The Glorious Theme of Paul s Letter to the Ephesians *

Transcription

1 The Glorious Theme of Paul s Letter to the Ephesians * Introduction Usually, when you write a letter to someone you have an agenda. Paul was a letter writer. He wrote thirteen letters to seven different churches and three different individuals (and these are just the letters that we have in our Bibles). In all of these letters that Paul wrote, it s usually pretty easy to find his agenda. Sometimes he s responding to questions (Corinthians; Thessalonians). Sometimes he s correcting a certain false doctrine or teaching (Colossians; Galatians). Sometimes he s rebuking disobedience and sinful lifestyles (Corinthians). Sometimes he s saying thank you for a gift and passing on news (Philippians). Sometimes he s instructing church leaders in how to do their job (Timothy; Titus). Sometimes he s explaining the Gospel he preaches in preparation for a future visit (Romans). In one case, he was basically sending a letter of recommendation (Philemon). But always he has one common reason for writing that runs through all of his letters to build up and strengthen Christ s church to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood (Acts 20:28). No one ever loved the Church more than Paul did. Near the end of his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul sent three letters with Tychicus to be delivered to Asia Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. As with most of his other letters, Colossians and Philemon were written in response to some pressing question or need. But Ephesians is different. In Paul s letter to the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus (1:1), he doesn t seem to be responding to much of anything at all at least not to any pressing questions or needs. And so the book of Ephesians appears to be perhaps the only letter that Paul wrote just because he could. Paul had spent more time with the Christians in Ephesus than he had with any other church on his journeys. He could say to the Ephesian elders: For three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. His last memory of the Ephesians was of their farewell, with many hugs and tears, as he was about to board ship at least five years earlier. So now, unable to visit them because of his chains, and having already told them that none of them among whom he had gone about proclaiming the kingdom would see his face again (Acts 20:25), Paul sits down to write them a letter. And in this letter, Paul sums up the very heart and soul of all his preaching and all his teaching as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Given the freedom to write a letter without pressing issues to be addressed and urgent problems to be fixed, Paul writes Ephesians as the sum and essence of what every Christian should know and how every Christian should be living. There are places in Paul s letters where he ll be in the midst of giving some instruction or argument, and then he ll suddenly break out into worship and praise of God. And there are many places in His letters where Paul will conclude a section with worship and praise of God. But in Ephesians, Paul just lets it all out right from the get go. After a short greeting, he launches right into these words: Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and then he goes right on with one long sentence of doxology (of worship and praise) for the next twelve verses straight. This spirit of worship and praise continues until he ends the first half of his letter like this: * For my understanding of the thought and theme of Paul s letter to the Ephesians I am especially indebted to O Brien (Pillar New Testament Commentary; pages 58-65). 1

2 Ephesians 3:20 21 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. What we find in the letter to the Ephesians are the things that most excited Paul. The things that set his heart on fire with a blazing passion for the glory of God. The things that drove Paul on in joyful obedience and service to God even in the face of unrelenting opposition and persecution, and human disappointments and discouragement. The book of Ephesians is Paul just letting it all out. The book of Ephesians is the little kid in the candy store times a million. So what was it that so consumed Paul with such a fire of zeal, and passion, and joy? What was it that so compelled Paul to such a life of obedience, and service, and holiness? I. God s purpose and goal for all creation In all of Paul s letters, but above all in his letter to the Ephesians, he repeats the same phrase (with different variations) over, and over, and over again: In Christ Jesus (1:1); in Christ (1:3); in Him (1:4); in the Beloved (1:6); in Him (1:7); in Christ (1:9); in Him (1:10); in Him (1:11); in Him (1:13); in Christ Jesus (2:6); in Christ Jesus (2:7); in Christ Jesus (2:10); in Christ Jesus (2:13); in Himself (2:15); in whom (2:21); in the Lord (2:21); in Him (2:22); in Christ Jesus (3:6); in Christ Jesus our Lord (3:11); in whom (3:12); in Christ Jesus (3:21). And then related to these in Him s are phrases like before Him (1:4); through Jesus Christ (1:5); through His blood (1:7); with Christ (2:5); with Him (2:6); with Him (2:6); by the blood of Christ (2:13); through Him (2:18). Already, we begin to get a feel for the driving, all-encompassing, consuming thought in Paul s mind it was Christ as the center and the sum of all things. The beginning of all things, the end of all things, the main thing, the only thing. And so Paul writes in chapter one: Ephesians 1:9 10 [God has made] 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 [to sum up, NASB; to gather up; NRSV] all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. But what does this practically mean? II. The obstacles and enemies of God s purpose for all creation Paul is a realist living in the real world. He isn t off in some fantasy land thinking pie in the sky thoughts. He knows that there are enemies and obstacles to this uniting and summing up of all things in Christ. Another theme that we see running through the book of Ephesians is the presence of evil spiritual powers and authorities in the heavenly places spiritual powers and authorities that are violently and hatefully opposed to Christ. Ephesians 2:1 2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power [authority] of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 2

3 The activity of the prince of the power of the air is revealed in this world that is hateful and hostile to Christ ( in the sons of disobedience ). The people of Ephesus were very aware of the powers of the spirit world. One commentator says that by the time of the first century, Judaism was intensely interested in the spirit realm, and this resulted in elaborate demonologies with long lists of names and categories (O Brien, 142). We saw last week that there was in Ephesus a traveling group of Jewish exorcists (Acts 19:13-17). We also saw that among the Gentile Christians, there were many who had been practicing magic arts (Acts 19:18-19). It s possible that many of these magic arts were connected with the famous temple of Artemis which was located in the city of Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41). There was also in Ephesus, and throughout the entire Roman world the cult of the Emperor or the religion of Emperor worship with its temples and sacrifices. This emperor worship would have been very connected in people s minds with the powers of the spirit world and rightly so. This was just the prince of the power of the air at work in the children of disobedience. Paul knows these things. Paul recognizes the very real presence of evil spiritual powers and authorities which are violently opposed to the uniting of all things in Christ. So in chapter one he refers to every heavenly rule and authority and power and dominion which are enemies of Christ (1:20-21; cf. Psalm 110). In chapter three, he refers again to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (3:10). And in chapter six, Paul warns us about the schemes of the devil (6:11): Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. And it s no different today. Even today, we can see behind this flesh and blood world that is so hostile to Christ the constant activity of the prince of the power of the air. Paul knows that if ever all things are to be united together in Christ, then these evil spiritual powers in the heavenly places must be conquered and destroyed. But there s another enemy to the uniting of all things in Christ. Connected with the rebellion of these spiritual powers in the heavenly places is our own alienation from God and from each other here on earth. Ephesians 2:1 3, And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 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 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind 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. The separation between God and His chosen people because of sin is opposed to the uniting of all things in Christ. And the separation between God s chosen people among the Jews and God s chosen people among the Gentiles, between the slaves and the free, between the rich and the poor, between male and female, is also opposed to the uniting of all things in Christ (cf. Gal. 3:28). 3

4 Remember that in the city of Ephesus, the first Christians were Jewish, and the first place they worshiped was in the Jewish synagogue. It was only when the rest of the Jews became stubborn and continued in unbelief that Paul withdrew from the synagogue and took the disciples with him (Acts 19:8-9). After that, the majority of those who came to Christ were Gentiles. When Paul writes his letter, he writes it specifically to the Gentiles in Ephesus (cf. Eph. 4:17): Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh Ephesians 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles After two thousand years of a dividing wall of hostility (Eph. 2:14) between Jew and Gentile, the uniting of these groups in one body would be no small miracle. And things are no different today. Even today there are many of God s chosen people who still remain separated from Him and alienated from each other. So Paul knows that if ever all things are to be united together in Christ, then not only must the evil spiritual powers in the heavenly places be conquered and destroyed, but all of God s people on earth (whether Jew or Gentile) must be reconciled not only with Him, but also with each other. These two things are the key to the uniting of all things in Christ as Paul says, things in heaven and things on earth. III. How God is overcoming the obstacles and enemies of His purpose for all creation Now the message of Ephesians is not that God wishes to unite all things in Christ. The message of Ephesians is not that God is hoping to unite all things in Christ. The message of Ephesians is that God is uniting all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. And so throughout the book of Ephesians, Paul delights to show us just exactly how God is doing this. Paul basically sums it all up in chapter one verses 20-23: Ephesians 1:20 23 [God worked His great might] in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 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 the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Can you see it? First of all, here is the defeat of the spiritual powers in the heavenly places through Christ s enthronement at God s right hand in the heavenly places ( far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named ). And so throughout Ephesians, Paul will emphasize Christ s victory in the heavenly places in other places and in other ways as well (cf. 1 Cor. 15:24; Col. 2:15): 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 2:6 [God] raised us up with [Christ] and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 4:8 10 When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men. (In saying, He ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into 4

5 the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) Ephesians 6:10 13 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. We see the defeat of the spiritual powers in the heavenly places through Christ s enthronement at God s right hand in the heavenly places ( far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named ). So fight the good fight, brothers and sisters. Put on the spiritual armor of truth, and righteousness, and the Gospel of peace, and faith, and salvation, and take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit (Eph. 6:14-17) and fight the good fight. Be steadfast and stand firm. But back in Ephesians 1:20-23, we also see the removal of the second obstacle to the uniting of all things in Christ. We see this in our being reconciled with God and with each other through Christ, whom God has given as head over all things to the church [on earth], which is his body [on earth], the fullness of him who fills all in all. It s through the church, as the body of Christ on earth, that we have been reconciled to God and to each other. And so throughout the book of Ephesians, Paul delights to emphasize what he calls the mystery (1:9-10; 3:3-6, 9; 6:19) of the church. Paul speaks of the church as the one body of Christ (2:16; 3:6), as the creation of one new man in place of the two (2:14-15), as a unified household (2:19), as a holy temple being built together (2:20-22). And then he writes: Ephesians 4:1 6, I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. We are reconciled with God and with each other through Christ, whom God has given as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. So brothers and sisters, let us love one another. Let us love one another with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit. Summary In chapter one verses 9-10, Paul sums up the theme of his letter and the one, all encompassing, consuming thought that energized and motivated him every day that he got up out of bed. 5

6 Ephesians 1:9 10 [God has made] 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. We ve seen that there are obstacles and enemies to this final uniting of all things in Christ obstacles and enemies both in heaven and on earth. In the heavenly places there are the evil spiritual powers which are always at work in the sons of disobedience. On the earth, there are many people that God has chosen and set His love upon still living in alienation from God and from each other. And so in chapter one verses 20-23, Paul sums up what God is doing to overcome these obstacles, and to bring all things into the final unity of Christ. Ephesians 1:20 23 [God worked His great might] in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 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 the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church [on earth], which is his body [on earth], the fullness of him who fills all in all. People that were formerly alienated from God and from each other are now being reconciled to God and to each other in the Church. And the existence of the Church on earth is proof positive that the spiritual powers in the heavenly places have been defeated and put under Christ s feet, and that one day they will ultimately and finally be destroyed. Paul writes: Ephesians 3:7, 9 11 Of this gospel I was made a minister to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is through the church that God reveals His manifold wisdom not only to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places, but also to us. It is in the church today that we have a vision and a foretaste of that day (in the fullness of time ) when all things are united in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. Therefore, Paul says, since these things are so, let us fight the good fight and stand firm against the evil spiritual powers which are at work all around us in the sons of disobedience, and let us walk together in the church in a manner worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Paul worked and labored tirelessly for these two things. And why was this? Because the one, all-encompassing, consuming thought in Paul s mind was Christ as the center and the sum of all things. The one, all-encompassing, consuming vision of Paul s heart was the uniting of ALL THINGS in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. 6

7 Conclusion The book of Ephesians comes as wonderful good news in a world where the enemies to the uniting of all things in Christ can seem so many and so numerous and so influential and so powerful, and where we can feel so tiny and insignificant and weak. The book of Ephesians comes to us as the very sweetness of heaven itself if, like Paul, the one, all-encompassing, consuming vision of our hearts is the uniting of all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. He is the beginning of all things. He is the end of all things. He is the main thing. He is the only thing. And so Paul ends the first half of his letter to the Ephesians like this: Ephesians 3:20 21 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 7