Meditations in Ephesians

Introduction

In this epistle Paul describes “the wealth, the walk, and the warfare” of the believer. In the first three chapters, we are raised into a heavenly sphere where glories are unlimited. In the last three chapters, we are abruptly brought face to face with the cold facts of everyday living and told how we should live in the home, in the church, and in the workplace.

Scholars believe that among Paul’s writings there is none more sublime, profound or greater than the letter to the Ephesians. The truths revealed take us to the summit of divine revelation. This epistle takes us both farther back and farther ahead in the eternal counsels of God than any other of his writings.

Among other truths, the epistle reveals:

1. The present character of the church (The highest church truths, but nothing about church order).

2. The relationship between Jew and Gentile.

3. The source and exercise of spiritual gifts.

4. The spiritual warfare of the believer.

Blessings in Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1:1-2

Paul wrote this letter to the saints at Ephesus, who were also known as “saved sinners.” The first truth he reminded them of was that they were, “In Christ.” He mentions this fourteen times in fourteen verses. Believers are vitally united with Christ by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

In Ephesians 1:2 we are introduced to two of God’s great attributes:

(1) His grace (the first mention of fourteen references). This reminds us that our glorious position as described in the epistle is because of God’s grace.

(2) His peace (this is the first of seven references).

These blessings come to us through the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (See Ephesians 1:17). Note in this connection that our Lord is given His full title: The Lord Jesus Christ. As Lord, He is our absolute Master with full rights to all that we are and have. As Jesus, He is the Savior of the world. As Christ, He is our anointed Prophet, Priest and King.

Ephesians 1:3-6

Ephesians 1:3-14 contains the longest sentence in the Bible. This is one of the most magnificent hymns of praise in the Bible. It is the overflow of a heart that worships God for all of His blessings. See Psalm 48. Without a break in thought, Paul pours out his heart in these verses. This particular section is divided into three parts and is divided by the phrase “to the praise of His glory.” See Ephesians 1:6, 12-13.

In Ephesians 1:3-6, Paul directs his worship to the Father. [See and describe Ephesians 1:3]. He traces all his spiritual blessings to the Father’s counsel in eternity past. Notice that these blessings are spiritual, not material, and are to be experienced in the “heavenlies,” not heavenly places.

The expression “heavenlies” is used five times in the epistle:

It is the sphere of our spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3).

It is where Christ is presently enthroned (Ephesians 1:20).

It is where we are presently enthroned (Ephesians 2:6).

It is the place where the angels see God’s wisdom manifested in the Church (Ephesians 3:10).

It is the place that is the source of our present conflict with evil spirits (Ephesians 6:12).

The believer is a heavenly person and a pilgrim and stranger on earth.

Notice how the blessings that come to us are from God our Father:

Ephesians 1:4 shows that He has chosen us in Him.

Ephesians 1:5 shows that He has predestined us and that He has adopted us.

Ephesians 1:6 shows that He has made us accepted in the beloved.

Let us analyze some of these blessings:

“God has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world.” This is an astounding statement. This is the truth of election. It is in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus that we were chosen. This is one of the most profound truths in the Scriptures. It was meant to be a source of comfort and strength to believers down through the centuries – before the creation of the world, they were chosen by God to have eternal life. Paul mentions this great truth in 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, and 1 Peter 1:2. Unfortunately, Satan has distorted this truth, disturbing the faith of some and fraying the temper of others.

Despite what anyone may say, in the last analysis, God chose every believer before the creation of the world (see 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Peter tells us that we were elected according to the foreknowledge of God (see 1 Peter 1:2). The Bible also teaches us that people can know whether they have been elected by their response to the Gospel. Those who hear and believe it are the elect (see 1 Thessalonians 1:4). One must consider, however, that the Bible never teaches that God chooses men to be lost.

The same Bible that teaches election also teaches human responsibility. God makes a bona fide offer of salvation to all men in the Gospel. See Matthew 11:28, Romans 10:13, and 2 Peter 3:9. Anyone can be saved by repenting and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Therefore, if a person is lost, it is because he chooses to be lost, not because God desires it. [Note the purpose for which we have been chosen, “That we might be holy and without blame before Him.” See 1 John 3:2 and 1 Peter 1:16. They speak of the future, the present time, and practical issues.]

The other two great themes in this section are predestination and adoption. Predestination has to do with God ordaining ahead of time that the believer is to be made like Christ. The difference between election and predestination is as follows: Election is God’s choice of men to salvation. Predestination is an advance on this. It means that God has determined ahead of time that all who would be saved would be adopted into His family as sons. He could have saved us without making us His sons, but He chose to do both.

God predestines us “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” In our adoption we are placed in God’s family as sons. This brings pleasure to God. As chosen, predestined and adopted sons, we rejoice that He has blessed us (Ephesians 1:3), chosen us (Ephesians 1:4), predestined us (Ephesians 1:5), adopted us (Ephesians 1:5), and accepted us (Ephesians 1:6). All these blessings are ours to the praise and glory of God’s grace. He is the “Great God of wonders.” For this reason Paul pours out his heart in adoration and worship (Ephesians 1:3).

Ephesians 1:7-12

In Ephesians 1:7-12, Paul focuses our attention on the Lord Jesus. In this section he gives the preeminent place to the Son. It is in the Son that we have “redemption through His blood.” We have redemption here and now—its blessings are a present possession. We have been purchased from the slave market of sin. We have been bought never to be put on sale again. We have been freed from the Law, the judgment of God, and the guilt of sin. In other words, He has redeemed us and we are never to be enslaved by sin again.

The price for these blessings is “the precious blood of Christ.” An added blessing from “redemption through His blood is the forgiveness of sins.” Our sins are gone, never to be remembered against us again. God’s grace and Christ’s blood are the means through which they have been removed. God’s grace is infinite and so is His forgiveness, “to the praise and glory of His grace” (see Ephesians 1:6), “to the riches of His grace” (see Ephesians 1:7).

“Having made known unto us the ‘mystery of His will’ through Christ.” In Ephesians 1:9, we are introduced to one of the main themes of the book. This “mystery” was a sacred secret unknown to Old Testament saints, but now, in Christ, He makes the “mystery” known. The “mystery” is that believing Jews and Gentiles are now one in Christ. The middle wall of partition has been broken down and we are fellow-members in the body of Christ—the Church. Ephesians 1:10 tells us that at present, we are seated together in Christ in the heavenlies. In the future, we will share Christ’s glory as Head over all things.

“The dispensation of the fullness of times.” The Millennium is the time when “all things will be headed up in Christ.” It refers to the last, great, glorious age when Christ will reign from shore to shore as King of kings and Lord of lords. He will be the administrator of the last era of human history. He will put down every enemy and reign over all things on earth and in heaven. He will be the object of universal worship.

In Ephesians 1:11, “we have no continuing city, but we look for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God.” See Hebrews 11:10. This inheritance that is being referred to in this verse, in God’s purpose and will, was predetermined beforehand. According to 1 Peter 1:4, this inheritance is “incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away, [it is] reserved in heaven for us.”

The glory of our inheritance will be realized when the Lord comes. The church’s complete blessing awaits the Lord’s coming. Every individual’s ultimate blessing awaits the Lord’s coming. The redemption of our body awaits His coming. The conversion of Israel awaits His coming. The full redemption of all Gentiles awaits the coming of our blessed Savior. [Consider the glory of our inheritance by reading Revelation 21:1-5. All this was given in Christ for the praise of God’s glory.]

Ephesians 1:13-14

In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul now directs our attention to the blessings we have in the Spirit. The Spirit’s ministry here is twofold. He is the seal and the earnest. We are sealed “unto the day of redemption.” John 10 and Romans 8 speak of this security. The Holy Spirit is the seal, signifying a finished transaction. See Jeremiah 32:9-12; it also speaks of ownership. See also Esther 8:8 and Ephesians 4:30.

The Spirit has given us His pledge and is the “earnest of our inheritance.” He is the “down payment,” pledging that the full amount will be paid. God guarantees our future blessings in that He has sealed us with His Spirit. The ‘seal’ guarantees that we will be kept for our inheritance. The ‘earnest’ guarantees that the inheritance will be kept for us. These, then, are some of the spiritual blessings that drew forth the magnificent hymn of praise, adoration and worship from the depth of Paul’s redeemed heart.

Survey:

Ephesians 5:1-17 describes the walk of the believer. In this section, the things that are permissible and the sins that are not permissible are described.

Ephesians 5:18-21 provides a description of the inner life of a spirit-filled believer.

Ephesians 5:22-33 describes the married life of Spirit-filled believers.

The Christian Walk (Ephesians 5:17)

Ephesians 5:1 – “Be imitators of God.”

Ephesians 5:2 – “Walk in love.”

Do we love God? The standard of that love is to love as Christ has loved us. Christ’s love was a burnt offering to God. As we love our brethren and sisters in this way, it ascends as a fragrant aroma to God.

Ephesians 5:3-4 – These verses reveal the sins that should not be once named among us. These sins are detestable to God. They consist of fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthy stories, obscenity, silly talk, suggestive talk, and off color jokes. These have not to be named once among us. We should not engage in these sinful things, but rather give God thanks for “the many blessings.”

Ephesians 5:11 – You were once darkness. These are the sins you practiced “in Adam.” Now, “in Christ,” we are light. Therefore, we ought to walk as children of the light, exhibiting goodness, righteousness, and truth. 2 Peter 2:9 speaks of us as being called. [Illustrate “from darkness into light”] See also 2 Peter 2:10, which says how “Men loved darkness.”

Proving what is acceptable unto God means proving what is well pleasing. In Romans 12:1-2, acceptable is mentioned twice. We are to be proving or testing what is well pleasing. Our conversation, standard of living, clothes, books, pleasure, friendships, and sports should be acceptable to the Lord. “Take my life and let it be.”

Ephesians 5:14-17 – There are many believers today who are asleep and they have been asleep for so long that they appear to be dead—just like the unbelievers around them. This verse is a message to any believer in this condition; it is a command that states, “Awake, thou that sleepest.” Ephesians 5:15 talks about how we as Christians are to constantly be walking circumspectly. Ephesians 5:16 speaks about redeeming the time and Ephesians 5:17 talks about how our concern should be to understand what the will of the Lord is.

1 Peter 2:9 “That we might show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

The Spirit-Filled Believer (Ephesians 5:18-21)

These verses describe God’s will for every believer. This is the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. This is seen through acts such as speaking, singing, giving thanks, and submitting. Psalms and hymns are spiritual songs. Psalms are the composed writings of David and Asaph, while hymns are uninspired songs, which give God praise and glory. Spiritual songs are songs that deal with spiritual themes.

The Spirit-filled life is a fountain bubbling over with joy (see Acts 13:52). There are four results of the Spirit’s filling:

Boldness to witness—Acts 4:8-12, 31; Acts 13:52, Acts 14:3

Powers for service—Acts 1:8, Acts 6:3, 8; Acts 11:24

Generosity—Acts 4:31-32

Exaltation of Christ—Acts 9:17-20, 10:44-46

Married Life Among Believers (Ephesians 5:22-33)

Here, Paul describes the married life of Spirit-filled believers. Paul illustrates this by the relationship between Christ and the Churchapter In Ephesians 5:22-24, Paul outlines the relationship of the wife to her husband. Every well-ordered society rests on two supporting pillars: authority and subjection. Wives are to be subject to their husbands. The husband is the head of the wife. And in the same way the Church is subject to Christ, the wife should be subject to her husband. God did not take material from Adam’s head so that he would lord it over her, nor did He take it from his feet to be trampled by him. God took her from his side, to be his partner, close to his heart that he might love her.

Ephesians 5:25-28 tells us that husbands are to love their wives. In what way has the husband to love his wife? Ephesians 5:25 says that “He has to love her as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.” Thus, subjection would not be a problem. Ephesians 5:28 says He ought to love her as his own body. She is his flesh and bones—the two become one. If these principles were carried out, problems in the home would disappear. Our homes would be a foretaste of heaven itself. The divorce counts would be shut down. The final exhortation comes in Ephesians 5:33. The husband is reminded that he has to love his wife as he loves himself, while the wife is told she must reverence her husband.