Commentary on Ephesians: Being Grounded and Rooted in the Word of God

By Dr. Derrick Holyfield

Dr. Derrick Holyfield was inspired to write on Ephesians because of how the temple worshippers in the Old Testament accepted and worship the goddess Diana. They believed in temple worshipping. The Author also loved and was inspired how the temple was laid out, beautiful sight to behold. He love the way the Apostle Paul explains in chapter six about putting on the whole armor of God both physically and spiritually. Derrick Holyfield brings this epistle to light in modern day times. He also focuses on the believer being rooted and grounded in the word of God and on how we should live a holy life. He also challenges the readers today to the extent of are we doing more now for the Lord or are we the same as the people were back then. He also brings to light how in chapter five it portrays a great love story in itself on upholding the husbands on his responsibilities in a marriage and also the wives responsibilities on how she should treat her husband.

Dr. Derrick Holyfield provides a brief summary of each chapter and then digs deep into the text to share Pauls wisdom.

Ideal for family bible studies, couples marriage retreats and church groups.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781475938708

Dr. Derrick Holyfield

The Author Derrick Holyfield has been married to Vivian B. Holyfield for over 9 years. He has been preaching and teaching for 20 years. He is also the author of First and Second Timothy Commentary, Who Will Wear The Crown? He has a Doctorate in Theology from Open Bible College. In his spare time he loves to read, travel, and go fishing.

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Copyright © 2012 by Dr. Derrick Holyfield

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ISBN: 978-1-4759-3869-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-3870-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012914033

iUniverse rev. date: 08/06/2012

Contents

Introduction

Chapter One      How long are we saved?

Chapter Two      It Was The Blood That Saved A Wretch Like Me.

Chapter Three      And To Make All Men See The Fellowship Of The Mystery.

Chapter Four      Being Grounded And Rooted In The Word Of God.

Chapter Five      Wives, Are You Submitting Yourselves, If So To Who?

Chapter Six      Is There A Godly Man In The Home?

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my wife and sister in the Lord Vivian B. Holyfield. I could not have finished this book without her. She is a faithful wife and mother and she is always there to support me and encourage me in the ministry. She is a faithful wife and mother. We have been married for over 9 years now and every day that I wake up I thank God for her being by my side.

She didn’t understand what law and grace meant in the Bible when we first got married, but she kept an open and positive mind and followed me to several King James Bible conferences. After seeing the words written in black and white in the Bible, she quickly stated that that is all it had to take was for her to see it written down, after that it was a done deal in her belief of the KJV Bible rightly divided. Unlike myself when I first heard right division (Law & Grace) I learned the hard way. Look at Acts 9:4-5

(9:4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying until him. Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

(9:5) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to those who had input on this project. Any errors or mistakes you may find are due to my pitiful writing and spelling. To my wife Vivian for her patients she has showed me, staying up late with me and by my research that took time away from her and Romel family time. Thanking her continually for cleaning up all my papers and allowing me to mess up the house looking for my old Bible school notes.

Special thanks to Pastor Curtis Cook for giving me honest and valuable information and for coaching me to stay on point. I truly am indebted to him.

Special thanks to Una Parker who is an Author herself for proofreading some of the manuscripts.

Thank all of you for helping and encouraging me in the completion of this book. May God bless each and every one of you.

Introduction

Ephesians was written by Paul. He first preached in Ephesus on his way from Corinth to Jerusalem, between the years A.D. 54 and 64 according to Acts 18:19, this was probably the Passover approaching the feast.

18:19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

• When many of the Jews opposed him, he left the synagogue, and obtained a place to preach in the school room of Tyrannus for about two years.

• Paul remained at the school room of Tyrannus preaching the gospel which was received by some of the people, but he was driven out by the majority of the people that were worshipping the goddess Diana because they were dependent upon Diana for their livelihood (most of the gods were women goddesses).

• It has been conjectured that the letter known to us as Ephesians and Laodicea without being addressed to any church. The letter would then be to the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus everywhere. It teaches the highest church truth but teaches nothing about church order. This church here is not a local church as much as it is the body of Christ. One strong message Paul is trying to get us to see and live by is that being a believer we should walk like we talk, that is like a true member of the body of Christ.

Background on Ephesians

In Ephesians the first three chapters are considered to be doctoral books, meaning that it gives us correct doctrine on what we believe about Jesus and the blessings we have because of Him. The last three chapters 4, 5, and 6 are filled with instructions for Christians in other words showing us how to walk as Christians should walk.

Location of Ephesus

Located on the continent of Asia Minor, which is now called Turkey, rest between the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. It is the continent where the East meets West, linking the continents of Europe with the Far East. In between these places were valleys, within the valleys were cities which the main one being Ephesus. The Roman government designated Ephesus as the capital of Asia Minor.

Religion

They had a few Jews that studied Christianity. However most of these Gentiles had hundreds of thousands of gods whereas they served mostly female fertility, one well known goddess is Diana.

The tradition and culture of temple worship consisted of sacrifices and ceremonial prostitution. Prostitution was common as young maidens were required to sell their virginity and give profits to the temple. People came from all over, as a result, prostitution was rampant throughout the city, especially in the temple and down at the brothels at the harbor gate. Adultery and homosexuality was religiously and socially accepted like it is becoming in America. Paul went to the temple often especially to preach. I personally have always taught that where there is sin a preacher must go and preach against that sin. The Bible says how can they hear without a preacher. Let’s look at some more scriptures for reference.

Luke 16:31

(31)And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Luke 24:25-26

(25) Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

(26) Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Romans 10:14

(14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Chapter One

How long are we saved?

Ephesians 1:1

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:

Paul is the author of this book, we know this for sure because of several reasons:

1. It bears his name on it. Look at II Thessalonians 3:17

(17) The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

Paul authored 13 epistles; each epistle starts off with Paul’s name as the salutation. Some people try to give Paul the authorship of Hebrews, but notice Hebrews does not start off with Paul’s name. Some say Paul wrote Hebrews because it uses the name Timothy in it more than once and we all know that Timothy was Paul’s son in the ministry. To clarify this statement on the name Timothy, it was widely used backed then, so it was common for that name to be heard.

2. The style Paul often use are spiritual (heavenly) things. Notice I Corinthians 12:13

(13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Compare to Mark 16:16

(15) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Under the law, Genesis through Acts God spoke to (Jews) mostly about tangible things. Under grace, Romans through Philemon God speaks to us (Gentiles) about spiritual things. Look at Galatians 3:26-28

(26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

(27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

(28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

On this earth while I yet live, when I look at people I know the difference between a male and a female. Now when we get to heaven, there will be no male or female, bond nor free, Jew nor Greek.

3. The language use is another way that we know Paul wrote the epistle of Ephesians.

• For example, the words a pastor say or use when he talks he uses words such as I will do this for you or I will come and see you on tomorrow (If it’s the Lords will). Most people see 3 people walking, one in the middle and on both sides of him. A pastor would most likely say there were three men walking one in the middle the other on either side of him.

• When you and I see something with many parts we say, those are a lot of pieces to put together. A social psychologist would say it’s very complex.

• You and I would refer to God in heaven; social psychologist would say higher power. In the current twelve step program usage of the word (higher power) it can be anything at all; the member believes that higher power is adequate. Reported examples include the twelve step group, nature, consciousness, existential freedom, God, science, gravity, Buddha. It is frequently stipulated that as long as a higher power is greater than the individual, then the only condition is that it should also be loving and caring.

*Sociologist Darron Sherkat research is a good source for higher power research, also Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers.

Back to verse 1, Paul is saying that it was the will of God that he was an apostle. If you want to be a preacher or a teacher make sure it is Gods will and not yours or someone else’s will. Look at James 3:1

(1) My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Take heed that before you try to pastor a church (bishop) make sure you qualify. A preacher does not have to be married, the reason why I say this is because he is not over a flock he is just teaching and preaching from place to place. But a pastor (bishop) must be married with children according to I Timothy 3:2, 4

(2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

(4) One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.

Remember now, Ephesians is for instructions on how we are to conduct ourselves it is written to the saved people. If we walk like Jesus Christ walked and talked with good morals values we may convince others to imitate our lives.

Ephesians 1:2

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul is giving us grace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Now some say there is only one true God and there is no such thing as three in one. I disagree with that statement I know the word trinity like rapture is not in the Bible, but I believe with my whole heart there are three Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Ghost, and those three make up one. They work together and then they can work separate. Let’s go to the word of God: Genesis 11:5-7 notice more than one together.

(5) And the Lord came down to see the city and tower, which the children of men builded.

(6) And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

(7) Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.

Let’s look also at John 1:1, 2 & 14

(1)