TEACHING NOTES Introduction Today we begin a 12-week series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesian churches. This letter is vital to our faith because it contains a detailed explanation of the Gospel and how to live it out. Most of Paul’s letters address specific issues that existed in a specific church. But Ephesians is more like a sermon or teaching that is meant for everyone who believes in Jesus. Ephesians 1:1–2 ESV 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul = It is often said that God changed his name from Saul to Paul after his conversion experience. However, this is not true and the Bible never says that. Saul is his Hebrew name and Paul is his Greek name. This was a common cultural practice for Greek-speaking Jews. For example, Peter had two names - Simon is his Hebrew name and Peter is his Greek name. Saints = Grk. ἅγιος (hagios) - Literally, “holy ones”. To be called “holy” is to be set apart as unique. While modern readers often associate holiness with moral perfection, that is not the meaning of the term. Holiness is about being unique, which may also include moral uniqueness, but is not limited to morality. Israel was not morally perfect but were still God’s holy nation because they had been set apart as God’s instrument to bless all nations. In the New Testament, the “holy ones” are the followers of Jesus. We have been set apart as God’s new family. In Ephesus = The earliest copies of this letter do not say “in Ephesus” which likely means that this letter was meant to be a circular letter. While Paul’s other letters are addressed directly to a particular group of believers in a particular city, Ephesians is actually a letter meant to be circulated to all believers living in the regions in and around Ephesus. Acts 20:31 tells us that Paul spent several years in Ephesus and would have known them well. However, in Ephesians there are clues that Paul does not personally know the recipients of this letter (see Eph. 1:15; 3:2). Later copies of this letter included “in Ephesus” probably because the letter was copied and distributed from Ephesus. Faithful in Christ Jesus = Grk. πιστός (pistos) - Faith is not merely belief. Faith is about loyalty. It carries the idea of being trustworthy. To be faithful in Christ Jesus is to be loyal to Jesus as our only God and way of life. Grace and peace = This is a common greeting in Paul’s letters. Grace is a gift that gives us peace with God. Peace is rest. Jesus called His followers to come to Him to find rest/peace (Matt. 11:28-30). This is Paul’s prayer to believers - that they would have the gift of grace and rest. *Literary Design of Eph. 1:3-14: In Greek, verses 3-14 is one long sentence! Our English translations include punctuation and separation, but the original Greek does not. Everything we’re about to read is one huge sentence with three sections that each end with “to the praise of his glory”. Each section focuses on one member of the Trinity. Eph. 1:3-6: God the Father has adopted us into His family. Eph. 1:7-12: Jesus gives us redemption, forgiveness, grace, and revelation. Eph. 1:13-14: The Holy Spirit seals our inheritance. ​ Ephesians 1:3 ESV 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Blessed be God = Grk. εὐλογητός (eulogētos) - Worthy of praise and honor. Paul begins with praise toward God who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why is God worthy of praise? The rest of the passage will explain. *Note: Anytime we are trying to understand a Greek word used by a Jew, we must take into account the Hebrew ideas behind the word. Since Paul was a devout Pharisee, every Greek word he uses has Hebrew behind it. In other words, Paul writes in Greek but he thinks in Hebrew. Blessed us in Christ = In Greek, this refers to being enriched with blessing. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places = This refers to God giving us a favorable status as His generous gift. This cannot refer to earthly possessions because Paul states that these are spiritual blessings in the heavenly places. The following verses explain what these spiritual blessings are and what they mean. Ephesians 1:4–6 ESV 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. *Note: In Paul’s writings we must pay close attention to the pronouns. When Paul uses “us” and “we”, he is referring to Jewish people and/or the first believers in Jesus. When Paul uses “you” he is referring to Gentiles and/or those who believed in Jesus after He ascended. In Eph. 1:12 Paul tells us that “we” refers to the Jewish apostles who were “the first to hope in Christ”. This is vital to understand this passage and many others. For example, when Paul talks about predestination and election he uses “us” and “we”, but in Eph. 1:13 he turns to “you also”. That indicates that two different groups are being addressed. Chose us = Grk. ἐκλέγομαι (eklegomai) - to select or elect. In Gen. 12 we see that God chose Abram to bring about Israel as God’s chosen people. As a result, those who were loyal to Yahweh alone were considered “elect”. Through God’s choosing of Israel the Messiah would come and bless all nations. Before the foundation of the world = God knew humans would fail and planned to redeem humanity before He created anything. This does not mean that every detail and every decision of humans were pre-decided by God. This means that God’s plan of salvation was pre-planned. God had the solution before the problem existed. That we should be holy and blameless = God’s choosing is for a purpose. Through Christ we have the opportunity, through faith, to be “conformed to the image of Christ” (Rom. 8:29). Those who are conformed to the image of Christ are becoming holy (set apart) and blameless (guiltless). In love = God’s motivation behind all that He does is His love. God chooses to redeem humanity because He loves them. Therefore, our redemption is not based on anything in us but on the character of God. Predestined us = Grk. προορίζω (proorizō) - to decide beforehand or foreordain. Paul tells us in Rom. 8:29 that predestination is based on God’s foreknowledge. Since God knows who will trust in Him, He has a predetermined plan for them. This does not mean that God decided for them, but that He knew what they would decide. For adoption = This refers to being made part of God’s family. In the Old Testament, Israel was God’s family and Gentiles were invited to be included. In Christ, everyone who believes has been adopted in God’s family. The Beloved = This is a reference to Christ (God’s beloved Son). *Note: To understand Paul’s ideas of election and predestination correctly, we must think like an Israelite. Israel’s story began with God choosing Abram/Abraham. God chose Abraham and promised supernaturally give him a child (Isaac) that would multiply into a nation (Israel). God chose Abraham to be the beginning of God’s plan of redemption. Therefore, God first chose Abraham to create Israel for the purpose of redeeming all people. Those who trust in Christ are the result of God choosing Israel. ​ Ephesians 1:7–8 ESV 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight Redemption through his blood = Grk. ἀπολύτρωσις (apolytrōsis) - This phrase refers to paying a ransom to buy a slave’s freedom. Since humanity was enslaved by sin, Jesus sets us free by dying in our place. The blood of Israel’s continuous sacrifices could only cover over sin temporarily and never actually solved the problem. The blood of Jesus’ one sacrifice paid for all sin and rendered sin’s power to condemn null and void forever. *Note: The author of Hebrews makes a power statement about Christ’s blood. In Heb. 12:24 he states that Jesus’ blood “speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” In Gen. 4:10, God says that Abel’s blood was crying out from the ground. Abel’s blood was crying out for justice, judgment, and condemnation. Jesus’ blood on the cross cried out for redemption and forgiveness. Jesus’ blood asked God for forgiveness, which is better than condemnation. Forgiveness of our trespasses = The Greek word for “forgiveness” here is aphesis, which refers to being pardoned or set free from the bondage of guilt. Riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us = This implies that God’s grace is inexhaustible. “Lavished” in Greek refers to an abundance that is more than enough. John 1:16 tells us that we have received “grace upon grace”, which implies that grace is continuously given. This means that each time we sin we receive more grace that never runs out. In all wisdom and insight = In Ephesians, Paul is going to mention God’s wisdom multiple times. Paul understood that God’s elaborate plan of redemption is far beyond anything a human mind could create. Since God knows the end from the beginning, He can be trusted that His plans are wise and perfect. ​ Ephesians 1:9–10 ESV 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Making known to us the mystery of his will = When modern readers think of mystery, we often think of something that cannot be understood. For us, mystery is something unsolved or secret. However, this is not what Paul means. Paul tells us that the mystery of God’s will has been made known in Christ. It is no longer a secret or mystery that cannot be understood. If you want to know the will of God, look at Christ. The fullness of time = For Paul the arrival, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus was a fulfilment of all that Israel had been waiting for. The long-awaited time that God would intervene in creation had arrived in Jesus. To unite all things to him = Unity is a huge theme in Ephesians. Here, we’re told that God’s redemptive plan is not only for "things on earth” but also for “things in heaven”. In Christ, God was reconciling all things to Himself. As we know, humans are not the only rebels. Even in heaven there has been rebellion and conflict. But in Christ the war has been won. All things are being reunited like it was in the beginning. ​ Ephesians 1:11–12 ESV 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. We have obtained an inheritance = This inheritance is salvation from eternal death. Believers will be resurrected and inherit a renewed earth without evil. The first to hope in Christ = Here, Paul tells us that the “us” and “we” in this paragraph refers to the first followers of Jesus - namely, the apostles. Jesus told His disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you...” (John 15:16). As a result of Jesus choosing the apostles, everyone else has an opportunity to be included. ​ Ephesians 1:13–14 ESV 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. You also = Some English translations say, “you were also included” (NIV). Here, Paul changes from “us” and “we” to “you also” showing that two groups are represented. The “first to hope in Christ” were chosen and predestined for adoption so that everyone after them who believe will be included. The word of truth, the gospel of your salvation = Referring to hearing of the Gospel message as the basis for salvation. And believed in him = A better translation might be, “and became loyal in him”. While modern readers often think of faith as belief, the Greek word pisteuo refers to loyalty or faithfulness. Belief is implied but the focus is on remaining faithful to Jesus as Lord. Sealed with the promised Holy Spirit = A seal was used as a kind of label on ancient documents. The seal would include symbols or writing that declared ownership, authority, and protection. For example, if a king sent out a decree it would be stamped with the king’s seal. This ensured that the decree was approved by the king and could not be overturned by anyone else. In the same way, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is God’s seal of approval for believers. Who is the guarantee of our inheritance = The Greek word for “guarantee” is arrabon and refers to a down payment. Therefore, Paul is saying that God gave the Holy Spirit to believers as a here-and-now preview of our future. In the end, believers will dwell with God face-to-face. In the present, God dwells with us by His Spirit. To the praise of his glory = Paul mentions “to the praise of his glory” three times in this paragraph. Paul is revealing to us our proper response to what he has told us. In light of the fact that God chose apostles to spread the Gospel so that we could be included in God’s family, our proper response is worship. Review of What God Has Done: In Christ, we have every spiritual blessing. In Christ, we are chosen to be adopted into God’s family. In Christ, we have redemption, forgiveness, and endless grace. In Christ, we can understand God’s will. In Christ, we have an eternal inheritance. In Christ, we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. Conclusion Our proper response is to praise His glory. As we worship and take Communion today, let’s celebrate all that God has done and continues to do for us.