Ephesians 1 - Introduction

DIVISION ONE-Chapter 1:1-14God's Purpose in Christ

"...All of time, space and history have been created and are centered on a central purpose--to draw out from among man, the crown of God's creation, a specific group of people to be joined to God through marriage to His Son."DIVISION ONE-Chapter 1:1-14God's Purpose in ChristChrist is the Source of All Blessings to Usandthe Head of All ThingsONE

Soleness, uniqueness, unity, singularity, peace, source, at-oneness, beginning, cause.

Here are several somewhat obscure truths that are presented in this letter of the Apostle Paul.

Have you ever wondered how authority is administered between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? It is very interesting to me that Paul repeatedly consigns to God the Father the position of original and supreme will to which every thing in heaven and earth is made subservient. Though co-equal in being, attributes and power, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit submit their own wills to the will of the Father. Remember Christ's prayer in the Garden? "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Never-the-less, not My will, but Thine be done." (Matthew 26:39) It does not individually diminish either Son or Spirit to do this. We can learn from this that the strong may often submit their own power to others and do so without demeaning or diminishing their own personal sphere of influence. It is a grand truth that power held in check is just as strong as power unleashed or exercised. It is just sometimes harder to see.

Section One - 1:1-6 * of his and every believer's calling. Paul makes no little thing of the fact that God, unilaterally,* called him to Himself and appointed him to his task of service. He then goes on to show how each believer is drawn into that same unity* with the Father and that the Father is the sole* source of position for each person. * As to his commission, it was imposed in accordance with the will of God the Father. As to his audience--he was sent to the Gentile masses. Paul was not sent to the house of Israel, as was Peter, James, and the other apostles. He was sent to the Gentiles by divine appointment. In the same manner, we did not set ourselves apart unto God; He set us apart unto Himself. We, like Paul, were conscripted into His service and set to our own particular* tasks of representing Him to a lost and dying world. In short, we were and are elected to a specific destiny--life in the Son for eternity. It is from that destiny that we derive our goals, objectives and meaning for life. Question: Do your written goals for family, mental, physical, business, social and spiritual development rest securely on the foundation of your destiny as a believer?"apostle" is one with authority and a commission--One who operates and lives within the protection and directives of the one who sent him out. It is in this very sense that Paul declares himself to be "an apostle of Christ Jesus" with singleness of purpose. He belongs totally and solely to his Lord. In order that we not mistake his commission, he plainly states that he was conscripted into service "by the will of God". You will recall that on the road to Damascus, Paul was struck down by the brilliant presence of the ascended Jesus. There he was confronted with the gospel of His saving work and he was drawn directly into serving Him.

"Saints" ('hagios', ones set apart to a particular purpose) are those in Ephesus who are believers. The same Greek root word is translated, "saint", "sanctify", and "holy" and consistently means to be "set apart". This refers to their position. These same recipients of the letter are also called "the faithful in Christ Jesus". "Faithful" refers to their condition or experience. Does this mean that those who are 'full of faith' never doubt? No. They are people just like us who have their own moments of soul-searching. Thankfully, they are not held to God by their own strength, but by His.

Section Two - 1:7-12TWO

This second section of the first division of the letter brings us to the issue of our being brought into relationship with God the Father. What does it mean to become really intimate with God? This can be scary if you don't have some kind of instructions as to how it might affect your life. Well, relax. Not only is all of the plan and work done by Him, but also we are made the incidental heirs of every single thing that He (the Father) provides for His Son, ("in Christ"). The security of the bride of His Son and her growth as the Body of Christ begin here with the union of each redeemed person and the Father. First, His work is redeeming us from our lost condition and providing all that we need "in time", just as He provided for His Son, the Lord Jesus. Then Paul tells us of the administration of God's will at the end of time and of our place in His eternal plan.

Section 3 - 1:13,14

Introduction to section three:THREE

With the three persons of the Godhead before us, you can see fullness and completion. Under the numeral one (1), you have the work of the Father as Planner of the salvation of man. Under the numeral two (2), you have the work of the Son in executing that plan and securing the redemption of man. Under the numeral three (3), you see the Holy Spirit in His role of revelation of that plan to man, the object of salvation. This also signals the completion of the work of God for Man. The plan of salvation and the work of each member of the Trinity are evident with the giving of the Holy Spirit, the down payment of God's assets deposited for His own.

DIVISION TWOChapter 1:15-2:10Our Participation With Christ in God's Work Beyond DeathTWO

OK, God, what's the catch? Having been personally chosen by the Father to be joined to His Son, Jesus Christ, just what is now expected of me? What are my duties and what is my authority to act? Just how is my participation with the Lord Jesus and my honoring of the Father to be performed while I am left here on Earth in hope of the Son's coming again for me? These are questions that come up in every class held on practical Christianity or living the "Normal" Christian life (whatever that is). POWER! All right. But, wait a minute--Jesus had power. He had ALL power. And, yet He suffered. He suffered a lot. This "power" we have been given must be used in some special way if it is to be helpful to us and honored by the Father who gives it. We will see the extent of that power and the basis of authority we are given. We will also see that power multiplied through the unique work of the Son. There are places where "power" is called for and places where patience and real endurance are required. Remember, it is the Lord Jesus who is the "doer" of the will of God the Father. We are not supermen endowed with grand abilities and expected to perform feats of daring and extraordinary acts of courage. "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that a man be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:1,1 Corinthians 4:2) Simple faithfulness is our lot and His requirement. In this Division we can also find special attention paid to the authority and power the Father gave to His Son to exercise among and over the affairs of men. His is to work, ours is to trust. His is to do, ours is to wait.

Section one - 1:15-23with but "in Christ".