Category Archives: Bible study

For what does Paul pray to the “Father of glory”? Part 2

Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

… according to the working of his great might, that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
–Ephesians 1:19–20 (ESV)

In the last four verses of Ephesians chapter 1, Paul completes his long prayer for believers by using the strongest possible honor and shame language—to describe the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the foundation of our hope in God. Here is an outline of the honor and shame references in the first two of those four verses … beginning with the end of verse 19 and then verse 20:

  1. “according to the working of his great might, that he worked in Christ:” power and might are inherently honorable. “Power, moreover, always expresses honor in the ancient world” [1]. The greatness of the power displayed is commensurate with the greatness of the honor achieved.
  2. “when he raised him from the dead:” this is an event by which immense achieved honor is accrued both to God the Father and God the Son because of the utterly unique supernatural power necessary to accomplish this. Relatedly, there is great honor in the resounding victory associated with it, for power is never neutral, it is always expressed in relation to an opponent or enemy. The resurrection is, in fact, a phenomenal act for which the greatest honor imaginable ought to be given to God the Father and God the Son.
  3. “and seated him at his own right hand:” this speaks of ascribed honor—in three ways: First, Jesus Christ is “seated. ”This is the place of rest and authority appropriate for kings; others are kneeling, standing, working, bowing before—but Jesus is sitting. Second, where Jesus is sitting—at the Father’s own right hand—is the unique place of singular honor, for only one Person can sit at the right hand of the Almighty Sovereign God. And third, it is at the “right hand.” Neyrey says, “The right hand is deemed honorable both because it is the ‘right,’ not the left, and because it is the weapon- or power-wielding arm” [2].

Can you imagine what this dramatic exclamation of the honor of Jesus Christ might mean to people immersed in a culture of honor and shame? For people in the peasant culture of the New Testament / Mediterranean world to which this letter was addressed—people constantly struggling to avoid shame and maintain their honor in their community—I can only imagine how encouraging, how uplifting and exhilarating this letter must have been.

But there is much more to come concerning honor and shame before the end of Ephesians chapter 1.

_________

1. Jerome Neyrey: Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1998), p. 58.
2. Ibid., p. 67.

For what does Paul pray to the “Father of glory”? Part 1

Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
–Ephesians 1:17–19 ESV

For what does Paul pray to the “Father of glory”? He prays that he will give us …

  • “a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” (v 17)
  • “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened” (v 18)

So Paul is praying for believers at Ephesus—he is praying for Christians gathered in a local community—to have profound new understanding and experience together. The assumption here is that there is a vast gulf between a) what God has given to his children in terms of spiritual blessings, and b) what his children actually understand and experience of those spiritual blessings. Paul is serving as a mediator on behalf of the church at Ephesus—doing so through prayer—that this wide gulf would vanish.

The evidences of this “vanished gulf” are that believers would know, experientially:

  1. “the hope to which he as called you” (v 18)
  2. “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (v 18)
  3. “the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might” (v 19)

Now from the perspective of honor and shame, there does not seem to be much in the opening phrase, “the hope to which he has called you.” However, there is a very significant honor and shame element when one digs a little deeper. This correlating verse, Colossians 1:27, adds much clarity: “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Ah, yes, there is the key: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This greatest of all hopes is the avoidance of shame, and the reaching of a destiny “of glory.” And how does one arrive at this “glory”? The secret is simply “Christ in you.”

One could say that for peoples rooted in an honor and shame social system, the gospel is most powerfully and simply, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The reason that “Christ in you” is such a great hope for “glory” is explained in Ephesians 1:20–22, in which the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is explained in the language of honor and shame. This will be unpacked in the next entry.

But before we go further, let’s also consider the other two phrases mentioned above from Ephesians 1:18–19 in the light of the cultural values of honor and shame.

First, from verse 18: “what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” Compare this to Ephesians 1:11 in which we are told, “In him we have an inheritance…”, and verses 13–14, in which “we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance;” here, the inheritance belongs to believers. But here in verse 18, the inheritance belongs to God. Paul prays that believers will know “what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”

Could it be that there is a facet of the glory and honor of God Almighty by which He derives pleasure and worth from his inheritance—His relational bounty—in the saints?

The honor of praying to “the Father of glory”

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
–Ephesians 1:17 ESV

Here are some considerations about the fact that Paul’s prayer is to “the Father of glory” …

In verse 17 is this phrase: “the Father of glory.” One meaning of this phrase is simply that God is glorious.

Glory is perhaps the most honor-laden word in Scripture. It speaks of renown and fame, weightiness and density, beauty and extreme value. The Hebrew word for glory is kabod, and includes the meaning of weight. Paul is praying to “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory…”

Paul is saying that God is glorious; this is His most prominent feature. Could it be that by using the word, glory, Paul is saying that all of the attributes of God … holiness, love, righteousness, justice, omnipotence, omniscience, mercy, and so on … are all wrapped up under the banner of “glory?”

Here is a second possible meaning: Could it also be that Paul is saying that since God is the “Father of glory” that he begets glory in those who are created in his image? Since God is the “Father of glory,” and as the second Person of the Godhead, his Son Jesus Christ is equally glorious, therefore all who are part of his family, who are part of the body of Jesus Christ—are also made with the potential for glory. The “Father of glory and honor” begets glory and honor to his children.

The “Father of glory” is a great Patron and benefactor, revealing his immense honor. According to scholar Jerome Neyrey, in the ancient world, there existed a “code of patronage” [1] as part of the social system of honor and shame. In the “code of patronage,” the patron is honored by giving to his clients, while at the same time, the client’s honor is elevated.”

According to the code of patronage, it belongs to the patron to show exceptional favoritism to select individuals. “This is expressed clearly in the stories of both Old and New Testament persons, including Abraham, David, and Jesus.

God chooses to bless Abraham through land, protection, and descendants (Genesis 12:1–3); near the end of his life, David sings the praises of his Patron in 2 Samuel 22; and in Matthew 3:17, God speaks to Jesus saying, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” In all of these cases, God is the wealthy, honorable Patron who is demonstrating his honor and wealth by choosing to bless the “client.”

Neyrey writes, “The terms patron and client do not appear, but only a person unfamiliar with the culture would fail to recognize the singular favoritism David enjoys with God. Thus, when it says that God is “well pleased with him,” this declares for all to hear that God has elected Jesus, shown him special favor, and entered into a unique patron-client relationship with him.”

1. For a discussion about the patron-client relationship that pervaded the honor-shame culture of the New Testament, see Jerome Neyrey: Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew (Louisville: Westminster Press, 1998), p. 37–39.

A prayer about honor and shame

Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

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

So Paul prays for the saints. In the original Greek, verses 3 through 14 are one sentence. There seems to be a massive set of blessings represented by that fact that believers—followers of the most honored Beloved One, Jesus Christ—are, spiritually speaking, in Christ.

The honor that comes from this myriad of blessings is vast and bends the imagination of the most mature and intelligent Christian. As stated above, these glorious blessings stretch from eternity past into the present moment, and on into eternity future—to the praise of God’s glory.

While words are used by Paul to describe the reality of this multifaceted diamond of blessing and honor and glory, Paul is keenly aware that there is a huge gap between the transcendent cosmic spiritual reality of the honor that believers possess in Christ … and the actual understanding and experience of these transcendent blessings in the life of a Christian. Paul knows that the mere use of words does not guarantee their understanding.

And so he prays. Interestingly, verses 15 through 22 consist of a one-sentence prayer in the original Greek, as though mirroring the vast blessings of the one-sentence panorama in verses 3 through 14.

And how may Paul’s prayer be described? What will we discover, looking through the lens of the cultural value of honor and shame?

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“Honor and shame” quote of the day, from Bruce J. Malina:

… Thus the king of the nation (or the father of the family) simply cannot be dishonored within the group; he is above criticism. What he is guarantees the evaluation of his actions. Any offense against him only stains the offender.

Further, the king in his kingdom (like the father in his family) can do no wrong because he is the arbiter of right and wrong. Any criticism apart from the conventional, usual protests (such as that taxes are too high) is rated an act of disloyalty, a lack of commitment. No one has a right to question what the king decides to do, just as no individual in the group has any right to  follow what he or she might personally think is right or wrong. The king (father) must be followed and obeyed; he is sufficient conscience for all concerned. … [1]

Think about this quote in regards to Paul’s prayer in verses 15–22, acknowledging that Jesus Christ is far above all rule, power, authority, dominion … the head of the church … the absolute Lord of all. The honor of Jesus Christ is without equal. I will have much more on this in upcoming posts.

1. From a section called “Dimensions of Collective Honor” in Bruce J. Malina: The New Testament World: Insights from Cultural Anthropology (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993), p. 48.

He heard about their faith

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

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”

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

“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

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame, Uncategorized

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

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

… 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

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame, Uncategorized

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

Bible commentary, Bible study, Ephesians, Honor and shame

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.”