A Study of Ephesians

The Relationship of God and His Saints

Many folks who read this lesson from the blog or email will miss a great deal of context simply because time does not allow me to fill in a lot of the material I will be discussing during our class. If you have questions please let me know I will be glad to answer you via email. Jesse

The apostle Paul wrote the epistle called the Ephesian epistle while he was imprisoned at Rome. 59-61. Along with this epistle he wrote three others; Colossians, Philippians and Philemon. All of the epistles were delivered to the churches during one trip by Tychicus who was to Paul a faithful minister. Ephesians 6:21 and Colossians 4:7-9.

I believe that the epistle is written as a general epistle, probably the first of the four since it is not addressed to any specific church. The words “in Ephesus” or “en Ephesoi” in the Common Greek are not found in many of the earlier manuscripts

The apostle visited Ephesus twice, once for a brief time on his second missionary journey and then again on his third. On the third trip he stayed in Ephesus for three years and ministered to the saints with little opposition from the unbelieving Jews.

As we open this epistle, we need to remind ourselves that the epistle is full of doctrine for the first three chapters and that the last three chapters will focus on the application of these doctrines, so if you are ready to begin – so am I.

Ephesians 1:1-6

Ephesians 1:1 The apostle Paul is the apostle to the gentiles while the other eleven apostles were to the Jews. There is much evidence in the Holy Bible that explain this to us. For example; right after his conversion, Ananias is commanded by Jesus to go to a street called Straight and to the house of Judas (Barsabbas) and find the one called Saul. Acts 9:10-19 and Acts 13:46-47.

The Saints who are faithful in Christ The message of this epistle is to these people, so one might ask the question. “Who are they”? I am glad you asked. Today there much confusion. It seems that most everyone you talk to call themselves a Christian, or a Believer, so another question is tied to the first: “Who is a Christian and who is a believer”? So the statement really answers the two questions. A saint is someone who is faithful in Christ. Thus the first part of Ephesians, that is the first three chapters will be to identify the faithful in Christ who are called saints.

Ephesians 1:2 We are reminded in the verse that in order to understand the Word of God that there must be two attributes working interchangeability in us from God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ, these are grace and peace. If grace and peace are not functioning while we are not studying scripture, we will not get much out of the study.

Ephesians 1:3 Spiritual blessing, what do these two words mean to you and me at this very moment? Hopefully that as we study we will gain the wisdom that God the Holy Spirit plans for us. Spiritual blessings are greater than the wealth of all the kingdoms in the world we live in. You say what? Well look at it this way. Is God greater than all the kingdoms of the world? Of course the answer is, emphatically YES so in a very real sense. If God gave us only on Spiritual blessing we would have more spiritual wealth that the kingdoms of the world. But notice the verse again. Every Spiritual Blessing available in God's Kingdom, He has given to His saints, the faithful in Jesus Christ.

The scripture plainly tells us that we are given the Holy Spirit at the point of being saved, which is the point that makes us the faithful in Jesus Christ. (Saints). Since we were obedient to the gospel of Christ and since we have the Holy Spirit who is our partial inheritance Romans 8:12-17 Then God dwells in us, who are the saints, the faithful in Christ.

These are not like the promises to Israel of land, relief from their enemies, health and other material things. The promises of God to Israel are based on obedience to God's Law. Now this may sound a little like a curve ball, but hear it out. The Spiritual blessings of this first chapter of Ephesians is not based on obedience to the Law of God as some may believe or teach. This cannot be emphasized enough. These Spiritual blessings are based on the grace of God as given to all saints at the point of being found faithful in Christ. Grace through faith, is the main theme that travels through this epistle. Ephesians 2:8-9.

Ephesians 1:4 God chose us to be Holy! Imagine that, are you a Holy person? God says that you are, in fact; If you are saved, then you have the Holy Spirit abiding in you, now you have a choice. You either believe this as truth or you don't, but this really makes little difference in God's plan for you. He is the one who has made you Holy and you cannot make your self unholy just because you do not want to believe it. So it is real time to get on with it and do what the scriptures already demand that we do. “Be holy, for I am holy” 1 Peter 1:16

Ephesians 1:5 God has caused us to be adopted: We are no longer children of the world. We are given a position of "children of God", those of us who are in Christ, belong to God through adoption Romans 8:14-15

Ephesians1:6 By the grace of God we have been made acceptable in Christ: We will be learning more about the grace of God in the remaining lessons. Because we are called saints, remember a saint is someone who is faithful in Christ, God is well pleased with you. This is not because of some great deed which you have done to earn this pleasing status. This status belongs to one person who's name is Jesus. Matthew 3:17 Jesus is the faithful and obedient One who goes before us paving the way. Philippians 2:5-11.