Well, whoever has been estimating these reading times, I think their watch stopped when timing this one! I seem to be taking a bit more than the estimate usually - but at 30 min this time, I really don't think anyone but a practised speed-reader is going to get through it in 10 min!
Had a glance at the commentary that was linked to on the intro page. The principles at the start seem solid, good exegetical advice. The commentary would be good for a Bible study chapter by chapter, but I think it is a bit too much to go through the whole commentary and Ephesians in one go. The notes I did look at for one of the chapters to check out what it was like seemed reasonable, interspersing thematic studies as short (or long) breaks from the study of the Ephesians text. Do remember though, that the point of a Bible study is to work through issues yourself - commentaries help you do that, but they should be a substitute for your own meditation and thinking it through!
Ephesians was a city in which Paul had done a lot of ministry during two missionary journeys. The temple of Diana was there, and he had a lot of opposition from the idol-merchants, but also the joy of many converts to Christ. There are a few suggestions that this letter was not written only to the Ephesians, but was to be circulated around the churches, and the name of the individual church 'filled in' for each one. This thought comes partly because the name 'Ephesus' does not appear in some of the early manuscripts, and provides some explanation for why little is mentioned about any specific people or situations in the Ephesian church. Be that as it may, it is very relevant teaching for us, and wholesome instruction for all churches today.
We get a real sense of the passion of Paul in the first part of his letter particularly. His thoughts seem to flow without breath together as he almost exhausts himself trying to explain the wonderful work of Christ and the knowledge and blessings we have through Him. In the second half of the letter, he urges all to walk worthy of this knowledge - to live in the light of Christ, working together in truth. Not walking again as we did previously, and standing firm against spiritual opposition. Prayer is throughout this letter - Paul both prays and exhorts others to prayer. These themes work together seamlessly - no one can truly understand this knowledge without living it out, and none can walk like this without understanding the knowledge we have been granted.
Paul begins by recounting blessings. The blessings of being chosen, elected by God's grace according to His purpose. The blessing of redemption and forgiveness, and the granting of wisdom and insight. The blessing of inheritance in Christ, confirmed by the Holy Spirit.
We see Christ in His glory, reigning in Heaven, the Head over His church. On the other hand, we are reminded of what we have been freed from - understanding where we have all come from is key to appreciating the grace we have now been given. We have been saved through faith, a gift from God - and why? So that we might walk according to His purposes! What a blessed privilege! There were once divisions, once Jew and Gentile, but now we are all equal, all treated the same in God's eyes, by the work of His Son. We are built together, all believers participating together as one body, with many members (implied here, expounded fully in 1 Corinthians). Paul continues to confirm this oneness, reminding them of the ministry given him by God, to preach this very thing.
He concludes this section with a prayer for them - note he doesn't ask for external things, but everything is internal, because transforming power works inside us first - by His Spirit. To Him be the glory.
Continuing into applying this knowledge into the way we walk - the way we live our lives, Paul begins with unity. Our unity is found in Christ - all equal, but with different roles. This unity is also not at the expense of compromise of doctrinal issues either - we are to work together specifically that we don't get swayed by the errors and lies that are out there, and the compromises that are suggested. No, the truth is spoken in love, under the authority of the Head.
This walk is contrasted with our previous way of life and the life of the world around us. Sensuality and greed defines them, but not us. Righteousness and holiness define us. Truth and not deceit, work and not theft, righteous anger when appropriate - not sinful anger, wholesome words and not foul speech. To imitate the world or to not imitate Christ (no in-between - you do one or the other) is to grieve the Spirit within us. Love defines our walk, just as Christ loved. More characteristics of unsaved people are listed - and we are warned that people characterised by the same are not of God - though people may try to convince us in spite of their lifestyle, they are. Again, the warning not to become partners with them (seen in the 2 Corinthian letter too), or to participate in their deeds, but expose them to light. Just talking about some of these things is dangerous. We see today the flippant speech about serious immorality, and I have seen first-hand how it desensitises people to the idea that this behaviour is sinful. Drunkeness also is condemned - it is completely wrong to let our body be influenced by drugs to that extent - we are controlled by the Spirit of God, not drugs/alcohol! No, we are to sing and praise and work together in love - this is pleasing to God.
Moving on to relationships, Paul deals with the home first. A brief mention on a wife's role to be subject to her husband, just as the church to Christ - and then he goes on to a longer teaching on the responsibility of the husbands to love their wives self-sacrificially, as Christ loves the church.
As I am a man, I challenge the men on this - understand this passage. Meditate on it, mull it over. Think through the applications and the implications in your role as spiritual leader in your household. If you are married, you are called to live this out. Prepare before marriage, live it out in marriage, and never ever shirk this responsibility! Too many of us are willing to slack off and not lead, not love like we should love. Seek Christ, plead for His help to live out this love - as He has already promised to do. The love we have experienced from Him is more than we can ever imagine.
Challenge over, moving on. This love must also be applied to the relationship between parents and children. Children are called to obey, fathers are called to disciple and instruct, that they might grow up in the Lord. Not to provoke them, but to love them.
Slaves and masters (read employer/employee to apply it to nowadays) must also show love to one another. We do all these things because of God, not man. It doesn't matter if the other party in the relationship (whether husband/wife, parent/children, slave/master) reciprocates or not, we are still called to love them!
Paul concludes with a illustration of the Christian's fight against spiritual forces using the Roman legionaries as the pictorial representation. The emphasis is on standing here. Not seeking them/him out (Satan or his demons), but standing to resist and repel when attacked. The belt in Roman kit held up his tunic - kept him from getting caught in the long fabric during battle. Truth keeps us from being hindered, too. The breastplate was made out of plates, and you would have it on always during the day. Their shoes were studded, to help prevent wear from marching, but also to dig into the ground for a firm footing - again, coming back to the 'stand' idea. The shield mentioned here is the large rectangular shield - from the word for 'door', you could hide completely behind it - it would be covered in leather and soaked in water before battle to extinguish fiery projectiles. The helmet was good protection from attacks from above, strapped on so it wouldn't come off. and the only offensive weapon mentioned is a sword - not a massive longsword that would require lots of effort to wield, but a short sword that worked well for jabbing and wielding in close quarter combat, and wouldn't tire the person out so fast. Prayer is associated with the offensive combat, but there is no parallel in Roman equipment for prayer! Note also that the Romans are renowned for their success in battle - due to their discipline and working closely together - both key truths that have been emphasised earlier in this epistle. The unity is hinted at here in praying for all the saints, and for Paul who is in prison - not that he would get out, but that he would proclaim boldly God's word while in prison.
Paul finishes with a message about Tychicus, and then with a blessing of peace and grace in God.
Lord, we have such privilege with the knowledge You have granted us, and yet we still don't understand it fully. Continue to teach us Lord, and awaken in our lives a hunger for Your truth, and knowledge of Yourself that we may grow evermore in our walk with You. Lord, we pray for grace to live out the love You have given us, imitating Your love in our relationships with others, whether spouses, children, parents, employers, or those we employ. Strengthen us, Lord, mighty in battle, to withstand the onslaught of spiritual opposition. We honour and praise You, for You have given us the armour, the equipment, and the weapons effective in this fight, and You have already defeated our opponent, reigning victorious. Lord, may Your wisdom and knowledge be granted to all who believe in You, that churches may awake and that their passion for You would be a testimony and a light to this dark world. Lord on High, we praise You! Thank You for all You have granted us!
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