Can you comment on Ephesians?
Introduction. Paul's letter to the Christians at Ephesus is one of Paul's prison Epistles (Eph. 4: 1, Acts 28, written from Rome). Paul originally preached in Ephesus from about 54 to 57 AD (Acts 18, 19). He wrote Ephesians about five years later (ca. 62 AD). The church was started with Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila (Acts 18: 18, 19). Paul successfully taught about twelve disciples of John and then many appeared to "have believed" (Acts 19: 1-7; 19: 18, see vs. 20).
Christ and his bride, the church. One of the grand designs of Ephesians is to present Jesus and his church. Jesus is married to the church, his bride (Eph. 5: 22-33, see vs. 32). Jesus is the head of the church and the Savior of the body (1: 22, 23, 5: 23). The church reveals the manifold wisdom of God (3: 10). A recurring phrase in Ephesians is "in Christ" or its equivalent (used about 27 times in the six chapters). In many cases, "in Christ" suggests a relationship the Christian enjoys with Christ in Christ's spiritual body, the church. In Jesus, there is redemption, all spiritual blessings, inheritance, and strength (1: 7, 3, 11; 6: 10). There is one body or church (Jesus is not a polygamist, 4: 4).
Ephesians tells Christians how to live. Jesus, as the head of his church, has the authority to enjoin a certain lifestyle on his people. Christians are to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (4: 1). There must be lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and forbearance (4: 2). Unity and avoidance of the devil must be practiced (4: 3-6; 4: 27).
Ephesians is a grand work when it comes to the presentation of Jesus and his church. No other book so beautifully presents the spiritual union between Christ and his church. In view of Ephesians, it is difficult to understand how anyone can believe the church is unimportant or just an afterthought on God's part. "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages..." (3: 21).
Christ and his bride, the church. One of the grand designs of Ephesians is to present Jesus and his church. Jesus is married to the church, his bride (Eph. 5: 22-33, see vs. 32). Jesus is the head of the church and the Savior of the body (1: 22, 23, 5: 23). The church reveals the manifold wisdom of God (3: 10). A recurring phrase in Ephesians is "in Christ" or its equivalent (used about 27 times in the six chapters). In many cases, "in Christ" suggests a relationship the Christian enjoys with Christ in Christ's spiritual body, the church. In Jesus, there is redemption, all spiritual blessings, inheritance, and strength (1: 7, 3, 11; 6: 10). There is one body or church (Jesus is not a polygamist, 4: 4).
Ephesians tells Christians how to live. Jesus, as the head of his church, has the authority to enjoin a certain lifestyle on his people. Christians are to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (4: 1). There must be lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and forbearance (4: 2). Unity and avoidance of the devil must be practiced (4: 3-6; 4: 27).
Ephesians is a grand work when it comes to the presentation of Jesus and his church. No other book so beautifully presents the spiritual union between Christ and his church. In view of Ephesians, it is difficult to understand how anyone can believe the church is unimportant or just an afterthought on God's part. "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages..." (3: 21).