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The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians - Chapter 2
Revised 2013
- Themes: once dead, now alive in Christ (2:1-10); Union of Jews & Gentiles (2:11-22).
- 1 As above “you” and “we” unclear: could be “we” all Christians & “you” who hear this letter. Use for Jewish vs Gentile Christians on apparent from 2:11. Some Jewish writings refer to a period of time when spirit of darkness is allowed to rule over humanity, before evil is destroyed and righteousness prospers. So the sinful condition of humanity, walking under the power of evil. You were spiritually “dead” because of your transgressions.
- 2 Assumes this world dominated and pervaded by spiritual forces which are beyond human control but which Christ has defeated. These evil powers account for the disobedience of non-believers, and “all of us” were once like these non-believers. All men who live according to the world, ie according to the inclinations of the flesh, are under the realm of Satan. Implies Satan punishes ingratitude of unbelievers, with God’s permission (Calvin). Now is the “age” of this world, in contrast with the “age” to come (cf 1 Cor 3:19; 5:10; 7:31; Gal 1:4; Ti 2:12).
- 3 And like non-believers we - including Paul & Jews (Rom 2:17-24) - were once destined for “wrath” (cf 1 Thess 1:10). We had been confidently driving in the wrong direction, with no means of stopping (Wright). Very tempting to think our innermost ideas are placed there by God. Jesus revealed what human life can be like - and it is self-sacrificial. “Desires of flesh & mind”: both sensual and reasoning part of man. Implies original sin. Also that God did not create us this way, but human nature became corrupted (Jer 2:21). Out of Christ there is no redemption (Calvin). “All of us” not consistent with Paul as author - as a Jew who prided his keeping of the Law (Phil 3:3-6) he would not have included himself among the pagans.
- 4 But God’s great love brought us back to life (2:5) and seated us with him in the heavens (2:6). There is no other life than that from Christ. To be made partakers of the life of the Son of God is immense privilege. All by mercy of God and his love for us.
- 5 Instead of anticipating the parousia, here Christians share in his resurrection (1:20), made alive and sit “together with” Christ in the heavenly places. Whereas earlier Paul saw Christians sharing in the death of Christ, while still hoping to participate in his resurrection (Rom 6:5; Phil 3:10-11). Realised eschatology, although v 7 brings in the future too.
- 6 Believers in Christ are “in Christ” - raised up with him to live a new life, in glory in the heavenly realm. Entirely by free gift - grace. Lavished on us purely out of love. The resurrection shows there is another way than the way of the world. We have already been raised up with him - even though cannot yet see it. Belongs already to the members of Christ’s body, as it is already made real as a foretaste in Jesus Christ, the head.
- 7 God’s cosmic victory means that all believers - including Gentiles - will have their home in the heavens where they will see the richness of God’s grace. And we must make sure our descendants know about this.“Ages to come” may suggest 2nd coming not seen as soon - or may refer to life after it.
- 8 Insists God’s action is a matter of grace, not human deserving. But it is obtained through faith (ours or Jesus’?). God alone is the author of our salvation. The contrast in Eph is between God’s grace vs human good deeds in general, not justification by faith apart from the works of the Law (Gal 2:16-21; Rom 3:24-28). So there can be no boasting.
- 9 Faith & the way we live do have to do with God’s power (Gal 3:23-25; Phil 1:29, 2:13). It is NOT that humans have no responsibility (Phil 2:12; Gal 5:13-6:10), but that neither law nor human action defines the relationship with God (Gal 3:1-14; Eph 2:15; Col 2:14). Distinction between “justification”, which marks people who have faith in God/Christ, and “salvation”, which is being rescued from the potential fate, which by God through grace. Here Eph is talking about salvation, not justification. But salvation is by grace and through faith. Faith is not something we can do unaided, on our own initiative, and hence we could boast about it. Why then are some people given the gift of faith? Eph (and Paul’s) only answer is: it’s part of God’s plan (Eph 1:4-6). Righteousness comes to us from God’s mercy alone, and is received by faith alone, without the merit of works (Calvin). Argument not restricted to ceremonies (Calvin), but everything that man can do on his own is set aside. No man can boast, because nothing we can do can merit this grace. We obtain salvation by the gift of God.
- 10 Believers are God’s handiwork - he even “prepared” our good deeds in advance. We have been made “in Christ” for “good works”. Hence works themselves are a part of grace. Everything in us that is good is the supernatural gift of God. “By God’s grace we are all that we are” (1 Cor 15:10). Including the “right will itself” is his workmanship (Calvin). Doing good works was part of God’s plan from before creation, and is an integral part of the Christian life. Christians are at the centre of God’s new creation. These “good works” are not the works of the Law, which marked out membership of Israel. The “good works” are the right road which Christians must travel, and will be described more fully in chapters 4-6. This moral behaviour is expected of all of us, although it can be read as specific to each individual: “God has particular tasks for me to do”.
- 11 Union of Jews & Gentiles. Switches to Christ as primary actor. Circumcision symbolised the distinction between Jews & Gentiles. Eph oblivious to any division between Jews & Gentiles, & ignores any rejection of the gospel by Jews. Circumcision is something done by human hands - like worshipping pagan gods - and just as ineffective!! Being not circumcised in the flesh is not hindrance to being spiritually circumcised (Rom 2:29; Col 2:11).
- 12 Alienated, excluded from the people of God, and so no access to the covenants (cf Rom 9:4) which promised salvation (Rom 9:4-5) or expectation of a Messiah. Hence without hope. Indeed they had no god. Those “without Christ” are “without God”.
- 13 Gentiles & Jews now form one new humanity, created in Christ and reconciled by the Cross to each other & to God. Earlier Paul Christ’s death reconciled mankind with God (Rom 5:10-11; 2 Cor 5:18-20); here in Eph this is expanded to include peace & unity between Jews & Gentiles. Through God’s design the church, Israel and Christ are intimately connected (Rom 9:1-4; 11:21-31). And Gentiles now have the blessings of Israel through the blood of Christ. Closest Eph comes to sacrificial death of Jesus, whereas for Paul “Christ crucified” was always the starting point.
- 14 Vv 14-16 may be beginning of a hymn. Lovely title: “Christ is our peace” reconciling all - Jews & Gentiles - to God. If the Jews wish to enjoy this peace they must have Christ as their mediator. But for this they must be one body with Gentiles, admitting them to fellowship. Instead of the division between Jews and Gentiles, or the idea that Gentiles have been grafted on to the vine of the Jews, or Gentiles accepted “to make the Jews jealous” (Rom 11), here we have Jews & Gentiles reconciled through the Cross (2:16), one person instead of two (2:15), now that the dividing wall of ethnic hostility has been breached. This wall set up by God (Deut 32:8-9). Cf wall dividing court of Gentiles from inner court of Temple. Christ is the key: the blessings of Israel are obtained by Christ, not the Law. Crucial point for Christians, while retaining deepest respect for Judaism and the Law as Paul did (Rom 7:12), and appealing for unity between Christians & Jews..
- 15 Abolished - only in sense that it was a barrier - ordinances, legal precepts that kept Jews and Gentiles apart eg: circumcision, animal sacrifice, dietary laws. These marked the Jews for their salvific role, but kept them apart from Gentiles. This mark of difference has now been taken away. But moral law not revoked - only ceremonial laws, etc. Implies these ceremonial laws no longer in force for the Jews. Age when Jews & Gentiles divided has given way to Messianic age, with nations united in Christ (Rom 15:7, Gal 3:28). The old humanity was flawed & alienated from God (by sin of Adam (Rom 5:12-17)); one new humanity of Gentiles & Jews together created in Christ as peace has been reconciled to God through the Cross (cf Rom 1:16). Son of God assumed nature common to us all, forming in his own body a perfect unity (between Jews & Gentiles).
- 16 May not be referring to this one body as body of crucified Christ (Col 1:22), but now reconciled (2 Cor 5:18-21) in the new humanity, the church. Jews also need Christ as mediator for their reconciliation with God. It is through the Cross that ceremonial laws abolished, Jews & Gentiles reconciled.
- 17 Spiritual distance: far & near (Cf Is 57:19). “Near” through the covenant. “far off” because no promise of salvation. Eph sees Jews & Gentiles as already reconciled to God in one body. Christ came to proclaim peace to both Jew & Gentile. The gospel is the message of peace, in which God declares himself to be reconciled to us. Not false notions of peace: a settled composure which leads us to desire and seek the face of God. No longer Greek & Jew (Col 3:11; Gal 3:28). Is this referring to the reality of Jews and Greeks who are now Christians in the one church, rather than unity between the church and Judaism?
- 18 “Access” is now through Christ, not restricted by the Temple sanctuary veil (Heb 10:19-20; Mk 15:37-38). Through Christ all have access to God (2:18), filled with the same Spirit and worshipping the same Father.
- 19 Now addresses Ephesians only - formerly Gentiles. Vv 19-22: powerful metaphors describing this new humanity. We have arrived!! “Members” now by adoption (1:5; Gal 4:5). Now citizens of more than cities, extending to fellowship with the angels in God’s household. So conclusion is enmity destroyed within the church, all believers, previously Jews & Gentiles, now reconciled with God & with each other in the one church.
- 20 Important: we are built on the foundation of the apostles - the church is apostolic, and so can be distinguished as a true church. Strictly, Christ is the only true foundation. Not Peter. But the church is built on the foundation of Christ by the teaching of the apostles and prophets. Looks back to the apostles, including Paul, as foundation of the church. (Also 3:2-11; 4:11-14), rather than Christ (1 Cor 3:11). Greek can mean capstone or cornerstone or keystone. Christ remains the keystone or capstone cf Is 28:16; Mt 21:42), its crowning glory, joining Jews & Gentiles, and in whom the whole structure is joined tegether. “Cornerstone” is first part of foundation when setting out a building (Cf Is 28:16). Church viewed as spiritual temple (1 Pet 2:4-8). “Prophets” include Christian prophets, a recognised ministry (1 Cor 12, 14).
- 21 Church is spiritual sanctuary. Believers must fit themselves together and accommodate themselves to each other by mutual intercourse, and then grow in the Lord. Organic, not static idea of church community “growing” into God’s Temple constructed of living stones (Cf 4:15-16; 1 Pet 2:4-5), like the Christian’s body as temple of God. Individuals who are “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16) it is God’s will that we should embrace all in holy unity, forming one temple out the many. Very poignant for Jews after Temple - where God dwelt, where heaven & earth met - destroyed AD 70. After death of foundational generation, and no longer expecting Christ’s imminent return, all the baptised together must build the church, which remains faithful to the apostles, and so “apostolic”. The baptised people as a community is now the temple of God. Jewish and Gentile believers, with the apostles, are now joined together into a living community, in which God will be delighted to dwell. Do we really accept that God’s new temple is to be built of Gentiles and Jews together??
- 22 Church is one building in he Spirit. Members bonded together by grace. Holiness from sanctifying presence of the Spirit dwelling in it. Greek does not allow distinguish between “you built” & “you are built”. Perhaps exhortation to “build together” is better? And as always, to build “in the Spirit”.
- 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!