Ephesians 1
OGCBIBLE STUDY TEXTBOOK THE GLORIOUS CHURCH
A Study of Ephesians
by Wilbur Fields
College Press, Joplin, Missouri · Copyright © 1960 College Press Publishing Company
My Mother
INTRODUCTION
There are several features in this book that will make it helpful to you. (1) The entire text of Ephesians is given in the American Standard Revised Version of 1901 A.R.V. This is a very accurate translation of the original Greek text.
(2) Outlines and charts on every chapter and many smaller sections are included. These will be very helpful in teaching the book and in studying it.
(3) Numerous illustrations are included that will help to make the message of Ephesians more vivid.
(4) Over four hundred thought questions on the text are given. By the aid of these questions, you should be able to think out the meaning of nearly every verse and important thought in the book. Most of these questions can be answered with no help except for the Bible itself.
(5) A paraphrase of every verse is given. These serve as a brief commentary, and show the connection of nearly every verse with the verses preceding it. Often reading the paraphrase alone will bring out the meaning of the verse in a vivid way.
(6) The notes are brief and concise. They are designed to help both the advanced student of the Bible, and the average church worker. There is a lot of ammunition for teaching and preaching.
(7) There are 340 fact questions, which are mainly prepared to check your knowledge of exactly what the text says.
The study of Ephesians will be very rewarding to you. This book will guide you to an understanding of the glorious church about which Paul wrote in Ephesians. It will be a means for our perfecting unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ.
THE GLORIOUS CHURCH
I.
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Exactly what is it that is so wonderful about Christianity? (Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 3:17-18)
How can living people be dead in sins? (Ephesians 2:1)
What are the seven things upon which the Spirit has united the church? (Ephesians 4:4-6)
What are the duties of wives to husbands, and husbands to wives? (Ephesians 5:22-23)
How can a Christian stand against the tricks of the devil? (Ephesians 6:11)
These questions, and many others, will be answered in our study of Ephesians. Ephesians is one of the divinest compositions of man (Coleridge).
Ephesians is a letter about heavenly things. (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 3:10)
Ephesians has more to say about the church than any other New Testament epistle. (See Section II below, The Glorious Church in Ephesians.) Ephesians has been called The Letter About the Church, For this reason, this book is entitled The Glorious Church.
The Ephesian converts publicly burned their books of magic, in value 50,000 pieces of silver (Acts 19:19). Truly, they were well recompensed when they received this letter, not to lead them into magic and sorcery, but into the mystery of Christ, and the hidden wisdom of God. They burned evil and superstitious volumes, and then obtained a letter which cannot be valued in silver and gold, an epistle of wonderful breadth and power, full of riches of the mind and the warm flow of a master spirit. (Fraser).
Fact Questions
Ephesians is described as a letter about what?
About what subject does Ephesians have more to say than any other New Testament epistle?
II.
THE GLORIOUS CHURCH IN EPHESIANS
The church is the most precious institution on earth today. Ephesians has more to say about the church than any other New Testament letter. We need to picture the church in our minds as the glorious church described in Ephesians. The word church occurs nine times in the letter (Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 3:21; Ephesians 5:23-25; Ephesians 5:27; Ephesians 5:29; Ephesians 5:32). The term body (referring to the church) occurs nine more times (Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 2:16; Ephesians 3:6; Ephesians 4:4; Ephesians 4:12; Ephesians 4:16 (twice); Ephesians 5:23; Ephesians 5:30).
Consider the glorious church described in Ephesians:
Christ loves her. Ephesians 5:23. Men may despise and belittle her, but Jesus Christ loves her.
The church shall be presented to Christ. Ephesians 5:27. What will the people who are not in the church do then?
God’s wisdom is demonstrated by the church. Ephesians 3:10. If you are not in the church, God sent Christ to die all in vain, as far as you are concerned. You make God’s mercy to appear to be foolishness.
God is glorified in the church. Ephesians 3:20-21. Out in the world you cannot glorify Him.
There is one body, one church. Ephesians 4:4. Because of the divisions among those who believe in Christ, the world does not believe that God sent Him. John 17:20-21. Pray to God that men will abandon their loyalty to denominations and sects and be members only of that glorious church to which God adds all saved people. Acts 2:47.
Christ is the Head of the church. Ephesians 5:23; Ephesians 1:22. Our opinion of the church will be just as high as our opinion of Christ.
The church is the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23. If we love Christ, we shall love the church, for it is filled by Christ.
Christ is the Savior of the body. Ephesians 5:23. All saved people are members of the church, You cannot be saved and not be a member of the Lord’s church.
She shall be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27. No man can excuse himself by saying, There are too many hypocrites.
The church is the beloved bride of Christ. Ephesians 5:31-32. Don-’t you want to be married to Jesus? What will the Lord do to those who hate and hurt His bride?
III.
EPHESUS
In Paul’s time, Ephesus was religiously like Rome, and commercially like New York. The city lay in the Roman province of Asia, on the west end of what is now Turkey, about three miles from the coast, near the mouth of the Cayster River. It stood on the sloping sides of two hills and in the river valley between them. A little city grew on the site in ancient times. Legend said that the mother-goddess of the earth was born there. And there her temple was built. The temple was burned and rebuilt seven times during the centuries, each time on a grander scale. Rich King Croesus even helped build one of the temples. In 356 B.C., the night Alexander the Great was born, the temple burned, It was rebuilt to be one of the seven wonders of the world, and was there when Paul came to Ephesus. The Cayster River valley extended far inland toward the east from Ephesus. It was connected by highways to the chief cities of the province. At Ephesus itself an artificial harbor was built, accessible even to the largest ships, Thus, Ephesus was the most accessible city of Asia, both from land and sea. As ships came up the canal into Ephesus from the seacoast, the city could not be seen from a distance because of its position in the valley. But at a certain point, the city appeared, spread out before them, with its theater (seating 24,000) on the hillside and the temple of Diana on the lowlands. Even in ancient times, however, engineers had trouble keeping the harbor and canal dredged of silt from the river.
Commerce flourished in Ephesus. Priscilla and Aquila may have left Corinth for Ephesus (Acts 18:1-2; Acts 18:26) because Ephesus was famous for the manufacture of luxurious tents and marquees, as well as to prepare the way for Paul’s ministry there.
Paul’s labors in Ephesus turned many of the Ephesians from Diana, A substantial church flourished there. Timothy and the apostle John (probably) preached there. In 262 A.D. when the temple of Diana burned again, the influence of Diana had so weakened that it was never rebuilt again. A church council was held there in 341 A.D. The city declined. Many of its stone buildings were in ruins, and the stone was used elsewhere, some even in Santa Sophia church in Constantinople, The Turks captured the city in 1308, murdering its inhabitants, destroying its remaining buildings, The Cayster River, overflowing its banks, buried the site of Diana’s temple and the low part of the city under many feet of silt. There is no city at all on the site of Ephesus today. A Turkish village named Seljuk is about a mile from the site. Most of the buildings of Seljuk are made of stone from the ruins of Ephesus. A most interesting account of a modern visit to Ephesus can be found in H. V. Morton’s In the Steps of St. Paul.
Fact Questions
Where is Ephesus located? By what river?
What religious legend helped the growth of Ephesus?
Why was Ephesus a most accessible city?
What is the status of modern Ephesus?
A Map Showing Ephesus and Surrounding Territory
IV. DIANA OF THE EPHESIANS
At some time in the remote past the Assyrians or Babylonians in their vain imaginations conceived of a female deity, a mother goddess of the earth, They called her Ishtar. Other tribes and nations adopted the idea and borrowed some of the legends connected with her. But they often gave the goddess their own names and developed forms of worship and traditions of their own. Always, however, the worship was of man’s own invention (not from God) and very vile. Her rituals included sacrifices and ceremonial prostitution.
The Cappadocians called her Ma, the Phoenicians, Astarte, the Phrygians, Cybele. In Egypt, she was Isis; in Asia (the province containing Ephesus) she was called Diana, or Cybele, The legends were started that (1) she was born in the woods near Ephesus, and that (2) there her image (of ebony wood) had fallen from the sky from Jupiter (also called Jove or Dios). Some speculate that originally she was a meteorite.
Later Ephesus fell to the Greeks, and the Greek and Asiatic civilizations blended. The Greeks believed in a virgin goddess called Artemis, the swift twin sister of Apollo, the goddess of chastity, the woods, and the hunt. The Greek name of Artemis was given to the dark Asiatic goddess. In fact, her name in the Greek New Testament is actually Artemis. Some of the Greek colonists in Asia represented the Ephesian Diana as Greek on their coins.
At first, the figures of Diana were crudely carved of wood. In later times, metal images were made, showing her with a headdress representing a fortified city wall. The upper part of her body was covered with breasts to show that she was the mother of all life. (However, Sir William Ramsay believed that these breasts actually represented the ova of bees. The bee was the symbol of Ephesus, and is found on most of its coins. The temple staff included a crowd of priests or drones who dressed like women. Also there was a crowd of priestesses known as Melissai, who represented the worker bees. The goddess was the queen bee.) The lower part of her body was wrapped up like an Egyptian mummy. Later images show her with stags or lions, possibly because some associated her with the Greek goddess Artemis hunting. On most coins showing the goddess two lines run from her hands to the ground. These probably represent rods which were necessary to keep her in an erect position, because of her top-heavy shape.
The temple of Diana was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was built on marshy ground, but uncommon pains were taken to give it a good foundation. It was 220 by 425 feet, with its roof supported on 107 pillars, each 60 feet high. It was nearly 220 years in the process of completion. The temple of Diana was not only a place of worship, but a museum of the best statuary and painting. It owned valuable lands and controlled the fisheries. Its priests were the bankers of its enormous revenues. Because of its resources, the people stored money there for safe-keeping. It became to the ancient world practically all that the Federal Reserve system is to the United States. An annual feast, called the Artemisia, attracted thousands of pilgrims to Ephesus from all parts of the world. No work was done for a month, while great crowds enjoyed a daily program of athletic games, plays, and sacrifices. Thousands of shrines of Diana were purchased by the visitors to take home as souvenirs or objects of veneration (Acts 19:24). These shrines were crude models of the temple with a female figure inside. They were made of clay, marble, or silver.
The worship of Diana may have contributed to the start of the worship of the Virgin Mary. It is a remarkable coincidence that one of the earliest churches in honor of Mary was built at Ephesus on the site of the famous temple of Diana, and that in that same city a synod (council) was held in 431 which first designated Mary as Mother of God. A frog pond now covers the site of Diana’s temple, and a snowy water weed fills the pond. The site was discovered and excavated by J. T. Wood in 1870.
When we know something about dark Diana, we can better understand why Paul wrote to the Ephesians, Walk not as the other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ Ephesians 4:17-20.
Fact Questions
What nationalities were the first to worship a Diana-type mother goddess?
What were the two legends about Diana’s relationship to Ephesus?
Who was the Greek goddess that became associated with Diana?
Approximately how large was Diana’s temple?
Describe the shrines of Diana that were sold.
Why might we think that the worship of Diana contributed to the start of the worship of Mary?
The same word, neokoros, is used on this coin to describe Ephesus as is used in Acts 19:35, where it is translated (in A. R. V.) temple keeper.
V. PAUL’S WORK AT EPHESUS
(Read all Scriptures)
Brief visit during the closing portion of his second missionary journey (A.D. 53) Acts 18:18-21.
Main ministry in Ephesus: (lasted three years, A.D. 54-57) Acts 20:31; Acts 19:1-41; Acts 20:1.
Paul baptizes twelve disciples. Acts 19:1-7.
Paul preaches three months in the synagogue, Acts 19:8.
Paul preaches in the school of Tyrannus, Acts 19:9-10 a.
All Asia hears the word of God. Acts 19:10 b; cp. Romans 16:5.
Paul works special miracles, Acts 19:11-12.
The sons of Sceva fail to duplicate Paul’s miracles, Acts 19:13-17.
Magic books are burned and the Word prevails. Acts 19:18-20.
I Corinthians and possibly Galatians written at Ephesus.
Paul sends Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia. Acts 19:21-22.
Demetrius stirs up the silversmiths against Paul. Acts 19:23-28.
Riot at the theater. Acts 19:29-34.
The town clerk quiets the riot. Acts 19:35-41.
Paul departs. Acts 20:1.
Farewell message to the Ephesian elders (at Miletus), (A.D. 58, closing portion of the third missionary journey.) Acts 20:17-38.
Paul was arrested at Jerusalem (A.D. 58) when Jews from Asia (Ephesus probably) falsely accused him. Acts 21:27-29.
Fact Questions
On what missionary journey did Paul first visit Ephesus?
How long did he remain there on that occasion?
On what missionary journey did Paul spend most of his time in Ephesus?
How long was Paul’s main ministry in Ephesus?
What was the extent of Paul’s success in Asia?
What writings did Paul write at Ephesus?
Who stirred up the riot against Paul in Ephesus?
At what place did Paul give his farewell message to the elders of Ephesus?
VI. VITAL FACTS ABOUT Ephesians 1.
Who wrote Ephesians? Paul the apostle.
To whom was it sent?
(1)
To the saints at Ephesus.
(2)
To the faithful in Christ Jesus.
Where was it written? Rome.
When was it written? About A.D. 63, during Paul’s first imprisonment.
Who delivered the letter? Tychicus (pronounced TICKY-kuss).
Evidently Tychicus delivered the epistle to the Colossians at the same time. Colossians 4:7. He traveled with Onesimus (Oh-NESS-i-muss), whose master, Philemon (Fy-LEE-mon), lived at Colossae (Ko-LOSS-ee): see Colossians 4:7-9; Philemon 1:2. Onesimus bore a letter to his master Philemon.
Memory Work
Ephesians is a lofty letter, full of inspiration and grandeur. The entire epistle deserves to be memorized.
Passages that should by all means be committed to memory are Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 3:20-21; Ephesians 4:4-6; Ephesians 4:32; Ephesians 5:25-27; Ephesians 6:10-17.
Fact Questions
What was the date when Ephesians was written?
Who wrote Ephesians?
Where was Paul when he wrote it? What were his circumstances?
Who delivered the letter?
What other letters were dispatched at the same time?
VII. WAS EPHESIANS REALLY WRITTEN TO THE EPHESIANS?
There has been much discussion among scholars for many centuries over whether Ephesians was actually written to the Ephesians, or whether it was a circulating letter sent around to all the churches in the province of Asia. Actually, the first verse of the letter answers the question. It was sent BOTH to the saints which are at Ephesus AND to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Obviously it was primarily and first sent to Ephesus, but was intended to be circulated around to the brethren elsewhere. This simple explanation clears up all the questions that have been raised about the matter.
There are practically no personal references in Ephesians, such as are common in Paul’s other epistles. They are omitted because those who read (or heard) the letter, but did not know Paul personally, would not be interested in the personal references. Those who did know Paul could find out from Tychicus all about Paul’s affairs. In fact Tychicus was sent with the letter for that very purpose (Ephesians 6:21-22).
It appears to us that the Epistle to the Ephesians was indeed first sent to Ephesus. Then a number of copies seem to have been prepared to be circulated around, In some of these copies the words at Ephesus (in Ephesians 1:1) were omitted; conceivably the name of other cities could have been inserted.
Thus in the Vatican and Sinaitic manuscripts of the Bible (fourth century) and Papyrus 46 (third century) we do not find the words at Ephesus in Ephesians 1:1. Basil (about 370 A.D.) tells us that the text without the words at Ephesus is the way it was handed down to us by our predecessors, and so we ourselves have found it in the old copies. Origen (about 225 A.D.) wrote: In the Ephesians alone, we find the expression, -To the saints which are,-’ and we ask, unless the phrase which are is redundant, what can it mean? It is most improbable that Paul would write to the saints which are without adding the name of some place. But thus the phrase stood in the copy seen by Origen.
However, when all the ancient manuscripts of Ephesians are checked, we find that the majority of them include the words at Ephesus. Also all of the ancient translations of the Bible (Latin, Syriac, etc.) have the words at Ephesus, and these translations must have been made from manuscripts older than any we now have. Furthermore, many of the Christian scholars of the first four centuries quoted from Ephesians, indicating that that was the title by which they were familiar with the epistle. Different people had simply seen different copies.
Some have speculated that the epistle from Laodicea (mentioned in Colossians 4:16) may have been a copy of Ephesians. This can never be anything but a guess (and a very doubtful guess in our opinion). Tertullian (about 190 A.D.) said, I say nothing here about another epistle which we have under the heading to the Ephesians, but the heretic (Marcion) to the Laodiceans. According to the true belief of the church we hold this epistle to have been dispatched to the Ephesians, not to the Laodiceans; but Marcion had to falsify its title, wishing to make himself out a very diligent investigator, (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).
Fact Questions
To what two groups of people is Ephesians addressed?
Why are there few personal references in Ephesians?
How can we account for the fact that some ancient manuscripts omit the words at Ephesus from Ephesians 1:1?
Is the epistle from Laodicea (Colossians 4:16) the same as Ephesians?
VIII. DID PAUL WRITE EPHESIANS?
All the ancient manuscripts and versions of the Bible agree in stating that Paul wrote the Epistle to the Ephesians. All the Christian writers of the early centuries agree to this. However, down through the years some critics have dared to assert that Paul did not write it. One recent doubter is F. W. Beare in the Interpreter’s Bible. Thearguments advanced by Mr. Beare against Paul’s authorship are not arguments based upon external evidence. This is all in favor of Paul. They are based upon his own conceptions of what Paul believed and could have written or not written.
How could any man living in the twentieth century be better qualified to be a judge of what Paul could have written in the first century than the Christian scholars who lived in the centuries near to the time of Paul? These men had no doubts that Paul wrote Ephesians. Do we know Paul better than they? It is most unlikely.
To assert that Paul did not write Ephesians leads to some far-reaching conclusions. If Paul did not write it, it is a forgery, even if it be called a pious forgery. A forgery is a form of lie. If, then, Ephesians contains a lie as to who wrote it, it cannot be inspired of God, for God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). If Ephesians is not inspired of God, it is only human wisdom, and is just as likely to contain untruths as any other book written by human wisdom alone. This we cannot accept for one second.
We are informed that there are 82 words found in Ephesians that are not found in any other of Paul’s writings. This is supposed to prove that Paul could not have written Ephesians because it contains a vocabulary foreign to him, If this line of reasoning could prove that Paul did not write Ephesians, it would also prove that he did not write Romans (which has a hundred words not used by Paul elsewhere), or Colossians (which has thirty-eight), (Figures from Gerstner.) Paul used different words in Ephesians simply because he was writing about different subjects than he wrote about elsewhere.
It is also alleged that in several places (Ephesians 1:15; Ephesians 3:2; Ephesians 4:20-21) the writer of Ephesians indicated that he did not personally know those to whom he was writing, but had only heard of their faith. It is assumed that Paul, who had labored three years in and around Ephesus would have written as if he knew his readers intimately and not just by hearsay. But this objection has little weight. Paul had been away from Ephesus for six years when he wrote this letter. Any minister who has been absent from a field of his labor for six years would not write back to them and speak as if he personally knew all of them. Many changes and additions would have occurred in the membership during that time.
Furthermore, Paul wrote to Philemon, whom he knew well, indicating that he had heard of his faith and love (Philemon 1:5). The mere fact that Paul said he had heard of the faith of the Ephesians does not even suggest that he had never been with them.
The many similarities between Colossians and Ephesians have led some people to suggest that the writer of Ephesians borrowed freely from Paul’s expressions in Colossians, Any person who has written several letters at the same time to different people knows how often one will use the same expressions in several letters. If the similarities between Colossians and Ephesians prove anything, they help to prove that Paul did write Ephesians at the same time he wrote Colossians.
Fact Questions
What external evidence indicates that Paul did not write Ephesians?
To what conclusions are we driven if Paul were not the actual author of Ephesians?
What does the fact that Ephesians has 82 words in it that are not used in Paul’s other writings prove?
Does the fact that the writer says he had heard of the faith of the Ephesians prove that Paul did not write the epistle? Why or why not?
IX. OUTLINE OF EPHESIANS
Greeting; Ephesians 1:1-2.
I.
DOCTRINES Chapter s 1, 2, 3.
A.
Blessings we have in Christ from God. Ephesians 1:3-14.
B.
Paul’s prayer for our enlightenment. Ephesians 1:15-23.
C.
Once dead, now alive with Christ. Ephesians 2:1-10.
D.
Once aliens, now fellow-citizens with the saints. Ephesians 2:11-22.
E.
Paul’s prayer for our strengthening. Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 3:14-19. Parenthetical discussion of Paul’s ministry. Ephesians 3:2-13.
F.
Doxology. Ephesians 3:20-21.
II.
DUTIES Chapter s 4, 5, 6.
A.
Keep the unity of the Spirit. Ephesians 4:1-16.
B.
Walk as becometh saints. Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:1-20.
C.
Subject yourselves one to another. Ephesians 5:21-33; Ephesians 6:1-9.
Wives and husbands. Ephesians 5:22-33.
Children and fathers. Ephesians 6:1-4.
Slaves and masters. Ephesians 6:5-9.
D.
Put on the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-20.
Conclusion. Ephesians 6:21-24.
A.
Tychicus sent. Ephesians 6:21-22.
B.
Benediction. Ephesians 6:23-24.
(More detailed outlines precede the notes on each section.)
Fact Questions
What are the two main divisions of Ephesians, and what are their Scripture limitations?
Name the six topics in the first half of Ephesians, and tell which chapter each is in.
SPECIAL STUDY IDID CHRIST GO TO HELL?
Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? Ephesians 4:9.
Some people have thought that during the time between Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection, He went down into hell (or Hades) to preach to the people there, and to bring out the saints of Old Testament times who could not previously be taken into God’s presence because no atonement price had been paid for their sins.
THE INTERPRETER’S BIBLE says of Eph 4:9 that it is certainly a reference the earliest in Christian literature to the descent of Christ into Hades.
The Apostles-’ (?) Creed says, He (Christ) descended into hell. This doctrine is elaborately set forth in the Gospel of Nicodemus, an apocryphal gospel, which, according to the general consensus of scholars, was composed in the fifth century.
Those who accept this doctrine maintain that such references as 1 Peter 3:19; 1 Peter 4:6, Ephesians 4:9; and Matthew 27:52-53 support it.
However, there is much disagreement as to WHAT Christ may have done in hell (or really, Hades, the unseen world of all the dead). According to the Gospel of Nicodemus (a highly imaginary legend), Christ, between the time He died and rose again, went down to Hades to rescue Adam, Noah, Moses, Isaiah, and all the other Old Testament saints. They were being kept away from God’s presence until the time when Christ should die and make complete atonement for the sins of all mankind of all ages.
Such teaching as this contradicts Romans 3:25, which says that God passed over. the sins done aforetime during the time of His forbearance. Apparently the Old Testament saints were ushered into heaven when they died, even as we are. Elijah was taken into heaven (2 Kings 2:1; 2 Kings 2:11), and apparently Enoch was also (Hebrews 11:5). We read that Abraham was accounted righteous by faith (Romans 4:3). If God accounted him righteous, why should he have been shut off from God in a prison? It is true that full payment had not yet been made for the sins of these people until Christ died. But Christ is the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8; Revelation 5:6). Therefore, in anticipation of that sacrifice, God passed over the sins of the Old Testament saints.
1 Peter 3:19 tells of Christ preaching to those who were in prison. Therefore, some have understood that Christ preached to the sinners in Hades, such as those who had been disobedient in the days of Noah.
There are many unanswerable questions and objections to the idea that Christ preached to the sinners in Hades.
(1)
Why did He preach JUST to the sinners who were disobedient in the days of Noah, as the text indicates? Other ages had many disobedient, lost people who would have needed Christ.
(2)
WHAT could Christ have preached to them? Between His death and resurrection, Christ could not have preached the gospel. For the gospel consists of His death, burial, AND RESURRECTION (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We know that Christ was raised for our justification (Romans 4:25). Therefore, during the period between His death and resurrection, Christ could not have offered them justification. Did He, then, go to hell to taunt those who were lost?
(3)
WHAT PURPOSE would Christ have had for going to Hades? It is certain that the wicked were offered no second chance (2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 2:9). And the righteous with their sins passed over did not need to be rescued.
(4)
WHAT RESULTS could Christ have expected from such a preaching expedition? No one doubts that one could hold a hot revival meeting in hell! Note how concerned the rich man in Hades was about his soul and the souls of his brothers (Luke 16:24-28). But note also that Abraham said it was impossible for the rich man to change his state. Christ did not raise the wicked dead from the graves, and He could not have preached justification to them until He arose Himself.
To test any interpretation of a difficult Bible passage, such as 1 Peter 3:19, three questions may be asked:
(1)
Exactly what does the text say? Are we reading ideas into it that are not actually stated in the text?
(2)
Does the interpretation contradict other more plain passages of Scripture? Does it harmonize with other Scriptures?
(3)
Does the interpretation fit into the context of the passage, so as to make one harmonious teaching with what goes before and what follows?
Let us consider the doctrine that Christ went to preach in hell in the light of the three questions given above:
(1)
The text says that Christ was put to death in His flesh; but that He was quickened, or made alive, in (His) spirit. The word spirit should not be capitalized here, as it is in the King James Version. The Greek text simply says, in spirit, rather than in THE (Holy) Spirit Now we know that Christ’s spirit never actually died, but went into Paradise (Luke 23:46). The spirit of Christ was quickened in the sense that it received an increased vigor and power after His sufferings in the flesh. Read 1 Peter 3:22 to see how His spirit was quickened.
In speaking of the spirit of Christ, which was quickened, Peter says that Christ also went in spirit and preached unto the spirits in prison. Just WHEN He preached is not clearly indicated here. From this verse alone one could not determine whether the spirits were in prison when Christ preached to them, or were in prison when Peter wrote this letter, which was many years later.
(2)
The doctrine that Christ preached to sinners in Hades contradicts Peter’s own writings. 2 Peter 2:4-5; 2 Peter 2:9: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell (Tartarus), and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment, and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person (with seven others) - - - the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. These verses positively rule out the doctrine that Christ offered these sinners of ancient times a second chance (and we can conceive of no other reason why Christ should have preached to them).
Furthermore, the doctrine contradicts Christ’s statement in Luke 23:43 that He would be in Paradise after His death. Certainly the sinners who had been disobedient in the days of Noah were not in Paradise where Christ went.
(3)
The thought of the whole passage, 1 Peter 3:17-22; 1 Peter 4:1-2, is that it is better to suffer, if need be, in well-doing than to compromise with evil. (Note especially 1 Peter 3:17 and 1 Peter 4:1.) To prove this point, the sufferings of Christ are set forth as an illustration. (See 1 Peter 3:18.) The glory that came to Him after His sufferings (see 1 Peter 3:22) shows us that we will also do well to endure sufferings patiently.
Question Does the supposed preaching expedition into Hades show that Christ’s sufferings were rewarded? And does it thus set forth His sufferings as an encouragement to us in suffering? The answer is no to both of these questions. Since we know nothing whatever about what this supposed preaching expedition accomplished, why should it encourage us to bear sufferings? There is no hope or encouragement for us in thinking that Christ’s sufferings were followed by a preaching expedition into Hades, when we do not know the results of that preaching. This doctrine does not fit into the context of the passage, as required by question (3) above.
THE TRUE INTERPRETATION OF 1 Peter 3:19
Naturally we are unsatisfied to say, I don-’t believe that Christ went to hell, We want to know what we may believe as truth. It seems to us that the true interpretation of 1 Peter 3:19 may be perceived from what has been written before in this special study, and from these verses:
(1)
1 Peter 1:11 The prophets - - - prophesied - - - searching what manner of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ.
(2)
2 Peter 2:5 Noah was a preacher of righteousness.
(3)
Genesis 6:3 And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for that he also is flesh.
God’s Spirit, which is the same as the Spirit of Christ, or the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9), strove with men in the days of Noah. But it was through the prophets (preachers) that the Spirit of Christ testified. Noah was a preacher of righteousness. In the days of Noah, Christ’s Spirit preached through Noah to those who were disobedient in those days, and who have therefore ever since been reserved in prison unto judgment. And, of course, they were in prison when Peter wrote his epistle.
Let us test this interpretation in the light of the three questions given before:
(1)
There is nothing in this interpretation out of harmony with the exact words and thoughts of the text (1 Peter 3:19).
(2)
This view is in harmony with the Scriptures given above (1 Peter 1:11; 2 Peter 2:5; Genesis 6:3). A parallel thought is in Ephesians 2:17. In that passage Paul told the Ephesians that Christ came and preached peace to you that were far off. Of course, Christ came and preached to the Ephesians in the persons of His apostles, just as He went and preached in Noah’s day through Noah. In both cases, the Spirit of Christ preached, but the words were uttered through human lips.
(3)
This interpretation fits wonderfully into the context of the passage, which is designed to teach us that we should suffer, if need be, for well doing, because Christ so suffered. Note how well it fits into the argument:
Peter mentioned (Ephesians 3:18) that Christ’s Spirit was quickened after His sufferings. Having mentioned Christ’s Spirit, he said that ALSO Christ went in that Spirit and preached to the spirits now in prison. Of course, that preaching was done long before He suffered. Note that FEW (only eight) were saved as a result of that preaching.
Since that time Christ has suffered and died to bring us unto God. He wished to bring the men in Noah’s day to God, but few obeyed. Behold now the increased power in the preaching of Christ since His sufferings. Millions of souls have been saved through water (baptism), while only eight were saved through water in the days of Noah before Christ suffered. Those who read Peter’s letter could themselves testify that Christ’s preaching to them through His apostles was vastly more fruitful than His preaching in old times through Noah before He suffered.
According to 1 Peter 3:21, we are saved by baptism through the resurrection of Christ. If there had been no suffering, there would have been no resurrection. With no resurrection, there would have been no baptism and no salvation. Christ’s sufferings were therefore necessary and very fruitful. We should take courage by the example of His sufferings.
Christ once said (John 12:32), And I, IF I be lifted up from the earth (that is, crucified), will draw all men unto me. This increased spiritual power of Christ to draw all mankind since His suffering, is what Peter meant by Christ being quickened in spirit.
What about the other Scriptures that are set forth as support for the doctrine that Christ went into Hades?
(1)
Ephesians 4:8-9. See the notes in this book on these verses.
(2)
Matthew 27:52-53 We know nothing whatsoever about this event, except the bare facts as recorded. It is pure speculation to try to make these verses fit into a theory about Christ going into Hades, The temporary resurrection of these saints is no greater a miracle than the resurrection of Lazarus and similar events. Many things occurred during the earthly sojourn of Christ that proved His deity. This event certainly proved that Christ was the very Son of God, More we cannot say.
(3)
1 Peter 4:6 Who are the dead to whom the gospel was preached? They were not the souls of the dead, but those who were once alive, and are now dead. When they were living, the Word of God was preached to them. Now they are dead, Thus the gospel was preached to the dead. This verse should help us to understand 1 Peter 3:19, which tells of Christ preaching to the spirits in prison.
1 Peter 4:5, the verse immediately preceding the one we are now considering, speaks of Christ as being ready to judge the quick (or living) and the dead. This obviously refers to those who will have died before Christ returns, as contrasted to those who will be living when He comes back.
Our conclusion is that the doctrine that Christ went into Hades is not taught in the Bible, and contradicts the Bible. It is an unprofitable, speculative, controversial, confusing teaching. A man could hold this doctrine and still be a Christian, but the doctrine itself is error.
**EPHESIANS ONE THE BLESSING CHAPTER
GREETING Ephesians 1:1-2
BLESSINGS WE HAVE IN CHRIST** Ephesians 1:3-14
Chosen Ephesians 1:4
Foreordained To Adoption Ephesians 1:5
Grace Bestowed Ephesians 1:6
Redemption Ephesians 1:7
God’s Will Revealed Ephesians 1:9
Made a Heritage Ephesians 1:11
Sealed With The Spirit Ephesians 1:13-14
**PRAYER THAT WE BE ENLIGHTENED ABOUT OUR BLESSINGS Ephesians 1:15-23
EPHESIANS ONE**
We can well call this chapter the blessing chapter of the Bible. In this chapter there are MANY wonderful answers to the question, Exactly what is so wonderful about Christianity?
Ephesians 1:1-14
Previewing in Outline Form (Ephesians 1:1-14)
Greeting; Ephesians 1:1-2.
By Paul. Ephesians 1:1.
To the saints at Ephesus.
To the faithful in Christ Jesus.
Grace and peace requested for them. Ephesians 1:2.
A.
Blessing we have in Christ from God. Ephesians 1:3-14.
God blessed for bestowing spiritual blessings. Ephesians 1:3.
Blessings listed. Ephesians 1:4-14.
a.
He chose us in Christ. Ephesians 1:4.
(1)
Chosen before the foundation of the world.
(2)
Chosen to be holy and without blemish.
b.
He foreordained us unto adoption as sons. Ephesians 1:5-6 a.
(1)
Done according to His good pleasure.
(2)
For the praise of the glory of His grace. Ephesians 1:6 a.
c.
He bestowed grace (favor) upon us. Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 1:8.
(1)
Bestowed upon us in Christ, the Beloved.
(2)
Grace made to abound in wisdom and prudence. Ephesians 1:8.
d.
We have redemption in Christ. Ephesians 1:7.
(1)
Through Christ’s blood.
(2)
Redemption is the forgiveness of our trespasses.
e.
He made known to us the mystery of His will. Ephesians 1:9-10.
(1)
Made known according to the good pleasure which He purposed in Christ. Ephesians 1:9.
(2)
Made known unto a dispensation of the fulness of times. Ephesians 1:10.
f.
In Christ we are made a heritage. Ephesians 1:11-12.
(1)
Having been foreordained according to the purpose of God. Ephesians 1:11.
(2)
That we be unto the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:12.
g.
In Christ we were sealed with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14.
(1)
Sealing follows hearing the Word. Ephesians 1:13.
(2)
Sealing follows believing the Word.
(3)
The Holy Spirit is an earnest of our inheritance, Ephesians 1:14.
**Text (Ephesians 1:1-2)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:1-2)**
What does Paul imply by saying that he was an apostle through the will of God?
This letter is addressed to the saints. Are all Christians saints? Is there any distinction between the saints and the faithful who are mentioned in the next phrase?
What do you think that grace is? Look up the meaning of this word in a dictionary. Why do we need grace?
Paraphrase
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God (and not of man), to the holy ones (the saints) that are in the city of Ephesus, and to the faithful souls in Christ Jesus elsewhere.
May divine favor and peace be given unto you from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom the Father dispenses His blessings.
Notes (Ephesians 1:1-2)
Paul, who wrote this letter (see Introduction, section VIII), was an apostle through the will of God. He was no imposter. His life history, his power to work miracles, and his complete dedication to Christ all prove that he was a true apostle. See Galatians, Chapter s 1 and 2, for Paul’s defence of his apostleship.
Paul addressed the brethren at Ephesus as saints. All Christains are saints. The word saint means a holy one. All Christians must be holy. 1 Peter 1:16.
Notice that the letter is addressed to the saints at Ephesus, and to the faithful (or believing ones) in Christ Jesus. We understand that this epistle was sent to Christians in other places as well as to those in Ephesus. (See Introduction, section VII.)
Grace is God’s undeserved favor. The teaching that we are saved by God’s favor, and not because we deserve it, is a central doctrine in Ephesians and throughout the New Testament.
Grace and peace were meaningful wishes for the saints in an age of wholesale massacres of the saints by Caesar.
Fact Questions
Through what was Paul an apostle?
What are saints?
To what two groups is the epistle addressed?
What two things did Paul wish for the Ephesians?
What is grace?
From Whom do grace and peace come?
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:3-14)
Count how many times the text says (in Ephesians 1:3-14) that our blessings are given through Christ, or in Christ, or in Him (Christ), or uses other such phrases referring to Christ. What does this indicate to you about the need for Christ? (Note: Such phrases as in Christ occur 164 times in the writings of Paul.)
Count how many times such phrases as to the praise of His glory occur in Ephesians 1:3-14. What does this indicate to you about the necessity for praising God?
Notes (Ephesians 1:3-14)
Note the purposes of the blessings as stated in the text:
(1)
That we should be holy and without blemish (blame) before God. Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 5:27. God wants us to be in His presence in heaven forever. But He does not want people there whose lives are spotted, blemished, and unclean with sin. His goodness in giving us these blessings should cause us to repent of sins (Romans 2:4).
(2)
That we should be to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 1:12; Ephesians 1:14). We must, therefore, praise God with psalms, songs, testimonies, and prayers. Heaven will be a place of perpetual praise. If we do not praise God, we disappoint God and resist His purpose in giving us the blessings.
(3)
That he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both the things that are in heaven and that are on earth; Ephesians 1:10. Sin has broken up and disunited mankind, and also the angels in heaven (Jude 1:6). But now through Christ, God is working toward an age (dispensation) when He shall bring together again for Himself one great harmonious universe in Christ, Sinners shall be cast out, but all who will receive the blessings shall be saved, and gathered into one great fellowship in Christ. Don-’t you want to be a part of that one great body that will be gathered together in Christ?
Fact Questions
Name the three purposes for which God has blessed us.
**Text (Ephesians 1:3)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ:
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:3)**
What is the reason for which Paul blessed God in this verse?
Can Christ be equal with God, and yet call God His God?
With what type of blessings have we been blessed? Are there no material blessings attached to the gospel of Christ?
What are the heavenly places? Does this refer to heaven? or to the church? or to both? or to something else?
In whom are these blessings bestowed?
Paraphrase
Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with every spiritual blessing has blessed all of us who are in the heavenly places in Christ, that is, in the church.
Notes (Ephesians 1:3)
Truly the Father God deserves to be blessed and praised for blessing us with every spiritual blessing. Of course, we know that He has blessings beyond measure yet in store for His saints in the life to come.
The Ephesians doubtless felt that they were more highly blessed than any other people, because the great image of Diana was in their city (bringing great wealth with it), God wanted the Christians to know that His blessings came through Jesus Christ, not Diana (or even the law of Moses). For that reason, God inspired Paul to write this section. Any one of these blessings is enough to make Christianity wonderful. But Christians have ALL of these blessings.
By a relationship too deep for human understanding, Christ is said to be equal with God (Philippians 2:6; John 5:23), and yet to honor God, the Father, as His God (Ephesians 1:17; John 20:17).
The Law of Moses promised many material blessings (Deuteronomy 7:12-16). The gospel contains some material promises (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19), but its promises are mainly spiritual. Therefore the appeal of the gospel is not to the carnally minded, but to those who seek the abiding things of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:18).
The word places in the phrase heavenly places is not in the original Greek text. (Therefore it is written in italics in our text.) The expression is just the heavenlies.
The term heavenly places refers to Heaven itself in Ephesians 1:20. In Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 6:12 it seems to refer to the region of the air, the atmospheric heavens.
However, here in Ephesians 1:3 and in Ephesians 2:6, it seems to refer plainly to Christ’s church. This glorious institution is certainly a heavenly place. In the church our citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 3:20. The church is called the kingdom of heaven often in the parables of Christ.
If we say that the heavenly places in this verse (Ephesians 1:3) refer to Heaven itself, we will also have to say that God has no more spiritual blessings in Heaven than what he has given to us. (For God hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.) Anyone will admit that God has some spiritual blessings he has not yet given to us. Therefore we have to interpret the phrase heavenly places as referring to the church, in which God has blessed us with all of these spiritual blessings.
Fact Questions
What is the title of the section (Ephesians 1:3-14) in the outline?
Who is praised (or blessed) in Ephesians 1:3?
Why is He blessed?
What kind of blessings are given?
In what places are the blessings given?
To what does the phrase heavenly places refer? Give reasons for your answer.
Through whom (or in whom) do the blessings come?
**Text (Ephesians 1:4-6)
4
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him: in love
5
having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6
to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved;
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:4-6)**
In Whom did God choose us? When did God make this choice? Did God choose us as individuals, or as a class of people? Exactly what did God choose concerning us?
The Jews had the adoption in Old Testament times (Romans 9:4; Exodus 4:22), Who has that honor now?
Did God choose us to be before Him in love? Or, did He in love foreordain us unto adoption as sons? Either reading is possible. Which seems better to you?
What does foreordain (or predestinate) mean?
Did God foreordain us because we deserve it, or according to some other reason? Read the text (Ephesians 1:5) carefully to see.
What purpose did God have in mind for choosing and foreordaining us? (Ephesians 1:6)
Who is the Beloved? See Matthew 3:17. What did God freely bestow upon us in the Beloved?
Paraphrase
God has truly blessed us with every spiritual blessing, even as He, before the world was created, chose us who are in Christ to be in His presence holy and without blemish,
having in love foreordained that we should be adopted as sons unto Himself through Jesus Christ, and this He did according to the benevolence of His own disposition towards men of all nations,
in order that praise might be given unto Him for that glorious display of His grace, which He has so graciously bestowed upon us through Christ the Beloved one. (Ephesians 2:7.)
Notes (Ephesians 1:4-6)
Long ago, even before God created the world, God decided, The people who accept My son Jesus Christ shall be My chosen people. God did not choose certain individuals to go to heaven and others to go to hell. Whosoever will may accept Christ (Revelation 22:17). But God chose a class of people. He chose those who are in Christ to be His people.
Our being holy and without blemish is the consequence of being chosen, and not the condition of it. We cannot say to God, I am holy and without blemish. You have to choose me as one of your people. Rather, God says to us, You are sinners. But I have chosen you because you have accepted Christ. Now be ye holy and without blemish.
As sinful as we have been, it would be a favor to us if God permitted us to scrub the floors of heaven. But God, in love, honors us by adopting us as His children. What more could God do for us?
We prefer to put the phrase in love with the words that follow it. In love is an unnecessary additional description of us if we are holy and without blemish before the Lord. But it makes good sense to think that God has in love foreordained us to be adopted as sons unto Himself. There is no other reason why God would have decided to do such a great thing for us, if it were not done in love.
Back before the world existed, God said something to this effect; I do make this decision and law now, even before man is created, that those who accept My son Jesus will be My chosen people, and they shall receive adoption as My children.
We have listed hath chosen and having predestinated us as separate blessings in the outline. The expression having predestinated (foreordained) us may be subordinate to chosen in Ephesians 1:4. The choosing and foreordaining were acts done at the same time, and are closely related to each other. But still, they were separate decisions and plans made by God. Therefore, we have listed them separately in the outline.
The expression freely bestowed (Ephesians 1:6) comes from the same root as the word grace. Rotherham’s translation of Eph 1:6 brings this out very clearly: Unto the praise of the glory of His favour (grace), wherewith he favoured us in the Beloved One. The expression means to pursue with grace, compass with favor, honor with blessings. The King James translation of Eph 1:6 is not good.
The idea of being saved by GRACE (favor) is completely strange to most people in our self-righteous age. They do not consider themselves to be sinners. Therefore, they do not feel that they need grace to be saved. They protest the treatment they get from the world around them, but not one in fifty seems to have the slightest consciousness of sin, But true Christians will be conscious of their sinfulness, and praise God for the glory of His grace.
Fact Questions
Whom did God choose to be His people?
When was the choice made?
What two characteristics did God desire us to have when we are before Him?
Unto what did God foreordain those who are in Christ?
**Text (Ephesians 1:7-8)
7
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
8
which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:7-8)**
What is redemption? From whom or from what are we redeemed?
What is the relationship of redemption to the forgiveness of our trespasses?
How freely has God dispensed His grace toward us? (Ephesians 1:8)
What is the value of God granting grace to us in wisdom and prudence?
Paraphrase
In Whom (Christ) we have the ransom through His blood, namely the forgiveness of our sins. This redemption is provided unto us according to the wealth of His favor,
that favor of which He has poured out in abundance (even super-abundance) unto us, but in so doing has always bestowed it with all wisdom and understanding.
Notes (Ephesians 1:7-8)
Thank God for the blood of Christ. To those who understand its power and the need for it, it is the most valuable thing in the universe.
Many persons have a great objection to the word -blood,-’ and I have a great objection to those persons, If we take out the blood of Christ, we leave the New Testament without a theme and without a purpose, (Joseph Parker)
Redemption is a releasing effected by the payment of a ransom. This idea is an offence to many. Nevertheless, the truth remains that when we sin, divine, immutable justice is offended. The just law of God condemns us to death. Some payment must be made, or the sinner will perish.
The blood of Christ washes away sins. When this takes place, the Law of God has no more claim against us. Thus we are redeemed from the just claims of the Law of God against a guilty soul. God does not pay the redemption price to the Devil. All souls belong to God, even the souls of sinners, and God alone judges and sentences them.
The forgiveness of sins (in Ephesians 1:8) refers to the same thing as redemption, except that in the case of redemption our helpless condition in sin is primarily in view, whereas in the term forgiveness our own personal responsibility and guilt is thrust forth for us to behold and at which to shudder.
We obtain this redemption at our conversion, and it is available unto us every day thereafter.
God has showered grace upon us so freely that it abounds. There is almost more grace than there is power to use it. But in all things, God bestows His grace with prudence and understanding, so that it will do the most good.
Fact Questions
What does the word redemption mean?
What is the relationship between redemption and forgiveness of sins?
To what degree has God extended grace toward us?
With what two good provisions has God regulated the way He gives grace to us?
**Text (Ephesians 1:9-10)
9 making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him 10 unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth;
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:9-10)**
Why would God’s will be called a mystery? We are told in 2 Corinthians 11:3 that there is simplicity in Christ. How can the gospel of Christ be a thing of simplicity, and a mystery too?
What is a dispensation? Do some research on the meaning of this word.
What age or time is the dispensation of the fulness of times? Could this be the present Christian dispensation?
What does it mean to sum up all things in Christ? Does this teach that everyone will eventually be saved?
What do you think the things in heaven are? Is Christ the head over heavenly beings, as well as redeemed humans?
Paraphrase
God has made grace to abound toward us, having made known unto us (the apostles) the sacred secret (Rotherham translation) of His will, in a manner according to His benevolent pleasure which He purposed within Himself;
And this mystery He did make known in order to bring all things unto a dispensation (administration) of the fulness of the times, in which dispensation He now plans to bring all beings hitherto disunited by sin under one head in Christ, both the things in heaven and the things upon the earth.
Notes (Ephesians 1:9-10)
Having made known (King James Version) is a more accurate translation than making known, given in the American Revised Version. Christ made known all truth to the apostles. He is not making known additional truths to anyone.
In the New Testament the word mystery is often used to refer to some hidden or unrevealed information which God has now made known. One of these mysteries was God’s plan of salvation for men through Christ. This plan was once hidden, but it is now revealed. You might say it is not a mystery any longer. But it was an unrevealed mystery for many ages. (See Ephesians 3:3-6.)
Down through all the ages men have invented all kinds of religions and philosophies in an effort to discover what is really the truth. God’s final truth was not revealed until Christ made it known. Previous to that time men could only guess about His law and promises. But now the mystery has been cleared up. We ought to thank God for making known this mystery of His will.
When God planned out His purpose and program for the ages, He planned toward a dispensation of the fulness of the times, when all things would be summed up in Christ. We are thankful that God is now working out this purpose in all human affairs.
This dispensation of the fulness of the times obviously refers to our present Christian age. For it is during this age that God is endeavoring to bring all things under the headship of Christ.
To sum up means to gather under one head or to sum up as one might sum up the main points of a speech in a few statements. What a glorious universe this will be when all things are under the headship of Christ.
Ephesians 1:10 does not teach that eventually all men, angels, and other creatures will be saved. Paul plainly teaches in this letter that sinners will perish. (See Ephesians 5:5-6.) Sinners will be cast out, and then Christ shall be head over all.
No mere human being knows what all are described by the words the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth. We do know that Christ is Lord of angels as well as of men (1 Peter 3:22). He is Lord of the dead as well as of the living. God’s plans for the whole universe are all designed to glorify Christ.
Fact Questions
What has God made known to us through Christ?
Why is God’s will called a mystery?
What purpose does God have in mind for our sin-disunited universe?
**Text (Ephesians 1:11-12)
in him, I say, 11 in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will: 12 to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:11-12)**
What is a heritage?
Who or what is God’s heritage at the present time?
Whose plan was it that we would be a heritage?
What people are those who had before hoped in Christ?
Paraphrase
In Whom (Christ) we Jews, as well as you Gentiles, were made a heritage, a private possession for God, having been foreordained to this honor not by virtue of Abrahamic descent and the law, but according to that pre-planned program which God, who does all thing according to the counsel of His will, laid out in Christ;
In foreordaining us to be His heritage, God was working toward the purpose that we would be a people devoted to praising His glory, we, the Jews, who in ages before have been the first to have hoped in the Messiah (or Christ).
Notes (Ephesians 1:11-12)
The we of Ephesians 1:12 refers to Jewish Christians such as Paul. The ye of Ephesians 1:13 refers to Gentile believers, like most of the Ephesians. For centuries the Jews had been told of the coming of the Messiah (or Christ), and had hoped in Him. The Gentiles for the most part never heard of the Messiah until after the church was established on the day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-47), indeed not until after the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48).
The reading of Eph 1:11 in the King James Version, We have obtained an inheritance, is not a good translation. The American Revised Version is correct here. It is true that we have obtained an inheritance. But we shall not fully receive it in this life. (See 1 Peter 1:4.)
A heritage is a possession that one owns by right of inheritance. In the ages before Jesus came, the Jewish people were God’s portion, His heritage. (See Joe 3:2; Exodus 4:22.) But now God has broken this arrangement with the Jews, and Christians have become His heritage. This was no afterthought, but was God’s plan and purpose from the beginning. The Jew had come to feel that it was his particular privilege to be God’s heritage; but God had not so foreordained it from the beginning, God had foreordained that the Jew would be a part of His heritage along with the Gentiles when both were in Christ.
The people of Old Testament times certainly offered much praise to God. But it is noteworthy that the Jews were made to be God’s heritage IN CHRIST, so that they would be unto the praise of His glory. We cannot really praise God unless that praise is offered in Christ.
Notice the word purpose in Ephesians 1:11 (and see also Ephesians 3:11). God’s workings are not the result of chance or impulse. Before time began God laid out in His mind a program (prothesis, or purpose) for the ages. Christ was at the heart of this program. We who are in Christ can thank God that we are the ones who are called according to His purpose. (See Romans 8:28.)
Fact Questions
What have we been made to be for God? (Ephesians 1:11)
When did God decide that those who are in Christ would be His heritage?
For what purpose were we foreordained to be God’s heritage?
Who are the we who had before hoped in Christ?
According to what were we foreordained and made a heritage?
**Text (Ephesians 1:13-14)
13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’S own possession, unto the praise of his glory.**
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:13-14)
What people are addressed as ye also in Ephesians 1:13? With whom are they contrasted? (See Ephesians 1:12.)
What two things does Paul say had been done before the Ephesians were sealed with the Holy Spirit? Does this indicate that they were saved as infants?
What is an earnest? The dictionary will give you a good definition of this term.
What is the earnest of our inheritance? Why is this a most appropriate and befitting earnest?
What does ye were sealed mean? How is a document sealed? Why? How are we sealed with the Holy Spirit?
If we already have redemption (Ephesians 1:7), why must we be satisfied with an earnest unto (or until) the redemption? Are there two meanings of the word redemption? If so, what does it mean here? (Compare Romans 8:18-23,)
What (or who) is God’s own possession?
Paraphrase
In Whom (Christ) you Gentiles also, having first heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and having also believed in Christ, were stamped and sealed as being God’s own possession with the Holy Spirit which was promised unto us.
The Holy Spirit is the earnest, the advanced portion, of our inheritance; and we shall enjoy this earnest of the Spirit until the redemption of God’s possession, i.e., until the time when the people who are God’s own through Christ are raised from the dead unto eternal life, and all this shall redound to the praise of His glory as Saviour.
Notes (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Official papers are often stamped with a seal. This seal proves that the document is approved by the proper authorities. Seals have been used since ancient times. Cylinder-shaped seals, or seals carved on rings were used to make official impressions on clay tablets.
When we (1) heard the Word of truth, the gospel, and (2) believed it (and, of course, were baptized; Galatians 3:26-27), God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit produces in us holiness and many good fruits. (See Galatians 5:22-23.) Thus the Holy Spirit in the Christian stamps and seals him as being God’s property. It ought to be obvious to anyone who associates with a Christian that he is sealed with God’s Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is an earnest of our inheritance until the complete redemption of the purchased possession. An earnest is money which is given when a bargain is made, as a pledge that the full price will be paid later. Right now we Christians have the earnest of the Holy Spirit. This brings to us love, joy, peace, etc. These joys are an earnest of the boundless joys we shall have when Jesus comes back, and the dead are raised, and sin is destroyed forever. The joy we have as Christians now is only a sampling of the greater joys in store for us.
The Holy Spirit of promise means the promised Spirit (Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 32:15).
The redemption of Ephesians 1:7 refers to our redemption from sin. The redemption here in Ephesians 1:14 refers to our redemption from human frailty and from the curse. (See Genesis 3:17-19.) This will occur when our bodies are raised from the grave. (See 1 Corinthians 15:43-44; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55.)
Fact Questions
What two acts did Paul say had been done before ye were sealed?
With what are we sealed?
What is the earnest of our inheritance?
How does the Holy Spirit serve as an earnest of our inheritance?
What is the redemption referred to in Ephesians 1:14?
The Ephesians burn their books of magic when they learn of the blessings in Christ. Acts 19:19
(Picture copyright, Standard Pub. Co.)
Ephesians 1:15-23
Previewing in Outline Form (Ephesians 1:15-23)
B.
Paul’s prayer for his readers-’ enlightenment. Ephesians 1:15-23.
Basis of the prayer. Ephesians 1:15.
a.
The blessings of Eph 1:3-14.
b.
Having heard of the Ephesians-’ faith.
c.
Having heard of their love toward the saints.
Thanks given always. Ephesians 1:16.
Requests. Ephesians 1:17-23.
a.
That God would give them a spirit of wisdom and Revelation 1:17-18 a.
Based in the knowledge of Himself. Ephesians 1:17 b.
Having the eyes of your heart enlightened. Ephesians 1:18 a.
b.
That they would know these things. Ephesians 1:18 b - Ephesians 1:23.
The hope of God’s calling. Ephesians 1:18 b.
The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18 c.
The exceeding greatness of His power toward us. Ephesians 1:19-23.
a)
This power used to raise Christ. Ephesians 1:20 a.
b)
This power used to exalt Christ. Ephesians 1:20 b - Ephesians 1:21.
c)
This power used to subject all things to Christ. Ephesians 1:22 a.
d)
This power used to make Christ head over the church. Ephesians 1:22 b - Ephesians 1:23.
The church is His body. Ephesians 1:23 a.
The church is His fulness. Ephesians 1:23 b.
In the foregoing section (Ephesians 1:3-14) we found a marvelous list of spiritual blessings that God has given us. But often Christians do not appreciate these spiritual blessings. Many church members actually appreciate material blessings (such as money) more than they do their spiritual blessings. But actually the spiritual blessings are greater than all others because they have the promise of both the life that now is, and that which is to come (1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Corinthians 4:18). No person who seeks first the kingdom of heaven will lack any necessary thing in this life. And only those who seek first the spiritual things have the promise of salvation in the life to come.
In this section we therefore find Paul praying that his readers might know and appreciate the spiritual blessings. Paul prayed every day for this. Many church members today are lukewarm, unconcerned, and unmindful of spiritual things. We should pray for such people, even as Paul did.
Fact Questions
What is the title of the section (Ephesians 1:15-23)?
Why are spiritual blessings greater than material blessings?
What three things did Paul pray that we would know?
**Text (Ephesians 1:15-16)
15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints, 16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:15-16)**
For what cause was it that Paul did not cease to pray for them?
Would you infer from the fact that Paul said he had heard of the faith of the Ephesians that (1) either Paul did not write the epistle, or (2) that it was not actually written to the Ephesians? Why or why not?
What was the attitude of the Ephesians toward all saints?
How regularly did Paul pray for the Ephesians?
Did Paul pray for them by name? Give a reason for your answer.
Paraphrase
For this reason, that ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit, and made recipients of many other blessings, I also, having heard of the commendable faith in the Lord Jesus which continues among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, both Jew and Gentile,
do not cease to be giving thanks in behalf of you, making mention of you by name in my daily prayers.
Notes (Ephesians 1:15-16)
The Interpreter’s Bible says about Ephesians 1:15 that these words belong to the literary fiction by which the epistle is represented as a message from Paul. Such conclusions are not supported by any evidence, only by personal opinion.
The mere fact that Paul said that he had heard of the faith of the Ephesians, does not prove that he had never been with them, He wrote the same way to Philemon (Philemon 1:4-5), and similarly to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 3:6). Certainly Paul knew these people intimately. (See Introduction, sec. VIII for further information.)
Paul was glad to hear (perhaps from Tychicus) about the faith which the Ephesians had steadfastly held in the Lord Jesus, and their love for one another. The church at Ephesus was unusual in that it had both Jews and Gentiles in it, and they really loved one another. But Paul still prayed for them, thanking God for them, and asking God to further enlighten them.
Fact Questions
What two things had Paul heard about the Ephesians?
**Text (Ephesians 1:17)
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:17)**
What does the phrase, the Father of glory, mean?
Did Paul pray that God would reveal His truth directly to the Ephesians? Would not such a prayer contradict Ephesians 3:3-4? What exactly did Paul want them to have that he calls a spirit of wisdom and revelation?
Why is a spirit of wisdom and revelation needed by the saints who have all already accepted Christ?
What is the significance of the spirit of wisdom and revelation being in the knowledge of Him? Who is the Him?
Paraphrase
Requesting that God, the glorious Father in heaven, who is adored as God even by our Lord Jesus Christ, and who originates both the glory we now enjoy and that greater glory we shall have hereafter, that He may give unto you a wise spirit and a spirit of revelation, that is, a disposition which will make you able and ready to receive that which He has revealed concerning the precise knowledge of Himself.
Notes (Ephesians 1:17)
See notes on Ephesians 1:3 concerning the expression, God of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The apostle did not pray that God would give to all the Ephesians the knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel by an immediate revelation made to themselves, But that he would enable them to understand the revelation of these doctrines which was made to the apostles, and which they preached to the world. (Macknight)
The spirit of wisdom and revelation is described in Ephesians 1:18 as having the eyes of your heart enlightened. How greatly Christians need to have a heart which is responsive to God and spiritual things: Many are like blind men standing in a lovely park in broad daylight. All around them lie riches of beauty, but they cannot see, There are treasures of wisdom and knowledge revealed in Christ (Colossians 2:3). But many cannot see. They need to be taught the first principles over and over. Oh God, grant that throughout our churches a spirit may sweep which will cause our brethren to grasp the riches of Thy revelation.
God is not interested in anyone being wise and receptive to revelations unless they are revelations that are in the knowledge of God Himself. If He felt otherwise, He would have to deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)
Fact Questions
How does Paul describe God in Ephesians 1:17?
73*.*
What did Paul pray that God would give to the Ephesians?
In what must this spirit of wisdom and revelation rest?
**Text (Ephesians 1:18-19)
18 having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:18-19)**
What connection is there between the spirit of wisdom and revelation mentioned in Ephesians 1:17, and the phrase having the eyes of your heart enlightened in Ephesians 1:18?
So the heart has eyes! What is this heart that has eyes?
What is the hope of his calling that we are to know? Who is being called? By whom? How is the calling done? Doesn-’t every person who knows enough to accept Christ know the hope of His calling?
Who has an inheritance in the saints? What does He inherit? Why does this inheritance contain riches of glory?
What will be the benefit of knowing the exceeding greatness of God’s power toward us?
Paraphrase
I pray that you may have a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that the eyes of your heart (mind and understanding) may be enlightened with lasting illumination. Being thus enlightened, you may know what blessings are contained in the hope to which God has called you by the Gospel, and may know what are the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance, which is His saints,
and that you may also know what is the exceeding greatness of the power which God employs toward us who believe, that power which is so great that it can be described only by saying that it is according to the working of the power of His strength.
Notes (Ephesians 1:18-19)
There is a great need for all of us to have the eyes of our hearts (understanding) enlightened. Many people are like Adam and Eve. They have had their eyes opened to sin by disobeying God. But it is usually much harder to have our eyes opened to good than to evil. We must learn fully about God’s promises, glory, blessings, etc. Then we must live by what we know. Head knowledge without heart enlightenment is not good enough.
Paul lists three things we need to know through having the eyes of our heart enlightened:
The hope of His calling. This refers to that living hope which we have in Christ of a heavenly inheritance that fades not away (1 Peter 1:3-4), God called us by the gospel, that good news about Christ which was preached to us (1 Thessalonians 2:14). Some people accept Christ much as they buy fire insurance, as a matter of protection. Christ is truly your protection. Nonetheless we do not follow Christ just because we must, but because we cherish and seek after the hope of His calling.
The riches of the glory of His (God’S) inheritance in the saints.
As stated in Ephesians 1:11, the saints (Christians) are God’s inheritance, His heritage. Naturally this brings great benefits to the saints, as well as pleasure to God. It is a rich and glorious arrangement. Christians can well apply Moses-’ words to themselves:
The eternal God is thy dwelling place, And underneath are the everlasting arms; Happy art thou, O Israel (O church of God); Who is like unto thee, a people saved by Jehovah?
(Deuteronomy 33:27; Deuteronomy 33:29)
The exceeding greatness of His power toward us that believe.
God’s people often act like they think that God cannot or will not do anything for them, We need the eyes of our heart enlightened to grasp the truth that the same power that God used for Jesus, He can and does put to work for us. This thought almost staggers the imagination. But it is true, Study the notes on Ephesians 1:20-22 to see how God used His power in the life of Jesus, and remember that this is an illustration of the power he uses to deliver us from evil, rule providentially in our lives, and to raise us from the dead.
Fact Questions
According to Ephesians 1:18, what needs to be enlightened?
What are the three things Paul prayed that we would know?
In what is God’s inheritance?
PAUL PRAYED THAT WE WOULD KNOW**
THE HOPE OF GOD’S CALLING.
THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS.
THE GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TOWARD US.
**DO YOU KNOW THESE THINGS?
Text (Ephesians 1:20-23)
20 which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; 22 and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church 23 which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:20-23)**
What is that which God wrought in Christ? (See Ephesians 1:19).
Why is the mighty power which God wrought in Christ described here?
What is shown about God’s power by the fact that his power raised Christ from the dead?
Who will have the most honored name even in the world that is to come?
How can God have put all things in subjection under Christ’s feet when the majority of humankind are in rebellion against Him? (Psalms 2:1-12 can help answer this question.)
Note that Christ is head over all things to the church. Name three areas of church affairs over which Christ is head.
What is the implication of the fact that the church is Christ’s body? Does that suggest that the church exercises the authority of Christ? Or that the church is subject to Christ? Or that it is intimately joined to Christ?
To whom does this refer: Him that filleth all in all (Ephesians 1:23; cf. Ephesians 4:10)?
What does the fact that the church is the fulness of Christ mean?
Paraphrase
(praying that you may know) that power which God put to work in the life of Christ, and will employ toward us that believe, when He raised Christ from the dead, and gave Him the honor of sitting at His own right hand in heaven as chief governor of the universe,
having seated Christ there by His power in spite of the efforts of wicked men, the devil, and death itself to destroy Christ. There Christ was seated far above all the ranks of authority held by men or spiritual creatures, whether they be first rulers, or authorities, or mighty powers, or lordships, yea above every name that is named, not only in this world, but even in that which is to come;
and further demonstrating His great power in the life of Christ, God did subject all things in the universe under his feet, and appointed Him supreme Lord and head over all things pertaining to the church,
which (the church) is His (Christ’S) body and His fulness, that which is filled by Him who verily filleth all things in all places.
Notes (Ephesians 1:20-23)
Ephesians 1:20-23 are an elaboration of Eph 1:19. Paul prayed that we would know what is the exceeding greatness of God’s power toward us. This power is described as being the power that God used for Jesus. It is almost staggering to think that we have available unto us the same power that God used for Christ. But that is true. Note what God did for Jesus:
He raised Him from the dead. Ephesians 1:20. If we believe that God raised up Jesus from the dead, we ought to have strong confidence, for God will use this same great power by which He raised up Jesus to help us.
God exalted Jesus by seating Him at His right hand in heaven (Mark 16:19; Psalms 110:1). God exalted Jesus far above all principality, power, might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but in that which is to come. The principalities, powers, might, and dominions mentioned here seem to refer to ranks and degrees of power among angels and spiritual beings, both good and bad (Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 6:12).
God put all things beneath the feet of Christ; He is Lord of all heaven, earth, hades, hell, angels, governments, and all (Matthew 28:18).
God made Christ to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all things in all places.
The word fulness etymologically has a passive sense (Thayer), signifying that which is filled. This is a wonderful thought, The church is filled (not just allotted a sample) by Christ with blessings and salvation. The church is to be filled for Christ with holiness, service, and worship.
Note that there is only one head over the church, and that Christ is that head. He is head over all things to the churchits worship, its laws, its plan of salvation, its moral standards, etc. No pope, bishop, church council, convention, synod, prophet, preacher, or anyone else dares to rob Christ of any of the authority God gave to Him.
Note that the church is Christ’s body. In the context here the principal suggestion is that Christ is the ruler (or head) over the church. He directs the church as a human head directs the body beneath it.
Christ has only one body, one church. Can you imagine a freak with one head, but a hundred bodies attached to the head? Surely such a monstrosity could not make any progress in any direction. Yet we must assume that such a monster exists today, if we assume that all the denominations are divine. Christ has only one church. (See Ephesians 4:4.)
There have been false applications made of the fact that the church is the body of Christ. It would be wrong to reason that since the church is the body of Christ, and is in a sense an extension of Christ Himself, that the church therefore exercises the authority of Christ on earth. This is the Roman Catholic position.
Ephesians 5:24 makes it very plain that the relationship of the body to the head is that of SUBJECTION. The church is subject to Christ the head in everything, and does not exercise authority for the head. The church cannot make laws for Christ. Neither can it accept nor reject any persons whom Christ has rejected or accepted.
Concerning the heavenly places, see note on Ephesians 1:3.
We ought to pray, as Paul did, that we ourselves and all our brethren may have the eyes of our heart enlightened about these things.
Fact Questions
Name the four things God’s power did for Christ.
Why are these demonstrations of God’s power in the life of Christ mentioned?
What are the rule, authority, power, and dominion of Ephesians 1:21?
What is the sense and meaning of the term fulness?
What is the body of Christ?
Who is the head of the church? Over what things in the church is He the head?
Why does the fact that the church is the fulness and body of Christ not give it the authority of Christ on earth?