Matt's Notes Week One: Ephesus 1:1-14

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Background to the Book of Ephesians:

City of Ephesus

Port city (then) in modern-day Turkey; Economic and cultural hub of activity (largest of seven urban centers in Asia, Asia’s capital)

Tourist center w/ large temples, a 25,000-seat theater, public buildings & gymnasiums, luxurious private homes

The home of many different religions & cults with temples dedicated to many (some shared) – the Ephesian temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was four times the size of the Parthenon in Rome.

By the mideival period, silt from the Cayster River had extended the coastline so far to the west that Ephesus ceased to be a port city and was abandoned… leaving it largely in tact for archeological study.

The Ephesian Church

Central to the development of the early Christian church, with ties to Paul, Timothy, and the apostle John.

“Ephesian Church” refers to the broader “church” at Ephesus: a network of mostly house churches throughout Ephesus and the region.

During the first five centuries of the church, several church councils (representing the entire Christian world at the time) were held there.

Paul in Ephesus

(Acts 18-19-21) Paul had been a missionary for about 17 years before reaching Ephesus. His process was to preach and call converts (Jews and “God fearing” Gentiles) to set up a network of house churches.

Paul spent 2.5 years in Ephesus making converts and training leaders to take responsibility.

Some of his letters to other churches were written during this time, from Ephesus (including 1 Corinthians and possibly Galations).

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians

Written between 60 & 62 AD while he was imprisoned (2nd imprisonment) in Rome.

Written as a circular letter (probably for believers throughout Ephesus and other Asian cities). Some contend it was actually written to the Laodician church, not the Ephesian church (a Laodician epistle is mentioned in Colossians, and they are urged to exchange with one another). Either way, it clearly is meant for broad use.

Not written to correct a problem, but to express theological & practical truth (in contrast to Col & others).

Two halves: Identity & blessings to those in Christ; Responsibilities of those in Christ

Letter was carried by Tychicus (who also was carrying letter to Philemon and travelling with Onesimus – see Colossians 4:7-9). It is believed that Tychicus carried three letters from Paul on his journey: Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon.


Ephesians 1

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus,[a] the faithful[b] in Christ Jesus:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.


Ephesians 1

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus,[a] the faithful[b] in Christ Jesus:

• Paul establishes is apostleship for anyone still asking about his authority

2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Use of word “Grace” rather than the usual Greek greeting of “Rejoice & peace” indicating God’s benevolence to humanity.
• Special implications for gentiles, who often were treated as “lesser” among some circles of believers.
• “Peace” = “wholeness.” Jews in this time understood “peace” as a greeting to be reference to the fact the Messiah has come, and reigns in the hearts of His elect. (according to Old Testament prophets, peace would be fulfilled only when the Messiah ruled).

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

• Paul makes a broad statement that God has blessed us (specifics to follow)
• “heavenly realms” refers to the realm where Christ reigns with the church that He has raised with Him. The wars/battles fought in this realm are against spiritual foes.
  

4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

• Paul clearly affirmed predestination (short of predestinarianism), but a discussion over election vs. free will misses the point.
• Paul affirms corporate election of the church “in Him.” We are “elect” because we are in Christ. God predestined those who are “in Christ” to be adopted as His children.
• Adoption was common among Greeks and Romans. Their culture was the first to grant the adopted son all the privileges of a natural son, including inheritance rights.
• Adoption was as often an adult as a child.
• Metaphor: God has authority over His adopted children; we have taken on His identity.
• Inheritance rights: Greek cultures recognized adopted children as equal (“co-heirs”) in their inheritance to natural children. (Read Galations 4:4-7)

MEDITATE: If we are adopted children of God, and therefore “co-heirs” to His inheritance, who are we co-heirs with? Who is the natural heir? What does that mean? The same blessings and inheritance God has for his son Jesus Christ, He also has for His adopted children.

6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

• The Ephesians were familiar with the Greco-Roman practice of redemption. Slaves were freed by the payment of a ransom. Similarly, the ransom necessary to free sinners from the bondage of sin and the resulting curse imposed by the law was the death of Jesus Christ. (Read Galations 3:12-14)

And he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

• The Greek word is “mysterion,” which means a secret to be revealed only to the initiated (used often in the pagan “mystery” religions of the day.
• Paul used it to communicate God’s truth and will that was hidden in the past but now revealed. The Holy Spirit in us reveals mysteries in God’s word that others are unable to see.

10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

• Doctrine of election here is clear and cannot be denied. It can be (and often is) misunderstood and/or miscommunicated in a false debate of “election vs. free will.”
• The point is the sovereignty of God. He providentially acts and orchestrates events according to His perfect master plan. (Romans 9 indicates that God uses even sinful human choices for His will).

12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

• “the praise of His glory.” What does that mean? (question 10 in the guide).

13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

• A “seal” was a blot of clay or wax impressed with an owner’s mark. It denoted ownership and security.
• God “owns” those who He seals (our lives are not our own but have been bought) (READ 1 Corinthians 7:23)
• Those sealed by God are secure in His ownership
• The Holy Spirit is referred to as a “deposit” to guarantee our inheritance. It is God’s collateral that allows us to count on our future inheritance.
• The salvation experience is often communicated in terms of transaction. In John 19:30, when Jesus cries “it is finished” from the cross, the literal translation is “the transaction is complete,” a reference that the unpaid debt is now paid. The discussion of adoption is more a matter of position than a matter of relationship. It is a way of determining inheritances. And here, God (as if he owed us anything) offers us a downpayment on the inheritance He has promised.
  
  
  Discussion questions:

Question #4: How does God choose His people? Do your best to anchor your answer in God's Word.

Question #5: In what ways is the Holy Spirit God's mark of ownership on us?

Question #9: What conclusions can you draw from the statement that God "chose us before the foundation of the world?"

Question #10: In what ways do we bring praise to God's glory?