Christian Community Pastoral Teaching Institute

Transcription

1 Christian Community Pastoral Teaching Institute Preparatory Study SOS North American Region 1

2 PTI: Christian Community Contents Note: For the preparatory study, we will be doing the first series of 4 talks (in bold) on the Scripture (from Ephesians). But the entire list of talk topics is given so that you can see what this PTI will cover. Scripture: Ephesians A. The Purpose of God (Eph 1-3) B. Building up the Body (Eph 4:1-24) C. Living the New Life (4:25 5:20) D. Standing in God s Armor (6:1-24) Basic Truths: Life Together A. Being Corporate B. Relationships of Brotherly Love C. Structure and Life D. Order in the Christian Community Pastoral Approach: Men & Women A. The Issue and Approach B. Social Science (part 1) C. Social Science (part 2) D. Scriptural Teaching on Men s and Women s Relationships 2

3 Scripture Ephesians 3

4 Scripture 1 The Purpose of God (Eph 1-3) This is a PTI on community; therefore, our orientation will be toward Ephesians as a treatise on Christian community which it very much is. Background to Paul s Letter to the Ephesians This is probably a circular letter, meant for more than one community. The book divides pretty neatly in two: Chapters 1-3 deal with the plan of God for redemption accomplished in Christ. Chapters 4-6 speak of how, then, we are to live: Therefore (4:1) Though we will give more attention to the second half of the letter, it s crucial to recall that the second half stands on the foundation of the first. Overview of Eph 1-3 The whole of 1-3 is in the context and tone of prayer. To make us priests and sons of God, objects of his grace. To unite all things in Christ. To make of us a great work, like that of an artist. To create a new temple out of Jews and Gentiles. To display, through us, his wisdom and glory. Eph 1:1-14 1:1-2: 2 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are also faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. A standard greeting at the opening of a Greek letter, adapted to Christian purposes. 1:3-10: 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, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. 5 He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption 4

5 through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 which he lavished upon us. 9 For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. vv are one long sentence in the Greek, blessing God for four things that happen in Christ, according to God s eternal will: 1) We are made priests 2) We are adopted as sons 3) We are redeemed, i.e., forgiven our sins 4) God reveals the secret, eternal plan to unite all things in Christ. v. 3 All that follows happens in Christ; in relationship with Christ and because of what God has done in Christ. v. 4 We are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world; God s plan in Christ is not simply a reaction to sin. He chose us before we chose Him. Paul does not say that He chose us before the foundation of the world on account of our being holy and unblemished. He chose us that we might become holy and unblemished. (Jerome) Holy and blameless (or unblemished ) are priestly terms (Lev. 21:7, 16-24). vv. 5-6 The term translated here to be his sons is literally, to adoption as sons. We are sons through Jesus Christ who is by nature Son. God gives freely in that He does not need our service or anything else, but does everything for this goal. (Chrysostom) vv. 7-8 Sin intervenes, but is overcome in Christ s blood, according to the plan of God. 5

6 Thus, the emphasis here is on the sheer abundance of God s grace, given not only freely, but lavishly: He makes us something better than we were at the beginning of our existence. (Marius Victorinus) Redemption : buying back, ransoming, as with a slave (Rom. 3:24; Heb. 9:15). vv Everything that exists is brought into order in relation to Christ the Head of all. The whole plan of God for all things, in heaven and on earth, finds its unity in Christ. Thus, the secret at the heart of God s eternal plan is Christ. This God has now made known. 1:11-14: In him, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. vv Those who first hoped in Christ are the people of Israel. vv Jew and Gentile together are now sealed in the Holy Spirit. The sealing both proves ownership and protects from tampering. Thus: He adopted us to the praise of his glorious grace (v. 6). The Jews are destined to be for the praise of his glory (v. 12). Together with the Jews, the Gentiles are sealed with the Spirit, to the praise of his glory (v. 14) Eph 1:15 2:1-10 1:15-23: For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 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, 18 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 6

7 inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; 22 and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. This whole section, chaps. 1-3, roughly follows the form of Jewish blessings: Thanks for what God has done Petition Thanks and praise of God Paul prays for those to whom he writes: 1) That they come to be wise, spiritual people, through knowing Jesus Christ. 2) On the basis of the wisdom and revelation given by God, that they understand: The hope we have by virtue of God's call. The wealth of our inheritance among the saints. The power of God at work in us, the same as that which raised Jesus Christ from the dead to be Ruler of all. 2:1-10: And you he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among these we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of body and mind, and so we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God -- 9 not because of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Paul is describing here the former condition of men, spiritually dead because of sin, subject to the world and the devil, living in the passions of the flesh. Yet, out of merciful love, God raises us with Christ, to the life of heaven in accordance with his eternal plan to make us anew to live in good works. vv. 1-3: our former state vv. 1-2: the condition of Gentiles before Christ is indicated by you. 7

8 v. 3: the condition of both Jew and Gentile is characterized by disobedience, and following the strong desires of body and mind; literally doing the wishes of body and mind. vv. 4-10: God s mercy in Christ Our new state v. 4: This goes all the way back to 2:1: You were dead.. but God out of his mercy and love; out of his nature, did this for us. vv. 5-6: God has now made Christ s condition ours. We have a certain position in Christ, and since He is now sitting in the heavenly places, and we are united with Him, we share already in his position in some way. This is often referred to under the phrase corporate solidarity. v. 7: God has acted in Christ simply to show his grace. vv. 8-10: By grace, for good. We have been saved by grace, though we receive grace through faith God has made us his new creation, for the sake of living (walking) a life of doing good. Eph 2: :11-22: Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole 8

9 structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. vv : the Gentiles former State The stress is corporate; the emphasis is on nationhood, not personal belief. The Gentiles were separated from Christ, who, it is implied, pre-existed in Israel. vv : reconciliation of Jew and Gentile to God in Christ vv : difficult verses grammatically, but the emphasis is on the end to Jew-Gentile hostility. The law of commandments in decrees is the separation of Jew and Gentile prior to the coming of Christ, not the Ten Commandments, which Jesus explicitly says he did not come to abolish. Christ came to bring a new reality into being; one new man, in place of the two. In the new humanity, Jew and Gentile are not separated, but united. Reconciliation to God for Jew and Gentile happens together. Now, both Jew and Gentile together have access to the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit. vv From highly proscribed access to God in the temple for Jews under the old covenant, the new people of God Jew and Gentile become the temple. Eph 3:1-21 3:1-13: For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles -- 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God s grace which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly 9

10 places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. Paul begins a closing blessing and mid-way through launches into a digression on his apostolic ministry. He is a steward of the mystery the secret that the Gentiles are now included in the blessing and inheritance. Paul preaches in order to make known the mystery of Christ to the Gentiles so that now God might make known his great wisdom before all the angelic powers. This ministry is why Paul is a prisoner. That suffering is glory for the Gentiles as a witness to God s concern for them expressed in his ministry, or perhaps because, as one body, they share in the privilege of apostolic suffering. 3:14-21: For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. Paul prays again for his addressees, for strength in the inner man, and for the dwelling of Christ in them, so that they may know the great love of Christ. The dwelling of Christ in them is what strengthens them internally, and grounds them in love. 10

11 Scripture 2 Building up the Body, Putting on the New Man (Eph 4:1-24) PTI: Christian Community Introduction Having spoken, in corporate terms only, of God s high and glorious intention for us, Paul now goes on to speak of living that new life, in order to make Christ s presence in the world effective through us. This calls for humility, and is accomplished by the Spirit working through gifts given to men. Eph 4:1-6: Unity in the Body as One Man 4:1-6: I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. v. 1 Therefore : everything here follows on chaps Lead is literally, walk. There are five sections in the second half of the letter beginning with walk (this conveys the strong concern of the second half of Eph. with a way of life). 4:1 Worthily 4:17 No longer as the Gentiles 5:2 In love 5:8 As children of light 5:15 As wise men vv. 2-3 What is a life worthy of our calling? A life lived in humility and unity. vv. 4-6 Much of this recalls vividly what he has already taught in the first three chapters: the exhortation is to live in accord with, on the basis of, what God accomplished through Christ and in the Holy Spirit. We come into the one body the church by receiving the one Spirit, the Spirit that unites us to Christ. 11

12 The one hope recalls the expectation of receiving our inheritance in 2:10, and reminds them about their call in 4:1. There is one body, united in one Spirit, the Spirit himself being the downpayment of the inheritance that we hope for on the basis of God s gracious call. Thus, the first three aspects or bases of unity the one body, the one Spirit, the one hope are all derived from the Holy Spirit. The one Lord is Jesus Christ, who reconciled us to God and is the Head of that body, which is the Church. The one God and Father is the final basis for unity: The Triune God is the center of our unity, and relates to the Father. Eph 4:7-16: Building Mature Communities 4:7-16: But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ s gift. 8 Therefore it is said, When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men. 9 (In saying, He ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love. v. 7 The body is one, but the gifts differ. But the very diversity of gifts is meant to be itself an aid to the upbuilding of a united, mature body. v. 8 Paul quotes loosely from Ps. 68:18 to paint a picture of Christ ascending to heaven, and distributing gifts to human beings. vv The descent could refer to either the Incarnation or the descent to the dead. 12

13 Christ ascended in order to complete the plan of God, that he should unite all things (1:10, 14). vv The gifts are people. Apostles are those who take overall care for the building of communities. Prophets: Those who speak the word of the Lord by prophetic inspiration. Evangelists: those with the gift to preach the Gospel Pastor-teachers: two inseparable gifts The function of the gifts is to prepare the saints to minister themselves, to bring them to the point of maturity. vv : the goal Maturity in faith and knowledge This is a corporate goal (you can t have unity individually); to be united in faith, and in knowledge of the Son of God. The body is to grow into one grown-up human being, determined by the stature of the fullness of Christ, that is the full height that the Church is meant to reach. Maturity in love As we speak the truth with love, we should grow into maturity in Christ in every way: we should grow in knowledge, in love, unity, etc. From Christ the whole body makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love. Christ is the origin as well as the goal of growth. Eph 4:17-24: Living Christ, the New Man 4:17-21: Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; 18 they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart; 19 they have become callous and have given themselves up to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind 13

14 of uncleanness. 20 You did not so learn Christ! assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus. 22 v. 17 This is a strong and authoritative statement. Not an oath before the Lord, but a statement made by one who is firmly in the Lord, firmly in relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This opens a counter-exhortation: If you are to walk worthily (4:1ff.), then you must not walk as the nations around you do. vv Darkened in understanding: moral confusion, living with a clouded mind; unable to think clearly. Paul says they have given themselves up and become greedy for licentiousness and uncleanness, two terms for sensual sin. If we work backwards, we can follow a chain of reasoning that allows us to see more easily the dynamics of verses 17-19: The Gentiles are callous, and have given themselves up to licentiousness, and are greedy for moral pollution (v. 19). This manifests their hardness of heart (v. 18c). The hardness of heart makes them ignorant (v. 18b) there is some kind of stubborn refusal of the truth. The ignorance cuts them off which is the meaning of alienation from the life of God, and also darkens their minds, so that they don t think clearly (v. 18a). Thus, don t live this way -- it is empty, vain, futile! (v. 17) vv : The truth is embodied in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ; the truth in this historical person. 4:22-24: Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 14

15 Up to this point, Paul has been speaking of the life of the Gentiles, the nations around them. In vv. 25-5:2, he will exhort the recipients of the letter to live a life in contrast to that of the unbelievers around them. Here Paul exhorts them to put on the new man, which results in a new mind: That s what learning Christ means. 15

16 Scripture 3 Living the New Life (Eph 4:25 5:20) Introduction Having exhorted his listeners to live in unity a distinctive way of life, different than that of the Gentiles and possible because of the new nature we receive in Christ, Paul now exhorts them to live that way of life in love and worship. This section is roughly patterned on the Ten Commandments. Eph 4:25 5:2: Ethical Injunctions on the Second Table of the 10 Commandments 4:25 5:2: Therefore, putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. This section parallels the Second Table, except for the commandment against adultery. v. 25: Truthfulness vs. falsehood: Do not bear false witness Falsehood is the mark of the evil one (Jn 8:44; 1 Jn 2:21; Rom 1:25; Rev 14:5; 21:27). Zech 8:16: These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace. Theodoret: It would be extremely perverse since we belong intimately to one another, to say things that are not true. For this is not the way the body functions. They eyes, for example, when they see cliffs and steep caverns, instantly report them to the feet, so that they may turn aside and protect the whole body from harm. (Ep. Eph. 4:25) vv : Fighting and contention: Do not kill 16

17 Anger is not commanded here, but neither is it intrinsically evil; it requires control (see Ps. 4:4). The implied positive command, then, is: Deal with it quickly. v. 28: Work: Do not steal What is in view is what Paul speaks of in 2 Cor 8: those with abundance supply those in need. Working for a wage is a service when it is used to care for others, especially those in need. vv : Be at peace: Do not covet James 4:1-2: What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? 2 You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask. Grieving the Holy Spirit refers to rebellion. Isa 63:10: But they rebelled and grieved his holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them. Given the context, the rebellion here likely relates to its effects on the community. The sum total, then, is an exhortation against division, anger, quarreling. v. 32, vv. 1-2: Love as God has loved us in Christ The reason for our kindness: Because God has dealt this way with you. The child reproduces the father s nature. The fifth exhortation to walk appears here: Walk in love. Eph 5:3-20: Purity for Worship 17

18 What follows here is a series of contrasts. If we look at what we saw in the exhortations in 4:25-5:2, there is not mention of sexual sins, nor of the First Table. Both of these now come up in what follows. A good summary is: purity for worship. Worship requires that one be clean, and one of the areas that is related most closely to this in the Scripture is sexual morality. One NT example: 1 Cor 6:18-20: Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 5:3-6: But fornication and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. vv. 3-4 This follows on the mention in 5:2 of an offering acceptable to God: But To be holy requires being pure. Thus, it is fitting for saints to keep far from whatever causes impurity because contact with something impure defiles or makes unclean, impure. Filthiness, silly talk, levity All three of these terms only occur here in NT. Instead of using the tongue for obscene or unseemly speech, use it to give thanks to God. v. 5 All the three nouns correspond to the acts mentioned in v. 3: fornication, impurity, covetousness. Col 3:5: Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. v. 6 He concludes the exhortation with a solemn warning. The empty words would lead you to believe something other than the truth about the kingdom Paul is affirming here (e.g., the tempter deceived Eve by asking if God had really commanded obedience). 18

19 5:7-14: Therefore do not associate with them, 8 for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; 13 but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. 14 Therefore it is said, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. vv. 7-10: stay away from immoral situations The term here for associate would be better rendered participate with them: don t identify with them. 1 Cor 5:9-11: I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral men; 10 not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But rather I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber -- not even to eat with such a one. Darkness stands for sin -- both its realm and its power. The darkness is not something simply that we were in but that we were, so that we were by nature children of wrath. A double contrast: but and then/now. Light and darkness cannot coexist 1 Jn 1:5: This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. The parenthetical statement might be rendered more literally: for the fruit of light [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth. This is explanatory: children of light are characterized by this kind of fruit. 2 Chron 31:20: Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and he did what was good and right and faithful [or truthful] before the LORD his God. v. 11 Try to learn scrutinize or test This parallels v. 7, and forms a contrast with v. 9: the fruit of light vs. the unfruitful works of darkness; the latter are unproductive, useless. 19

20 Expose: 4 basic meanings in NT : 1) to reveal hidden things 2) to convict or convince 3) to reprove, correct 4) to punish; to discipline PTI: Christian Community The two basic elements seem to do with: 1) exposing or bringing to light (Matt 18:15; Jn 3:20; 8:46; 16:8; 1Cor 14:24; 2 Tim 4:2; Jas 2:9; Jude 1:15); and 2) reproving or rebuking (Lk 3:19; 1 Tim 5:20; Titus 1:9; Heb 12:5; Rev 3:19). Whose deeds? Either those of the sons of disobedience, or of believers who participate in these works. vv All the things which are exposed by the light are made manifest. Thus, such evil deeds, when exposed by the light become light; so that reproof and exposure of the evil deeds of believers leads to their producing the works, not of darkness, but of light. v. 14 The source of the quotation is unclear. It is almost certainly not a quote from the Bible (the LXX). Chrysostom: He is not speaking only to unbelievers. For there are many believers, no less than unbelievers, who remain trapped in various sins. There are indeed some who do so all the more. Therefore it was necessary to call these to awake (Hom. Eph. 18, 5:14) 5:15-20: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20 always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. v. 15 On the basis of all he has said about avoiding unfruitful works, and empty, deceitful words, be careful. The exhortation seems to be: use every advantage you have for good, for the days are evil. 20

21 vv Unwise/wise (v. 16) Foolish/understanding (v. 17). Drunk on wine/filled with the Spirit (v. 18). Ambrose: One drunk with wine sways and stumbles. But one who is filled with the Spirit has solid footing in Christ. This is a fine drunkenness, which produces even greater sobriety of mind. (De sacr. 5, 3, 17) v. 20: recalls the Jewish custom of constantly blessing God in all things. Jerome: Paul now calls us to give thanks always and in everything. This is to be understood in a double sense, both in adversity and in good times. In this way the mind rejoices and bursts out in gratitude to God, not only for what we think good, but for what troubles us and happens against our will. It is obvious that we are called to give thanks to God for the sun that rises and for the night that brings rest for the rains that come, for the earth that brings forth fruit and for the elements in their course Finally, we are thankful that we are born, that we have being, and that our wants are sufficiently taken care of in the world, as if we lived in the house of an extremely powerful family patriarch, knowing that whatever is in the world has been created on our account. In this way we give thanks when we are grateful for the benefits that come to us from God. All these things however, the heathen also does, and the Jew and the publican and the Gentile. But the second sense of giving thanks is seen in the special gift of Christians to give thanks to God even in seeming adversity Those who are saintly in their own eyes are prone to give thanks to God because they have been released from dangers and afflictions. But according to the apostle, the greater virtue is to give thanks to god precisely amid those very dangers and afflictions. (Ep. Eph. 3, 5:20) 21

22 Scripture 4 Daily Duties and Standing in God s Armor (Eph 6:1-24) PTI: Christian Community Introduction We are covering Eph. 5:21-33 in the final talk of the Basic Truths series as part of the order of community life. There are three reciprocal sets of relational duties normally mentioned here, all of them connected to the household. The institution of marriage and family is rooted in creation and in human nature. That s not the case with slavery, and so a few general comments are in order. The institution of slavery: historically, we have to distinguish the slavery that Paul is dealing with from new world slavery of the kind that we are most familiar with. The passage does not endorse slavery, but rather speaks on the basis of its existence. The stress in NT passages on slavery is as much on the equality of master and slave in the Lord, and its implications, as on the subordination of the slave. Eph 6:1-9: Parents & Children, Masters and Slaves 6:1-4: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. vv. 1-3: The first application of the commandment to honor one s parents is obedience. This is the basic form of honor for children. v. 4: Obedience to parents is a natural good, but also leads to honor from the Lord Himself. Fathers are exhorted not to provoke their children 6:5-9: Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ; 6 not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and 22

23 forbear threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. There are some indications that Paul is not simply affirming the institution of slavery. Admonition to slaves Admonition to masters Eph 6:10-20: Standing in God s Armor Christian community requires, by its very nature, warfare; our position is not neutral, but involves taking a stand for the Lord and against the evil one. The victory is assured, but firmness is required. 6:10-20: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; 16 besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. v. 10 See this in the light of v. 12: We have to be strong in the Lord because we are not facing a human foe. v. 11 We find the pieces of the Roman foot soldier s armored mentioned in a couple of contemporaneous texts (Polybius, 6, 23; Josephus, BJ 3, 5, 5) that mirror the pieces mentioned here. The whole exhortation following is to stand, not to take ground, but to hold firm. 23

24 v. 12 You need divine armor because the enemy is not a human one. PTI: Christian Community Note that both Christ and the spirits opposed to Him are located in the heavenlies Eph 1:20: which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, Eph 3:10: that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. We see that God and Satan converse in heaven in Job 1:6-12. Dan. 10:13, 20 depicts demonic and godly angels struggling in heaven. But, the battle seems to take place both on earth and in the heavens. vv This amounts to putting on Christ, but here in a battle context. Jerome: From what we read of the Lord our Saviour throughout the Scriptures, it is manifestly clear that the whole armor of Christ is the Savior Himself. It is He whom we are asked to put on. It is one and the same thing to say Put on the whole armor of God and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Our belt is truth and our breastplate is righteousness. The Savior is also called both truth and righteousness. (Jer. 23:6; Jn. 14:6) So no one can doubt that He Himself is that very belt and breastplate. On this principle He is also to be understood as the preparation of the gospel of peace. He Himself is the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. He is the Sword of the Spirit, because He is the Word of God, living and efficacious, the utterance of which is stronger than any helmet and sharp on both sides. (Ep. Eph. 3, 6:11) Two background passages from Isaiah: Isa 59:16-17: He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intervene; then his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him. 17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in fury as a mantle. Isa 11:3-5: And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins. 24

25 v. 13 PTI: Christian Community The evil day is probably the whole of this present life, marked by times of particular spiritual battle, and climaxing in the great climactic battle at the end. The goal is to stand on the ground Christ has already won for us, to remain standing on the day when he returns in glory. v. 14 The truth is a protection for us. 1 Pet 1:13: Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. v. 15 The solidity, the readiness to stand, has its source in the gospel of peace; they are firmly grounded in the gospel of peace. v. 16 It probably refers to subjective faith, the virtue of belief. It could also be faithfulness. The first, in any case, is meant to lead to the other. 1 Pet 5:8: Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. v. 17 This points to God s intervention, or perhaps our hope in God in the midst of assault (Isa 59:17) 1 Thess 5:8: But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. The sword is the only offensive weapon in the list. The sword is the spoken word of God: it is used against the devil, not the preaching of the Gospel, but speaking the word of God in spiritual warfare. Isa 11:4: He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. vv This is the final exhortation about spiritual warfare: Pray and keep alert. 25