Category Archives: Ephesians

He heard about their faith

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
–Ephesians 1:15–16 ESV

Paul heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus, and their love toward all the saints. Here Paul is acknowledging that he’s heard about them—he is complimenting them for their faith and love. He is acknowledging that there is a certain renown about these believers, and thus this is way of giving them honor. Concerning these believers, their affections are directed upward in faith toward heaven and outward in agape love toward their community of believers.

Because of their faith and love, Paul prays, but it is not a quick one-time prayer. “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering your in my prayers…” This is sustained prayer, unceasing prayer. It is prayer saturated with thanksgiving.

This surely is a figure of speech—hyperbole or exaggeration—that Paul does “not cease to give thanks…” But it reflects the passion, concern, and enthusiasm for the saints at Ephesus which is in his heart, and the sense of responsibility he feels for their growth and maturity in Christ. There is a deep relational connection between Paul and these believers and Jesus Christ.

There is an interplay between the Godhead (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), an individual person (Paul), and groups of people (the community of believers receiving this letter)—which is so beautiful and characteristic of Christianity.

From the perspective of honor and shame, this verse displays Paul’s way of honoring the believers to whom he is writing. I wonder: was Paul aware that his letter would be read by believers in a variety of communities in Asia Minor—and on through the ages by believers all over the world—further enhancing the reputation and honor of this community of saints?

The honor of living “to the praise of his glory”

“who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
–Ephesians 1:14

At the end of this magnificent description (verses 3–14) of the blessings of God to those in Christ … is this phrase: “to the praise of his glory.” But it is the third time it appears in the passage. We observe a variation of this phrase in verse 6, and then again two more times in this passage:

  1. In verse 6: “to the praise of his glorious grace…”
  2. In verse 12: “to the praise of his glory.”
  3. In verse 14: “to the praise of his glory.”

“The praise of his glory” is, indeed, the end for which all things are created, the overarching theme of the Story. But I also see three nuances relative to time in the above three Scriptures:

  1. In verse 6: “to the praise of his glorious grace” refers to eternity past, because it follows the words in verse 5, “he predestined us for adoption as sons…”
  2. In verse 12: “to the praise of his glory” refers to present tense believers—“that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” The little word be—this is refers to present time existence, the first generation of Christ-followers who believe in him in present moment of history.
  3. In verse 14: “to the praise of his glory” refers to the Holy Spirit being “the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it…” It is a future time reality.

So we see the comprehensive nature of all of reality—eternity past, eternity in the present moment, and eternity future—all of it exists to the praise of his glory.

This means that all of life, all of eternity, all of the cosmos exists for the glory of God, and although there is indeed a cosmic fallenness and depravity from sin on this planet, it will one day all be healed. It will one day all be united in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Beloved.

What does this mean for me today?

  1. I pray, Lord, that you would give me passion for your presence, for your glory. As Moses prayed, “Lord, show me your glory.” Lord, show me your ways.
  2. I see, O God, that I can live with more integrity concerning your glory. I fall far short, Lord Jesus, in expressing this passion for your honor.
  3. When I fail to pray, I miss the transcendence of your honor and glory.

The honor of inheritance

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory
Ephesians 1:11–12 ESV

The “inheritance” is a powerful proof of family identity. From the perspective of honor and shame, it was regarded in ancient times as proof of bloodline—of respect, honor, wealth and blessing conveyed by the father to his son. It is still thought of in this manner, but in ancient times the significance is magnified many times compared to our modern day.

Verse 11 says, “we have obtained an inheritance…” Concerning this inheritance, some comments:

  1. It is “in him”—in Christ. Through our union with Jesus Christ, what we have received is of inestimable honor and value.
  2. This was decided along ago, “predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” … there is a sublime, divine intelligence … a divine social pact in the Trinity that through “counsel” developed a “purpose” and then put the plan into action.
  3. There is an Author and a Story, indeed, and “we have obtained an inheritance,” we are included in the Story! This is an awesome honor and privilege.

In verse 12,

The “inheritance” is a powerful proof of family identity. From the perspective of honor and shame, it was regarded in ancient times as proof of bloodline—of respect, honor, wealth and blessing conveyed by the father to his son. It is still thought of in this manner, but in ancient times the significance is magnified many times compared to our modern day.

Furthermore, “we have obtained an inhertance”…

  1. In him, in Christ. Through our union with Jesus Christ, what we have received is of inestimable honor and value.
  2. This was decided along ago, “predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” … there is a sublime, divine intelligence … a diviine social pact in the Trinity through “counsel” developed a “purpose” and then put the plan into action.
  3. There is an Author and a Story, indeed, and “we have obtained an inheritance,” we are included in the Story! This is an awesome hono and privilege.

In verse 12, Paul speaks of the immediate context of his time and role in the grand Story, when he says, “so that we who were the first to hope in Christ…” He is aware that,

  1. Paul and his fellow believers have a special honor: that of being “the first to hope in Christ.” They are part of the first generation, the first in their local lineage, the first in their respective families to put their hope in Christ.
  2. They are among the very first ones, therefore, to have the privilege of living in Christ, “to the praise of his glory.”

This passage overflows with honor and glory.

speaks of the immediate context of his time and role in the grand Story, when he says, “so that we who were the first to hope in Christ…” He is aware that,

  1. Paul and his fellow believers have a special honor: that of being “the first to hope in Christ.” They are part of the first generation, the first in their local lineage, the first in their respective families to put their hope in Christ.
  2. They are among the very first ones, therefore, to have the privilege of living in Christ, “to the praise of his glory.”

This passage overflows with honor and glory.

The honor of being lavished upon with grace

… according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
–Ephesians 1:7–10 ESV

God has lavished on us “the riches of his grace” — and this is the crux of two mighty blessings:

  1. redemption through his blood, and the forgiveness of our trespasses and sins, (v7) and
  2. knowledge: “making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” (v8)

Concerning this knowledge of his will:

  1. It is not a small amount of grace/knowledge, but it is “lavished on us in all wisdom and insight”.
  2. God’s will is no longer a mystery, but it is contained in the Person of Christ. God’s will is not an abstract set of principles, but rooted in a Person—the Lord Jesus Christ.
  3. This plan is “for the fullness of time”—this is not just knowledge that is localized, not like local television news about what’s important today. God’s plan is for “for the fullness of time” and thus gives us insight into the big Story, the grand narrrative.
  4. The plan is beautiful: it is designed to unite what is fractured—“to unite all things in him.” This uniting of all things in Christ implies that there is a cosmic brokenness in our world and that this brokenness will one day come to an end. For all things will be united in Christ, healed of sin and separation and conflict.
  5. “things in heaven and on earth”—this tells us that this uniting all things in Christ—this healing of what is broken—will be total, comprehensive, universal.

What a hope! What a contrast to the Greek Gods who make fickle decisions because of whim, who are supernatural on the one hand, but also violent, emotional, unpredictable.

Also, what a message for the post-modern world which believes that meaning is created by the self, that there is not a meta-narrative, no Story above all stories. This transcendence is rooted in history-past and points with a living hope to history-future, full of goodness and hope and beauty. It implies we have a responsibility to share this message.

The responsibility to share this message is stated plainly in chapter three where Paul personalizes God’s call on his life inside of the grand Story. What is clear in Ephesians is that God’s choosing Paul to extend the blessing of Christ to the Gentiles is, “election with universal intent” as Lesslie Newbigin calls it. The whole Story is inherently missional. It gives Christ-followers such great honor, such great responsibility in God’s Story.

The honor of family and blood; Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
–Ephesians 1:7

Concerning family and blood, Jerome Neyrey says,

…the most important institution in antiquity was the family, which conveyed to its members their personal identity and social standing. … all the members of the family share in its reputation: all rejoice in its honor and all share in its shame. Honor, then, is symbolized by family blood” (Neyrey, p. 21).

Remember that in Ephesians 1:5 we were “predestined for adoption …” From the perspective of honor and shame, adoption into God’s family makes more sense when understood as a transaction secured by family blood. Jesus, the Son of God, shed his blood for the forgiveness of our trespasses. Our trespasses, our sins, are what separate us from God. It is the source of our inescapable guilt and total shame before God.

But “we have redemption through his blood for the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace.” This then becomes the base of our new identity, having our guilt and shame removed to secure our new righteousness and honor before God.

The honor of adoption; Ephesians 1:5–6

he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
–Ephesians 1:5–6 ESV

That God the Father “predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ” is an incredible bestowal of honor. To be “adopted as sons” meant taking on the family name of the Most High God. This has the following characteristics:

  1. This adoption is predestined. It will, it must come to pass! This relational healing and restoration, this honor-laden relationship must come forth!
  2. This adoption is through Jesus Christ: the mediator is none other than the Son of God Himself. This is no secondary ambassador, but the second Person of the Trinity in whom the adoption is transacted.
  3. This adoption is “according to the purpose of his will.” There is a plan, an intelligent strategy, a Story with infinite meaning rooted in the mind of God. The sense of destiny rooted in eternal God is itself an expression of honor and glory, of weightiness and density. This is the very antithesis of a the modern belief in evolution which considers the human being a mere ‘accident.’
  4. This adoption is “to the praise of his glorious grace.” What is the ultimate reason for all this? … honor and glory to God! … praise for the grace, the charis, the magnificent gift so undeserved, which has been poured out on his followers, those who are in Christ, in “the Beloved.”

The honor of being chosen; Ephesians 1:4

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
–Ephesians 1:4 ESV

That we are so richly honored is evidenced by the fact that our lives have been chosen by God in eternity past to be “holy and blameless before him.” This verse has profound implications:

  1. The infinite sovereign mind and power of God can tie together eternity past and present, heavenly and earthly dimensions, the divine and the human.
  2. Being “chosen” is not merely something God gives to individuals. Notice that “…he chose us…” This truth is about a community and is in a letter being written to a community! Everyone in the community is being lifted in their honor—this is not a zero-sum game in which some gain honor while others lose.
  3. There is a grand narrative, a Story above all stories—with purpose, plan, time, intelligence, creativity, relationship.
  4. The ultimate reality, that is, the “goal of The Story above all stories” is that we are before him, radiant with glory and honor, completely unashamed in relational beauty: indeed, blameless! This idea of standing before God Almighty, not with guilt and shame—but blameless—is utterly astounding in conveying honor to the ones before him.
  5. This holiness and blamelessness is—to come—it happens later on. In one sense, like God’s kingdom—it is already, for we are already forgiven—but is mostly not yet. Just as God in his sovereign power and infinite wisdom has the ability to choose us before the foundation of the world, he also has the ability to make us holy and blameless in eternity future. This is a psychological / spiritual place of peace and rest. It is the foundation of my security, my honor, my glory as an eternal living person.

This verse is so heavy-laden with honor and relational glory that it boggles the mind. Why would Almighty God the Father do this? It can only be because, “In love…”

Concerning Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
–Ephesians 1:3 ESV

“Blessed be” is another way of saying “honor to.” Consider the dynamics, the motion, the extent of blessing and honor in this verse: “Blessed be the God … blessed us in Christ … with every spiritual blessing …”

Here in Ephesians 1:3, honor is being directed toward God, who, in turn, has honored and graced us in Christ … with a transcendence so high and vast that it is “in the heavenly places.” On the one hand it is almost unimaginable, but on the other hand Paul states it in the past tense (he “has blessed us in Christ”)—it is complete … finished … a settled fact.

The Fatherhood of God toward Christ is extended to us—what an honor!—for the simple matter of fact that we as believers are IN CHRIST.

Concerning Ephesians 1:1: — an overview

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
–Ephesians 1:1 ESV

This is the letter of a most honorable man, Paul the sent one, the apostle—representing the most honorable Person in the universe, Christ Jesus.

The letter is to “saints”—holy ones—believers living in a city called Ephesus in which was contained one of the wonders of the world—the temple of Artemis. It was a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city, one of significantly greater honor than other cities or smaller towns. The ESV Study Bible states:

An important port city on the west coast of Asia, Ephesus boasted the temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world). Just a few decades before Paul, Strabo called Ephesus the greatest emporium in the province of Asia Minor (Geography 12.8.15; cf. 14.1.20–26). However, the silting up of the harbor and the ravages of earthquakes caused the abandonment of the harbor city several centuries later. Today, among the vast archaeological remains, some key structures date from the actual time of the NT.

The grandiose theater, where citizens chanted “great is Artemis of the Ephesians” (Acts 19:29–40), had been enlarged under Claudius near the time when Paul was in the city. It held an estimated 20,000 or more spectators. The theater looked west toward the port. From the theater a processional way led north toward the temple of Artemis. In the fourth century b.c. the Ephesians proudly rebuilt this huge temple with their own funds after a fire, even refusing aid from Alexander the Great. The temple surroundings were deemed an official “refuge” for those fearing vengeance, and they played a central part in the economic prosperity of the city, even acting at times like a bank. A eunuch priest served the goddess Artemis, assisted by virgin women. Today very little remains of that once great temple beyond its foundations and a sizable altar, although the nearby museum displays two large statues of Artemis discovered elsewhere in Ephesus.

This is an epistle, a letter which from beginning to end—is reverberating with the values, both explicitly and implicitly—of honor and shame.