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Ephesians 3

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Ephesians 3 (KJV)

THE MYSTERY REVEALED

1For this cause G5484 I Paul, G3972 the prisoner G1198 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 for you Gentiles, G1484 2If ye have heard G191 of the dispensation G3622 of the grace G5485 of God G2316 which is given G1325 me to you-ward: 3How that by revelation G602 he made known G1107 unto me the mystery; G3466 (as I wrote afore in few words, G3641 4Whereby, when ye read, G314 ye may understand G3539 my knowledge G4907 in the mystery G3466 of Christ) G5547 5Which in other ages G1074 was not made known G1107 unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed G601 unto his holy G40 apostles G652 and prophets G4396 by the Spirit; G4151 6That the Gentiles G1484 should be fellowheirs, G4789 and of the same body, G4954 and partakers G4830 of his promise G1860 in Christ G5547 by the gospel: G2098 7Whereof I was made a minister, G1249 according to the gift G1431 of the grace G5485 of God G2316 given unto me by the effectual working G1753 of his power. G1411 8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, G40 is this grace G5485 given, that I should preach G2097 among the Gentiles G1484 the unsearchable G421 riches G4149 of Christ; G5547 9And to make all men see G5461 what is the fellowship G2842 of the mystery, G3466 which from the beginning of the world G165 hath been hid G613 in God, G2316 who created G2936 all things by Jesus G2424 Christ: G5547 10To the intent that now unto the principalities G746 and powers G1849 in heavenly G2032 places might be known by the church G1577 the manifold G4182 wisdom G4678 of God, G2316 11According to the eternal G165 purpose G4286 which he purposed G4160 in Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 our Lord: G2962 12In whom we have boldness G3954 and access G4318 with confidence G4006 by the faith G4102 of him.

Ephesians 3:1-12 The dispensation of the grace of God was given to Paul to minister to us. It was through revelation that He understood the mystery of God. He wrote to the Ephesians in another letter about this mystery. The mystery is this: that Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of God’s promise in Christ by the gospel. Paul considers himself a prisoner of Christ and less than the least of all the saints. Who is he to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and to reveal this mystery to all men? This new truth was purposed long ago and now we have the boldness and access to reveal it the church.

Compare “Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ” to: Acts 16:19-40, 28:17, Rom 16:7, Eph 4:1, 2 Tim 1:8, Phm 1:1,9

Compare “whereof I was made a minister (to the Gentiles)” and “that I should preach among the Gentiles” to: Acts 9:15, 13:47, 14:27, 18:6, 22:21, 26:20-23, 28:28, Rom 11:13, 15:16, Gal 1:11-16, 2:2, 1 Tim 2:7, 2 Tim 1:11

SOUL STRENGTH

13Wherefore I desire G154 that ye faint G1573 not at my tribulations G2347 for you, which is your glory. G1391 14For this cause G5484 I bow G2578 my knees G1119 unto the Father G3962 of our Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 15Of whom the whole G3956 family G3965 in heaven G3772 and earth G1909 G1093 is named, G3687 16That he would grant G1325 you, according to the riches G4149 of his glory, G1391 to be strengthened G2901 with might G1411 by his Spirit G4151 in the inner G2080 man;

Ephesians 3:13-16 Paul bows his knees to God because he has gone through tribulations for the Ephesians, but his desire is that they not worry about that. He considers it his honor. Therefore he prays that they become strengthened in their soul by the Holy Spirit. All saints have been named after Christ.

Compare “my tribulations” to: Acts 9:20-25,28-30, 13:48-52, 14:5-6,19-22, 16:19-40, 17:5-10,13-14, 20:3, 21:27, 24:1, 2 Cor 7:4, 11:24-28, 1 The 3:4

Compare “I bow my knees unto the Father” to: Isa 45:23, Mat 27:29, Mark 15:19, Rom 14:11, Phi 2:10

FULLNESS OF GOD

17That Christ G5547 may dwell G2730 in your hearts G2588 by faith; G4102 that ye, being rooted G4492 and grounded G2311 in love, G26 18May be able to comprehend G2638 with all saints G40 what is the breadth, G4114 and length, G3372 and depth, G899 and height; G5311 19And to know G1097 the love G26 of Christ, G5547 which passeth G5235 knowledge, G1108 that ye might be filled G4137 with all the fulness G4138 of God. G2316

Ephesians 3:17-19 When we become rooted and grounded in the love of Christ by Him dwelling by faith in our hearts, Paul prays that we should somehow try to comprehend the love of Christ and be filled with the fullness of God.

Compare “love of Christ” to: 2 Cor 5:14-15, Eph 5:2,25

GLORY TO GOD

20Now unto him that is able G1410 to do exceeding G5228 abundantly G1537 G4053 above G5228 all that we ask G154 or think, G3539 according to the power G1411 that worketh G1754 in us, 21Unto him be glory G1391 in the church G1577 by Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 throughout all ages, G1074 world G165 without end. G165 Amen. G281

Ephesians 3:20-21 Christ deserves all the glory in the church throughout all the ages. He is the one who can do anything according to the power that works inside of us.

Challenge Questions:

Where is the other letter that Paul wrote to the Ephesians?

What does Paul mean by verse 15?

Ephesians 1

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Ephesians 1 (KJV)

INTRODUCTION

1Paul, G3972 an apostle G652 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 by  the will G2307 of God, G2316 to the saints G40 which are at Ephesus, G2181 and to the faithful G4103 in Christ G5547 Jesus: G2424 2Grace G5485 be to you, and peace, G1515 from God G2316 our Father, G3962 and from the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547Map_of_churches_likely_established_on_Paul's_second_journey

Ephesians 1:1-2 These two verses are the introduction to the letter. Paul is the author and the audience is the saints at Ephesus and anyone who is faithful in Christ Jesus. The word grace here does not necessarily mean ‘unmerited favor,’ but rather, good will, loving-kindness, favor, or thanks. Paul is acting as somewhat a mediator to these people by saying that grace and peace should be to them from God the Father and Jesus Christ. This church has an angel over it as referenced in Revelation 2:1-7.

Compare Paul’s introduction to: Rom 1:1,7, 1 Cor 1:1-3, 2 Cor 1:1-2, Gal 1:1-3, Phi 1:1-2, Col 1:1-2, 1 The 1:1, 2 The 1:1-2, 1 Tim 1:1-2, 2 Tim 1:1-2, Tit 1:1-4

PREDESTINED

3Blessed G2128 be the God G2316 and Father G3962 of our Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 who hath blessed G2127 us with all spiritual G4152 blessings G2129 in heavenly G2032 places in Christ: G5547 4According as he hath chosen G1586 us in Him before G4253 the foundation G2602 of the world, G2889 that we should be holy G40 and without blame G299 before him in love: G26 5Having predestinated G4309 us unto the adoption of children G5206 by Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 to himself, according to the good pleasure G2107 of his will, G2307 6To the praise G1868 of the glory G1391 of his grace, G5485 wherein he hath made G5487 us accepted G5487 in the beloved. G25

Ephesians 1:3-6 Paul wants to bless God because He has blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Paul mentions that God chose, or predestined, us before the foundation of the world. This speaks of His all-knowing power that’s practically incomprehensible to us. Before God created the world, He wanted us to be holy, without blame in love, adopted as children to Himself, and to praise Him. To be without blame means to be morally right and without fault.

Compare “that we should be holy and without blame” to: Exo 19:6, 22:31, Lev 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7,26, Num 15:40, Deu 7:6, 14:2,21, 26:19, 28:9, Luke 1:74-75, Rom 12:1, 1 Cor 3:17, Eph 5:27, Col 1:22, 1 Pet 1:15-16,2:9

Compare “Having predestined us” to: Rom 8:29-30,33, 9:11, 11:5-7,28, Eph 1:11, Col 3:12, 1 The 1:4, 1 Pet 1:2

Compare “the adoption of children” to: Lev 19:34, 24:22, Num 15:16, Deu 31:12, John 1:12, Rom 8:15, Gal 4:3-5, 1 John 3:1 

REDEMPTION

7In whom we have redemption G629 through his blood, G129 the forgiveness G859 of sins, G3900 according to the riches G4149 of his grace; G5485 8Wherein he hath abounded G4052 toward us in all wisdom G4678 and prudence; G5428

Ephesians 1:7-8 Christ has redeemed us through His sacrifice on the cross. When this occurred and then later resurrected, He took His blood into the sanctuary in Heaven and offered the final sacrifice for our sins so that we can truly have forgiveness. See Hebrews 9:11-28. This is only due to the riches of His grace. God has abounded this grace towards us in all wisdom and understaning.

Compare “redemption through his blood” to: Exo 12:3-13, 30:10, Lev 16, Mat 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, Acts 20:28, Rom 5:9-12, 1 Cor 11:25, Eph 2:13, Col 1:14, 20, Heb 9:12-14, 1 John 1:7, Rev 1:5

FUTURE GATHERING OF BELIEVERS

9Having made known G1107 unto us the mystery G3466 of his will, G2307 according to his good pleasure G2107 which he hath purposed G4388 in himself: 10That in the dispensation G3622 of the fulness G4138 of times G2540 he might gather together in one G346 all things G3956 in Christ, G5547 both which are in heaven, G3772 and which are on earth; G1093 even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, G2820 being predestinated G4309 according to G2596 the purpose G4286 of him who worketh G1754 all things G3956 after the counsel G1012 of his own will: G2307 12That we should be to the praise G1868of his glory, G1391 who first trusted G4276 in Christ. G5547

Ephesians 1:9-12 What is the mystery of God’s will? That He will gather together all things that are in Christ so that we can praise Him. This of course was predestined before the foundation of the world.

Compare “we have obtained an inheritance” to: Gen 15:7, Exo 15:17, 32:13, Lev 20:24, Mat 5:5, 19:29, 25:34, Acts 26:18, Col 3:24, Rev 21:7

SALVATION

13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard G191 the word G3056 of truth, G225 the gospel G2098 of your salvation: G4991 in whom also after that ye believed, G4100 ye were sealed with G4972 that holy G40 Spirit G4151 of promise, G1860 14Which is the earnest G728 of our inheritance G2817 until the redemption G629 of the purchased possession, G4047 unto the praise G1868 of his glory. G1391

Ephesians 1:13-14 Here Paul talks about the gospel of our salvation in how we put our trust in Christ and were sealed with the Holy Spirit that was promised to us. The word earnest here does not mean ‘intense conviction,’ but rather, money which is given as a down payment that the full amount will later be paid. The Holy Spirit inside of us is our down payment that leads up to the full purchase.

Compare “gospel of your salvation” to: Mat 4:23,9:35,24:14, Mark 1:14,13:10,16:15, Luke 4:18, Acts 8:25,14:7,16:10,20:24, Rom 1:15-16,10:15,15:16-21, 1 Cor 1:17, 2 Cor 10:14-16, Gal 3:8,4:13, Eph 3:6,6:15, Phi 1:27, Col 1:23, 1 The 2:2-4,9, 1 Tim 1:11, 1 Pet 4:6, Rev 14:6

Compare “sealed with that holy Spirit” to: John 3:5-8, 14:26, 16:5-14

Compare “the earnest of our inheritance” to: 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THE EPHESIANS

15Wherefore I also, after I heard G191 of your faith G4102 in the Lord G2962 Jesus, G2424and love G26 unto all the saints, G40 16Cease G3973 not to give thanks G2168 for you, making mention G3417 of you in my prayers; G4335 17That the God G2316 of our Lord G2962 Jesus G2424Christ, G5547 the Father G3962 of glory, G1391 may give G1325unto you  the spirit G4151 of wisdom G4678 and revelation G602 in the knowledge G1922 of him: 18The eyes G3788 of your understanding G1271 being enlightened; G5461 that ye may know G1492what is the hope G1680 of his calling, G2821 and what the riches G4149 of the glory G1391 of his inheritance G2817 in the saints, G40 19And what is the exceeding G5235 greatness G3174 of his power G1411 to us-ward who believe, G4100 according to the working G1753 of his mighty G2479 power,G2904

Ephesians 1:15-19 Paul received news on the faith that the saints in Ephesus had towards Jesus Christ. This led him to pray even more for them. His prayer included that God give them wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God, that the eyes of their understanding would be enlightened, that they may know the hope of His calling, to know what the riches of God’s inheritance is, and to know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us is.

Compare “Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” to: Acts 12:5, Rom 1:9, Col 1:9, 1 The 5:17, 2 Tim 1:3

Compare “spirit of wisdom” to: Exo 28:3, Deu 34:9, Isa 11:2, Eph 1:17

 SUMMARY OF CHRIST’S WORK

20Which he wrought G1754 in Christ, G5547 when he raised G1453 him from the dead, G3498 and set G2523 him at his own right hand G1188 in the heavenly G2032 places, 21Far above all principality, G746 and power, G1849 and might, G1411 and dominion, G2963 and every name G3686 that is named, G3687 not only in this world, G165 but also in that which is to come: G3195 22And hath put G5293 all things under his feet, G4228 and gave him to be the head G2776 over all things to the church, G1577 23Which is his body, G4983 the fulness G4138 of him that filleth G4137 all in all.

Ephesians 1:20-23 Paul says that the mighty power of God is what resurrected Christ from the dead and that same power set Him at the right hand of God in heaven. This position that was given to Christ far exceeds any human authoritative position of power. Christ also received all of creation as His dominion and is now at the head of the church. The church being the ‘body of Christ’ which is His fullness.

Compare “set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places” to Mat 20:23, 26:64, Mar 14:62, 16:19, Luke 22:69, Acts 2:33, 7:55-56, Rom 8:34, Col 3:1, Heb 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2, 1 Pet 3:22

Compare “the church, which is his body” to: Mat 16:18, Acts 7:38, Rom 12:4-5, 1 Cor 12:12-27, Eph 4:12,5:23-24, Col 1:18,24 

Challenge Questions:

What exactly has God predestined for us?

If we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit, can we ever break that seal?