is named. But what is the significance of this? Why draw attention to it? Paul is pointing out that the one we pray to is sovereign over the whole world. "To name someone or something is a sign of ownership, and power, and authority. And so to say that every family in heaven (the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places) and every family on earth (all tribes, tongues, peoples, and nations) derives its name from the Father is to say that this Father is supreme – He is all-powerful and sovereign over all." (Greene) "1...

If you are new to this blog, I encourage you to start with 1 (Intro) and then continue in order. Prayer requests 1. grant you to be strengthened with power v16 -through his Spirit -in your inner being -so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith v17 2. that you may have strength to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth v18 -being rooted and grounded in love v17 -with all the saints v18 3. to know the love of Christ v19 -that surpasses knowledge v19 -that you may be filled with all the fullness of God v19 About God 1. Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named vv14-15 2. riches of his glory v16 3. can strengthen with power through his Spirit in our inner being v16 4. the love of Christ surpasses knowledge v19 5. fullness of God v19 6. able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think v20 7. his power is at work within us (implied) v20 8. he deserves glory, in the church and in Christ Jesus, forever and eve...

If you are new to this blog, please start with 1 (Intro) and then continue in order. DAY 1 Read chapter 3. Thank or praise God for something. DAY 2 Looking at 3:14-21, list the requests that Paul prays for the Ephesians. Make another list of what Paul says about God in this section. Pray Paul's prayer for you, your family, and/or your church. DAY 3 You have chosen to mark different words in chapters 1-3. Make sure you have marked all of those words for all 3 chapters. For instance, I asked you to mark the Gentiles last lesson. Mark Gentiles in chapters 1 and 2 also. Respond to the passage in prayer to God somehow. Talk to him about something you learned or ask him about something you don't understand. Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you! [1 Peter 5:7]

If you are new to this blog, please start with 1 (Intro) and then continue in order. Even though Paul is suffering in prison (v13 and 1), he does not want the Ephesian Gentile believers to lose heart (v13). Rather than focus on this suffering, Paul focuses on the grace given to him to be able to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and share the "unsearchable riches of Christ". Paul felt especially grateful for this because he considered himself "the very least of all the saints" since he was a persecutor of the church. Wow! I wonder if that would be my focus if I were in prison for sharing the gospel, just being thankful that God allowed me to share it! Once again, we have this idea of access to God. Ephesians 2:18 talks about having access to the Father in one Spirit through Christ, now for both Jews and Gentiles. In chapter 3 verse 12, we again see that it is through our faith in Christ Jesus our Lord, but also have the added idea of  having boldness with confid...