Week 49b--Ephesians

I have always enjoyed the book of Ephesians, But now, having read Ephesians in context and chronologically, this letter has a new special place in my heart.

We read in Acts 20:17 that while on his 3rd missionary journey, Paul met with the Elders of Ephesus while in Miletus. He told them, “Guys, I had a great time in Ephesus, and I love you and the church you’ve started. But I’m not gonna made it back to Ephesus. I’m headed to Jerusalem and things are gonna get ugly.” He spent three days with the elders, speaking and praying. They left with heavy hearts. Paul went on to Jerusalem and eventually to Rome. You can read more details here. You can find Ephesus on a map, by the way. It’s in the country of Turkey; it’s called Ismir today.

So what’s so powerful about the book of Ephesians? Let’s take a look. Paul begins by speaking of the blessings of God, “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (1:3) to be exact. Then Paul, instead of using the terms “I and “you” like in his other letters, says “we” and “us.” “God chose us” “We have redemption.” 

He speaks of the Ephesians’ general acceptance of the gospel. He speaks of the division that once existed between Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians are Gentiles). But Christ has erased the dividing line. This is what God had been working towards since the days of Abraham. God has brought Gentiles into the fold form the beginning, whether it’s Rahab and Ruth, the Egyptians mentioned in the prophets, or the Roman centurion who was baptized with his household. We are all one, inified in Christ. Paul has mentioned this before, saying again in Ephesians that Gentiles are “fellow heirs ... fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus ... the gospel” (3:6)

Ephesians 4:5 is the key to the book, though it consists of 6 little words. “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” You could write a whole book about those six words. But that is Paul’s meaning--the God of the Jews is the God of the Gentiles. The faith which sanctified the Levites in the days of Moses is the faith that sanctifies us today. Baptism is trickier...I don’t think Paul is referring to water, but rather the Holy Spirit coming and moving in the people, as He has done throughout history.

The sticky verses in Ephesians, about wives submitting and husbands loving, take on a whole new meaning when viewed through the lenses of unity. A husband and wife are a team--one. He is to love and she is to submit so that together they can show the love of God to the world.

Paul ends the book of Ephesians with the armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. It’s the only weapon you have; it’s the only one you need.

Again, Paul ends a letter with a message of peace and love. May this grace, peace, and love go with you as well.