GRACE BEAMS OUT OF THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS: AN EXEGESIS Part 1
It is a long Journey but it promises to be really exciting. We shall look at texts of Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians in the light of the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to the saint.
Today, we won't even go beyond the first phrase.
Happy Reading.
Ephesians 1 (KJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
HERE IS AN INTRODUCTION AND GREETING IN PAUL'S USUAL STYLE.
PAUL: An Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. THIS SPEAKS VOLUME.
We need to know something about who is writing so we know how seriously we must take him. A good speaker (or the organizers of a speech do that on his behalf) wants the audience to know his pedigree or experience in a subject matter to build their confidence.
Let us check Paul out a little.
Paul likes to affirm (or magnify) his ministry. He said in many other places that he is in no way less superior to the Twelve. Or the Three. (Peter, James and John). See Gal 1 & 2. See the text below;
Romans 11:13
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Paul would like all to know his calling is as genuine as Peter's, and unique. For instance, Peter's calling is especially to the circumcised (the Jews), Paul to the uncircumcised. See the texts below;
Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Paul would like all to know he was specifically commissioned with the MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL.
Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Eph 6:
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
1 Cor 1:
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Rom 16:25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to MY GOSPEL, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
PAUL 'OWNED' THE GOSPEL AND TOOK IT SO SERIOUSLY THAT HE WOULD DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT THE ORIGINAL GOSPEL. INCLUDING OPPOSING AN ESTABLISHED PILLAR OF THE CHURCH LIKE PETER. INCLUDING PLACING A CURSE ON WHOEVER PERVERTS THE ORIGINAL GOSPEL. See his passion for the gospel in these scriptures;
Gal 1:
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 2:
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Gal 2:
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
So we see the passion of Paul as far as the gospel was concerned.
WHAT EXACTLY WAS THE GOSPEL PAUL PREACHED AND WHY WAS HE SO KEEN TO KEEP IT INTACT FROM PERVERSION ?
LET US UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL PAUL PREACHED AND THE OPPOSITION AGAINST IT IN THE TEXT BELOW;
1 Cor 1:
23 But we preach CHRIST CRUCIFIED, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ THE POWER OF GOD, and the wisdom of God.
OKAY LET US SEE IT IN A SIMPLER TRANSLATION.
1 Cor 1:
23 So when we preach about Christ dying to save them, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
24 But God has opened the eyes of those called to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, to see that Christ is the mighty power of God to save them; Christ himself is the center of God’s wise plan for their salvation.
25 This so-called “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest plan of the wisest man, and God in his weakness—Christ dying on the cross—is far stronger than any man.
THE GOSPEL PAUL PREACHED:
CHRIST CRUCIFIED IS ALL IT TAKES TO BE SAVED.
THE ANGER OF THE JEWS:
THE JEWS COUNT CHRIST DYING AS WEAKNESS. I. E NOT SUFFICIENT. THEY KNOW HOW THE LAW CAME TO THEM AND THE MIRACULOUS SIGNS. THEY EXPECTED A MORE DRAMATIC SOLUTION FROM THE MESSIAH. SO THE JEWS WOULD SET ASIDE THE CROSS AND CONTINUE WITH THE LAW. THE CROSS WAS OF NO EFFECT IN THEM.
THE JEWS REPRESENTS THE RELIGIOUS. THEY JUST BELIEVE THE CROSS IS NOT ENOUGH. THE LAW IS MORE EFFECTIVE. THEY DE-EMPHASIZE THE CROSS AND MAGNIFY REGULATIONS.
THE PERVERSION OF THE JEWS:
THEY INTRODUCE THE LAW INTO THE GOSPEL TO MAKE UP FOR THEIR PERCEIVED DEFFICIENCY OF THE CROSS.
THE ANGER OF THE GREEKS:
THE GREEKS ARE THE GENTILES. THE WISEST OF GENTILES, WHO THINK THROUGH EVERYTHING AND COULD NOT MAKE ANY SENSE OUT OF THE CROSS. THEY ARE INTELLIGENT AND SEE THE WHOLE CROSS IDEA AS FOOLISHNESS.
THE GREEKS MUST BE INTELLECTUALLY CONVINCED. THE CROSS MADE SENSE TO THE JEWS BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND SACRIFICE AND ATONEMENT. BUT THE GREEKS COUND NOT CONNECT THE DOTS BETWEEN THE CROSS AND THE SOULS OF MEN. SO THEY TAGGED IT ALL RUBBISH.
THE PERVERSION OF THE GREEKS:
THEY INTRODUCE PHILOSOPHIES AND HUMAN WISDOM INTO THE GOSPEL TO MAKE THE CROSS MORE INTELLIGENT.
THESE PERVERSIONS HAVE GONE ON SINCE PAUL AND LIKE PAUL, WE HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT THE TRUE GOSPEL.
Like Paul, we will do all we can as God gives us grace. But while we try to save the perverts, we will not allow ourselves to be misled by them.
We will learn from these relevant words of Paul;
1 Cor 9:
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
THIS IS MY PLEDGE.
SO HELP ME GOD.
- Adeolu O. V
#Gracebeamsoutofephesians
#Muchmoretocome
#Gracegraceandgrace
#Amen
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