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The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians - Chapter 1
Revised 2013
- Paul’s great letter about the universal Church - one, holy catholic & apostolic - as a goal in God’s plan and also an instrument, a cosmic role, of mission in the world as part of God’s plan of salvation. A vision of Christ reigning in heaven next to his Father (1:20) and renewing the earth through his Church (3:10). Theme of the “mystery” of Christ once hidden but now revealed (1:9; 3:4,9) as redeemer by his sacrifice on the Cross and now exalted above even the angels (1:21-22). These saving mysteries of Resurrection, Ascension & enthronement continue to grace our lives, making us participants in his mission to the world (2:4-6; 5:2). The mystery of Christ is also the mystery of his body, the Church, God’s new creation in Christ (2:10, 15; 2 Cor 5:17). Members of the Church are children of the Father (1:5), body & bride of the Son (5:22-32), & temple of the Holy Spirit (2:21-22). The Church gathers all peoples into the family of the New Covenant (2:11-22; 3:4-6), united by the grace of being “in Christ” (1:3,7,10,13). A union between Christ in his glorified body and in his mystical body. Christ loved and died “for the Church”, as opposed to dying for sinners (Rom 5:6-8) or for all (2 Cor 5:14-15). Christ died to cleanse & sanctify the Church (5:25), and continues to nourish her (5:23-32). Christians might be unhappy that Paul offers his sufferings “for the Church”; even more potential difficulty with the Church as the goal of Christ’s ministry and death! This “high ecclesiology” may not be typical of early NT documents, but it cannot be rejected for that reason. It is still part of the canon. We should attend to all parts of NT, acknowledging that Christian thought developed differently at different times a places. (Paul was setting up church structures before John wrote saying structure is not needed).
- Eph is a salutary reminder that “the church” is the community of all the baptised, not just clergy or hierarchy. But no conflict seen between institutional church and work of Holy Spirit.
- All aspects of human life and relationships are enlightened by Christ.
- Appears to be a general letter, rather than sent specifically to Ephesus, which is not mentioned in early ms. Paul knew Ephesus well (AD 54-57), but this letter omits any references to individuals there, so may have been intended for several churches in Asia Minor.
- Many similarities with Col, (>30% vv in Eph parallelled in Col), but goes much further in addressing the universal church, rather than local churches (0/9 local in Eph, 2/4 local in Col. Col more Christological, Eph applies similar concepts to ecclesiology.
- Aspects making it unlikely to be written by Paul: purely universal view of the church; focus on Christ’ cosmic victory over “the powers”; little stress on Christ’s death; lack of apocalyptic expectation; salvation seen as already accomplished; absence of personal references.
- Some have seen suggestions of gnosticism but this was not present so early. But several similarities to Hellenistic Judaism, especially in Dead Sea Scrolls & Philo of Alexandria: cosmic man, sacred marriage, &c. Qumran texts have helped clarify some Eph texts.
- Traditionally seen as written while Paul was in prison, presumably Rome (AD 61-63), or in Caesarea (Acts 23:27-27:2). But most (80%) scholars believe the letter to have been written by a disciple, probably around 80-100 AD. As such it probably represents continued development of Paul’s ideas among his followers.
- 1 “in Ephesus” appears only in later ms and seems to be a 5th C addition. Paul is called an apostle - not all ministers are (4:11). But an apostle only by the will of God, not self-appointed. “saints” = “ believers”.
- 2 As always Paul insists the one true God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not just another god of many.
- 3 Before the usual prayer of thanksgiving (vv 15-23) there is a very Jewish blessing (vv 3-14) of God for the many blessings Christians have experienced - announcing themes to be developed. Feels very liturgical, hymnic, like a Creed or Gloria. “in the heavenlies” = in the divine realm, and so superior to earthly blessings. The “promise of the life that is now, and of that which is to come (1 Tim 4:8). Seen here as elsewhere (1:20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12) as a spatial location, rather than a state of being. Distinctive to Eph, suggests union of heavenly & earthly worlds. Similarities to Qumran. Emphasis from the beginning is on God the Father, from whom all these blessings have been showered on us, through Jesus Christ. The full certainty of future happiness rests on the revelation of his love to us in Christ.
- “Bless”: 4 senses: we offer praise to God; God gives us success and satisfaction or joy; we pray for each other; priests bless as a pledge os divine blessing (Calvin).
- 4 God’s invitation to us to be his adopted sons in Christ was planned before creation. “Because he chose us” given as basis of reasons for blessing God. God’s chosen ones are required to be morally holy (cf Col 1:22), as is the church, cleansed in baptism to be the bride of Christ (5:27). We need to set our own personal stories within the larger story of Christ’s salvation of the world. But how can we have been chosen in the Messiah before the world was made, foreordained for himself? Does this override our freewill? Everything we have in Christ is a free gift, which we needed to be made alive (2:5); we were before this unable to help ourselves. And we weren’t chosen just for our own needs, but as part of God’s overall plan for the whole cosmos. We were chosen for the sake of what God wants to accomplish through us. “Us” being Christians, Jews & Gentiles, all chosen to complete the task given to Abraham of taking the promised salvation to the world - the news that the world has been redeemed. We were not chosen because God foresaw that we would be worthy to be chosen: our human nature is such that we could never be worthy (so Calvin) - without God’s help. We are chosen in Christ - being adopted into the body of Christ excludes the possibility of meriting election: in ourselves we are unworthy. One purpose for which we were chosen was that we should be holy. Another is for the glory of God (1:10). Holiness is the fruit of being chosen. Perfection is the goal towards which our life must be directed - but we are unlikely to attain it in this life.
- 5 Adoption is by grace - free gift of God’s will & love. For Paul all these blessings we have received, everything God has done, he has done in and through Jesus the Messiah. We were pre-destined to be adopted solely by God’s will.
- 6 “the Beloved” - cf Christ’s baptism (Mk 1:11). For Paul all is done for us “in Christ”: we, the people, are identified with Christ the King - what happens to him, happens to us. Therefore all genuine Christian life flows out of worship, in which we cannot help keep retelling with joy and amazement the story of what God has done in Jesus.
- 7 Redemption & forgiveness because of Christ’s death, into which we are incorporated through baptism, sealed with the Holy Spirit (1:13). NB we already “have redemption - realised eschatology. Yet this is only a first instalment (1:14). The story of the Cross is told with the story of the Passover underlying it. God “bought” for himself the people enslaved in Egypt by the blood of the Passover lambs. Now God has “bought” freedom and redemption for his people by the blood of Jesus. And the real deliverance of forgiveness of sins. This is a classic way of worship, celebrating the goodness of God by telling the story of what God has done in and through Jesus. Redemption & forgiveness are tightly linked: we are redeemed because our sins are not imputed to us, and so we are given by grace the righteousness by which we are accepted by God.
- 8 Wisdom & understanding can be God’s in revealing his will (3:9-10), but could also be caused in us, bestowed through grace. It is through hearing the gospel & receiving Christ through faith that these riches are lavished upon us.
- 9 “mystery” = secret of God, ie his purpose & plan of salvation (3:3-6, Rom 6:25, Col 26-27) now revealed in Jesus Christ, but very much an ecclesiological focus in Eph (as v 10). A very Jewish understanding that the God of knowledge controls all things, because decreed by him from all eternity. God’s plan to adopt Gentiles too is now revealed - but only because now is the right time to do so (1:10).
- 10 God had planned from the beginning to bring everything together under Christ as head (v 10 is one word in Greek). All reality finds its meaning and completeness in Christ. Through Christ all is restored to order (where was none before) - including bringing us into with the angels.
- 11 Those hearing this letter are beneficiaries of God’s plan. Usually “we” taken to be Jews, who hoped in the Messiah before Gentiles “you” Gentiles did; but could be “we” all Christians and “you” receiving this letter. Just like the Jews being led to the Promised Land, their inheritance, so in this new exodus Christians are being led to their inheritance = what? Paul answer is not “heaven”, a place. He sees our inheritance as the whole world, after it has been renewed by God’s power and love. God’s material creation is not to be wasted, but filled with his presence & grace, to become new, with Jesus at its centre. Followers of Jesus are therefore to be signs to the rest of the world that this glorious future is on its way. And the guide and guarantor to Christians is the Holy Spirit, the personal presence of the living God, received in baptism, taking the place of the cloud and fire which led the Israelites in the desert. The down payment of the Holy Spirit is also part of the inheritance, since he will be with us now and in the new world for ever. Having described the blessings God has given - as gift, now needs to pray that our inadequate minds may gain wisdom to appreciate these gifts.
- 12 “we who first hoped” = Jewish Christians, contrasts with “you - Gentiles in v 13. Or could mean present hope in contrast with future redemption. Now no hint of the rejection of Christ by the Jews: rather the Jews were marked out beforehand to receive the blessing, and have now been joined by the Gentiles. A further purpose of adoption: we must become illustrations of God’s glory & goodness & love.
- 13 “seal” = baptism. Usual evangelisation sequence: you hear, you believe, the Holy Spirit comes and seals you (Acts 8, 10, 19). Sealing with Holy Spirit makes salvation a present reality. The gospel is both the word of truth and the gospel of salvation - guaranteed by the Holy Spirit. Faith is based on knowledge and leads to conviction: both are the work of the Holy Spirit.
- 14 “Down payment” on full salvation (2 Cor 1:22). Appears to be buying back of enslaved property, ie freedom achieved from malevolent spirits (2:2-3) by the death of Christ. The Holy Spirit seals the contract - no possibility of not completing it. Pledge needed only until contract completed - ie judgement day. Until then it is our basis for hope. Though we are now redeemed by Christ’s blood, the fruit of that redemption does not appear yet. We await it in hope (Rom 8:21-23). “to the praise” = making it known. God has given proofs of his goodness so that his glory might be proclaimed and openly celebrated.
- 15 Vv 15-23: usual thanksgiving: asks that the blessings received be strengthened through the gospel, blessings which should be seen in the context of God’s might in making all creatures and powers subject to Christ. “your love” not in all ms. Could hardly be Paul addressing Ephesians: “hearing” of your faith is too distant.
- 16 As usual “Paul” not only gives thanks for them but prays that they may develop their faith further. We must always be striving for higher spiritual benefits.
- 17 As we come to know Jesus we can come to realise God’s enormous power, which is available for use to bring about his kingdom. Christians are not powerless. God’s power is already strengthening faith of believers. “Father of glory” for God is unique to Eph. So “Paul” urges them to seek greater wisdom and understanding, opening their “spiritual” eyes and so come to know God better, through Jesus Christ.
- 18 “Among the saints” or “holy ones” - here more likely the heavenly ones, angels, to whom the earthly congregation is now joined in Christ. Emphasises that knowledge of the Lord is important, but it is knowledge of the heart. In this case knowing all the blessings God has heaped on his children. Prays that with this new wisdom believers may know: 1 what the hope of their calling is (1 Thess 5:8-9); 2 the wealth of gloriousness God’s inheritance is; 3 the immeasurable greatness of God’s power for those who believe.
- 19 God’s might is revealed in Christ’s resurrection & ascension, and his exaltation above the angels. God’s power is working in us now - all generations. And his power is available to support the work of Christians. The church should realise and use this power. Our believing given as an example of God’s great power.
- 20 Just as God’s power was at work in Christ - raising him up and seating him at his right hand. In Eph Christ’s victory is complete now, whereas Paul saw it complete only at the second coming (1 Cor 15:24; Rom 8:18). Concludes with brief summary of belief. God’s power shown by the resurrection. and seating Christ at his right hand (Rom 8:34). We need to focus on Christ and what God has done in him, as a mirror in which we can see the glorious treasures of divine grace which has not yet been manifested in us. The meaning of “at his right hand” is shown here: the power bestowed by God on Christ that he may govern heaven & earth in his name - the highest royal power invested in Christ.
- 22 God has put all things under Christ & made him the head over all things “for the church”! “Christ as the head of the church, which is his body” is a significant development from the image of the members making up Christ’s body (1 Cor 12:31; Rom 12:4-8). Christ is the head of the church. And the church shares in this dominion over all things. The church is the means by which God’s wisdom is made known to all the powers of the universe (3:10-11). All things are placed in Christ’s control, & Christ is the head of the church which, as his body, completes his being. Christ fills all that exists, the whole cosmos. But the church is needed to complete Christ.
- 23 Only in Eph & Col is Christ “head” of the Church, his body. Elsewhere Christ is whole body of church community (Rom 12:4-8), 1 Cor 12). “fullness” - of the deity or of grace. But gnostic usage is for a spiritual world of beings between God & the world. Could be either God or Christ who “fills”. As God fills Christ, so Christ fills the Church and believers (3:19, 5:18). Or, as God’s plan for the universe is carried out through the Church, so Christ is filled (3:9-10). The church, his body, is the fullness of him who fills all (supported by 4:10) - or who “is filled” with respect to all things in every way, all in all. Difficult: perhaps Christ is source and goal of the body’s growth (4:15-16). Christ is filled with all the fullness of God, and in turn fills believers. Instead of expecting Christ’s return (eg 1 Thess 4:13-17), the church is Christ’s glorified body and his “fullness within history”. A breathtaking vision: Christ is head of the universe, only the church is Christ’s body & fullness. Therefore the church is the destiny of the universe. Dangerous, once the church gained political power. The church needs to be humble!
