Daily Bread for Dec 11, Eph 1-6

Today’s readings are Eph 1-3.

There are two primary themes in Paul's letter to the Ephesians: (1) In Christ all creation is reconciled to Himself and to God. (2) Christ has united people of all nations into Himself and each other. This is not to imply that all people in creation are reconciled to God, only those in Christ. One of the points Paul wants to clarify is that salvation through Christ and His work on the cross are available to all kinds of people, hence the “all nations” phrase.

Ephesians was written around 60 AD and shows that the new church is beginning to mature in its doctrine and theology but will continue to struggle with outside influences. Nonetheless, Paul’s teaching is deep and rich, intended for a congregation that may have its challenges but is growing spiritually.

Ephesus was a vast and incredibly prosperous port city dominated by temples to a broad variety of gods. The city struggled with mysticism, magic and the occult. Paul's letter established Christ's supremacy over all things and God's sovereign authority over not just creation but all things in this age and the next. Apparently, the church at Ephesus needed to be reminded of their allegiance to an all-powerful God and their union with Him and each other through Christ. The draw on them to worship other gods was formidable. They lived in a culture that minimized the one true God by offering a multitude of alternatives.

Paul starts out by establishing that all blessings come through Christ through whom we are saved by grace through faith. Our hope is in Him, and we are helpless without Him. In Him, also, we are united with all types of people. This is a mystery revealed in Christ; namely, the gospel is for Jews and Gentiles. This should be a blessing for God’s people in Ephesus who may feel pulled in a variety of directions and become divided by a culture that teaches many and diverse spiritual paths. Christ is the only way toward a relationship with God. He brings not only salvation but unity (Eph 1-3).

Ephesus today. The remains of numerous temples and meetings places are still evident. This is Main Street looking down toward the great library.

Paul respects his readers and expresses his great love for them. He knows the power of peer pressure. He knows it would be easy for the people of the church at Ephesus to compromise their faith to fit in with their neighbors and friends. So, instead of watering down the gospel and sending them a feel-good letter, Paul takes them deeper into their faith with a strong doctrinal emphasis. This is a letter motivated by love, respect and compassion. Paul doesn’t want to coddle them; he wants to stretch them and to see them grow. 

In Eph 4, we see that God has given various spiritual gifts. These gifts are for the edification of the body. But, they’re also a testimony to its unity. Everyone has, at least, one gift intended to be used in a corporate setting (the church) for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. Christians should lead lifestyles that are marked by edification of each other and holiness. The primary way they express their unity is by becoming imitators of Christ.

Eph 5 tells us we have new life in His love and should put the things of our old life behind us. The evidence of our new lives will show up in how we submit one to another (Eph 5:20). 

The marriage relationship (Eph 5:22-33) is a primary example of what this mutual submission looks like, it being a model of the relationship Christ has with His church. Marriage is a gift given by God intended to demonstrate the unity and harmony of the church. It is tangible evidence that the presence and power of the Holy Spirit can transform and unite.

There is structure in marriage. But it is a structure of equals with each called to serve the other. The husband is the head. But both husband and wife are to treat each other as more important than themselves. So, it is with the church. The church is a witness to the world of the oneness we have in Christ.

In Eph 6:1-9 we see the same principles apply to children and parents, slaves and masters. In other words, these principles for living permeate every area of our lives.

Eph 6:10-18 is the familiar "Armor of God" passage. Many people see this as a passage about spiritual warfare. In truth, the only active part we are encouraged to play is to "stand firm." The passage is about becoming more like Christ to more effectively live in and work out the unity mentioned in the previous chapters. We're told to "put on and keep putting on" (the verbs imply continuous action) truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word of God and unceasing prayer, all to resist the evil that would drag us back into our previous lifestyles and ruin our testimonies.

Ephesians is a powerful letter encouraging the church to walk in the unity it has in Christ while emulating Him in all things as a mark of the all-powerful God who sits in sovereign authority over all creation. Ephesians portrays a maturing church, well on its way toward being more like Christ, working together for the sake of the gospel and for the edification and nourishment of its members.