Saturday, October 19, 2019

Teaching Notes PHILIPPIANS 1

& & & 

Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 5 and 6

& & & 
















& & &

Mutual Respect and the Put 
on the Full Armor of God

& & &

EPHESIANS  5

Chapters 5,6. New Obligations

In these two chapters Paul continues With what he "began in
4:17: their obligation to Live differently.

The fight against sexual impurity. 5:3-14, that is, immorality,
promiscuous sexual indulgence. It was a very common sin in
Paul’s day, in many places it was a part of heathen worship.
Paul warns against it again and again.
See notes on I Cor 7 and I Thes. 4:1-8.

Singing, 5:18-21.-The joyful. praise of Christian meetings is here
put in contrast with the riotous indulgence of noisy drunken
revels, 18,19. Hymn singing is by far the most natura1,-simp1est,
best loved, and by all odds the most spiritually stimulating of all
the exercises of religious meetings.

Husbands and Wives, 5:22-33. If we are Christians, we must
show it in all the relations of life: business, social, and domestic.
The relation between husband and wife is here represented as
being a counterpart of the relation…between Christ and the
Church, 25,32. The exhortation is to mutual love and devotion, and
in no way suggests that a man has a right to make a slave of his
wife. Each is dependent on the other, because of the different
functions that each has in human society. Each, in serving 'the
other, best serves self, 28."‘He that loves his wife loves himself":
husbands, take note.

Parents and Children, 6:1-4. It was one of the Ten Command-
ments that we honor those who gave us life; So doing would
prolong that life. This was the promise of God, and is a fact of
nature. Fathers are cautioned against being too severe with their
children, both here and in Col 3:21. Parental authority was gener-
ally too austere then, as it is now generally too lax. Fathers are
named, because mothers are naturally more lenient. We suspect
that it was easier then for parents to raise children after their
01d mold—than it is now, for they were not exposed to so many
influences outside the home so early and so continuously as today.

Servants and Masters, 6:5-9. Half the population of Rome, and
a large proportion of the population of the Empire, were slaves.
Many of the Christians were slaves. They are here told that
faithful service to their 'master is a prime requisite of their Chris-
tian faith. It is a remarkable teaching: that, in the performance
of our earthly tasks, however menial, we are always under the
watchful eye of Christ, for His approval or disapproval, as we
may deserve. So are masters in their treatment of Slaves;

EPHESIANS  6

Put on the Full Armor of God against
Dark Spiritual Forces

The Christian’s Armor, 6:10-20. The unseen world of the Devil
And his dark angels are everywhere.  Our fight (the real fight)
Is against the forces of darkness that are all around us.  We must
Put on the full armor of God to fight against the powers of
Darkness that inhabet the unseen realms but affect the world of
The physical. A Christian’s warfare is against more than the natural
temptations of his flesh. There are powers in the unseen world
against which we are powerless except through the aid of Christ.
Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation, the Word, Prayer,

are weapons that ward off the darts of the unseen enemy." 


& & & 






















& & & 




Ephesians 5 New International Version (NIV)

5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[c] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Footnotes:
Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24

Ephesians 6 New International Version (NIV)
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a]

4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.



The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings
21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

23 Peace to the brothers and sisters,[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[d]

Footnotes:
Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.


& & & 

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.  © 1927 - 1959, 1964

& & &


Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia


END

Friday, October 11, 2019

Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 4

& & & 

Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 4

& & & 















& & &

THE CHURCH IS ONE BODY

& & &

EPHESIANS  4

Chapter 4. Oneness of The Church 

ONE BODY, Eph 4:1-16. A complex organism. with many functions, 
each in its own place, working in harmony, its basic principle 
love, 16, Christ himself its head and directive force.
Being  composed  of many members of diverse talents  and
tempers, the fundamental requisite to its proper functioning is a 
spirit of humility and mutual forbearance on the part of the 
members one toward another, Its object is to nurture each of its 
members into the perfect image of Christ, Eph 4:12-15. 
The idea of growth, as expressed in these 
verses, seems to ‚apply both to individuals and to the Church as a 
whole. The childhood of the Church will pass. Its maturity will 
come. Compare the companion passage, 1 Cor 12,13. 

The Church is nearly 2,000 years old, and, in this respect, is 
Still in its childhood state. It has not yet, in its visible manifes- 
tation as a whole, known Unity.  Paul’s unceasing fight was against 
factional elements in local churches and the Jew-Gentile dissen- 
sion._Then came the bitter controversies of the 2nd to 4th cen- 
turies. Then the Imperial Church, with its outward semblance of 
Unity under State authority, but poisonous blight of its spiritual 
(life; Then the Papal Hierarchy with its Unity of Authority that 
robbed men of their rights of Conscience and drove the Bible out 
of circulation. 

Then, 400 years ago, the Protestant break for freedom. Natu
rally, when men began again to think for themselves, after the 
long night of Papal bondage, they would see things somewhat 
difierently; and it was inevitable that the Protestant Movement 
would go down the years in difierent streams.  So we still have a 
Divided Christendom. Whether there will ever, in this world, be 
an outward organic Unity of the Visible Church, we do not know. 
The selfishness and pride of men are against it. But there always 
has been, and still is, a Unity in the Invisible Church, of God's 
true saints, which, somehow, sometime, somewhere, will come to 
full fruition, in answer to Christ's own prayer, John 17, and mani— 
fest itself as the fullgrown body of Christ. 
















New Obligations,  Eph 4:25-32. Seeing (the Church is a brotherhood. i:: 
is necessary that its members be very considerate of one another. 
“Anger”. Eph 4:26: perhaps Paul thought it was a little too much to tell 
them not to get angry at all; so he cautions them to be careful not 

to hold it. 

& & & 






& & & 

Ephesians 4 New International Version (NIV)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b]

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Footnotes:
Ephesians 4:8 Or God
Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)


& & & 

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.  © 1927 - 1959, 1964

& & &


Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia


END

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 2 and 3

& & & 

Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 2 and 3

& & & 







EPHESIANS

Chapters 2,3. The Church Universal 

Saved by Grace, Eph 2:1-10. The Body of Christ is being built up out 
of unworthy sinful men, to be an everlasting demonstration of the 
Kindness of God. When God’s work in us is completed we will be 
creatures bf Unutterable Bliss in a state oi heavenly glory beyond 
anything we can now imagine. It Will be God's work, not ours; 
and through the ages heaven will never cease to resound with the 
glad hallelujahs from grateful hearts of the redeemed. 





Once One Nation, Now All Nations, Eph 2:11-22. “Circumcision” 
as a term came to be used as a name of the Jews, as distinct from 
other nations which were spoken of as the “Uncircumcision”, 
Eph 2:11.   For a while the Jews constituted the body of God’s 
people, of which circumcision was the fleshly sign, and from 
which other nations were excluded. But now the Call from 
God rings out clear and strong to ALL, from every tribe and 
nation, to come and join His household. 

The “Mystery" of Christ, Eph 3:3-9, hid for ages in God, 9, This 
passage plainly means that the Nations are heirs to the promises 
which God gave to the Jews, but which the Jews hitherto had 
thought belonged to them exclusively. That phase of God’s plan 
had been hid, though He had purposed it from the beginning, 1:5, 
till the coming of Christ, but now is fully revealed: namely: that 
God’s future world of glory will be built, not out of the Jewish 
nation, but from All Mankind. 

Grandeur of the" Church, Eph 3:8-11. Through the Church God 
unites the hostile elements of the human race into One Body, and 
demonstrates His wisdom to the superhuman orders of heavenly 

beings, actually summing up all things in Christ.


& & & 






& & & 

Ephesians 2 New International Version (NIV)

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Footnotes:

Ephesians 2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.

Ephesians 3 New International Version (NIV)

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Footnotes:
Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).


& & & 

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.  © 1927 - 1959, 1964

& & &


Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia


END

Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 1

& & & 

Teaching Notes EPHESIANS 1

& & & 





EPHESIANS

The Unity of the Church 
Jews and Gentiles One in Christ 

Paul spent his life teaching Gentiles that they could be Chris- 
tians without becoming Jewish Proselytes. This was very displease
ing to Jews generally, for they thought of the Mosaic Law as 
binding upon all, and were bitterly prejudiced' against Uncir
cumcised Gentiles who presumed to call themselves disciples of 
the Jewish Messiah. 

While Paul taught Gentile Christians to stand like a rock for 
their Liberty in Christ, as he did in Galatians and Romans, yet 
did not want them to be Prejudiced against their Jewish 
the fellow-Christians, but to regard them as Brothers in Christ. 
Paul did not want to see Two Churches: A Jewish Church and 
a Gentile Church: but ONE CHURCH: Jews and Gentiles One in 
Christ. His gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Jewish elements in the 
Church, was the Great Offering of Money which he took from 
Gentile Churches, at the close of his Third Missionary Journey, 
to the Poor in the Mother-Church at Jerusalem. See Acts 21. 

His hope was that this demonstration of Christian Love might 
bring Jewish Christians to feel more kindly toward Gentiles. 
Paul's gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Gentile elements in the 
Church, was This Epistle, written to the leading center of his own 
Gentile Converts, exalting the ONENESS, UNIVERSALITY, and. 
UNSPEAKABLE GRANDEUR of the Body of Christ. 

To Paul, Christ was a Great Big Something, in Whom there is 
room, not only for people of different Races, Viewpoints and 
Prejudices, but He is One who has Power to solve all the prob
lems of mankind, and bring into unity and harmony with God 
all earthly Social and Family life, Eph. 5:22—6:29, and even 
the Myriads of Beings in ‚the Infinite Unseen Universe, 3:10. 

Ephesians is one of the four “Prison Letters”, written from Paul's 
Roman imprisonment, 61-63 AD, “the others being Philippians, 
 Colossians, Philemon”. Three of these were written at the same 
time, and carried by the same messengers, Eph. 6:21; Col 4:7-9; Pln 
10-12: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon. 
There was another, not now extant, Col 4:16. 





Chapter 1. Spiritual Blessings 

“At Ephesus", Eph. 1, is not in some of the most ancient manu
scripts. It is thought that, probably, it was intended as a Circular 
Letter to the Asian Churches, Tychicus bearing a number of 
copies, with space for each city to insert its own name. This 
Would account for its lack of personal greetings. with which most 
of Paul’s Letters abound. 

Paul had spent three years in Ephesus, and had there many de- 
voted friends. But if this was a circular Letter to Ephesus and 
neighboring cities that would account for its "more formal tenor”. 

The Laodicean Letter, Col 4:16, possibly may have been one of 
the copies, [See, Lost Letter to the Laodiceans] [1]  God's Eternal 
Purpose, Eph. 3-14. A magnificent epitome to God’s 
plans: the redemption, adoption, forgiveness, and sealing of a 
people for God's own possession, determined from eternity, now 
being brought to pass through the effective exercise of God’s will. 

“Heavenly places", Eph. 3, is a key phrase of this book, 10,20; 2:6; 
3:10; 6:12. It means the unseen sphere above this world of sense, 
which is the Christian’s ultimate home, and with which we now, 
in a measure, have communication. 

Paul’s Prayer for Them, Eph. 16-23. That is the way Paul usually  
begins his Letters. Four such prayers are especially beautiful; This, 
and those in Eph. 3:14-19; Phil. 1:9-11; and Col 1:9-12. 
EPHESIANS

The Unity of the Church 
Jews and Gentiles One in Christ 

Paul spent his life teaching Gentiles that they could be Chris- 
tians without becoming Jewish Proselytes. This was very displease
ing to Jews generally, for they thought of the Mosaic Law as 
binding upon all, and were bitterly prejudiced' against Uncir
cumcised Gentiles who presumed to call themselves disciples of 
the Jewish Messiah. 

While Paul taught Gentile Christians to stand like a rock for 
their Liberty in Christ, as he did in Galatians and Romans, yet 
did not want them to be Prejudiced against their Jewish 
the fellow-Christians, but to regard them as Brothers in Christ. 
Paul did not want to see Two Churches: A Jewish Church and 
a Gentile Church: but ONE CHURCH: Jews and Gentiles One in 
Christ. His gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Jewish elements in the 
Church, was the Great Offering of Money which he took from 
Gentile Churches, at the close of his Third Missionary Journey, 
to the Poor in the Mother-Church at Jerusalem. See Acts 21. 

His hope was that this demonstration of Christian Love might 
bring Jewish Christians to feel more kindly toward Gentiles. 
Paul's gesture, in behalf of Unity, to Gentile elements in the 
Church, was This Epistle, written to the leading center of his own 
Gentile Converts, exalting the ONENESS, UNIVERSALITY, and. 
UNSPEAKABLE GRANDEUR of the Body of Christ. 

To Paul, Christ was a Great Big Something, in Whom there is 
room, not only for people of different Races, Viewpoints and 
Prejudices, but He is One who has Power to solve all the prob
lems of mankind, and bring into unity and harmony with God 
all earthly Social and Family life, Eph. 5:22—6:29, and even 
the Myriads of Beings in ‚the Infinite Unseen Universe, 3:10. 

Ephesians is one of the four “Prison Letters”, written from Paul's 
Roman imprisonment, 61-63 AD, “the others being Philippians, 
 Colossians, Philemon”. Three of these were written at the same 
time, and carried by the same messengers, Eph. 6:21; Col 4:7-9; Pln 
10-12: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon. 
There was another, not now extant, Col 4:16. 





Chapter 1. Spiritual Blessings 

“At Ephesus", Eph. 1, is not in some of the most ancient manu
scripts. It is thought that, probably, it was intended as a Circular 
Letter to the Asian Churches, Tychicus bearing a number of 
copies, with space for each city to insert its own name. This 
Would account for its lack of personal greetings. with which most 
of Paul’s Letters abound. 

Paul had spent three years in Ephesus, and had there many de- 
voted friends. But if this was a circular Letter to Ephesus and 
neighboring cities that would account for its "more formal tenor”. 

The Laodicean Letter, Col 4:16, possibly may have been one of 
the copies, [See, Lost Letter to the Laodiceans] [1]  God's Eternal 
Purpose, Eph. 3-14. A magnificent epitome to God’s 
plans: the redemption, adoption, forgiveness, and sealing of a 
people for God's own possession, determined from eternity, now 
being brought to pass through the effective exercise of God’s will. 

“Heavenly places", Eph. 3, is a key phrase of this book, 10,20; 2:6; 
3:10; 6:12. It means the unseen sphere above this world of sense, 
which is the Christian’s ultimate home, and with which we now, 
in a measure, have communication. 

Paul’s Prayer for Them, Eph. 16-23. That is the way Paul usually  
begins his Letters. Four such prayers are especially beautiful; This, 
and those in Eph. 3:14-19; Phil. 1:9-11; and Col 1:9-12. 

& & & 




& & & 


Ephesians 1 New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:

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

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Praise 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. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In 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, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Footnotes:
Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus.
Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. 5 He
Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he
Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit

& & & 

















[1] The Lost Letter to the Church at Laodicea

The Epistle to the Laodiceans is a lost (although witnessed in Codex Fuldensis) letter of Paul the Apostle, the original existence of which is inferred from an instruction to the congregation in Colossae to send their letter to the believing community in Laodicea, and likewise obtain a copy of the letter "from Laodicea" (Greek: ἐκ Λαοδικείας, ek Laodikeas).[1]

And when this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read before the church at Laodicea, and that you yourselves read the letter which will be forwarded from there.

— Colossians 4:16 OEB
Several ancient texts purporting to be the missing "Epistle to the Laodiceans" have been known to have existed, most of which are now lost. These were generally considered, both at the time[when?] and by modern scholarship, to be attempts to supply a forged copy of a lost document.[2] The exception is a Latin Epistola ad Laodicenses ("Epistle to the Laodiceans"),[3] which is actually a short compilation of verses from other Pauline epistles, principally Philippians, and on which scholarly opinion is divided as to whether it is the lost Marcionite forgery or alternatively an orthodox replacement of the Marcionite text. In either case it is generally considered a "clumsy forgery" and an attempt to seek to fill the "gap" suggested by Colossians 4:16.[4]

Some ancient sources, such as Hippolytus, and some modern scholars consider that the epistle "from Laodicea" was never a lost epistle, but simply Paul re-using one of his other letters (the most common candidate is the contemporary Epistle to the Ephesians), just as he asks for the copying and forwarding of the Letter to Colossians to Laodicea.

The Colossians 4:16 mention
Paul, the earliest known Jewish Messianic author, wrote several letters (or epistles) in Greek to various churches. Paul apparently dictated all his epistles through a secretary (or amanuensis), but wrote the final few paragraphs of each letter by his own hand.[5][6] Many survived and are included in the New Testament, but others are known to have been lost. The Epistle to the Colossians states "After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea."[7] The last words can be interpreted as "letter written to the Laodiceans", but also "letter written from Laodicea". The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translates this verse in the latter manner, and translations in other languages such as the Dutch Statenvertaling translate it likewise: "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter (that is coming) from Laodicea."[8][9] Those who read here "letter written to the Laodiceans" presume that, at the time that the Epistle to the Colossians was written, Paul also had written an epistle to the community of believers in Laodicea.   Wikipedia.


& & & 

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.  © 1927 - 1959, 1964

& & &


Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia


END